Getting a Comfortable Sleep Setup

I am new to CPAP therapy. Specifcally I use a bipap on 14/10 with a full face mask (I mouth breath a lot apparently at night).

Right now I have my first face mask. Made by Res Med its made to sit bellow my nose and sits on my chin. I like how it fits on my nose but the way it pushes down on my mouth is pretty uncomfortable, and so I am looking for other options. A medium to large convex structure face with an overjet (I think is is whats causing the mask to fit strangely). Does anyone have any specific mask types for me to try. something that a medium to large mask size would swear by. And on another note - does anyone think breathright strips would help with the mouth breathing?

As far as pillows go, I have heard that certain pillows work better for side sleepers with some of the sturdier masks. Can anyone provide any input as to what some of these pillows or manufacturers might be?

I read somewhere about someone getting something to hook their tube to above and/or to the side. I noticed that I have had a few instances where my pap machine has not kicked in, and realized that the hose position was most likely what was causing it plus I dont like sleeping with the hose laying directly ontop of me curled up. What is it people are using to do this?

my AHI on my back pre therapy was 50, and 10 on my side. MY first night with BiPap it dropped to 5 on my side, then 3, then last night I got a .31. Despite only getting about 3-4 hours of sleep for the 5 and a half hours I was in bed, I feel crazy rested. So now I want to begin to perfect my setup so I can get some nice longer sleep going.

I may also try sleeping on my back to give my shoulders a rest, and see how bad my AHI is. It is my preferred sleeping position if possible.

I would appreciate any and all tips as to making a nights sleep more comfortable and enjoyable.

It sounds like your bottom straps may be a little too tight. Mask choice is a very personal thing. My wife and I both use the same kind of mask. She has stayed with the first mask she tried. I, on the other hand, have tried at least twenty different masks. When a new one comes on the market, I usually try one out just to see if I like it better than what I am currently using. As for a pillow, this too is a personal choice. Some of the people use buckwheat pillows, special CPAP pillows and others just use a regular pillow. CPAP pillows are normally foam with cutouts on the side for the mask when you sleep on your side. Rather than spend a lot of money for one of the CPAP pillows, buy a cheap foam pillow and cut out notches on the side so the mask won't rub against the pillow when sleeping on your side. Personally, I sleep on my back with the feet and head raised slightly, similar to sleeping in a recliner. I have severe arthritis of the spine and arthritis in both shoulders, so this is the most comfortable position for me.

Welcome! It's good to hear you're sleeping better already.

In addition to Okie Bipap's good suggestions, here are a few more. You might consider using a fleecy hose cover to see whether that feels better. You can try a hose lift (aka hose stand) to get the hose up out of the way. The Hose Buddy is a sturdy one; I'm now using the Houdini, which isn't so sturdy but swivels really well.

About mouth breathing. Does your nose get stuffed up during the night? If so, Breath Right strips might help. You could also try using Flonase an hour or so before you go to bed. It can take a week or two to kick in, so give it a fair trial. If neither of those fixes works, and you do have a stuffy nose, you might schedule a visit to an ENT doctor, who can look in your nose to see whether there's some other condition you could address.

My hose is supported by a home-made contraption consisting of a wall-mounted
swivel plant hanger, with 4' of broken fishing rod duck taped to it and
elastic band chains hanging from the line guides.
My hose runs through the last loops in 3 chains.
The pole moves overhead when I roll over, keeping my hose routed up.
In the morning, I flip my mask over the "hanging snake" to keep it out of my way.

Welcome!

ldt2g10 wrote: ↑

Tue Nov 23, 2021 10:41 am

Right now I have my first face mask. Made by Res Med its made to sit bellow my nose and sits on my chin.

Learn to refer to things by their model name. What you are referring to sounds like the ResMed AirFit F30i FFM ( https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... -face-mask ).

ldt2g10 wrote: ↑

Tue Nov 23, 2021 10:41 am

I like how it fits on my nose but the way it pushes down on my mouth is pretty uncomfortable

I use the F30i from time to time, and it is a comfortable mask. It's common not to have masks fitted and adjusted properly. My suggestion is not to start running off chasing other masks at this point. Carefully watch three or four videos on youtube which explain how to properly fit and adjust the F30i. Here is a selection of videos - https://www.youtube.com/results?search_ ... esmed+f30i

ldt2g10 wrote: ↑

Tue Nov 23, 2021 10:41 am

And on another note - does anyone think breathright strips would help with the mouth breathing?

No.

ldt2g10 wrote: ↑

Tue Nov 23, 2021 10:41 am

Does anyone have any specific mask types for me to try. something that a medium to large mask size would swear by.

Oh, unfortunately, there are plenty of masks that people swear by. But that doesn't mean the mask will work for you.

Okie bipap wrote: ↑

Tue Nov 23, 2021 12:12 pm

It sounds like your bottom straps may be a little too tight. Mask choice is a very personal thing.

