Does anyone sleep on a wedge???

bpoe689 · Post by **bpoe689** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 9:14 pm

Just finished my second sleep study night. Second half of sleep was on a wedge since I have a lot of trouble sleeping on a flat bed. My bed at home has the head raised due to reflux problems.

The sleep study continued to show my oxygen level going as low as the 70's at times with +18 episodes of apnea per hour. My doctor indicated that my gastric bypass surgery should help but that unless I go on CPAP now, the surgeon would not even consider doing the surgery. That low of oxygen hinders the healing process and the ability to survive the surgery.

The oxygen level and apnea episodes were improved by sleeping on the wedge. Guess I will go ahead and get the CPAP .

chrisp · Post by **chrisp** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 9:21 pm

The wedge helps a bit but may also cause other problems. I put a phone book or 2x4 blocks under the legs of the headboard to raise it a few inches. Hardly noticable but it works.

Cheers,

Chris

bpoe689 · Post by **bpoe689** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 9:27 pm

I have a 4x4 under head of my bed. Believe me, it has really made a difference.

chrisp · Post by **chrisp** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 9:34 pm

Hopefully not but there certainly are many thin folks that use cpap. Thats the way I see it. My doc says that I shouldn't need it if loose 30 lbs.

I say I've had OSA all my life. Thats why I gained weight.

Cheers,

Chris

Mouse guest · Post by **Mouse guest** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 10:40 am

...of cheese????

Bullwinkle · Post by **Bullwinkle** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 10:09 pm

Just starting the CPAP therapy tonight, so my results my change; but...

I sleep on a Tempurpedic mattress with the adjustable frame - split king so I don't drive my wife crazy. Anyhow, my wife observes that I snore much more and scare her more by stopping breathing when I have my head elevated than when I sleep on it completely flat. Seems to defy logic to me, but without know exactly what is causing my obstructions, I guess I shouldn't really try to apply logic to the situation.

-Jeff

Bullwinkle · Post by **Bullwinkle** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 10:11 pm

Mis-stated something in my last post. I suggested that I actually "sleep" on my Tempurpedic. If I were actually sleeping, I probably wouldn't be posting on this message board

-Jeff

Janelle · Post by **Janelle** » Sun Mar 13, 2005 9:37 am

What might be happening is that even though your head is elevated, your shoulders are not, causing your jaw to drop down and thus paritally close your throat.I've noticed my pressures are higher when I'm on my back and do this too. By sleeping flat your head is farther back opening up the throat. Just an idea.

Bullwinkle · Post by **Bullwinkle** » Sun Mar 13, 2005 9:50 pm

Janelle,

Thanks for the suggestion; definitely something to look at and experiment with. I have noticed a difference with different pillow thicknesses, too, so it certainly makes sense.

Thanks again,

-Jeff

photogal · Post by **photogal** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 11:03 pm

I've had apnea many years, and have done just about everything to open my airway. One thing that helped..I say helped, didn't fix...was to use a real feather pillow which wasn't very plump. This allowed me to ball it up and fill the space under my neck, allowing my head to tip backwards. This opens the airway more than conventional positions. But with people who have severe apnea, it won't stop events.

Does anyone sleep on a wedge???

Does anyone sleep on a wedge???

Janelle is onto something