Effect of various head pillows on OSA?

[NeedHelp2]

Does our community have a general consensus on the level at which finding the "right" head pillow can affect OSA? In other words, my pressure is high at about 16-20cm and I'm wondering if finding a pillow that better positioned my head/neck could help to some small degree.

[oldie]

Comfort counts. Hopefully you are a side sleeper. Don't let the pillow block the mask vent.

[LSAT]

Everyone is comfortable with something different...personally I like a firm pillow and I use a buckwheat hull pillow.

[NeedHelp2]

Comfort is definitely at the top of the list. But, I'm wondering if I can help flow limitations with a better positioned head/neck.

[Scooter32]

I just purchased one of those special CPAP pillows off Ebay with the specific cut outs for the mask which I hope makes things easier. I am finding that with the regular pillow I either have to be at the complete edge or have my face more in an up position for the mask. I am hoping that being more comfortable will help me sleep better using CPAP.

[NeedHelp2]

Tried cpap max pillow last night and my ahi went from 5 to 2. Probably coincidence.

Also, 95% pressure went from 19 to 16.

[ughwhatname]

Tried cpap max pillow last night and my ahi went from 5 to 2. Probably coincidence.

Also, 95% pressure went from 19 to 16.

Wouldn't it be great if you're on to something? I've got some pain issues, so I adjust pillows quite a bit. I find when I am on my back on several pillow, effectively propped up, my pressures fall. Now, that could be because I don't sleep well because I am in pain, which is why I propped myself up...

I've decided to sleep the best I can and ask the machine to do the best it can. I hope your new pillow continues doing the best it can.

[JohnO]

Tried cpap max pillow last night and my ahi went from 5 to 2. Probably coincidence.

Also, 95% pressure went from 19 to 16.

I've found that different pillows definitely impact my treatment. Firmer, taller pillows tend to help reduce AHI, and/or the pressure needed to combat them. Softer/thinner pillows tend to require more air pressure from my Auto-CPAP to keep AHI down.

When I started CPAP therapy I was using a memory foam pillow. I went on a trip about a month into therapy and used a different, softer but still tall pillow, and noticed that I had better sleep because the nasal pillow mask didn't get pushed off my nose when I changed from sleeping on my left side to my ride, and vice versa. I realized that the nature of memory foam (firm at first, then softening) did not work well with having a mask on my face, so I switched to a tall latex foam pillow.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007U5 ... os_product

There are many options out there.

Try a few. Getting good sleep is worth the investment in time and effort!

John

[jeremyclarkson]

Do the "CPAP Pillows" really work?

I'm new at this, about a week and a half. I haven't really had any issues using the machine or mask, and my stats seem to be pretty good. I don't really feel any different yet, although I didn't really feel "terrible" before being diagnosed either.

Traditionally I've been a stomach sleeper, but with the full-face mask I've been spending most nights on my back or trying to figure out how to sleep on my side without causing leaks.

I'm thinking of trying either the Quattro Air instead of the FX, or a nasal mask/pillow to see if it's a bit easier, but based on how often my mouth is dry, even with the full-face mask, it seems that I like to breathe through my mouth, so I'm not sure how well it'll work.

The pillows have definitely caught my interest.

[chunkyfrog]

The "cpap pillows" do NOT work for me.
Every one I've seen is too tall for me, and causes a painful contortion of my upper neck.
Soft pillows, not too thick, work best for me.
Sadly, finding the right one may take a while, and possibly a fair amount of change.
Start with everything in the house; visit thrift stores and clearance bins.
The most expensive was the worst for me. Cut outs work for some people, but I don't know how many.
(do we need a poll?)

[oak]

my rule of thumb is: if its a pillow you arent comfortable with withOUT CPAP, then you arent going to be comfortable with it WITH CPAP.

for that reason, I took a pillow I already liked, and made cutouts on the sides for my face and mask like those $60 models on Amazon.

works great!

[jeremyclarkson]

my rule of thumb is: if its a pillow you arent comfortable with withOUT CPAP, then you arent going to be comfortable with it WITH CPAP.

for that reason, I took a pillow I already liked, and made cutouts on the sides for my face and mask like those $60 models on Amazon.

works great!

What kind of pillow is it? I've looked at memory foam and latex pillows in the past before this whole adventure started, but never pulled the trigger on one. I would assume it would have to be some sort of foam-ish pillow to be able to "cut out" a section of it, as opposed to a more traditional "feather" pillow.

[oak]

its memory foam with a latex core and its got two ridges-top ridge is larger and bottom is just enough to support my neck. like i said, i bought it quite awhile ago, and it was well loved before i decided to take the plunge and make it into a cpap pillow.............

[squid13]

Tried cpap max pillow last night and my ahi went from 5 to 2. Probably coincidence.

I don't think so. I been using a cpap max pillow the last few weeks and my AHI is now just above 1 slightly or below one. I usually ran in the low to high two's. Took awhile to get use to it cause it is a little firm. I think it keeps your head and neck in alignment making it easier to keep an air splint in your throat.

[NeedHelp2]

You all are encouraging me to stick with this cpap max pillow. I don't find it comfortable yet because it is so firm, but I will keep trying.