Best Mask for side sleepers

Hello everyone,
I'm really new to the forum but have learned some valuable things already - Thank you.
I currently use the Amara View mask and seem to be doing well as far as I can tell. I am in the process of switching out my Dreamstation BASIC BRICK for a Dreamstation Auto to have better access to my efficacy data, including mask fit/leaks. I'm wondering if any of you are side sleepers and if so, which mask stays in place and works best for you? Thank you.

MOST of us are side sleepers, as many of us experience increased apnea on our backs. So there are tricks to dealing with the mask in side sleeping--the type of pillow (a lot of people swear by buckwheat filled pillows, I like a solid foam pillow with built in neck rolls and place my head in the "ditch" between the neck supports), the positioning on the pillow (e.g. hanging a FF mask off the end of the pillow), strap adjustments (I find loosening the straps a little on the side I sleep on and tightening them just a little on the opposite side gives the mask some needed "give" when you lie on your side"), padding, etc.

It's mostly a matter of using trial and error to find what works best for you.

Be sure you fit your mask when you are lying down in your normal sleeping position. Your new machine should have a "mask fit" feature that will help you go to maximum pressure lying in your normal sleeping position, and that's when you should adjust your mask. Start out with all the straps really loose, and tighten them carefully only as much as needed to stop leaking at maximum pressure. Make sure you let air cushion masks get nice and full of air by tightening as little as possible. See "Taming the Mirage Quattro" in my blog below, even if that's not your mask, as it will explain how to fit air cushion masks.

Janknitz wrote:MOST of us are side sleepers, as many of us experience increased apnea on our backs. So there are tricks to dealing with the mask in side sleeping--the type of pillow (a lot of people swear by buckwheat filled pillows, I like a solid foam pillow with built in neck rolls and place my head in the "ditch" between the neck supports), the positioning on the pillow (e.g. hanging a FF mask off the end of the pillow), strap adjustments (I find loosening the straps a little on the side I sleep on and tightening them just a little on the opposite side gives the mask some needed "give" when you lie on your side"), padding, etc.

It's mostly a matter of using trial and error to find what works best for you.

Be sure you fit your mask when you are lying down in your normal sleeping position. Your new machine should have a "mask fit" feature that will help you go to maximum pressure lying in your normal sleeping position, and that's when you should adjust your mask. Start out with all the straps really loose, and tighten them carefully only as much as needed to stop leaking at maximum pressure. Make sure you let air cushion masks get nice and full of air by tightening as little as possible. See "Taming the Mirage Quattro" in my blog below, even if that's not your mask, as it will explain how to fit air cushion masks.

+1

martimorris wrote:Hello everyone,
I'm really new to the forum but have learned some valuable things already - Thank you.
I currently use the Amara View mask and seem to be doing well as far as I can tell. I am in the process of switching out my Dreamstation BASIC BRICK for a Dreamstation Auto to have better access to my efficacy data, including mask fit/leaks. I'm wondering if any of you are side sleepers and if so, which mask stays in place and works best for you? Thank you.

Hi,
I'm pretty new to this too. I have been trying quite a few FFMs. The only one I have had success with for side sleeping is the Amara View. It takes some serious adjusting to get the seal 'just right'. Not too tight, not too loose, very even (use a mirror at first). The position on the nose is very important too, and it reacts well to lifting off the face and replacing to 'cement' the seal.

Good luck with your treatment and please let us know if you find a better mask than the Amara View.

It's not always the mask...often it's the pillow you are using. From my experience the firmer the pillow the better.