Mask for a side sleeper?

[EdNerd]

I'm getting my first machine and mask this Friday. A friend showed me his mask - the Respironics Amara View. I liked it because of the soft nasal opening, and the mouth covering because I get stuffy.

What I'm not sure of is the side buckles. I will sleep on my side - often halfway between side and stomach. My head is pressed into my pillow, usually with a hand or arm underneath.

Is this mask likely to give me problems with the buckles presding into my face? I realize I'm going to have to get used to sleeping with an alien on my face anyway -- but a painful one might not be best to start with.

Ed

[ChicagoGranny]

Is this mask likely to give me problems with the buckles presding into my face?

The mask is inanimate; it doesn't give any problems. If problems arise, it is the user at fault.

I use a mask similar to that one, and don't have problems sleeping on my sides. You should learn to sleep on the edge of the pillow with the front of your face and the mask hanging over the edge. This helps minimize unintentional leak.

sleeping with an alien on my face

Donald Trump may not be happy about it, but my little alien quickly became a loving member of our family.

[LSAT]

I'm sure you will find side sleepers that use all types of masks and all types of pillows. As said many times...masks are personal. What works for one may or may not work for others. I am a side sleeper and have used the Quattro FF mask for years. There are others that have had no success with it.

[Wrinkles]

I have also just started with cpap, been on it about 2 weeks. I am also a side sleeper mainly. ( toss and turn too!) At first I started off with a Dreamwear nasal mask, and I really like it. I just went through the weekend with a TERRIBLE head cold. I was so glad that I thought ahead and picked up an Amara View mask to try just for the same reason ! Without it there would be no way I could tolerate the CPAP machine.
With the mask on, the buckles are on the front of the mask so they are out of your way, there is only one small D ring on the headgear itself and that winds up behind and above your ear somewhat. While wearing the mask you really don't know it's there unless you feel for it.
It took me quite a bit of adjusting the tension of the straps to get the mask to fit properly and not leak. The only discomfort I had was where the headgear comes together at the Y where it would bunch up behind my ear during the night. A little more adjustment and I think I've got it fixed.
Give it a try, and see if it works for you. I have to increase the humidifier setting when using the FF mask over the nasal mask.

[EdNerd]

@Granny:
You would be surprised at how many inanimate objects cause me problems!!
And I'm sure I will learn to make several adjustments along this journey.

@Wrinkles:
Thanks for the description. It helps.

I'll pick up my mask Friday. I'll let y'all know how it goes. (Hopefully, not across the room!!)

Ed

[svo]

... have no fear!.. I am using the Amaraview, I am a side sleeper and mouth breather on top and I found this mask to be the best for me..I am on cpap since March 2016 and never thought I will get use to the "thing" on my face...but guess what?....I got the "hang" of it...I do turn a few times and I got so good at it that I also guide the hose over my head with no problems...

I notice that my AHIs go up to 5 maybe once or twice in a week but most times stays below 3...and the leak ratio is sometimes bigger than others but in my case it has no correlation to amount of AHIs..maybe because the leaks are small...good luck to you and enjoy your zzzzzzzzs

[ChicagoGranny]

@Granny:
You would be surprised at how many inanimate objects cause me problems!!

No surprise, I regularly see people walk into poles on the sidewalk.

[EdNerd]

@Granny:
You would be surprised at how many inanimate objects cause me problems!!

No surprise, I regularly see people walk into poles on the sidewalk.

Mebbe they need a CPAP so they can awaken refreshed and alert.
This world does need more lerts!

Ed

[chunkyfrog]

Some people need soft covering over the straps.
You can use scraps of fleece or order some from Pad a Cheek.
Karen is a forum member and cpap user. She sells soft things to nake cpap more comfy.

[bambiying]

I'm a side sleeper and used an Amara View for 6 months. I really liked it, and had no problems sleeping on my side with it. I stopped using it though because it caused me to get a higher AHI per night than the Resmed F10, so I went back to the F10. I could feel a world of difference in how I felt with the two masks.

[bonjour]

With any mask for a side sleeper, try to position the pask over the edge of the pillow. There are specific CPAP Pillows that give more options to do this,check them out. This is a me tested method of sleeping with the Amara View mask.

Remember Masks are the hardest part of PAP therapy to get right, mostly because each of us is unique in facial structure.

IF AT ALL POSSIBLE, when you pick up your PAP, try on multiple masks, include the pillows, nasal, and the FFM. Try different sizes. It all makes a difference.
Did your study indicate mouth-breathing? Sometimes mouth-breathing stops on PAP pressure. The Pillows are IMHO the best if you can use them.

Fred

[JimW159]

My $0.02
In my search for a mask that would allow me to sleep on my side without contributing to leaks and lack of comfort, I have come to note the following:
1) For the mask to not skew in its connection to the nostrils, exacerbating leaks, it needs a stable platform from which it is oriented - this also needs to be gentle enough that it does not become too ridgid.
2) For the mask to not contribute to marks, it needs to have some sort cushioning against the sides of the face.
Ancillary to the mask interface in minimizing leaks is the need for possibly some mechanical means of lessening mouth leaks - the two most popular mechanisms for this are taping and/or chin straps (a cervical collar may be gaining popularity). I have found that a chin strap underneath the mask straps provides an admirable cushion to prevent marks and helps in minimizing mouth leaks. The trick I have found for me is to not tighten the chin strap too much. I have found the best results to be when the jaw can be relaxed, not clinched, so that it doesn't fall open during sleep - the lips remaining in contact is the most important factor. Chapstick or similar lip balm can aid in the sealing of the lips. Regarding 1, above, I have come to appreciate the Brevida pillows ability to maintain a stable platform as well as a soft, comfortable interface with the nostrils

[ChicagoGranny]

In my search for a mask that would allow me to sleep on my side without contributing to leaks and lack of comfort, I have come to note the following:

Don't forget to match your mask up with a good sidesleeper bed and mattress.

[JimW159]

Don't forget to match your mask up with a good sidesleeper bed and mattress.

Just don't turn over in the night.

[MeToo]

Here are my thoughts...

Like Amazon, CPAP.COM's user ratings are helpful -- you can search for highest rated masks and find those masks with sufficient reviews that are highly ratinged.

That being said, I use an Activa paired with a buckwheat pillow. The Activa is made for side-sleepers and has accordion-type construction that allows for some mask movement without breaking the seal. Buckwheat pillow provides me enough support to position my head so that the mask has minimal overlap with the pillow. Actually, I prefer half buckwheat, half millet (there is a divider between two chambers that hold the two different shells). I let my non-cpap wife use the buckwheat/millet pillow and she bought one. Now both my boys use them as well. They are heavier, which makes them somewhat more troublesome to travel with.

I also use extra buckwheat pillows on either side to help bolster me and prevent me from rolling on my back. These work better for that purpose than more mushy pillows.