My first of many questions

[svedell]

I've just started my CPAP journey and I'm really glad I found this forum. I have a feeling I'll have lots of questions about my machine, mask and my sleeping. My first question is about sleeping on my back vs. sleeping on my side. Which is best for using CPAP? I'm a side sleeper by nature but it seems like that may be difficult with my nasal mask. I'll add my actual gear tomorrow as I don't remember all of it off the top of my head yet. I'm a NEWB.

Thanks in advance.

Sean

[Nord]

Welcome...

You will generally have a lot more obstructive apneas (OA) in the supine position (back)... gravity helps close the airway easier on your back.
although you are right to think that masks are more sensitive to side sleepers... they get knocked around.

Nord

[pdean44]

You are lucky. Side sleeping is recommended. I dont like to side sleep naturally. So that is a struggle for me. You may want to start off by editing in what machine , mask and settings you are using. That enables folks to give more detailed information to help you on your way. There are different styles of pillows you can buy that are less likely to disturb your mask. I am farily new at this myself. I look forward to hearing from you on your journey.

[oscar98]

I'm a side sleeper also and have found that hose and pillow management helps quite a bit with preventing leaks.

Following advice on here I used a rubber band to attach my hose to the post on my headboard and that allows me to move around in my sleep without tugging on the hose as much and knocking my mask out of whack.

I don't have a pap pillow, just a plain old pillow but I tend to sleep on the very edge of the pillow so that my mask kind of hangs of the side.

[echo]

Welcome to the forum!

I second the hose management.. and there are many pillow options too if that's getting in your way.

When you get a chance, please do fill out your equipment profile, as it will be easier to give targeted advice that way.

happy sleeping!

[nanwilson]

Welcome Sean
I am also a newby (1 month) and have been "tweaking" my set up ever since. I too attached my hose to my headboard and yesterday I modified one of my memory foam pillows to adapt for my full face mask. I cut a semi circle out of each end of my pillow and now my mask does not get shifted around in the night. I slept with my face at the edge of the cut and the mask fit right into the cut part. Just keep on reading all the hints on this forum, and you will enhance your cpap experience just as I have. Good luck!!!
Nan

[svedell]

Thanks for all the replies. If it helps I've added my equipment list to my posts.

Thanks again.

[svedell]

Good news!!! My AHI on my machine is 1.0 for last night. That's down from my sleep test reading last week of 42 events an hour. My CPAP machine is WORKING!! Very cool.

[Jersey Girl]

Dear Sean,

Great AHI numbers! Your cpap treatment is definitely working.

FYI - I did purchase some comfort items when I started on cpap. Now that my husband is on cpap and wearing a full face mask, I purchased a Contour Living Memory foam cpap pillow for him. It has generous cutouts on the bottom of each corner for your mask. Here is a link to it in case you want to take a look: http://www.contourliving.com/p-71-conto ... illow.aspx.

Please let us know how you do tonight!

Wishing you peaceful, restorative sleep,

Jersey Girl

[LinkC]

Good news!!! My AHI on my machine is 1.0 for last night. That's down from my sleep test reading last week of 42 events an hour. My CPAP machine is WORKING!! Very cool.

Dang! We should be asking YOU the questions!!! Congrats...

[pam933]

Jersey Girl,

I think that you are the person who said that they'd tried two other CPAP pillows - I think that one had buckwheat hulls in it and I can't remember the other one. If that was you, how do the 2 of those compare to the Contour Living Memory foam cpap pillow?

Thanks! Pam

[Jersey Girl]

Dear Pam,

I sent you a private message - check your in box!

Regards,

Jersey Girl