Fat mouthbreather, sleeps on side

[nanuke]

I had a sleep study 2 weeks ago. They ENCOURAGED me to sleep on my back; I guess that makes it easier for the techs, but I never fall asleep on my back so I slept on the sides. The idea is to sleep... that's what they're there to study.

SLEEP WELL

[ichitumi]

My sleep study report came back with data for both sleeping on my back and sleeping on my side. Totally different set of numbers. Probably wanted to compare the two. My guess is that most of us NEED to sleep on our sides so we don't end up choking, but they most likely wanted to see how severe our apnea is if we were to sleep on our backs naturally.

Growing up, I've found that whenever I go on overnight trips with other people ... the only way I can sleep and not wake up everybody is to shove my bed up against a wall and basically sleep in the crack between wall and bed with the wall supporting my back. Not very comfortable at all.

[Billy6]

I have blocked sinuses and also sleep on my side with no problems. As far as full face masks, get the mirage or the quattro (my preference) and stay away from the Comfort2

[nanuke]

I don't have the physical problems you have butI had a sleep study done about 2 weeks ago. They definitely ENCOURAGED me to sleep on my back, but I told them that I can't fall alseep on my back, so I slept mostly on my sides. I guess sleeping on your back makes it easier for the techs.

SLEEP WELL

[Jason S.]

I have blocked sinuses and also sleep on my side with no problems. As far as full face masks, get the mirage or the quattro (my preference) and stay away from the Comfort2

Why stay away from Comfort2? I have Comfort Gel. One thing about having the intake down by the mouth is it hard to exhale? I prefer incoming air to come into my nose, but the truth is I've only tried the Comfort Gel.

[Kiralynx]

I have blocked sinuses and also sleep on my side with no problems. As far as full face masks, get the mirage or the quattro (my preference) and stay away from the Comfort2

Are you talking about the Comfortlite 2? It's a great mask, especially for a side-sleeper, and even better with the direct seals. (BTW, I have blocked sinuses much of the time, too. A nasal rinse really helps.)

[Wulfman]

I have blocked sinuses and also sleep on my side with no problems. As far as full face masks, get the mirage or the quattro (my preference) and stay away from the Comfort2

Why stay away from Comfort2? I have Comfort Gel. One thing about having the intake down by the mouth is it hard to exhale? I prefer incoming air to come into my nose, but the truth is I've only tried the Comfort Gel.

Billy6 was referring to full face masks and I believe was referring to the Comfortfull 2......which hasn't worked for very many people.....it's a "torture device" to put it mildly. I tried one a couple of years ago (after using the UMFF for a couple of years) and could only make it about three nights with it before giving up. The Comfort Gel was originally a nasal mask which was supposed to work pretty good. They recently came out with the Comfort Gel in a full face version, and I've read mixed opinions on it.

Den

[Mike081376]

Wulman,

I had my first sleep study last weekend (cpap last night) and the tech asked me how I normally sleep too...I said ALWAYS on my stomach, CANNOT sleep on my back at all. She told me because of all the electrodes I HAD to sleep on my back and if I rolled over, she'd come in and roll me back over! haha I was like, wow ok and again, her reasoning was because she didn't want to have to wake me up all night long to re attach electrodes.....anyway I think "we" get that more often than not from these sleep clinics...thoughts anyone???

Also that is going to be my biggest struggle, tring to find a mask that will allow me to roll over and at the same time, not have any leaking issues....

Mike

[Wulfman]

Wulman,

I had my first sleep study last weekend (cpap last night) and the tech asked me how I normally sleep too...I said ALWAYS on my stomach, CANNOT sleep on my back at all. She told me because of all the electrodes I HAD to sleep on my back and if I rolled over, she'd come in and roll me back over! haha I was like, wow ok and again, her reasoning was because she didn't want to have to wake me up all night long to re attach electrodes.....anyway I think "we" get that more often than not from these sleep clinics...thoughts anyone???

Also that is going to be my biggest struggle, tring to find a mask that will allow me to roll over and at the same time, not have any leaking issues....

Mike

Hi Mike.

Hang in there. I know there are a number of people here who sleep on their stomachs so they may be able to advise you on dealing with that sleeping position and masks to use. Personally, I CAN'T sleep on my back in bed either (I'm a side-sleeper, but I can sleep on my back in my recliner). Since most of us never want to have another sleep study, we strongly suggest that new users get data-capable machines right off the bat. They may not be as good as a full-blown sleep study, but they're pretty close.

Another part of this equation is the "bed pillow", too. They can make a lot of difference for wearing a CPAP mask and keeping the leakage under control.

Den

[KSMike]

I had septoplasty with turbinate reduction in 1990. It did nothing for my sleep/tiredness, but it did totally eliminate lifelong debilitating seasonal allergy symptoms, so I still claim it to be one of the best things I've ever done. Recovery was no big deal - once the packing was removed from my sinuses the following morning. I won't lie to you, that was - um, unpleasant.

My first night on CPAP was last night, so I'll defer to the many experts here on any of those issues.