Pillows??

[Siempre Cansada]

Hi!
Getting an APAP machine tomorrow and was wondering what you all think about getting a special bed pillow???? I will only have a nasal mask and I mostly sleep on my sides. Thanks for your help!

[joeshmoe90]

I like to know more about this too. I've been on PAP for only about 4 days now. Started out good, but now I'm struggling to find a comfortable position without leaks and stay asleep.

[BleepingBeauty]

Hi!
Getting an APAP machine tomorrow and was wondering what you all think about getting a special bed pillow???? I will only have a nasal mask and I mostly sleep on my sides. Thanks for your help!

Welcome to the forum (and the land of hosers).

Personally, I don't use a special pillow, but some people do and love them. There are plenty out there to choose from. If it were me, I'd wait and see if my usual pillow was a problem for my mask; if not, keep on keepin' on. You can always purchase a special pillow later on if you see fit. But to each his own.

Good luck with your therapy.

[ChicagoGranny]

but now I'm struggling to find a comfortable position without leaks

Here are some tips on leaks. The third one might be part of your issue.

To reduce unintentional mask leak -

- Make sure the mask is fitted properly.
- Make sure the headgear is adjusted properly (See mask manufacturer's video.)
- Make sure to use good hose management - the hose should not pull on the mask.
- If you still have problems, learn from the forum what mask liners are available.
- If your mask still has excessive leak, try other masks. Many people report trying several masks before they find one that works well for them.

[BleepingBeauty]

Here are the cut-out bed pillow options from our host's site: https://www.cpap.com/cpap-comfort-clean ... pillow.php You can buy these cut-out styles from other sites, too.

Or you could take a regular and cheaper (foam-type) pillow that works for you and, with a sharp knife or scissors, carefully make your own cut-outs to accommodate side-sleeping with a mask.

Whatever works for you is what's important, in all aspects of this therapy.

[OkyDoky]

I also, don't use a special pillow and sleep on my side and stomach. I turn from side to side several times and if I move it a little I just reposition my P10 pillows and return to sleep. My husband also uses a regular pillow with a FF mask (F10) and sleeps on his side. He had problems with it leaking for a few days but after getting a PadaCheek liner leaking is no longer a problem.
If you have a soft pillow you can shape it where your mask is at the edge and it might help. I haven't really needed to do that either but I would do the trial and error before getting another pillow.
I'm sure others will tell their experiences.

[poppi2]

I didn't have any luck with the one cpap head pillow that I tried. It was too high for me.

I really love my pur-sleep buckwheat pillow http://www.amazon.com/CPAPfit-Pillow-Co ... B00NERG2O4. I can move the hulls aside for my nose pillows, even while sleeping on my side.

Once you've found a good mask and a good head pillow, it should get easier for you. Good luck, Earl

[cancun]

I didn't have any luck with the one cpap head pillow that I tried. It was too high for me.

I really love my pur-sleep buckwheat pillow http://www.amazon.com/CPAPfit-Pillow-Co ... B00NERG2O4. I can move the hulls aside for my nose pillows, even while sleeping on my side.

Once you've found a good mask and a good head pillow, it should get easier for you. Good luck, Earl

I am a side sleeper and use a full face mask, I did okay with my tempurpedic pillows but also got the Pur-sleep pillow and it works really well. It is also adjustable so that you can remove the hulls and also has some foam pieces that you can also remove and or add back for your comfort level.

[eddy333@comcast.net]

BUCKWHEAT PILLOW

[ChicagoGranny]

BUCKWHEAT PILLOW

Not thaaat BUCKWHEAT!

[Siempre Cansada]

Thank you for all your experience and suggestions!!

[LSAT]

BUCKWHEAT PILLOW

You mean a "Buckwheat HULL pillow"

[BlackSpinner]

My mask hangs over the side of the pillow - I sleep at the edge of the pillow, on my side and sometime sort of almost on my stomach.

You can get creative with a bread knife and a foam pillow but then you have to get creative with a sewing machine for the pillow case.

[spmccord]

I, too, just use my regular pillows. It helps that I've always been an "edge of the pillow" sleeper because of allergies.

Good luck and remember that patience is a virtue. You will adjust to your new breathing and sleeping.

[chunkyfrog]

I tried several different cutout pillows, and ended up using a regular bed pillow.
That is until I got my claws on this one.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00I0YWCKO/ref ... eat+pillow
It sounds expensive, but it is over-filled, so you can remove for fit, and later add fill as the hulls age naturally.
This pillow smells nice, too.