The Sleep Better Pillow

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
cdcm71
Posts: 14
Joined: Fri Feb 03, 2012 12:40 am

The Sleep Better Pillow

Post by cdcm71 » Sun Feb 19, 2012 10:16 am

Ok... NEW problem.

Now that I sleep like a dead person. I do not move in my sleep at all!!! Until, I'm woke by my numb and tingling arm and fingers. I'm a side sleeper, and I feel as though I'm cutting off my circulation or pinching a nerve in my shoulder/armpit area.

I've currently got a very flimsy pillow that I can roll and tuck up under my neck without smacking my mask. It sorta works.

So, I just found this pillow at http://www.sleep-better-pillow.com/howworks.html

It LOOKS like it might do a good job supporting the neck and leaving me some space for my shoulder. And then MAYBE won't bump my mask.

Anyone have any input?
Machine:PR System One REMstar Auto CPAP Machine with A-Flex + Heated Humidifer
Mask: Mirage Quattro Full Face Mask with headgear
Pressure starts at 8, Data card says I'm at 11.5 90% of the time.

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LSAT
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Location: SE Wisconsin

Re: The Sleep Better Pillow

Post by LSAT » Sun Feb 19, 2012 10:54 am

Looks like SPAM to me...First Post...how about you???

_________________
Machine: ResMed AirSense™ 10 AutoSet™ CPAP Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Mask: Fisher & Paykel Vitera Full Face Mask with Headgear (S, M, or L Cushion)
Additional Comments: Back up is S9 Autoset...... Buckwheat hull pillow
Last edited by LSAT on Sun Feb 19, 2012 11:18 am, edited 1 time in total.

portiemom
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Joined: Wed Jan 11, 2012 12:30 pm

Re: The Sleep Better Pillow

Post by portiemom » Sun Feb 19, 2012 10:55 am

Hmmm, I'm not sure how this would work for a stomach sleeper like me. I like the idea of the seperation for my arm to go up under the pillow, but for me I have to squish the side of the pillow so the mask hangs off of the pillow otherwise the mask will either shift to the cheek or smother the output air vent.
I would love to hear feedback on this as pillows are hard to find or make.

_________________
Mask: SleepWeaver Elan™ Soft Cloth Nasal CPAP Mask - Starter Kit
Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control
Additional Comments: It's not about how many breaths you take; it's about the moments that take your breath away!

cdcm71
Posts: 14
Joined: Fri Feb 03, 2012 12:40 am

NUMB ARMS: The Sleep Better Pillow/not spam!

Post by cdcm71 » Sun Feb 19, 2012 11:31 pm

Of for Crime-iny Sakes... I just answered then deleted my own dang post!

Ok, I run a forum for another totally unrelated biz, so I get how that looks like a spam...

But it's not...

I'll update my sigi... When I figure out what to put in it!

In short... I'm a used to be skinny, now overwieght mother of twins. Dx'd with sleep apnea about 4years ago... Seemingly "minor" at the time. Didn't take it serious enough to even think it was a REAL problem. Especially when I lost some weight. Self proclaimed healed... obviously too sleep deprived to use my head! The kids were keeping me awake which was making using a mask a nightmare.

Fast forward just had a new study done a month ago... DX'd SEVERE

Still don't understand all my numbers: pRDI: 58.5, pAHI: 58.1 Oxygen Saturation Stats: Mean 90, Minimum 70, Max 99 Total sleep events during 7 hrs 37min = 383

On a Respironics REMstar A-Forc... I'm set at an 8, and according to the machine I am on 11.5 90% of the time. I know that while on it I had a pRDI of 13.7, a pAHI of 4.2, 8 events over a 5 h 45minute period and I FEEL AWESOME!!!!

I have a Mirage Quattro Full Face (nose and mouth) with headgear.

I actually had ZERO issues getting used to this thing. I was waking and getting up about 13 times a night to pee. I was ready to see my dr. for a bladder issue. Now I sleep like a dead person. I barely wake if a child crawls in bed with us.

So... My problem is: Now that I'm not getting aerobic and moving all night long. The first week was hell. I was actually sore from not moving... NOW, my freaking arms fall to sleep and wake ME UP!

