Side Sleeper Mask Advice

dpeel · Post by **dpeel** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 11:15 am

This is my first post. I was recently diagnosed with severe sleep apnea and have been trying to use my Goodnight 420G CPAP for about two weeks now.
The mask I was given is a Respironics ComfortGel Small Nasal Mask. My perscription pressure is 15. I also had a mustache, but shaved it off two days ago in an attempt to get a better seal. It does seem better now, but since I sleep on my left side most of the time, I still break the seal and wake myself up occassionally. Last week I ordered a Respironics ComfortLite 2 Nasal Mask as it appeared to be a better mask for a side sleeper on cpap.com. I received it and tried to use it with the nasal pillows, but had two problems....1. It was extremely hard to exhale and 2. after a few hours, my nores were killing me.

I have probably 3 weeks to decide whether to keep it or not and do intend to try the simple cushions, but think I will also have problems exhaling...possibly because my pressure at 15 is pretty high.

Does anyone know of a good mask for a side sleeper that has a cpap set at 15?

Perchancetodream · Post by **Perchancetodream** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 12:03 pm

I just had some good results using Mack's Pillow Soft Earplugs (silicone putty) to seal my Hybrid mask. See this thread for info: viewtopic/t25313/Possible-help-for-Mask-Leaks.html

That does seem like a high pressure for straight CPAP. If you have the option, you may want to get a 420E which is an auto PAP and has software so you can track your progress.

Susan

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 12:16 pm

After trying many, many, many mask's I have found that the Activa nasal mask is the ebst sealint that I have ever tried!!

mch441 · Post by **mch441** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 12:16 pm

that seems like a lot of pressure for a straight cpap machine ,i am on bipap at 11 and 15. i think your going to have a hard time finding any mask that doesnt leak and is still comfortable to wear.

if i were you i would be on the phone with the sleep doctor telling him that I cant fall asleep ,i feel like im being blown up like a balloon and also that i cant exhale with that kind of pressure feels like im suffocating !! see if you can get them to change your prescription to a bipap.it will be a much smoother road for you if they get you on a bipap.

_________________

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Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 12:51 pm

I'm a side sleeper to and would like a good mask.

bearcatx16 · Post by **bearcatx16** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 12:56 pm

Like oceanpearl I use the Mirage Active and have very few problems with leaks. I use a comfortable pillow that will support my head and then lay on the edge with the mask off the pillow. If you lie in bed reading or watching the boob tube this may not be the mask for you, can't see, thank goodness I know the way to the bath room. It is rather large but comfortable to wear and easy on/off and I like that.

Best regards,

Fred

Gerald · Post by **Gerald** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 1:27 pm

Depeal....

I've been using an Aura for about 6-months,,,,and I can't find anything better. I have not decapitated it (Rested Gal style) yet. I'm using a swinging arm over my head that hangs the hose above me.

I'm also using Linsenoh lanolin (for breastfeeding moms) on my nares every night. The stuff helps seal (I use lots) and keeps my nares soft.

My pressure is running between 9.5 and 13....with an average of about 10.1 every night.

I have trouble with mouth leaks when I sleep on my back....so, I try to stay on my side. I use a down-filled pillow from The Company Store....and have no trouble sleeping on my side.

I tried the Comfortlite II and it worked pretty well....but, not as well as the Aura.

Should you decide to go with the Aura, PM me and I'll be happy to share pictures of my hanger, head-piece cushion, and other mods I have made.

Hope this helps.

Gerald

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 1:30 pm

Instead of struggling to find a mask to handle that pressure comfortably enough for you, I think first of all I'd be trying to convince the doctor to put me on one of the following machines, in this order:

1. Respironics BiPAP Auto with Bi-Flex - would require a change of prescription to "bipap." That machine comes in both M series and pre-M series models. Either one, M or not, give the same treatment. "BiPAP" gives wonderful relief when exhaling. Bi-Flex adds even more relief at the beginning of the already lower exhale pressure. Turning on auto-titration adds the benefit of both inhale and exhale pressures being varied as needed throughout the night, with exhale always kept lower than inhale.

2. Respironics REMstar Auto with A-Flex M series - no change in prescription needed, but it would be smart to have the doctor spell it out completely on a new Rx so the DME would understand you were to have the autopap with A-Flex and no other machine. A-Flex gives a drop to the beginning of each exhalation and smooths the transition between exhaling and inhaling. Auto-titration varies the pressure as needed throughout the night.

