Help: mask for sidesleeper with face in pillow

[balaram]

I sleep on my side, with the bottom side of my head and nose pressed on the pillow. I can't seem to get the nose pillows of my Swift FX mask to stay properly situated, in that sleeping position. I do like the minimalist design of the Swift FX, but am I barking up the wrong tree, using it?
I travel a lot, and can't pack a CPAP cutout pillow, nor does that seem to solve my particular problem.
Should I consider another mask: say, Opus 360, Sleepweaver, or Swift LT?
What to do?

[sallym]

I am a side sleeper and so far have only used one mask - Fisher and Paykel Zest - it works fine. It can take a minute or two to get adjusted right, but overall I haven't had problems.

[chunkyfrog]

I use my pillow as leverage on whatever mask I use.
Sobakawa pillows allow you to hollow out a 'nest' for your face--and they can be flexibly packable.

[xenablue]

For comfort, I love my SleepWeaver, but also use a Swift FX and LT. I have the 2nd most recent version of the SleepWeaver and I understand the latest version, released just a few weeks ago, has addressed the leak issues many of us were/are having. I'm eligible for a new mask on 4/29 and my DME has my new SleepWeaver set aside for me to pick up then and I'm excited!!!

The SW isn't for everyone but it's worth trying out, and if you can, get the ultralight hose section that Circadiance now has for the SW. It's like the hose section with the FX and LT.

Cheers,
xena

[rjezuit]

I sleep on both sides and back. Have been using my Opus 360 for a little over a month and like it. I route the tube over the top and over the headboard and it seems to work well for me.

[Julie]

Google Pap Pillows and you hopefully will like the design... many people here use them (and I have zero connection to the company).

[KSMike]

I had the same problem with several other masks, but am doing much better with the Liberty hybrid, Pad-a-Cheek covers, and my regular pillow. Along the way I tried one pap pillow but never got it to work. Of course this is going to be a very subjective thing.

[greg-g]

I don't have a problem with my Swift Fx, but I do use a fairly square sided pillow and hang my nose over the edge.
Strangely though I'm having more problems with my new pillows compared to the old ones that I finally pensioned off after 1 1/2 years.

[jimnsc]

Read some of the threads about the Respcare 'Aloha' pillows mask. Everyone that is trying it is loving it - including myself. I am a side sleeper (back and forth - side to side) and the pillows stay put. I'm not saying you couldn't 'root' the thing off your head if you were rough enough but it's the best thing to come along in a while as far as I'm concerned. It is inexpensive compared to most pillows appliances also. As information, I use a regular bed pillow - none of the newer inventions. I have tried most of the major brand pillows masks and this is a good one.

[nanwilson]

I use a regular pillow and use the Respcare Hybrid.....have ordered the new Respcare Aloha. I push my face into my pillow too.

[robysue]

I'm a side sleeper and use the Swift FX with minimal leak problems. And I tend to stuff my nose into the side of my hubby's body with the covers over my head.

I have much more significant problems with exhaust flow from the mask bouncing off tings and reflecting back into my face or onto my arms. Technically, it's not a leak, but it's as annoying as all heck. Occasionally I notice my pillow or hubby's body manages to shove the pillow for the "bottom" nostril out of position. A quick yank is usually all I need to fix it.

Things that I've found useful for managing the problems include:

1) Adjusting the back strap of the mask asymmetrically.. I find it needs to be looser on the downhill side of the mask for some reason.

2) Cupping the very top of the short hose in my (upper) hand. This allows me to very gently pull the hose anytime I detect the smallest leak and reseat the pillows without coming to a full wake. It also allows me to redirect the exhaust flow when that's beginning to bug me.

3) Running the large hose under the covers with me. I hug the larger hose farther down with my bottom hand. This two-handed hose holding technique seems to allow me to more gracefully turn over without distrubing the pillows.

4) Reseating the pillows AFTER I've snuggled into my initial seep position for the night. Once I'm comfortable, I tend to gently yank on the top of the short hose to reseat that bottom pillow into a position where it is no longer being smooshed out of position by the pillow