having a hard time!

[milton924]

hello, am new to this. i got my machine last thursday. I have found all the right answers and tips on this forum. I don't have a problem with the machine or the mask, the only problem I have its with my sleeping position. I have tried everything! I been a stomach sleeper all my life and my doctor told me to only sleep on my side. This is real hard for me, i have a hard time falling asleep. my whole body is hurts and its because of the position. Am only getting 3 hours of sleep per night. So does anyone have any tips on how get used to sleeping on side?

Thank you!

[Julie]

What kind of bed do you have (memory foam vs otherwise)? Just a thought that it could be a factor. Otherwise, I wonder if your MD was concerned about your not sleeping on your back - which provokes apneas - as opposed to being on your stomach, which does not? You wouldn't be the first stomach sleeper here (like me) or the last, and we work out different ways to deal with it - particular pillows, etc. I would have a very sore neck if I tried to tummy sleep with my mask on a regular mattress, but having a foam one, cut a 1' long trench in the foam (from the head of the bed towards the toe) with a turkey carving knife - 3" wide with rounded top edges, and 4" deep - and my mask dips in diagonally... radical I know, but I live alone and don't move a lot when I sleep. Stomach sleeping is not specifically bad at all as far as apnea goes, so I'd question your MD (too many of them understand apnea scientifically, but not very practically when it comes to equipment, beds, etc. etc.).

[Pugsy]

Lots of people manage to sleep on their stomachs or a modified position of stomach sleeping and still use their cpap machine. Sometimes takes a bit of fiddling with masks or bed pillows to get it done but it can be done....and while not perfect sometimes...it sure beats the heck out of not getting much sleep in a position that you aren't comfortable sleeping.

I find myself often on my stomach. No big deal. Normally my face is turned to the side a bit and not always on the edge of the bed pillow either. Some masks make it easier to sleep on one's stomach than other masks...maybe try a different mask? The Comfort Gel Blue kinda has some plastic on it that's not so great for burying one's face in the bed pillow...but there are other masks that are maybe better suited. If you like the over the nose kind of mask...maybe the Respironics Wisp or the Swift FX Nano. Nasal pillow masks like I use...easy to sleep on your stomach with those.

What reason did the doc give for staying off your stomach?

[Setj]

hello, am new to this. i got my machine last thursday. I have found all the right answers and tips on this forum. I don't have a problem with the machine or the mask, the only problem I have its with my sleeping position. I have tried everything! I been a stomach sleeper all my life and my doctor told me to only sleep on my side. This is real hard for me, i have a hard time falling asleep. my whole body is hurts and its because of the position. Am only getting 3 hours of sleep per night. So does anyone have any tips on how get used to sleeping on side?

Thank you!

Here is a guy showing how to sleep on your stomach while wearing a CPAP mask - http://www.uarsrelief.com/sleeppositions.html

[Nite Ranger]

What seems to work for me is I use a pretty flat pillow with my face toward the edge and i can fold up the bottom corner -or not- as needed keeping the mask mostly off the end be patient [as possible] try different things youll find what you need

[jencat824]

My hubby is a stomach sleeper & has continued to be when he started CPAP. He sleeps with his head near the edge of the pillow, one arm up & one down. He runs his hose around the top of his pillow.

It can be done, just read everyone's tips & tricks, pick what you think what might work for you, go to bed & hopefully, sweet dreams. It might take a few nights to work out just exactly what helps you sleep best, but there is no need to give up stomach sleeping.

Jen

[milton924]

Thank you all for your replies! I will be trying to sleep on my stomach. I'll let you guys know how i do.

[milton924]

hello, Thank you all for your replies!!
Am sleeping on my stomach, But am taking my mask off after 2 hours of sleep. what should i do, tape my mask on? XD

[Nick Danger]

Actually, some people have found that effective. Just put enough tape on that it will wake you up when you take the mask off - you aren't trying to seal it or make it difficult to remove. Then just put the mask back on. Any time you wake up and the mask is off, just put it back on. It is really easy to fall into the habit of thinking, "I'm tired of fighting this. I'm not going to bother putting it back on." That habit is hard to break once you start it. Taking the mask off while half asleep is common when you are new to CPAP. Is the mask too tight? That is another pitfall that gets many new users - putting the mask on too tightly is frequently encouraged by the person helping you fit your mask (especially if they don't use CPAP). Putting the mask on too tightly makes it very uncomfortable and actually increases leaks.

[BlackSpinner]

hello, Thank you all for your replies!!
Am sleeping on my stomach, But am taking my mask off after 2 hours of sleep. what should i do, tape my mask on? XD

Yes - make sure you wake up when you do take it off.
Another option is to wear socks as mittens.
Also whisper to your self over and over again "I wear the mask to help breathe. I keep it on all night long" (note the present tense) or something like that in your own words as you are relaxing into sleep.
You might also wear it in the evening while watching TV. Train you mind/body that this is a Good Thing.

[archangle]

Have you tried sleeping in a recliner? Works for some, not for others.