Newbie Having Trouble With Leaks

[Tumdace]

I just got my CPAP machine last Wednesday, so Ive had it for a week.

It is an Icon+ Auto, with an Airfit F10 mask.

First night was fine, same with second. But that was because I managed the whole night sleeping on my back.

However I am a chronic position changer, mostly settling on my side but occasionally on my back.

I dont have any sort of cpap pillow right now so when I shift to my side, the mask lifts off my face, creating a leak and I wake up. Been having terrible sleep last few days.

Just wondering what pillows everyone suggests? Ive got some research and it seems like its a faceoff between a Buckwheat pillow and the contour pillow.

Also, I see a bunch of people getting their own analysis of leak % and sleep patterns etc etc using software called Encore. Im pretty tech saavy, but my machine has been locked down by my sleep provider to just basic settings (cant even set up the alarm clock feature on it...) so I am not sure if using Encore will even work? If so, does anyone care to point me in the right direction to get started with it? I hate to have to go to my sleep provider on a weekly basis just to make sure this thing is working like it should (although lately it seems it isnt, ive been super tired and cranky these past few days).

[ChicagoGranny]

Fill out your equipment profile indicating the exact model of machine and someone will tell you how to get into the so-called clinicians menu.

As far as pillows, my husband used CPAP first and he bought half a dozen different CPAP pillows. Eventually they all went deep in the closet and he uses just a fairly flat, normal firmness, generic pillow. When you are on your sides, let the mask hang over the edge.

I came with CPAP later and got all those pillows out of the closet and tried each at length. Eventually I settled on the same type of generic pillow Gramps uses.

[Tumdace]

Zeecat was nice enough to provide me with that information already . Thanks .

As far as pillows go, I find I fall asleep on my back and in my sleep I just roll over. I have no control on where I set my head (mask over the edge or not) as I am in sleepyland lol.

I guess Ill just have to go and try a few different pillows myself lol.

[Pugsy]

Encore won't work with your machine because it is software only for Respironics machines but you can use SleepyHead software.
Information on SleepyHead is in my signature line.

[ChicagoGranny]

I find I fall asleep on my back and in my sleep I just roll over.

What makes you think a specialized pillow will make this any better?

We all had to learn how to deal with CPAP. It took some time and experimenting to become proficient in sleeping with CPAP.

Pick out any specialized pillow. You will find members here who love it and members who put it away in the closet to gather dust.

http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/1/3/cpap-pillows Get the 20% off coupon.

[Uncle Sigh]

What makes you think a specialized pillow will make this any better?

The advertising.

[Tumdace]

I find I fall asleep on my back and in my sleep I just roll over.

What makes you think a specialized pillow will make this any better?

The fact that im a newbie?

Dont need the hostility, just some suggestions on what I should look for, even if its not a "specialized pillow" and just suggestions for what is a more comfortable pillow to sleep on?

I currently use cheapo $10-20 pillows from Walmart. Maybe a Buckwheat pillow would be more comfortable?

[ChicagoGranny]

I currently use cheapo $10-20 pillows from Walmart.

That is my suggestion.

I also made this suggestion if you are determined to have something else -

http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/1/3/cpap-pillows Get the 20% off coupon.

[library lady]

I use a Tempurpedic pillow - regular old rectangle. I use the F10 FF mask. It has some give, molding tor contour, and I rarely have leaks that wake me. Sometimes, when a leak does wake me, I can push into the pillow in the area of the leak, and that takes care of it.

[palerider]

I find I fall asleep on my back and in my sleep I just roll over.

What makes you think a specialized pillow will make this any better?

The fact that im a newbie?

Dont need the hostility, just some suggestions on what I should look for, even if its not a "specialized pillow" and just suggestions for what is a more comfortable pillow to sleep on?

windy's not usually actually hostile per se, she's just a bit short sometimes in the warmth and compassion department. she does have a good point, and if you think about it, you might see it...

why do you feel you need a specialized pillow? is it because you've seen the ads from people that prey on us offering us "specialized things" for outrageous sums of money, or do you have a specific problem that you're trying to solve.

the best answer to your questions depends on why you're asking them many times.

also, look into mask liners to make the leaks much less annoying.

[ChicagoGranny]

However I am a chronic position changer, mostly settling on my side but occasionally on my back.

I dont have any sort of cpap pillow right now so when I shift to my side, the mask lifts off my face, creating a leak and I wake up. Been having terrible sleep last few days.

Just wondering what pillows everyone suggests? Ive got some research and it seems like its a faceoff between a Buckwheat pillow and the contour pillow.

Tumdace, There are a fair number of people on here who use specialized pillows. Some time back there was a small, but vocal, buckwheat cult posting praises.

You seem to have attracted the plain-ole-pillow majority.

Here is a suggestion. Start a new thread titled, "Newbie Needs Bed Pillow Recommendations". That should bring some of what you are looking for out.

[Tumdace]

The main reason I was posting is because all of the research I was doing on this website was dating back to 2012 posts, and I couldn't find anything more recent, and I know with things that have small communitys that the general consensus tends to change rapidly as newer and better methods/products are discovered.

Ive been in enough small community related forums to know that some things heavily advertised can be a ripoff and sometimes they can be amazing, you cant really trust the advertisements you have to trust the community reviews, which leads me to asking the questions I am asking .

I actually have been looking at those mask liners, still in my 1 month trial phase so I didnt want to buy them incase I change my mind on mask type before its over, but if I stick with the F10 (which I actually like aside from this side sleeping issue, which is an issue with my pillow or the way I sleep rather than the mask) then I will probably pick up some of those RemZZZ liners as from the limited research Ive done it seems alot of the people here like them.

[palerider]

I actually have been looking at those mask liners, still in my 1 month trial phase so I didnt want to buy them incase I change my mind on mask type before its over, but if I stick with the F10 (which I actually like aside from this side sleeping issue, which is an issue with my pillow or the way I sleep rather than the mask) then I will probably pick up some of those RemZZZ liners as from the limited research Ive done it seems alot of the people here like them.

go, read this viewtopic.php?f=1&t=99461&p=924624&hili ... le#p924624 now, I'll wait.

did you read it? did you send the pm? good.

[Pugsy]

Searching the forum for "bed pillow" posts yields too many posts to sort through....and just now when I tried the system locked up.

Preferences for bed pillows (both regular and cpap) pretty much goes along the same lines as mask preferences...comes with a big YMMV sticker.
Some people still prefer the regular be pillows...some prefer special cpap pillows with cut outs for the mask...some do prefer pillows with buckwheat hulls or even water based pillows.

I have done well with the buckwheat hull pillow myself. The hulls let me make a little nest for my mask. I have also done well with a water based pillow (ChiroFlow).
It doesn't mean that everyone will do well with them though.
Just like masks....people's preferences can vary and each person has to sort through what looks interesting to them to find out if it suits them or not.

If you think a different bed pillow might help then try one. I do suggest that before spending the big bucks for one of those special pillows with cut outs for the mask that they get a cheap memory foam pillow from Walmart and make your own cut outs.
Electric knives work great for cutting foam.

[Tumdace]

I actually have been looking at those mask liners, still in my 1 month trial phase so I didnt want to buy them incase I change my mind on mask type before its over, but if I stick with the F10 (which I actually like aside from this side sleeping issue, which is an issue with my pillow or the way I sleep rather than the mask) then I will probably pick up some of those RemZZZ liners as from the limited research Ive done it seems alot of the people here like them.

go, read this viewtopic.php?f=1&t=99461&p=924624&hili ... le#p924624 now, I'll wait.

did you read it? did you send the pm? good.

Yes I did just that, thanks alot .