If you sleep on a pillow designed for XPAP users...

[snoozysue]

I tried to modify existing pillows but it was never quite right. I then bought a Contour pillow and its the best money I have ever spent, it allows me to sleep on my side but keeps the mask off the pillow.

http://www.contourliving.com/p-71-conto ... illow.aspx

[carbonman]

Do you slash that with a box cutter?

That should work.
I use a sheet rock knife,
w/a new blade.

[codinqueen]

Most people use this pillow incorrectly. First of all this pillow should be used for sleeping on your back. But in any case the thickest portion should go under your neck to help keep your airway open. Using this pillow upsidedown will move your chin closer to your neck, this closes more of your airway. Try it

I have 2 discs removed from my neck, and therefore have two fused vertebra in my neck, one fused with just bone, the other fused with bone ands a piece of titanium. I use this particular pillow with the small end under my neck, and that is not upside down fore me, because if I don't, my neck hurts too much to sleep, and I get up with a crook in my neck after a sleepless night. I also have fibromyalgia, myofascial pain syndrome, osteoarthritis,osteoporosis,and GERD along with my OSA, and MUST get my rest, any way I can. The CPAP keeps my airway open without hurting my neck fusions. In fact, I have been sleeping on one of these contour pillows since my first fusion surgery, back in '87, because regular pillows make my neck spasm.

[LinkC]

Do you slash that with a box cutter?

Easiest and neatest way is an electric carving knife. Slices thru foam like butter...and leaves a smooth cut.

[Pugsy]

I use the Regenisis buckwheat pillow also. I am not deaf and the sound sure doesn't keep me awake.

[napstress]

I'm still wrangling with this issue, myself. I sleep on my side with a full-face mask. I tried the buckwheat hull pillow first b/c it got better reviews than the Contour Pillow. Plus, the contour pillow doesn't appear to allow for the way I roll over from one side to the other: I do not sit up and then replace my head in the same spot. Instead, my head "travels." Re: buckwheat: Neither noisy hulls nor smell bothered me—and I am a very touchy sleeper when it comes to sensory discomforts. But I never could find the optimum amount of hulls to hold my head up, and also leave a space for the mask. Then I tried a memory foam pillow from Walmart. Supporting neck and forehead with mask hanging off edge of pillow is a nice idea, but the distance between the neck and forehead ridges was greater than that of my neck and forehead. Plus, I sleep kind of curled in a ball. My best bet is my original pillow from my pre-CPAP days, which I can moosh around into a C shape to tuck under my neck, support my forehead, and let mask hang off edge. Holds together better than the buckwheat hull pillow. But I still might try making my own, based on CarbonMan's photos.

[plr66]

I'm one of those who has a closet full of recommended pillows I've tried and retired for various reasons. I love the Double Edge PaPillow, and have used it for most of the past 2.5 years.

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/papill ... illow.html

For the first couple of months, it seemed a bit too firm. But I punched it up every morning to fluff it, and that softened it enough to be really comfortable without sacrificing the support needed for side sleeping. No fiddling through the night; just the right size for turning from side to side with the mask hanging perfectly over the edge; and just the right height to keep neck & head level while side sleeping.

The buckwheat pillow worked okay for me, but does not hold the shape through the night, as the hulls obviously settle and move. I always ended up having to punch-up the pillow several times every night to keep my head in the right level position.

The contour pillow is a great inexpensive alternative which I never felt needed the cutouts. But it is too thin for side sleeping well, and I had to buy a 2" deep piece of foam cut to size to put under it.

[sleepwellmylove]

Wow! Thanks for these leads. Plenty of options here. Sweet dreams.

[napstress]

I love the Double Edge PaPillow, and have used it for most of the past 2.5 years.

Do you think it could be used upside down, plr66? Since I sleep curled up, my forehead extends further out than my chin. It seems to me that the longer edge would work better at the top. What do you think?

[plr66]

I love the Double Edge PaPillow, and have used it for most of the past 2.5 years.

Do you think it could be used upside down, plr66? Since I sleep curled up, my forehead extends further out than my chin. It seems to me that the longer edge would work better at the top. What do you think?

My first thought is that your breathing is probably constricted if you curl up to the extent of your chin being on or close to your chest. You can still curl up otherwise, and use the pillow as intended to straighten your neck a bit--though it's small enough to tilt with you as you curl. But sure, this pillow could be used upside down with no problem. The gusset goes all the way around to insure that the pillow keeps its height on all edges. And by the way, after the pillow began to slightly soften, I realized that the wings can be pushed around a bit to conveniently "wedge-in" the side of your mask so it stays securely leak-free.

[daddyof7]

I tried different kinds of pillows and then bought a Buckwheat pillow and wouldnt trade it for anything!

[Mary Z]

I am lucky to be able to use my regular old pillow. I just lay the mask over the edge and it works fine for me. I have very little leaks. I keep looking at other pillows, but what works for one, might now work for the next person so I stick with my WalMart pillow and replace as needed. I like a flat pillow and this one works just fine.

[LinkC]

I do not sit up and then replace my head in the same spot. Instead, my head "travels."

Hmmmm...me too, but it isn't a problem. My Hybrid rests on the edge of the pillow with hose off the edge. When I turn, I end up with the same at the opposite end of the pillow. Without mask, my nose touches the end of the pillow on either side (I just checked! lol)

Either you have a short pillow or a really big head! j/k!