Anyone need to sleep in a recliner?

[ellen1159]

Sometimes this feels like a game of Whack-a-Mole: you no sooner find a solution to one CPAP therapy issue than another pops up. I may be able to use the Wisp nasal mask, if I am able to solve the chipmunk cheeks dilemma (working on it). But when I tried to sleep on my side, I just couldn't find a comfortable position that didn't result in leaks. If I found a position that stopped the leaks, then the mask straps were pushing into my head and too uncomfortable to allow me to fall asleep. And this is with regular pillows and a fancy $60 pillow with cutouts for the mask that I bought online - my neck is so short that the cutouts are too high to accomodate the sides of the mask!

On my back with four pillows was reasonably comfortable but I couldnt' really get my head and neck aligned in a way that allowed me to fall asleep. I just bought a used recliner and I'm going to try to nap in it today (maybe fall asleep in front of tv). I've never been able to sleep on my back but the recliner is so comfortable that I think I might.

anyone else have this problem when they started out?

[nanwilson]

Sometimes this feels like a game of Whack-a-Mole: you no sooner find a solution to one CPAP therapy issue than another pops up. I may be able to use the Wisp nasal mask, if I am able to solve the chipmunk cheeks dilemma (working on it). But when I tried to sleep on my side, I just couldn't find a comfortable position that didn't result in leaks. If I found a position that stopped the leaks, then the mask straps were pushing into my head and too uncomfortable to allow me to fall asleep. And this is with regular pillows and a fancy $60 pillow with cutouts for the mask that I bought online - my neck is so short that the cutouts are too high to accomodate the sides of the mask!

On my back with four pillows was reasonably comfortable but I couldnt' really get my head and neck aligned in a way that allowed me to fall asleep. I just bought a used recliner and I'm going to try to nap in it today (maybe fall asleep in front of tv). I've never been able to sleep on my back but the recliner is so comfortable that I think I might.

anyone else have this problem when they started out?

Have you tried raising the head of your bed 4 to 6 inches?

[Kohkie]

I had the same problem adjusting to the Swift FX mask. Fortunately I have an adjustable bed & eventually got used to sleeping on my back with the head & legs raised. Quite comfy, and a lot like a recliner. When I stay the night at my brother's house, I always sleep on his recliner. I much prefer it to a flat bed.

[ellen1159]

No I didn't think of that! I just took a short nap in the recliner and its not as comfortable as the bed, especially when I'm accustomed to sleeping on my side.

[ddk]

I must admit that I've thought about doing this myself. For a brief period I tried something similar to what you did with the extra pillows (I used couch cushions) and I definitely breathed easier but got a sore neck and back as I couldn't twist around and so was 'stuck' in the one position all night.

[RandyJ]

Ellen,

I use a regular pillow with the Swift FX, but I just put part of my head (from the ears back) on the pillow, lying on my left side. It's comfortable and I don't have leaks or issues with headgear. I bought a special fleece 'over the head' cover from Padacheek for the headgear and also her barrel cozy for the pillows; it's softness everywhere, I never feel the straps at all.

[ellen1159]

Ellen,

I use a regular pillow with the Swift FX, but I just put part of my head (from the ears back) on the pillow, lying on my left side. It's comfortable and I don't have leaks or issues with headgear. I bought a special fleece 'over the head' cover from Padacheek for the headgear and also her barrel cozy for the pillows; it's softness everywhere, I never feel the straps at all.

I think I"m going to have to do the same: custom CPAP pillow doesn't fit my head/neck measurements. I don't use pillows but the cover for the headgear might help thanks for the suggestion.

[archangle]

I usually sleep in a recliner. It feels better for my back, and avoids the problems of sleeping on my side, rolling over, etc. vs. CPAP mask.

It took some experimenting to find the right recliner to feel good on my back. Big overstuffed ones don't seem to support as well. The less luxurious ones seem to give better support. Avoid puffy arms, they feel too hot when sleeping. I have one of the cheaper La-z-boy recliners.

I have a back support pillow thing made for office chairs and one of those horse collar style neck pillows filled with buckwheat hulls.