What masks work well for serious side-sleepers?

[M.D.Hosehead]

Thanks, all for directing my attention to the pillow. I've been so engaged in struggling with masks, that I had put the matter of the pillow on a back burner.

[Physician]

Good morning! (Gee, nice to be able to say that!)
This has been my first week on CPAP. I have always slept snuggly on my side, and tend to "nuzzle" my face into the pillow. I know one can try sleeping this way or that, but once asleep, my body makes it's own choices of how it ends up! In a week or so (as I'll be away) I will have the opportunity to try other pillows or nasal masks. To those avid sidesleepers, what mask works well for you?

I love sleeping on my left sade, and the Activa has been fine except for the strap fittings and the darn air blowing from the vent holes onto my hands.

I've corrected both issues.

[JayC]

I am a confirmed side (usually right these days, but endeavoring to be fair to both sides!!) and quasi-stomach sleeper......have been most of my life.

ResMed Swift LT is great for this for me.....and even better since I got a memory foam pillow that is higher at top and bottom with a "well" in between. Got it for $10 at A.J. Wright department store.....others are also to be had I am sure at Target, Walmart, etc.

I do best at the edge of the pillow, with the thickest part close to my chin....helps with potential mouth breathing without constriction or chin strap....for me anyway.


I seat the mask into my nostrils, and then apply pressure with my hand to the straps along my cheeks...kind of simulating the pressure of lying down. I can then adjust so that this pressing doesn;t starting any leaking. I can usually adjust by pulling the back strap lower on my big old skull...and not by actually tightening any straps. Sometimes I need a MINOR adjustment on the top strap.

I used to run the short hose over my head and clipped into the supplied holder.....but I have a hot head (temperature wise, not emotion wise!!) so I stopped that in the winter due to rainout, and never started up again for some reason. Sometimes running the LT into the supplied clip helps secure and limit some leaks......worth a try if you are experimenting.....

Hope you find some masks and adjustments that work!!

J

[sleeplessinaz]

Hi---I am a serious side sleeper.... can't ever stand to sleep on my back. My favorite mask... and I have tried a LOT of them... is the Swift LT for HER. I also am trying out the Swift FX ---so far so good. I always sleep on one side or the other--so those 2 have worked out the best for me,

As far as pillows --go to Costco--they have down filled pillows--queen size--2 in a pack right now for 39.00--which is a STEAL. You can punch and form that down pillow around your mask and neck and sleep forever in one position! It is so awesome!! Good luck!

Carrie

[Sandra]

Thank you all so much for taking the time to reply. Much appreciated! Will try to touch on the various responses.

Having participated/moderated on other unrelated forums and seeing the same questions come up over and over and folks shouting "do a search!", I always hesitate to start a "new" thread. However in this particular forum, there are soooooo many discussions on here, it's been a challenge to filter it down to find the info I'm actually seeking. I have on several occasions sifted through an hour or more of search results trying to find info that might have already been posted. So, I thank you guys for being so tolerant of possible repeats, and being so helpful.

Very good points, about the (bed) pillows and hose management. I, too, didn't give that much thought and was too focused on the masks. Pillows, ugghh, my husband will attest how finicky I can be about these. Trying to find one that's comfortable for me has always been a challenge. House is full of spares from rejects. Recently found a "just right" one and now that's going to have to change to accommodate my new CPAP nightlife. Actually, now that I'm messing around with hoses and masks, I hardly notice the feel of the pillow anymore. haha
Last night I played with 2 pillows, my most recent one layered with one of those memory foam curvy types (with the "ditch). I actually had the "still-est" sleep of the whole week, even with the LT nasal pillow that previously I had found uncomfortable. Cool. Will look into a buckwheat hull one - my Mom had one years ago and I remember thinking the potential it would have for me - but never pursued it.

I have enjoyed reading about various hose management ideas and seeing posted pics. Such originality and creativity here!

Thank you for your masks feedback, have made notes.

Re: the data management - learning how to get hold of the ResScan software was top priority at the beginning. Don't know about others, but getting up and reviewing my data with a coffee is my new morning routine I look forward to. So, I have the tools, now it's just wrapping my head around the interpretations. I actually posted (and bumped) graphs of my first two nights hoping to gain some insight in their meanings, but I didn't really get any related replies to that one. viewtopic.php?f=1&t=54138&p=504757#p504757

Love this place. What would I have done without it??

[Scarlet834]

I use the Swift LT for Her and originally was forced to my back because I'm a pillow-burrowed. What has worked for me is a K-Mart contour foam pillow. The front of my face hangs off the straight edge. I'm also on a foam wedge and it's perfect. If traveling I have to boost the height with another flattish pillow. I suspect I tighten down the LT more than normal but it's working very well.

[brucelegs]

I am a side sleeper also here is what has worked for me:

Swift FX (previously used LT for Her, then got this one when it came out - so light and comfy)
Buckwheat pillow - can't say enough about this!
cozy hose Boss hose management
most importantly I think is a skim coat of Laniosh breast cream on my nares -- keeps those nasal pillows sealed no matter how much I may toss and turn overnight

[sheep1234]

I started cpap on 10/2009 with the Swift LT for Her. Started with the size S nasal pillow and then noticed there was an XS in my bag and I've used that ever since. It fits snugger.

