How do I get used to sleeping on my back again???

[Guest]

After years of side or stomach sleeping, it's just not working with my mask(s) (NAII, opus360). The last several nights have felt like I'm suffocating and I wake up with my outlets obstructed by my pillow or pillows/nare thingies (technical term!) dislodged or, with the NAII, folded closed inside my nose! I've been ripping the whole thing off in a panic and sleeping another 3 hours or so without it, but able to take a deep breath. I'm thinking if I could stay on my back it would help, but I always seem to wind up face-in-the-pillow. Any suggestions?

[rested gal]

I wake up with my outlets obstructed by my pillow

There is a mask that has the exhaust vent placed where it is amost impossible to block it, no matter what sleeping position you prefer...even for stomach sleeping.

Aeiomed's "Headrest" nasal pillows mask.

or pillows/nare thingies (technical term!) dislodge

There are ways to "fix" the Headrest's nasal pillows so they stay in place. Check out the lab rat fixes for that:
LINKS to Lab Rat Trophy awards
viewtopic.php?t=15104

I always seem to wind up face-in-the-pillow. Any suggestions?

There's no reason to have to change from your favorite sleep position...if a mask will cooperate. The Headrest mask seems to be a favorite for tummy sleepers. I like it because I can lay the side of my face flat against the head pillow when I'm sleeping on my side or semi-tummy sleeping.

Depending on how soft and mushy your head pillow is, and depending on just how face down you like to sleep (surely your head is turned at least a little to the side when you sleep on your stomach) I think you'd be pleasantly surprised at how UNblocked the Headrest's exhaust vent stays. The vent is located up at eyebrow level and shoots straight up like a little chimney.

Good luck getting back into the sleep position that suits you! I think the Headrest would let you do that.

[6PtStar]

Isn't sleeping on your back considered bad because the tongue is more prone to falling back and cutting off the air. I know if I sleep on my back my AHI is double what it is if I sleep on my side.

Jerry

[le_wif]

I'd be interested in hearing, too, if sleeping on your back is bad even if you are on CPAP. Doesn't CPAP eliminate the problem stated above?

[looking4zzzz]

If you do decide you want to try to switch to sleeping on your back, you might want to try putting a pillow under your knees. It takes some pressure off your low back, and makes it a little harder (but not impossible) to roll over in your sleep. I've also seen some chiropractic pillows that put your head and neck in good alignment, and help keep you on your back. One I've used is from core products, the tri-core pillow. Good luck!

[Hawthorne]

I have been a back sleeper for years. Sleeping on my back, for me, is the only pain free sleep position because of Rheumatoid Arthritis. I have been sleeping on my back longer than I have been on cpap. I may be on cpap because I have slept on my back for so long but that's the way it is for me.
Here is a typical night's detailed data for me, sleeping on my back of course. I don't always have AHI 0.0 but it is below 1 almost every night. It works for me!

[Arizona-Willie]

Sleeping on your back is the ABSOLUTE worst position possible.

Here is a link to a movie on Resmed's site that demonstrates sleep apnea.

Stomach sleeping is the best position. You may need to arrange pillows in a fashion to support your face and mask off the mattress / pillows. I have been thinking of buying one of those things on massage tables that you put your face in. Or possibly one of those inflatable rings hemorroid patients sit on. Those would allow the face to be supported around the edges and the mask to not hit anything. Maybe.

http://www.resmed.com/en-us/patients/un ... 40x380.swf

[Hawthorne]

I understand that sleeping on your back is the worst position when a person has sleep apnea but, in my case, its' either sleep on my back or do not sleep at all because of the pain. As long as I get results like this I will keep sleeping on my back. Should I get worse, as far as sleep apnea is concerned, I will have to figure out something else. At this point I don't know what!
For now, this is the way it is for me.

[6PtStar]

If I sleep on my back my pressure has to be 3 to 4 cm/h2o higher than on my side to get the same results. I understand physical limitations and restraints, I was just trying to make a point for Guest because there did not seem to be any physical limitations, just a preference.

