Side sleeping vs. sleeping on back

However, training oneself not to sleep on their back is not anymore difficult than learning to sleep hooked up to an air machine ... just a matter of changing habits/lifestyles.

Now two people say they can train themselves to not sleep on their back. Changing habits and lifestyles while one sleeps? That's it? I am sorry, but that's not helpful. Perhaps, just a tiny bit more detail would help me. Anyone?

Jcochran wrote:Tried sleeping on my side one night and was amazed, AHI of 1.8. The next night, 0.9. And next 1.9. Should sleeping position really have this much effect? And, should I make any more adjustments to pressure settings, or leave alone. I've only had this good of an AHI for 3 nights now, so not really feeling any difference yet. What does everyone think?

Jcochran, speaking for myself, my experience parallels yours. I notice a real difference in the numbers on the rare occasions I sleep all the night on my back. The difference in my numbers is about as great as yours.

Now two people say they can train themselves to not sleep on their back. Changing habits and lifestyles while one sleeps? That's it? I am sorry, but that's not helpful. Perhaps, just a tiny bit more detail would help me. Anyone?

I'll try to write up what I did, check back in a few days.

A similar discussion, where rooster describes his CamelBak solution, which had a training effect:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=36441&p=315312

In addition to trying to train oneself to sleep on one's side, the tech during my sleep study used extra pillows to elevate my shoulders, neck and head in order to titrate me on my back. You may want to try one of those wedge pillows to help prevent the tongue from sliding back into the airway, if you can't sleep on your side.

rooster wrote:Buy a mattress made for side sleeping.

Rooster! Thank you, my wife and I got such a good laugh from that 'special' mattress pic! Great way to start our day
Virt

I actually get *better* numbers on my back, I think either because I open my mouth a bit when sleeping on my side, or because my mask leaks less if it sits naturally on my face than partially pressed into my pillow. (I'm well within the normal level of leakage for my mask in either case.)

Unfortunately, I find sleeping on my side more comfortable. (Actually, I find sleeping on my stomach *most* comfortable, but it messes with the nerves in my arms/hands.)

When I'm trying to sleep on my back the base of my tongue slides back for an instant and blocks my airway with a slam when I start to exhale, it immediately opens up and I can exhale OK but I can not sleep with this going on. I've tried more pressure on epap but it does not change. If I tilt my head way back and jut my jaw forward this does not happen but that is a very uncomfortable position. I just sleep on one side or the other and I am getting AHI of <1 on most nights.

Dale