Side or stomach, which is better for eliminating apneas?

[TheChuckster]

You always hear about avoiding sleeping on your back for apneas.

Which is better though? Side or stomach for eliminating apneas?

My tongue collapses at night, that is my main problem.

[Julie]

Side is the best (supposedly), though it can be difficult to get your mask and bed pillow to work together... Stomach isn't normally recommended even if it works for apnea because it can mess up other systems (back, neck) and then you'll have two problems instead of one. But some people make it work (YT) if they can work out a reasonable way to do it for themselves (mine's a sort of jury rig massage table clone - cut a place out of my mem. foam mattress for the mask... but it probably wouldn't work for most.

[TheChuckster]

I have no trouble with mask + stomach.

[exiii]

I've been told by my sleep doctors that sleeping on your side is recommended. On the back was/is demonstrably bad for my apneas.

That said, until recently, I've always been most comfortable on my stomach. Now it just causes a sore back - all because I decided to take up running after age 40.

[Okie bipap]

Due to other medical problems (severe arthritis) I can only sleep on my back. I use an adjustable be that is similar to a hospital bed It is quite similar to sleeping in a recliner. My machine is quite capable of controlling my apnea with me sleeping in this position.

[chunkyfrog]

It is common for more apneas to occur while sleeping on the back; but not for everyone.
Some people have found the cloth Sleepweaver masks by Circadiance work very well for those who sleep prone.
Lots more gentle on the face.
Okie, after my BC surgery, I had to sleep solely on my back for several weeks.
My buckwheat hull-foam blend pillow was a life saver!

[D.H.]

Due to other medical problems (severe arthritis) I can only sleep on my back. I use an adjustable be that is similar to a hospital bed It is quite similar to sleeping in a recliner. My machine is quite capable of controlling my apnea with me sleeping in this position.

Probably the pressure is set higher than it would have been if you slept on your side. However, it is set for the way you sleep, and it's working!

[D.H.]

I tend to sleep on my back. Also, I find that the mask stays on better than way. My pressure is probably higher than it would be for side-sleeping, but I'm fine with that.

[McSleepy]

It depends on what kind of sleep disorder you have. If you have OSA and the main source is collapsing of the soft tissue (palate, back of tongue, pharynx), then sleeping on your back might be the worst. I can't sleep at all on my back; I could, with great effort on my side (when forced during some injuries); but the only position I'm comfortable with is prone. My pressure is already above 20 cm, so I can't just raise it. However, if you have UARS, and your main problem is the plugging of the nasal cavity, you might be better off on your back. If your tongue is known to be the only problem, then try sleeping prone (if you can control it), and see if it improves. There are many threads here about how to achieve comfortable sleep on your stomach.
McSleepy

[palerider]

You always hear about avoiding sleeping on your back for apneas.

Which is better though? Side or stomach for eliminating apneas?

My tongue collapses at night, that is my main problem.

this is appropriate... perhaps you'll find some help here:

http://doctorstevenpark.com/find-your-b ... p-position