Mouth-breathing side-sleeper -- mask suggestions?

[RedOakley]

Hi, all. I'm new to the board and only in my fourth week of using CPAP. I sleep on my left side and breathe through my mouth when sleeping. I hardly move at all during the course of the night.

I started out with a Quattro full face mask, size M. Because of the side sleeping, the mask would shift a little off-center and ultimately end up pressing on my right eye. So after a week I asked for size S. That is OK, except the seal doesn't stay sealed, and I end up with air blowing into my right eye. It's closed, of course, but it was still affecting the eye, which watered all day after a night of blowing. So I am now wearing a fabric sleep mask over my eyes, which definitely has helped. But that affects the CPAP mask seal and I get more leakage.

So tomorrow I'm driving up to the medical equipment place to try some other masks. I'll have to pay for it myself, but at the Medicare price so it's doable.

Interested in knowing what any other side sleepers have used successfully. What about a hybrid with an added chin strap to keep my mouth closed? I also looked at the special pillows -- do they prevent a full-face mask from shifting when sleeping on one side?

Thanks in advance for sharing your experience.

[LSAT]

I am a side sleeper and I use the Quattro FF mask just as you. I have always been a mouth breather...I sleep exclusively on my left side without problems.

[TedVPAP]

What is your pressure?
Have you tried to avoid mouth breathing and use nasal pillows?

[palerider]

sleep on the edge of the pillow so the mask isn't being mashed sideways by the pillow.

[JDS74]

I use an Oracle mask and it is affected by pressure from side sleeping. My solution is a bath towel folded up and placed inside a pillow case so I get a firm pillow about 2 inches thick. Then, I try to make sure that the "pillow" only contacts my head above a line from my eye down by my ear and on to the nape of my neck. That way, there is no side pressure on the mask at all.

Perhaps a similar solution could help.

There are CPAP pillows around. Maybe one of them can give you the support you need without impacting your mask.
It's all a trial and error search until each of us finds our solution.

[OkyDoky]

Try a liner, one might help keep the mask from slipping and make it more comfortable. PadaCheek is very nice http://padacheek.com/ . Remzzz will give you a free sample pack. Check out this page for the free offer from Becky at RemZzzs. viewtopic/p1057667/Especially-for-newly ... l#p1057667 Also you can cut your own from old tee shirt material.

[LSAT]

What is your pressure?
Have you tried to avoid mouth breathing and use nasal pillows?

I have used 11-14 for several years and recently switched to straight 12...I think I like that better. I have tried pillows and chin strap without success.

[Ranger12271]

I just went back on CPAP after many years off. I am using the Airfit f 10 full face mask and sleep on side. No problems with leaks and I have not yet thrown it off. I use the new Resmed airsense and the data shows no leaks. So far so good!

[Illavata]

I am both a mouth breather / drooler
And a Side sleeper
I have found the mirage Quattro full face mask is the best
For me. I also use a a contoured foam pillow with cut outs
For the mask to sit in when I role on my side
Good luck

[TedVPAP]

What is your pressure?
Have you tried to avoid mouth breathing and use nasal pillows?

I have used 11-14 for several years and recently switched to straight 12...I think I like that better. I have tried pillows and chin strap without success.

I have found (at 19cm-h2o) that nasal pillows seal the best for me but mouth leaking is an issue. Traditional chin straps did not stop mouth leaking. I use the Ultimate Chin strap (lined with a sock to keep it clean) to keep mouth leaking below the allowable level.
The pillow I use is a small memory foam pillow made for between the knees (walmart).

[GettingBetter]

I am a mouth-breathing side sleeper with allergies and I didn't think a nasal mask would ever be my mask of choice, but it is.

I haven't tried a full face mask because I don't want to go back to mouth breathing. I've had some congestion and hiked up the humidity and pumped the Flonase after a saline rinse. I've taped my mouth shut and really tried to train myself to stop with the mouth breathing. I'm down to a single piece of tape; I was using about 4 to make it through the night.

I really like the Eson because it is comfortable. I don't have to tighten the straps on the headband to the point I give myself a headache. It doesn't shift too much. It is quiet. I don't sound like Darth V. There's a foot bar on the forehead that keeps everything aligned and once I'm set for the night, I pretty much stay there and sleep well.

Everybody's head/nose/needs are different so you're going to have to be a little patient to find your own fit and right mask. I hope you do and rest well.

Kind regards,
GB

[zoocrewphoto]

I use the quattro fx mask. I have my face at the edge of the pillow so that the mask hangs off the side and doesn't get pushed around.

I wanted to add that when I started, I had a lot of problems with leaks into my eyes. I was told that the mask was too high on my face. I learned to start it just a tad lower, and no eye leaks. Sometimes, it is a matter of placement, and even a couple mm can make a huge difference.

[Rstokes]

I am the same, mouth breathing side sleeper.

I personally really get on with the F&P Simplus (Full Face) mask, its one the only (well, the only one) where I can wake up in the middle of the night and think "Do I have my mask on?" or have an itch on my nose and goto scratch it just to thump the mask and go "Oh yeah, I have a mask on".

FYI, I have tried the following Full Face masks (from memory, but I certainly have more!):
F&P 431
Philips Amora
Mirage Quattro
Quattro Air (Great, but REALLY noisy air vents!!!)
Philips Comfort Gel (Or named something like this)

Simplus is by far the best fit [for me!] and also very quiet (Unless you have the hose directly upright running over the air vent)

One thing I should mention, and I could not live without... [and this is the 'Edit' on the post]. PAD A CHEEK mask liners. Seriously, without these I would go crazy, and the lady that makes them is super nice too, as they didnt fit the Simplus mask well she had to remake some. HIGHLY recommended. [PS. I am not affiliated, although I would like to be ]

[RedOakley]

Thanks, everyone, for the responses. Some very useful info here! I was not familiar with liners at all, so that's definitely something to explore. I'll certainly try out the various pillow tips. And I'm printing out a list of all the masks you've used successfully to take with me this afternoon.

All of the help is much appreciated!

[Rstokes]

excellent. forgot to mention i love deep soft pillows and lie right in the middle of them so i was extra fussy.

The list i gave DIDNT work well. .. just re read my post and it may have sounded i was recommending that list.