Jerry

[Hawthorne]

6PtStar - "Guest" seemed concerned about having to adjust to sleeping on his/her back. I just wanted to point out, that for some it does work out fine.
Given the posts in this thread, I think "Guest" will be relieved that he/she may not have to get used to sleeping on his/her back again.
Between us all, on this thread, I think we have helped "Guest" with his/her concern.

[gasp]

Here's a test I did - maybe it will help you. I start out each night in a different position. I listened to see if the machine turned up the pressure. I think if the machine senses it needs to push more air, then there is more blockage.

I have an auto machine (AFlex). I've listed results below in order of least amount of pressure to most.

Right side: machine stays on ramp and I fall asleep before I notice any increased pressure.
Left side: the machine turns up the pressure a bit.
Partial stomach: machine turns up the pressure right away, but not as much as when I'm on my back.
Back: the machine turns up the pressure up right away.

When I tried to sleep on my right side most nights, I found my AHI trend lowered. I'm unwilling to stay on one side for comfort sake, so decided the holy grail of 0.0 AHI wasn't worth it : )

[DannyPh]

I had my Initial Sleep study in October 2007 and I slept on my Back during the sleep study as I have always been a Back Sleeper. The sleep study set my Pressure at 13. I continue to sleep on my Back and I awaken feeling Rested and Refreshed most mornings sleepiing on my Back. Also , I might add that I sleep very good Most mights with Minimal arousals during the night. This is just my concept on the whole sleeping position thingy. Everyone is different and I sugesst to sleep with whatever makes you comfortable. Oh Bye the way---I sleep semi elevated on my Back.

[rested gal]

I'd be interested in hearing, too, if sleeping on your back is bad even if you are on CPAP. Doesn't CPAP eliminate the problem stated above?

CPAP set at the right pressure should keep the airway open even when one is sleeping on one's back (supine.) And even when one is in "worst case scenario"... on your back and in REM.

That's why most sleep labs ask people to try to sleep on their backs as much as possible during a sleep study. They need to see worst case scenario. Especially during the titration part when the sleep tech is finding a good pressure.

I know that a lot of people say, "I NEVER sleep on my back, so that's going to give unrealistic results!! Wouldn't it better to be titrated in my normal sleep positions?"

I'm not a doctor or anything in the medical field, but I absolutely agree with the importance of getting a picture of what happens (and what pressure is needed) for a person sleeping on his/her back, even if they "never" sleep that way at home. None of us know when an accident or illness will land us flat on the back for an extended stay in a hospital or nursing home.

Best to know what cpap pressure is really needed for that position, whether that's actually the pressure and/or sleeping position we use at home. One more good reason for some of us to have an autopap, eh?

Hawthorne's titration obviously came up with the right pressure number for his normal sleep position, which happens to be sleeping on his back. Beautiful data, Hawthorne.

Everyone is different and I sugesst to sleep with whatever makes you comfortable.

Right. And often, finding a mask that is comfortable in one's favorite sleep position is the real key to that.

[Hawthorne]

Thanks Rested Gal, for your comment on my data! I have you, Ozij, and all the other great people on this board that help me understand this therapy and tweak my settings to get that data. Still learning though! Found a couple of great masks, for me, as well. As you said, that's certainly a huge part of getting good therapy!

[gasp]

RestedGal, you've inspired me to try sleeping on my stomach again. I read your encouragement for our guest that they didn't need to change from their favorite sleeping position, on their back. It sent me a message that perhaps I should try my favorite position as well - sleeping on my stomach.

As my previous post in this thread spoke to, I get the best numbers on my right side, but I get so uncomfortable forcing myself to do that for numbers sake so I change to my left side at times. Anyway, my beloved sleeping position is on my stomach but I haven't had a mask that allowed me to do that. This morning it came to me that perhaps the CL2 would work in that position so I tried it. I didn't fall all the way back to sleep, but didn't notice any reason I shouldn't try it during the night. The exhaust vent seemed free and no leaks. I'll give it a try tonight. I'm looking forward to it so much. I hope it works!

Thanks!