Side sleeping

I like to sleep on my side. Have for awhile.

Should I sleep with multiple pillows to increase the incline?
Or another thought is the flattest pillow to keep my chin up?

What about raising the head of your bed? Or a foam wedge under my side of the bed?

Just read so many conflicting things - interested for hear what the veterans think.

This 2-year veteran uses a single down pillow. Which smooshes (notice the very technical term, please!) pretty flat. I am a side and stomach sleeper. My pillow is soft enough that as I shift and toss and turn, I can easily adjust it. But, bottom line, pillows are a very individual thing. Hubby (also a PAPer) uses 2, a buckwheat pillow on the bottom (translation: bag of pebbles), with another pillow on top. He is a back sleeper. Frankly, how he manages to #1 sleep with two pillows and #2 sleep on his back, I can't even imagine!

I agree with booksfan, it’s pretty personal. I’m a side-sleeper with a nasal pillows mask, and I tried out different options. I finally figured out that lower and firmer worked best for me. But no buckwheat! I know some people who use a FFM like to hang it off the side of the bed pillow so it doesn’t get smooshed around. Technical term again. But that isn’t an issue with my particular mask.

NewToSleepApnea wrote: ↑

Mon May 11, 2020 6:39 pm

I like to sleep on my side. Have for awhile.

Should I sleep with multiple pillows to increase the incline?
Or another thought is the flattest pillow to keep my chin up?

What about raising the head of your bed? Or a foam wedge under my side of the bed?

Just read so many conflicting things - interested for hear what the veterans think.

For most of us, sleeping on the side actually reduces AHI. So if this is your preferred position, that's great!
Unless you have GERD, raising your head more than your normal amount is probably unnecessary.
Do what makes you sleep the best. Make yourself as comfortable as possible.

From posts in your other thread, it sounds like you're having some challenges adjusting to actually sleeping. That's okay. You'll get there. It's great to ask questions, but remember, it's all about getting sleep and feeling better in the morning. You're in control, and the fact that you're getting answers here hopefully will help you breathe a sigh of relief.

Again, if you don't have GERD and you actually enjoy sleeping on your side, you should be good to go. No special positions needed for you. If you find yourself on your back occasionally, that should be okay too. So long as your comfortable. Google "falcon position" also on this site. That's pretty comfortable. As Pugsy said, let's use the tools we have to reduce OA's and Hypops. And booksfan is right. Sleep position is mostly a personal choice. Whatever works for you!

Your job for is to get some relaxing sleep so we can see some more data. So glad you're getting things sorted!

Chris

Miss Emerita wrote: ↑

Mon May 11, 2020 7:43 pm

I agree with booksfan, it’s pretty personal. I’m a side-sleeper with a nasal pillows mask, and I tried out different options. I finally figured out that lower and firmer worked best for me. But no buckwheat! I know some people who use a FFM like to hang it off the side of the bed pillow so it doesn’t get smooshed around. Technical term again. But that isn’t an issue with my particular mask.

I am one of those!

I like sleeping on my back. As stated, it probably makes my apnea worse, but my average is a ,4 to .6. I got some bad shoulders, so side sleeping for me is limited. It's a personal preference, and I think gravity is in play when sleeping on your back.... which can increase your apnea events.


Sheriff

Sleep in your normal, favored position. If it is a problem, then you can make adjustments from there. But you may not need to.