Yep, I'm a Newbie.

First of all, I can see right now I need to get a copy of my sleep study results...and very glad I found this forum.

I have been on CPAP for about 2 weeks....think I have gotten my ramp time good, and my humidity good. Two problems....I either sleep on my side and side/stomach...that tends to "mush" part of my face (and the mask) into my pillow, knocking the mask 'off kilter'. Then I get a leak and the sound wakes me up. Second issue...I am sleeping in the same position so long I hurt like &^%# in the mornings. (Yes I have arthritis in many of my parts.) I tried the nasal pillow mask during the sleep study...that was awful...slept very soundly a few hours and woke up with a horrible headache, and mouth so dry it hurt...asked to change to the face mask and never moved after that until they woke me up. How, I don't know - I think the mattress came from the Dept of Corrections.

The CPAP pillows look so....uncomfortable. Any suggestions on pillows?

What about the aching issue? Is it time for a new/better/different mattress?

Otherwise, I seem to be adapting more quickly than I thought I would. Still haven't felt alot of difference, altho I do seem to wake up more quickly than before. (Possibly leak issues causing me to wake more than I realize?) I have seen 'sleep debt' referred to in other information I have read on the web...is this a legitimate issue?

kbthomas3455 wrote:First of all, I can see right now I need to get a copy of my sleep study results...and very glad I found this forum.

I have been on CPAP for about 2 weeks....think I have gotten my ramp time good, and my humidity good. Two problems....I either sleep on my side and side/stomach...that tends to "mush" part of my face (and the mask) into my pillow, knocking the mask 'off kilter'. Then I get a leak and the sound wakes me up. Second issue...I am sleeping in the same position so long I hurt like &^%# in the mornings. (Yes I have arthritis in many of my parts.) I tried the nasal pillow mask during the sleep study...that was awful...slept very soundly a few hours and woke up with a horrible headache, and mouth so dry it hurt...asked to change to the face mask and never moved after that until they woke me up. How, I don't know - I think the mattress came from the Dept of Corrections.

The CPAP pillows look so....uncomfortable. Any suggestions on pillows?

What about the aching issue? Is it time for a new/better/different mattress?

Otherwise, I seem to be adapting more quickly than I thought I would. Still haven't felt alot of difference, altho I do seem to wake up more quickly than before. (Possibly leak issues causing me to wake more than I realize?) I have seen 'sleep debt' referred to in other information I have read on the web...is this a legitimate issue?

Mine is in my profile below. The Chiroflow (also sold as the Mediflow) water-based pillows. I was using mine some years before I started this therapy and it's worked great with it. The height and/or softness can be regulated by the amount of water in it. Google them and see what you think.
Everyone has their preferences, so you'll likely hear from the others sooner or later.


Den

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Wulfman... wrote:
Mine is in my profile below. The Chiroflow (also sold as the Mediflow) water-based pillows. I was using mine some years before I started this therapy and it's worked great with it. The height and/or softness can be regulated by the amount of water in it. Google them and see what you think.
Everyone has their preferences, so you'll likely hear from the others sooner or later.


Den

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Do these water-based pillows stay cool through the night? Do they have some sort of baffle so they don't slosh and "wave" like the old waterbeds? Always looking for the ideal pillow....

IreneN wrote:

Wulfman... wrote:
Mine is in my profile below. The Chiroflow (also sold as the Mediflow) water-based pillows. I was using mine some years before I started this therapy and it's worked great with it. The height and/or softness can be regulated by the amount of water in it. Google them and see what you think.
Everyone has their preferences, so you'll likely hear from the others sooner or later.


Den

.

Do these water-based pillows stay cool through the night? Do they have some sort of baffle so they don't slosh and "wave" like the old waterbeds? Always looking for the ideal pillow....

I've liked mine and along with my CPAP machine, can't sleep without it. If we're traveling by car somewhere to visit, it goes along, too. (I have a large zippered dufflebag that it goes in)
One thing I've done with mine going back to before CPAP therapy is to wrap the pillow (including the pillow case) with a medium sized towel. Before therapy, I would get head sweats and the towel absorbed that. Now on therapy, I don't get so many of those, but I found that the towel helps to stabilize my mask and I can get a better mask fit by adjusting my head into my pillow that way. Even though it's "water-based", it has a type of fiberfill covering. I really don't notice much in the way of "sloshing". Once I figured out the right amount of water I liked in mine, I took an empty gallon milk jug and dumped the water back into the jug and drew a line on it with a "Sharpie" marker so I could eventually refill it. They do eventually need to be washed and the water needs to be dumped out for that.......and of course refilled with fresh water......distilled works best I think.

But, do a Google search on "Chiroflow and Mediflow pillows" and do some research. I just noticed there are some links to customer user ratings and satisfaction reports.


Den

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I use a temperpedic pillow and it works great. I may look into the Chiropillow though it looks cool and it's about time to replace our pillows. I just have to make sure it can stand up to cat claws.

Finnc wrote:I use a temperpedic pillow and it works great. I may look into the Chiropillow though it looks cool and it's about time to replace our pillows. I just have to make sure it can stand up to cat claws.

Which Temperpedic pillow do you use if I may ask?

Thanks.

I use the side pillow.

http://www.tempurpedic.com/Contoured-Pi ... Pillow.asp

I like the curved pillow as well which my husband uses.

Google Pap Pillow - it's got cut-outs for masks and lots of us use them (tho' I happen not to). And if you haven't tried a good (5 lb density - it's how it's categorized - lower than 5 is crap) memory foam mattress, do it, or a Sleep # bed.

Thanks for the suggestions, will be 'googlin' today to check out some of the pillows.

Have thought about the memory foam or sleep# mattresses for some time, may need to just take the leap and change mattresses.

kbthomas3455 wrote:may need to just take the leap and change mattresses.

Before you do - try a mattress topper - it can make a big diff as long as your mattress is still flat.