I will try this. I has some small leaking but I think that was from the op and I overtightened the bottom. I will try loosing these up next time I try a mask fit.

Okie bipap wrote: ↑

Tue Nov 23, 2021 12:12 pm

As for a pillow, this too is a personal choice. Some of the people use buckwheat pillows, special CPAP pillows and others just use a regular pillow. CPAP pillows are normally foam with cutouts on the side for the mask when you sleep on your side. Rather than spend a lot of money for one of the CPAP pillows, buy a cheap foam pillow and cut out notches on the side so the mask won't rub against the pillow when sleeping on your side.

I kind of like my current pillow, and will spend the next couple weeks trying to adjust to what I have rather than changing everything at once.

Miss Emerita wrote: ↑

Tue Nov 23, 2021 12:44 pm

Welcome! It's good to hear you're sleeping better already.

Thank you!

Miss Emerita wrote: ↑

Tue Nov 23, 2021 12:44 pm

In addition to Okie Bipap's good suggestions, here are a few more. You might consider using a fleecy hose cover to see whether that feels better. You can try a hose lift (aka hose stand) to get the hose up out of the way. The Hose Buddy is a sturdy one; I'm now using the Houdini, which isn't so sturdy but swivels really well.

I will try this!

Miss Emerita wrote: ↑

Tue Nov 23, 2021 12:44 pm

About mouth breathing. Does your nose get stuffed up during the night? If so, Breath Right strips might help. You could also try using Flonase an hour or so before you go to bed. It can take a week or two to kick in, so give it a fair trial. If neither of those fixes works, and you do have a stuffy nose, you might schedule a visit to an ENT doctor, who can look in your nose to see whether there's some other condition you could address.

I am currently on flonaise for the next 30 days or so. Seems to be working. It appears I have a slightly deviated septum, and my ENT has suggested surgery to fix that. I have heard that won't really help with the sleep apnea though. But I guess I will find out if I decide to go through with it.

Well, it may help pay for his country house.

ldt2g10 wrote: ↑

Tue Nov 23, 2021 4:20 pm

It appears I have a slightly deviated septum, and my ENT has suggested surgery to fix that. I have heard that won't really help with the sleep apnea though. But I guess I will find out if I decide to go through with it.

I had a badly deviated septum fixed in 1996. Prior to that, I could never breathe out of both sides of my nose at the same time. I also had frequent sinus infections. I have had very few sinus infections since then. It did not help the sleep apnea, but it certainly made a difference in how well I can breathe.

ldt2g10 wrote: ↑

Tue Nov 23, 2021 4:20 pm

Seems to be working. It appears I have a slightly deviated septum, and my ENT has suggested surgery to fix that.

This could make it easier to breathe through the nose, (ObviousGranny) and possibly avoid mouth-breathing.

Okie bipap wrote: ↑

Tue Nov 23, 2021 4:40 pm

it certainly made a difference in how well I can breathe.

Didn't it make using CPAP easier?

Okie bipap wrote: ↑

Tue Nov 23, 2021 4:40 pm

ldt2g10 wrote: ↑

Tue Nov 23, 2021 4:20 pm

It appears I have a slightly deviated septum, and my ENT has suggested surgery to fix that. I have heard that won't really help with the sleep apnea though. But I guess I will find out if I decide to go through with it.

I had a badly deviated septum fixed in 1996. Prior to that, I could never breathe out of both sides of my nose at the same time. I also had frequent sinus infections. I have had very few sinus infections since then. It did not help the sleep apnea, but it certainly made a difference in how well I can breathe.

I only breath out of one nose at a time. Isnt that normal???

I do get random sinus headaches often. THe surgery sounds horrid though. Like the 2 weeks recovery

Julie wrote: ↑

Tue Nov 23, 2021 4:36 pm

Well, it may help pay for his country house.

the joy of american healthcare

ldt2g10 wrote: ↑

Tue Nov 23, 2021 10:42 pm

THe surgery sounds horrid though. Like the 2 weeks recovery

Yeah, people like to be so damn dramatic.

Gramps had turbinate reduction and deviated septum correction surgeries many years ago. He had it on a Monday morning and went shopping with me and to lunch out on a Thursday morning. Not a big deal and no pain at any point.

ChicagoGranny wrote: ↑

Wed Nov 24, 2021 8:49 am

Yeah, people like to be so damn dramatic.

Well....it is a common enough knee jerk reaction when we think about stuff getting done to the nose.
I still cringe when I think about the nose job surgery video I watched some years ago. Gives me the heebie jeebies for sure.
Always looks and sounds worse than it is though...and then there are some people who have low pain thresholds least little thing is the end of the world.

I used to help do a lot of myelograms....OMG the size of that needle made me never ever want that procedure done to me and here next month I am going to have a procedure done that I know involves a needle that size going into the same area.
One of the reasons I have been on the fence about getting it done. Even though I know I will have some sedation and local anesthesia ....I still cringe.