Try another mask time?

[AHI15]

Hi,

I want to sleep on my side. Right side that is. I can almost never sleep on the left, unless I have a cold. In which case I can only sleep on my left. Go figure.

But right now I can't sleep at all!

When I sleep on my R side, I am a "smoosher" of the face into the pillow. With my R arm tending to hug the pillow from underneath, and the left arm on top. This squeezes a lot of pillow matter in between my R arm and neck. Probably not ideal for OSA, but I don't do well trying to dangle my arms away or hang my head off the edge of the pillow.

This is why I don't sleep on the L side. For some reason, no matter where I put my arms, I can't get them out of the way or comfortable in the same position that works on the R.

So the way I'm used to sleeping, the mask is causing all sorts of trouble. The hose refuses to lay flat, causing the vent to point into the pillow, causing hissing or feeling wind on my face or hand. Or if I get it to behave, it is only through the effort of precisely holding my head in the right position. Which isn't conducive to sleep.

Try another mask?

Thanks.

[retrodave15]

Do you use a hose management system?

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/HoseBu ... ystem.html

Or

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/pursle ... ystem.html

I made my own Boss type management system out of some of the retractable name badge reels I had laying around the house. Now that i have this in place the hose is above my head and the reels give enough lack that I roll from side to side without any issues.

[Julie]

Do a search here for Pap pillows (or on Google) and see if you think one could help you.

[sylvie]

When I sleep on my R side, I am a "smoosher" of the face into the pillow. Thanks.

You should try the Pilairo. Someone else likes to "smoosh their face" and they say the Pilairo works well for this.

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=79873&p=739291&hili ... ro#p739291

There's lots of good info here on this mask. Just remember that the headstrap is way too tight on a lot of people. So you'll probably have to alter it a bit. I did. I cut it in two and sewed a piece of elastic in the middle. Works great for me that way and it's the best mask I've ever tried. Wild horses couldn't drag it away from me.

[2kittymom]

Sounds like you need a CPAP pillow. I've tried 2 styles. One is too firm, the other has an indented place for your head, and cutouts for the hose.
Lori

[Grand-PAP]

Hi Sylvie,

You might want to consider a Sona Pillow: http://www.sonapillow.com



I bought this pillow to try and prevent me from sleeping on my back. It works pretty well, and it specifically seems to address your concern about your arm. I have had no problems with the cpap mask when using the pillow.

Ditto to retrodave15's recommendation for a hose management system.

[archangle]

A nasal mask might work better with side sleeping.

You might also try getting a "body" pillow in addition to my head pillow. Basically it's a normal pillow, but twice as long. I grab it between my knees, and hug it with my arms and it sort of keeps me in a more stable position when side sleeping.

I also use a buckwheat head pillow, which is less "smushy."

[Pugsy]

I also use a buckwheat pillow and just move the hulls a little to make a spot for my mask and it stays that way.

Have you looked at one of the SleepWeaver nasal masks. They are made with cloth. A little tricky to battle the leaks but those that win that war just love it.
3 models now I think.. The Elan may be the most recent. It comes with free 30 days insurance from cpap.com because the manufacturer of that masks offers that guarantee to anyone who sells their mask.

[AHI15]

I also use a buckwheat pillow and just move the hulls a little to make a spot for my mask and it stays that way.

Have you looked at one of the SleepWeaver nasal masks. They are made with cloth. A little tricky to battle the leaks but those that win that war just love it.
3 models now I think.. The Elan may be the most recent. It comes with free 30 days insurance from cpap.com because the manufacturer of that masks offers that guarantee to anyone who sells their mask.

I'm very interested in trying that mask.

[AHI15]

Do you use a hose management system?
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/HoseBu ... ystem.html
Or
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/pursle ... ystem.html
I made my own Boss type management system out of some of the retractable name badge reels I had laying around the house. Now that i have this in place the hose is above my head and the reels give enough lack that I roll from side to side without any issues.

Not yet. I just got the machine 2 weeks ago. I've been battling the hose a bit at night.

The "Boss" looks like it has more flexibility, but costs less. How to decide?

Well, it's cheap enough to try I guess...

[SoooTired]

I don't know what I do but I just lost a complete post! I need to post earlier in the day I guess.

Well, now you know I'm using the SleepWeaver as my new mask and it's been better than the Easy Life but it has a long way to go!

Maybe more later! Where do the posts go on me???

[DoriC]

Do you use a hose management system?

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/HoseBu ... ystem.html

Or

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/pursle ... ystem.html

I made my own Boss type management system out of some of the retractable name badge reels I had laying around the house. Now that i have this in place the hose is above my head and the reels give enough lack that I roll from side to side without any issues.

I'm having trouble visualizing where to place the hook over the headboard, in the middle, closer to the machine side, and at what height? Can you or anyone post a photo? Thanks.

[Xney]

Might want to try the swift LT or aloha if you're a side sleeper. The overhead routing of the tube makes things a lot nicer. (I'm a stomach sleeper sometimes)

[robysue]

I too sleep mostly on my side. And, though I prefer my left side, it sounds as though my sleeping position is a mirror image of yours. And I use both the normal head gear and the Bella Loops head gear for the Swift FX. You write:

I am a "smoosher" of the face into the pillow. With my R arm tending to hug the pillow from underneath, and the left arm on top. This squeezes a lot of pillow matter in between my R arm and neck.

I sleep as follows:

I am a "smoosher" of the face into the pillow. With my L arm tending to hug the pillow from underneath, and the right arm on top. This squeezes a lot of pillow matter in between my L arm and neck.

I don't use a hose management system, but I've "solved" the problem of "the hose wont lay flat" by routing the hose under the bed covers and then under my top arm. In other words, I hug the hose. I often fall asleep with my top arm gently grasping the hose just below that irritating jet engine exhaust vent. This allows my to have better control over which way that vent is blowing, but it does mean that sometimes the vent is blowing on my arm. Long sleeves or a hanky placed over the arm usually is enough to prvent the exhast flow from bugging my arm.

[Sgt_Pepper]

I am a fellow face smoosher
At one time a charter member of the Sleepless knights
For hose management I prefer a hair scrungee (I probably spelled that wrong) and a push pin. It's VERY adjustable and travels well.
+1 for the Swift FX or my fallback mask/rubber starfish - the Resmed Activa

Have some fun with it and post a photo of your results