I have an athletic background that seemingly graces me with a strong body awareness (except for gagging in my sleep apparently). And so, I'm otherwise fairly aware of my body. I KNOW this is me cutting off a nerve or blood flow or something. As it just requires that I flip to the otherside. Until it's numb, and then flip again.

SOOOOOOOO.... I'm looking for something that will help me not squeeze my shoulder to death!

This pillow looked interesting. But I figure I can't be the only person having this problem...

Happily open to recommendations that don't cost $100.00

Thanks!
Machine:PR System One REMstar Auto CPAP Machine with A-Flex + Heated Humidifer
Mask: Mirage Quattro Full Face Mask with headgear
Pressure starts at 8, Data card says I'm at 11.5 90% of the time.

ems
Posts: 2757
Joined: Fri Jul 29, 2011 12:46 am

Re: The Sleep Better Pillow

Post by ems » Sun Feb 19, 2012 11:48 pm

Do a search here on bed pillows. I'm sure you'll find one that will work for you. One suggestion... the Sobakawa Pillow.
If only the folks with sawdust for brains were as sweet and obliging and innocent as The Scarecrow! ~a friend~

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Uncle_Bob
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Location: Arizona

Re: The Sleep Better Pillow

Post by Uncle_Bob » Mon Feb 20, 2012 10:48 am

cdcm71 wrote:Anyone have any input?
Its an as seen on TV gimmick for $99 - $245 for a couple of odd shaped bits of memory foam.

They say there is one born every minute

cdcm71
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Joined: Fri Feb 03, 2012 12:40 am

Re: The Sleep Better Pillow

Post by cdcm71 » Mon Feb 20, 2012 10:51 am

Uncle_Bob wrote:
cdcm71 wrote:Anyone have any input?
Its an as seen on TV gimmick for $99 - $245 for a couple of odd shaped bits of memory foam.

They say there is one born every minute
And so you have a solution to remove the pressure from the arm?

Thanks,
Machine:PR System One REMstar Auto CPAP Machine with A-Flex + Heated Humidifer
Mask: Mirage Quattro Full Face Mask with headgear
Pressure starts at 8, Data card says I'm at 11.5 90% of the time.

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Uncle_Bob
Posts: 2777
Joined: Tue Feb 24, 2009 12:10 pm
Location: Arizona

Re: The Sleep Better Pillow

Post by Uncle_Bob » Mon Feb 20, 2012 12:13 pm

cdcm71 wrote:
Uncle_Bob wrote:
cdcm71 wrote:Anyone have any input?
Its an as seen on TV gimmick for $99 - $245 for a couple of odd shaped bits of memory foam.

They say there is one born every minute
And so you have a solution to remove the pressure from the arm?

Thanks,
I'm not sure exactly in what position you sleep but have you tried a Buckwheat hull pillow?
I use the regenesis pillows. I have the regular and the XL. I find you can mold them to shape, customize the feel by adding/removing hulls and I don't sink into them enough to dislodge my mask creating leaks.
I can also empty out the hulls and wash all the fabric covers so I'm hoping it will last me years as other have reported.
Like i said i not sure of you position but this may work, even if you need more than one.
There are cheaper buckwheat hull pillows out there and people have even made their own.
http://www.pur-sleep.com/products/produ ... ategory=14

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NateS
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Location: Kaatskill Mts-Washington Irving

Cutting off Circulation …

Post by NateS » Mon Feb 20, 2012 12:56 pm

It sounds like you are describing a problem I previously had, when every time I moved over onto my left or right side to relieve my back for awhile, I would fall asleep on my side seemingly okay but would wake up with a painful numb arm and/or shoulder.

I wound up solving the problem by propping up my supportive arm (the arm on the side I was lying on) so that my elbow was touching the bed but my forearm was sticking up in the air. This prevents my arm from bearing the full weight of my body. It sounds and looks silly, and I'm sure my forearm does not continue to point directly up to the ceiling, but wherever it winds up in my sleep it is "safe" from being crushed under my body.

I haven't had the problem since, and that was several months ago.

(I have since then added a CPAPMax pillow, but that was because my old pillow was knocking my Swift Fx aside. The cutting-off-circulation problem was already solved even with my original pillow.)

