breathing in different sleeping positions while on bipap

Hi and happy holidays!

I realized something odd that happens when I sleep. Although I always sleep with my bipap on, I usually sleep lying on my left side. This position seems to work best for me in terms of how my full-face mask fits on my face AND how easy it is for me to breathe. I am unable to lie on my back while I sleep, even if I have my bipap on. I am a mouth breather and even with the force of the air, I have to purposefully open my mouth for air every time I breathe in.

The odd part comes in here. I occasionally need to sleep on my back (for instance, when I feel very congested or have a cold). If I sleep on my back with my head turned to the left so that my left cheek is hitting the pillow, I am able to breathe in this position.

Why am I able to breathe in certain positions but not in others, even with my bipap? Is there an anatomical reason for this? Seriously wondering if something is just wrong with my airway.

Thanks for your replies!

Think of your airway as a floppy, irregular tube that's kinked in various places as it winds through your nose, neck, and chest. Then put muscles and tissue around it. Now imagine what happens to this tube as you move around, lie on your side, etc.

Sleep apnea is when this tube collapses. Doesn't it make sense that it would collapse at different times as you move your body around, change the shape, change what's lying on top of it, stretch or relax muscles, etc.?

Your respiratory doc would be in a good position to help you with this.
He would need to see you breathing, lying down, etc.
Make an appointment.