OMG! I slept on my back!

[CPAPhope]

I have been a side sleeper for as long as I can remember. Sleeping on my back, I snore louder, longer, and more often (as most people do) than on my side. But, if I sleep on my left side too long my hip starts to hurt. Don't know why. But that side is okay with my nasal mask. On my right side, the mask always seems to slip, causing a leak that wakes me up. Boo! This morning, I woke up to find myself on my back. What?!? Apparently, my pressure (12) is strong enough to keep my airway open on my back. I felt I had gotten a really good sleep. I'll try it again tonight. It's a miracle!!!!

Don't ask me for any numbers, 'cause my doc has my machine locked for some reason. So, this is just anecdotal, but felt really good.

[poppi2]

My lowest numbers (i.e., AHI and leaks) occur when I sleep on my back.

[ChicagoGranny]

Don't ask me for any numbers, 'cause my doc has my machine locked for some reason.

Usually the dumbkopf DME does this.

You know how to easily unlock it yourself?

[CPAPhope]

No, I don't know how to unlock it. And, frankly, I trust my doc (she makes the decisions, the RT changes the settings) to decide how to treat me. I have enough to worry about, with keeping track of my blood sugar levels, my blood pressure, and now, deciding whether or not to have my boobs rebuilt after upcoming double mastectomy. I'm willing to give this one a fly.

[jweeks]

But, if I sleep on my left side too long my hip starts to hurt.

Hi,

I was forced to sleep on my side since my OSA was initially untreatable when I was on my back. When sleeping on my side, the hip that supported my weight would start to hurt. The pain was enough to make me toss and turn, and that interrupted my sleep.

I found (3) different solutions:

- Advil PM - I really do well with Advil, plus the mild relaxant helps me get to sleep more quickly
- Memory foam mattress topper - CostCo has really good ones that are much less costly than most other places
- Exercise - helps make the IT band and your upper legs stronger, which reduces the issues that cause the pain

In talking with an Orthopedic doctor, the condition is an inflamed bursa sac, also known as bursitis. You have a number of bursa sacs in your body. They help muscles and tendons move against your bones. You have some large ones by your hip. They get inflamed easily. Making the joints stronger through exercise really helps, but it takes a while to build up the strength that is needed. Another option is a cortisone shot, but the shot hurts, so avoid that unless it becomes too much for Advil to handle.

-john-

[2 B Sleeping Soundly]

I say if it works well for you then do it. I have had hose heads give me grief about sleeping on my back all the time and they say your not supposed to ever do that, but unless your SA / OSA is strictly positional then you can do what is most comfortable and still provides great therapy. Our goal should be to get the best sleep possible, with the least number of wake-ups, and let the machine do what it is made to do by keeping the airway open (Pugsy says it much better than I but you get the point ).

John

[barbaraz]

In talking with an Orthopedic doctor, the condition is an inflamed bursa sac, also known as bursitis. You have a number of bursa sacs in your body. They help muscles and tendons move against your bones. You have some large ones by your hip. They get inflamed easily. Making the joints stronger through exercise really helps, but it takes a while to build up the strength that is needed. Another option is a cortisone shot, but the shot hurts, so avoid that unless it becomes too much for Advil to handle.

I had a problem with my right hip, and this is good to know.

I sleep on my back, but with a wedge plus a pillow raising my head and do not have any problems. I also have a lumbar injury that makes back sleeping better in the long run.

[Janknitz]

I still snore on my back, even with a wide range on my APAP.

Even if you trust your doctor implicitly, I'd think you'd still want to know if you are really OK sleeping on your back. What if your blood glucose meter didn't give you readings until you went to your doctor's office to have it checked???

[Sir NoddinOff]

I had the same experience discovering I could now indulge in back-sleeping after CPAP. I was a lifelong side sleeper, then when I got my pressure dialed in, I now find myself sleeping any which way I want, with about half the time spent laying flat on my back. I'm loving the choice I now have, plus my back and joints feel a lot better with the variety of positions I can now sleep in. I know this isn't for everyone but for me it's a great feeling

[archangle]

Do you really have one of the ancient Legacy REMstars that look like this?



I think those won't report your AHI on the display.

As for being locked out, it's very unlikely your doctor did that. It's usually the lowlife DMEs who do that, although I'm not sure, but they may come from the factory that way.

[zoocrewphoto]

I say if it works well for you then do it. I have had hose heads give me grief about sleeping on my back all the time and they say your not supposed to ever do that,
John

Agreed. I have an auto machine set to a range that takes care of me regardless of my sleeping position. The whole idea is to sleep safely and sleep WELL. I would rather have my machine go a bit higher than try to sleep in a way that is uncomfortable.

I have found that I sleep on my back less since starting apap, but it hasn't been on purpose.

[CPAPhope]

No, that's no my machine, but the closest to what I have in the options available.

[yoyoyomonica]

yayyy. I woke on my back the other day. it was great!!! I am 14 days in. noob

[chunkyfrog]

I used to wake up hurting when I slept on my back.
No idea why, but since cpap, no back ache--no matter which sleep position.
DH has positional apnea; Autoset is the difference between wearing the machine or not.

[NateS]

- Memory foam mattress topper - CostCo has really good ones that are much less costly than most other places

-john-

I just checked and you're right - this truly is the lowest price I've ever seen!
They even include shipping and handling!



But what can I really expect to pay CostCo? What did you pay?

Regards, Nate