It will look and feel silly when you first try it, but maybe it will help you too.

Regards, Nate

_________________
Mask: DreamWear Nasal CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: ResMed AirCurve 10 ASV; Dreamwear Nasal Mask Original; CPAPMax Pillow; ResScan & SleepyHead
Central sleep apnea AHI 62.6 pre-VPAP. Now 0 to 1.3
Present Rx: EPAP: 8; IPAPlo:11; IPAPHi: 23; PSMin: 3; PSMax: 15
"I've had a perfectly wonderful evening, but this wasn't it." —Groucho Marx

cdcm71
Posts: 14
Joined: Fri Feb 03, 2012 12:40 am

Re: Cutting off Circulation …

Post by cdcm71 » Mon Feb 20, 2012 6:27 pm

NateS wrote:It sounds like you are describing a problem I previously had, when every time I moved over onto my left or right side to relieve my back for awhile, I would fall asleep on my side seemingly okay but would wake up with a painful numb arm and/or shoulder.

I wound up solving the problem by propping up my supportive arm (the arm on the side I was lying on) so that my elbow was touching the bed but my forearm was sticking up in the air. This prevents my arm from bearing the full weight of my body. It sounds and looks silly, and I'm sure my forearm does not continue to point directly up to the ceiling, but wherever it winds up in my sleep it is "safe" from being crushed under my body.

I haven't had the problem since, and that was several months ago.

(I have since then added a CPAPMax pillow, but that was because my old pillow was knocking my Swift Fx aside. The cutting-off-circulation problem was already solved even with my original pillow.)

It will look and feel silly when you first try it, but maybe it will help you too.

Regards, Nate
Haha! My husband already has nicknamed me 8 of 9... It's hard to believe I can add more "silly" to my look, but I'm sure it's possible.
Machine:PR System One REMstar Auto CPAP Machine with A-Flex + Heated Humidifer
Mask: Mirage Quattro Full Face Mask with headgear
Pressure starts at 8, Data card says I'm at 11.5 90% of the time.

cdcm71
Posts: 14
Joined: Fri Feb 03, 2012 12:40 am

Re: The Sleep Better Pillow

Post by cdcm71 » Mon Feb 20, 2012 6:32 pm

Uncle_Bob wrote:
cdcm71 wrote:
Uncle_Bob wrote:
cdcm71 wrote:Anyone have any input?
Its an as seen on TV gimmick for $99 - $245 for a couple of odd shaped bits of memory foam.

They say there is one born every minute
And so you have a solution to remove the pressure from the arm?

Thanks,
I'm not sure exactly in what position you sleep but have you tried a Buckwheat hull pillow?
I use the regenesis pillows. I have the regular and the XL. I find you can mold them to shape, customize the feel by adding/removing hulls and I don't sink into them enough to dislodge my mask creating leaks.
I can also empty out the hulls and wash all the fabric covers so I'm hoping it will last me years as other have reported.
Like i said i not sure of you position but this may work, even if you need more than one.
There are cheaper buckwheat hull pillows out there and people have even made their own.
http://www.pur-sleep.com/products/produ ... ategory=14

Wow... Just watched their demo. I like the idea of molding the pillow just how I need it... THANK YOU! I think I'll be trying this out!!!!
Machine:PR System One REMstar Auto CPAP Machine with A-Flex + Heated Humidifer
Mask: Mirage Quattro Full Face Mask with headgear
Pressure starts at 8, Data card says I'm at 11.5 90% of the time.

Kilgore Trout
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Location: Baltimore, MD
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Re: The Sleep Better Pillow

Post by Kilgore Trout » Mon Feb 20, 2012 10:44 pm

sleep_apnea wrote:After searching the netabout your problem, I've seen this kind of pillow


Image.

You may want to give it a try!
Have it. Love it. Won't give it up until it's pried from my cold dead hands.

Kilgore Trout
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Re: The Sleep Better Pillow

Post by Kilgore Trout » Tue Feb 21, 2012 4:12 pm

sleep_apnea wrote:Yeah. It sounds like it is really a comfortable pillow. Hope it helps everyone here.
I'll say this -- with Nose Pillows, I have no problems, but wearing a FFM, your head needs to be near the edges in order to side-sleep.