This past month I was able to choose a new mask and chose to try out the FX. I tried it a couple of times but I just couldn't get it adjusted! I kept feeling this cool "breeze" on my upper lip and then after awhile it started to feel like it was burning (freezer burn-like). I also didn't like the head straps. They wouldn't really stay in place, especially the top one. So I put my LT back on and slept like a rock.

The FX is much more flimsy feeling, imo. Yes, the LT is stiffer, but I prefer it that way. The hose actually stayes where I put it unless I have too much slack in it.

I sleep with my cheek burrowed into my pillows on my stomach. The only bad thing I've noticed is waking up with the strap marks across my cheeks. So I try to give myself enough time for those to disappear before I get to work.

My hose runs under my 2 pillows and down to my nasal pillow. This allows me to turn when I need to. I may have to swivel the nose coming out of the nasal pillow, but usually everything is ok. That was another feature that was lacking on the FX-the ability to "ratchet" the nasal pillow to just the right area in your nostril. After all, we are all made differently.

I was able to take back the FX (within 30 days) and get another LT. Why mess with what works, right?

Good luck!!!

[torontoCPAPguy]

Hi Sandra
Do not despair, things will get better. I have both a Swift LT and Mirage Quattro,
I have a regular firm pillow, with the LT I can smoosh into the pillow as much as I want, no problem, but the quattro I need to sleep with my face at the edge of the pillow so my mask hangs over the edge. You will get used to whatever it takes.
It will take time and lots of tweaking, but you will get it, keep up the good work.
Cheers
Nan

Nan and I show you just exactly how mask fit can vary between two people. I have a Swift LT, a Mirage Activa and a Mirage Quattro. With the Swift LT I could never get a good fit. With the Mirage Activa I get a great and comfy fit but cannot smoosh my face into the pillow. With the Quattro I am able to smoosh my face into the pillow any which way I want and the only issues I have are the exhaust vent blowing air onto the pillow and making a wee bit of noise. Negligible.

My advice? Same as most others. Whatever it takes and don't expect it to happen overnight. You will find your best mask, position, fit, pillow, etc., by trial and error and everyone is different. I have found that nasal pillows and I don't mix. If I smoosh my face into the pillow the part inside my nose gets 'squished' and the size of the opening is either zero (cut off air flow) or reduced to the extent that the air comes out of the end of the hole like a pressure washer. I have just picked up a few different masks to try out over the next few months, but my fav is the Mirage Quattro right now, especially during this 'allergy season'... and my son is up north at a grass airfield learning to soar (he already has his pilot's license but cannot yet drive) so when we go to visit and replenish his food and clothing supplies I come home stuffed like I had corks in my nose... so the Quattro is double happy cuz I can breathe thru my mouth if my nose stuffs up again during the night.

Keep at it... the results you are seeking will eventually come to you. Promise!

[Sandra]

Scarlet, "contour" pillow, that was the word I was looking for (not curvy with a ditch, hahaha) - I hope soon my brain cells will regenerate and I can find the vocabulary I'm seeking once again. Thanks.

Bruce, will keep my eye open for the cream. DIdn't consider it before as I haven't (yet) had skin/sore issues, but improving the seal makes sense.

Sheep, that's what I was thinking actually, about a smaller pillow. Glad to see LT comes in XS. Will try to get my hands on one. I'm thinking LT might be the one, but have sensed the fit could be a little better. My nose is not small by any stretch of the imagination, lol, but my nostrils are narrow and close together.
I think someone mentioned earlier about trying a different size that came with the mask, but I was sent home with loaners/trials and not a variety of sizes of the actual pillows.
I found the same with the FX, sometimes that jet of air would be distracting in the night, either from the noise from hitting the bedding or the feeling of it drilling a hole in my arm.
Still amazes me how much I preferred the FX the first nights, and disliked the LT..that that has since switched. Thank goodness for trial periods.

TOguy,

If I smoosh my face into the pillow the part inside my nose gets 'squished' and the size of the opening is either zero (cut off air flow) or reduced to the extent that the air comes out of the end of the hole like a pressure washer.

Exactly!
And about the allergies, I am a bit concerned about that. Lovely Ontario ragweed is gearing up to rear its ugly head. I am suspecting I might need a ff mask in those instances. I cannot imagine doing CPAP with some of the days I have. Thankfully newer antihistamines have been helpful. But, then after that is cold season...
True, that, need to keep trying and experimenting. And I've had in my mind that I need to choose ONE mask... but nothing saying I can't scrape up a few more dollars to have a second of a different type for different situations.

[torontoCPAPguy]

I presently use two masks all the time; my Mirage Quattro of course (stuffy nose) and my Mirage Activa (but it isn't so good with the smooshing on the pillow). I am thinking I have found the FFM for me in the Quattro; am still playing with nose masks like the Mirage Activa, which is fine except when I smoosh; and have a half dozen nasal pillows now on hand for when I get up the ambition to experiment - although being a smoosher I don't hold much hope for these airflow pressure washers when smooshed. The more I play, the more I keep coming back to the Quattro when I am in bed and smooshing or stuffy and the Mirage Activa when I am sitting down to watch baseball or gold (instant sleep). Funny, I never fall asleep when I watch movies or CSI.

I'm working up the nerve right now to try the PAPCAP Plus 4 on with one of those elastic bandages or maybe some women's underwear on my head (the men's underwear is so gauch, no?) and the Activa.... so my wife can sleep without having to wake up and squeeze my lips closed when I start to whistle at night, which is apparently getting worse with allergy season.

The problem is, apparently, that I can't keep a tune.