3. Puritan Bennett 420E Autopap - your current cpap prescription is good for this autopap, too. No relief for exhaling, but auto-titration varies the pressure as needed. With either of the autopaps (this one or the Respironics with A-Flex) it may very well be that the autopap will use pressures lower than 15 for you most of the night.

If the doctor will not prescribe "bipap", and if you are unable to get the DME to swap your cpap machine for an autopap (your Rx for "cpap" is good for both cpap and autopap) then I'd get one of these straight cpap machines which can give pressure relief when exhaling:

4. Respironics REMstar Pro with C-Flex M series
5. resmed S8 Elite with EPR

sleepngo · Post by **sleepngo** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 1:38 pm

The best mask that I have found so far for side sleeping is the Respironics OptiLife nasal pillows mask, I'm a side and back sleeper, but I try to sleep as much as I can on my left or right side.

You will probably do better on a Bipap auto or any auto Pap machine with Cflex or Aflex. I have tried all three and find I get the most exhale relief with the Bipap auto with Biflex. If you can't get a Bipap, at least try to get a Apap auto with Aflex.

Dan

Kharris · Post by **Kharris** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 2:39 pm

I'm a side sleeper. My machine is at 16, with ramp and c-flex. I have a
respironics comfort select. I noticed soreness in my chest from exhaling
against the pressure. I was also getting ALOT of air from the exhalation
port.
I have borrowed the same mask, its a nasal mask, in a medium. It does
come up a little closer to my eyes than the other, but the small difference
in size makes an amazing difference in the comfort level.
Breathing out is much better and the exhale port is no longer hurricane
like. I also extended my homemade hose cover, it now comes all the
way up to the mask, that has helped disperse the airflow coming out.
I can strap the medium on, make sure it is tight, and doesn't move
when my head moves. then I plug the hose onto the mask.
I have found if I try to seal the mask while air comes in, it takes alot longer
to get a good fit.
Other than the ramp, and c-flex my machine does not offer any fancy
features. They don't want us too comfortable..
I can sleep with the mask off the edge of a regular pillow and have
very few problems with it staying in place. And aside from strap marks
that fade, I have never had sore spots or acutal damage.

mch441 · Post by **mch441** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 3:13 pm

i have a respironics bipap plus which works just fine and my favorite mask is my swift 11 which lets me sleep on my side with no problem even at my pressure of 15.i am trying to get used to a liberty right now ,some nights i love it and some nights i want to throw it across the room but that lets me sleep pretty easily on my side

Kharris · Post by **Kharris** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 3:37 pm

MCH441,
What kind of exhale ports does this mask have? I can't tell from just the
picture.

Nightwatcher · Post by **Nightwatcher** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 3:50 pm

I am a side sleeper and tried two different masks until I read on here about feather/down pillows. I got one and have now having no problems sleeping on my side. The feather/down pillow (I got mine from Target for 25 dollars) is one of the few shapeable and soft enough to allow the mask to sink into it rather than be pushed off because of hardness of the pillow. I did not think I had a hard pillow before. Now I am sleeping 6-8 hours straight. All because of a good pillow.

bdp522 · Post by **bdp522** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 4:41 pm

For me the trick to side sleeping was the pillow. I got a papillow and haven't had a problem since. It is shaped so the mask kinda hangs off the side of the pillow. I only have a pressure of 9.5, but have gotten all the masks I've tried Except the comfort curve to work very well for me.
Ayr gel on the nares helps with the soreness. Those nares will toughen up over time!

Brenda

roncron · Post by **roncron** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 5:08 pm

Getting a bi-pap would be great but would require a new prescription, and is more expensive. You could get a machine with exhalation relief, such as a Respironics M series with C-flex or A-flex, that would make your therapy much more tolerable.

Folks here have called attention to the importance of proper pillow positioning for side sleeping. I agree. The problem I have, though, is if I change to a side sleeping position during the middle of the night, I'm not likely to be awake enough to make sure the pillow is ideally positioned, so I get leaks.

The mask I use is the Opti-Life. It works well for lots of folks, like sleepngo, and I'm glad for them. But for me, it's not such a great mask, especially for side sleeping and leaks. I'll be trying a new one soon.