Day 0, T minus 12 hours to sleep (I hope)

[slackmasterd]

Hello all,

I'm momentarily notorious

Total posts 753099 • Total topics 79030 • Total members 64775 • Our newest member slackmasterd

Anyway, I come to you from my work desk where I have only fallen asleep once today (of course I've only been here 1 hour and 10 minutes).

Today is an exciting day. I'm meeting my DME for gear fitting and to pickup my CPAP and all the associated gear.

That last time I felt semi human was the day I finished my sleep study which included 5+ hours on a CPAP where I slept the entire time while the technician fiddled with pressures, supplemental oxygen, and whatever else they do. I'm really exciting about the thought of sleeping where I reach stage 3 and REM sleep and I'm not awake every 1-2 hours all night.

I have one specific question: The sleep study concluded I have much lower AHI (in the low 100's) on my sides versus supine (180's). (Without CPAP, with CPAP I'm < 2.0 on my sides and around 30 supine -- one thing I'm not certain about is the supine reading at my configured pressure of 11mmH20.)

For the past month, I've tried to spend more time sleeping on my back, but I find every time I wake up I'm on my back again. I have tried pillows and sleeping with my back to the wall on my preferred sleeping side. Any suggestions for getting more time side sleeping and less time supine sleeping?

I'm starting with a PR System One Series 60 (model 460HS per DME), humidifier, heated hose, with RedMed Swift FX pillows and headgear. I'll also be on supplemental oxygen, 2.0 LPM.

Any suggestions for a first night newbie?

Thank you,

El Slack Master D

Name earned due to my propensity to fall asleep anywhere anytime.

[BlackSpinner]

I would suggest that as soon as you get home with the equipment, set up up in front of the TV and watch some interesting shows with it on. Get your body/mind used to it.

As far as the side/back problem is concerned, your first priority is to get comfortable sleep with the mask. Then when that is happening, look at the data and see how badly position is affecting your AHI on a normal night. Once you get dialed in you may find that you are not turning and moving around as much, in fact you might find your self stiff as a board because you haven't move an inch in 8 hours.

[CavemanSean]

I know I was in the same boat (moving in my sleep) the one thing I've actually ended up doing thanks to a recent back injury was using a bed wedge similar to this


With this I find not only do I not wake up sore (back..) but I also have a even further reduced AHI!

I found that while I was on my back or side while "lying down" my AHI would bounce between 2~5 how-ever while I'm sleeping on the wedge I have yet to have a day where my AHI was above 1.5!

just some food for thought

[Liam]

A quick and dirty way is to put a pillow between your legs when going to sleep. I started doing that to stop me twisting at night which was making me wake with a bad back and it worked very well. It had the side effect of making me sleep on my side if you pardon the pun.

Oh and a nice thick memory foam pillow at the head end helps.

Its easy and comfortable and works for me and being such a simple solution it can't hurt to try.

[DoriC]

I know you're excited to get started but I see they're giving you a basic machine(brick) with no data capability. Any machine with a Plus(Respironics) or Escape(Resmed) is a no-no. IMO,it is essential to be able to monitor your therapy closely as you'll be using this machine for a long time and many times tweaking is necessary to account for weight changes, other health problems, meds,etc. Put up a good fight to exchange it for PR System One Auto which can be used as a straight pressure or range of pressures which in your case might be preferable due to your positional events. The S9 Autoset is also an excellent machine. Also make sure you can exchange your mask if you have problems with mask fit. Good luck and keep us posted.

[SleepingUgly]

Search this site for threads about tennis balls. You can sew them into a sock (search and it will say how--I don't know) or you can just put them in a fanny pack and put it on your back. You won't roll over onto your back if it means sleeping on 2-3 tennis balls. The body pillow between the knees helps, but in my experience doesn't guarantee you won't end up on your back (without the pillow, of course).

[slackmasterd]

You won't roll over onto your back if it means sleeping on 2-3 tennis balls.

Oh, I can sleep about anywhere, the quality of the sleep sucks so I'm sure a few tennisballs, backpacks, tent stakes, or bowling balls won't bother me while I'm on my back.

The body pillow between the knees helps, but in my experience doesn't guarantee you won't end up on your back (without the pillow, of course).

I've been sleep with pillows for years. A king between my knees (to keep my ankles apart as well) and a huge fluffy regular one for when I do sleep on my side for the elevated arm.

I often wakeup with the pillow between my legs sideways holding the sheet up making a tent for legs and feet.

Thank you everyone for your advice on the back sleeping. It may not be a problem if I continue to sleep like I did the first night. On my right side for 4+ hours, on my back after the bathroom trip for an hour or so, and on my left side for the last 4 hours. Of course I woke up stiff as a board since I didn't run around the bed all night, wake up 10 times for (imginary) bathroom visits, or encounter other difficulty resting.

[slackmasterd]

I know you're excited to get started but I see they're giving you a basic machine(brick) with no data capability. Any machine with a Plus(Respironics) or Escape(Resmed) is a no-no.

Updated my equipment, I picked the wrong one. Actually, I think the forum is lacking the option for my exact machine. I have a brand new series 60 pro machine with c-flex plus. I would have preferred an S9 (based on reviews), but that was double the price and since this is all coming out of my $pocket (high deductibles, not lack of insurance), I opted for the cheaper route until I'm sure I'm compatible with this treatment methodolgy.

I abused my DME prior to visiting their office for pickup and training. I was armed with the needed knowledge before I embarked on the DME experience. My sleep study conductor warned me the morning my sleep study completed that I would want a fully data capable machine.

[Janknitz]

You have the top of the line Respironics machine, but is it set to a fixed pressure rather than Apap? APAP settings would permit it to increase pressure to take care of the increased Apneas on your back.

How were your first nights?

[DoriC]

I think you mentioned the 460 model which is the Pro, so straight cpap. The PRS1 Auto(560) would probably be better for your positional apnea. The 460 and 560 both have the same insurance code and pays DME the same but the DME pays more for the 560 so less profit. Keep us posted.