Change the sleep position

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
tehminbrown
Posts: 1
Joined: Thu Jul 31, 2014 11:57 am
Location: Blythe, CA

Change the sleep position

Post by tehminbrown » Fri Aug 01, 2014 5:23 pm

Can somebody please tell me how to train the body to sleep on the side instead of on the back (my ahi is within the normal range when i sleep on my side)? My second question: if and when i learn to sleep on the side, what kind of mask would work with both positions: side and back? Or, what additional item would be needed besides the mask? Thanks.

User avatar
englandsf
Posts: 1016
Joined: Thu Jul 10, 2014 6:17 pm
Location: Austin TX

Re: Change the sleep position

Post by englandsf » Fri Aug 01, 2014 5:31 pm

Some folks report success sewing a soda bottle into the back of a t-shirt to discourage back sleeping. Side sleeping will always put sideways strain on the mask - I found full face the worse and pillows the best for side sleeping - which I do naturally. Can be easier with a cut out pillow to ease side pressure. Pretty much any mask that works on the side will work on the back but not the other way round.

_________________
Mask: AirFit™ P10 Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control
Additional Comments: Sleepyhead SW. NeilMed and Alkalol Nasal rinses. Veramyst. AutoPAP 11-20 cms. Started June '14, untreated AHI 31-38, with PAP around 1.

library lady
Posts: 1116
Joined: Wed Feb 05, 2014 11:10 am
Location: Rochester, MN

Re: Change the sleep position

Post by library lady » Fri Aug 01, 2014 5:34 pm

I have heard of several ways to train yourself to sleep on your side. Get a big wedge to put right behind you on the bed, stuff a pillow or other soft stuff into a backpack and wear it when you are in bed, or sew a pocket into the back of a t-shirt or pajama top that will hold a tennis ball and wear that to bed with the tennis ball in it. I have not tried these, but it seems like they would work to remind you when you start to roll onto your back.

I am a side sleeper. I use a full face mask, sleeping with my head near the edge of the pillow.

Good luck, and welcome to the forum!

_________________
Machine: PR System One REMStar 60 Series Auto CPAP Machine
Mask: AirFit™ F10 Full Face Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments:  Sleepyhead
Now using AirFit F10 mask; Quattro Air is backup mask. RemZzzz mask liners with both.

User avatar
LSAT
Posts: 13232
Joined: Sun Nov 16, 2008 10:11 am
Location: SE Wisconsin

Re: Change the sleep position

Post by LSAT » Fri Aug 01, 2014 6:03 pm

Get a fanny pack...put in 2 tennis balls and wear it on your back

User avatar
Tatooed Lady
Posts: 984
Joined: Sat Jun 07, 2014 6:18 pm
Location: Central Wisconsin

Re: Change the sleep position

Post by Tatooed Lady » Fri Aug 01, 2014 6:40 pm

I find that full face masks leak more when I'm on my back, because my jaw drops back some (gravity works), and my mouth opens. This causes leaks, which wakes me up, which causes me to change position. YMMV.

_________________
Mask: Swift™ FX For Her Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control
Additional Comments: Precious and POW are very very good to me.
As Bette Davis famously said, “Old age ain’t for sissies.”
I'm with the band.
So.Many.TOYS!