SLEEPING POSITION

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
Rdea
Posts: 4
Joined: Sun Mar 07, 2021 11:53 am

SLEEPING POSITION

Post by Rdea » Fri Jan 28, 2022 12:18 pm

Hello-
I have tried every imaginable cpap mask. All leaked, thereby outdoing any benefit. My narrow face shape may be the explanation.
I have mild cpap: home test revealed 12 ahi the first time yet none the second ( I suspect possible malfunction). Sometimes I think extreme anxiety is the cause as it occurred shortly after I had my dog put down after weeks of caring for her. Night was the worst.
I wear an adjustable mandibular device which is of some help but there are days of inertia from terrible fatigue, although brain ‘fog’ has been reduced.

One day I was watching a well respected instructor of moderate weight lift training cover the subject of sleep positions. I listened intently as my doctor had already ‘sentenced’ me to a lifetime of side sleeping to avoid apnea. It was terribly difficult to adjust as I was used to sleeping on back and now, having to flip, during the course of trying to sleep, left me aching come morning, and more likely NOT to sleep.

The fitness expert covered all positions and suggested for back sleepers to tuck your pillow in such a way to help maintain a BACK TILT position to head.This was to way to keep airways open. It made some sense to anyone remembering CPR, where the patient’s nostrils are pinched and the head is supported, tilted back.

I’ve added this position to relieve the discomfort of side sleeping. I have had no instances of waking, gasping for air. Cautiously I say that the incidents of unfathomable fatigue have decreased. It has been 2 weeks. Obviously, this technique isn’t for everyone but as I’ve seen no mention of sleeping with head back -instead of multiple advice on sleeping in an almost sitting position- I was hoping this would be helpful to some.

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Julie
Posts: 19898
Joined: Tue Feb 28, 2006 12:58 pm

Re: SLEEPING POSITION

Post by Julie » Fri Jan 28, 2022 1:35 pm

I wonder how much of the back-tilt position the doctor suggested was due to his seeing people whose heads fell forward too far and blocked their airway - but the doctor was unaware of soft cervical collars that addressed the problem by keeping heads up, vs potential apneas occurring with the back tilt by tongues falling back and blocking airways... would be interesting to ask him. Would the back tilt be necessary if collars were used?

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SleepyCPAP
Posts: 333
Joined: Wed Dec 08, 2010 6:01 am

Re: SLEEPING POSITION

Post by SleepyCPAP » Fri Jan 28, 2022 4:41 pm

Thanks Rdea for drawing my attention to your post.

In my case the head tilt does seem to open the airway. If I go too far back the front starts to constrict, but there is definitely a sweet spot.

But I also wear a cervical collar (as Julie mentions) because I invariably move in the night and get out of the starting posture.

Most of my obstruction seems to be from the soft palate collapsing, not my tongue.
I used to like getting to sleep on my side, but masks didn’t always stay on my face that way, so I became a back sleeper all the time for better PAP therapy (yeah, that is so against the usual advice but it works for me). Even now, when just using the AlaxoStent for a nap, I see my SpO2 is a lower average when on my side. Weirdly non-conforming to standard expectations.

I’m glad you feel better, or at least less fatigued.

- SleepyCPAP

_________________
Machine: AirCurve™ 10 VAuto BiLevel Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Mask: Bleep DreamPort CPAP Mask Solution
Additional Comments: Use OSCAR. Combine AlaxoStent with VAuto for perfect 0.0 AHI at PS 3.6 over 4cm EPAP
-- SleepyCPAP
Sleep study in 2010 (11cm CPAP). Pillows (Swift FX>TAP PAP >Bleep). PRS1 “Pro” 450/460 until recall, now Aircurve 10 VAuto. Tape mouth. Palatal Prolapse solved by AlaxoStent & VAuto EPAP 4cm, PS 3.6cm = 0.0 AHI

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ChicagoGranny
Posts: 14409
Joined: Sun Jan 29, 2012 1:43 pm
Location: USA

Re: SLEEPING POSITION

Post by ChicagoGranny » Fri Jan 28, 2022 5:58 pm

Rdea wrote:
Fri Jan 28, 2022 12:18 pm
as I’ve seen no mention of sleeping with head back
That's because the standard practice is to wear a foam cervical collar to keep the spine in the optimal position for airway patency. Many CPAP users wear collars and achieve higher effectiveness with lower pressures. The collars are fitted so that the neck is in a neutral alignment.

It's not surprising that a "fitness expert" (poor credentials) would tell you to sleep with your neck tilted back. In the long run, this can cause serious problems with the neck (spine).

Image

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ChicagoGranny
Posts: 14409
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Location: USA

Re: SLEEPING POSITION

Post by ChicagoGranny » Fri Jan 28, 2022 6:06 pm

Rdea wrote:
Fri Jan 28, 2022 12:18 pm
My narrow face shape may be the explanation.
Many people with narrow faces successfully use CPAP.
Rdea wrote:
Fri Jan 28, 2022 12:18 pm
I have tried every imaginable cpap mask. All leaked,
Did you ever find your favorite (or least disliked) mask on youtube and carefully watch three or four videos on fitting and adjusting?