Side Sleeper - which mask?

Okay - while I am patiently waiting for approval of my cpap, what is a good mask for side sleepers? I have an inner ear disorder and sleeping on my left side is it. I can get dizzy on my right and my back hurts when I sleep on it.

When I had my at home trial, I used a full face mask and even with the gel around the nose, my nose completely broke out and was so red and sore (after 4 nights) that I had to wait a few nights to complete my study. I also tend to be a mouth breather when my allergies are acting up.

Thanks for any help!

Sleepyred,
After reading your last line, the first instinct is to say a full face mask because you know you mouth breathe. It depends, though, how against ff masks you are because there are definite ways to prevent mouth breathing. They just take a little compromise on your part. I could make recommendations based on side sleeping (which I do only) but there is the issue of mouth breathing, too. But here goes.

A lot of users on this site swear by the Breeze (not my favorite). If you look at the photos of it, it has nothing that is on your face on the sides at all. It comes down from over the head and under your nose. That is a nasal pillow interface, though. And from what you say about having severe sensitivity to the ff mask, I wonder if you'd be willing to adjust to a nasal pillow interface because it can irritate the nares of your nose in the beginning until you get used to it. But another option would be the Activa. It is a nasal mask, not pillows, with a new type of technology where the seal on the mask stays in place while you move, even if the shell of the mask gets pushed a little. It works very well for most people and some posters on this site believe it should be everyone's first mask.

I, myself, after trying a few masks, use the Swift. Is it the perfect mask for a side sleeper? It may not look it, but it's really not bad. Swift weighs in at 2.5 oz, very lightweight and adjustable, and the headgear is very simple, consisting of two straps, one on top of your head and one behind it. It also is convertible as far as the point of attachment of the hose to the mask. There is a great thread on this site where Tridens (one of the members) came up with a way to adjust the hose in an upward position that helps you sleep incredibly well if you are a side sleeper.

There are so many masks to try, and everyone thinks one is better than another. You should look at the various types on this site by browsing the "CPAP Masks" category on the cpap.com home page or using the "Find A Product" search field and just inserting ones you care to look at.

Like I said, mouth breathing can be eliminated by different methods, such as taping, night mouth guards and some have even had success training their tongues to stay at the top of the mouth to prevent leaks and just plain outright telling themselves they will not mouth breathe. But, like with masks, everyone is different and gets it accomplished in their own way.

Let us know how you do and what you decide on. Sorry I couldn't say, "This is the mask you should use," but it's such a personal preference type of thing.

Since you only sleep on one side I think you should take a close look at the Swift. I use an Activa and Breeze. Sometimes, unfortunately, I think I want to be sleeping on both sides at the same time, which I have found is not a good thing when using cpap.

Sleepless on LI wrote:Swift weighs in at 2.5 oz, very lightweight and adjustable, and the headgear is very simple, consisting of two straps, one on top of your head and one behind it. It also is convertible as far as the point of attachment of the hose to the mask. There is a great thread on this site where Tridens (one of the members) came up with a way to adjust the hose in an upward position that helps you sleep incredibly well if you are a side sleeper.

I find it even works for me spending approximately 50% of the night on my back. The other 50% is divided between my left and right sides.

Being an active mover most nights, I find the Swift works very well for me!

I start out on my right side then roll over to my left side adjust my HR and off to sleep I go.

I personally recommend the Hans Rudolph, it comes in seven aizes and no gelfill.

the Nasal Aire II is lightweight, noninvasive and as long as you have the right sized nasal prongs, its pretty quiet and not leaky. I sleep on my back, sides and stomach....no problems or complaints here! Check out the video on cpap.com re same. Infommed will send you a nasal prong sizer (it looks kind of like a daisy) if you write and ask...they sent me one for free. Terry

Terry,

With the NA II, doesn't the tube position over your ears bother you when you sleep on your sides? My first reaction when I checked this mask out was that I could never use it being a side sleeper since the tubes must press into the sides of your head in those two spots depending on which side you lay. You don't feel that on your sides?

There is no "best" mask for all users but hopefully, you will find a 'best' mask for you.

I sleep on my side most of the night, rolling back and forth several times. NasalAireII and Infinity leaked terrible. Snapp leaks less but I have to crank it down pretty tight to get it to seal well.

I REALLY want my Swift to be 'my' mask because it is so light but, when on my side, after 8 hours of sleep, my nares hurt -it think this is from the pillows shifting when I am on my side. I've pretty much given up on it.

Respironics Comfort-Lite seals exceptionally well and is very tolerant of side sleeping. I've bought two of these and it is my backup mask.

Breeze is the mask that I am using nightly. It does look like quite the contraption, and is finicky to get correctly fitted however, I have found that once it is setup correctly, with a little tape at the adjustment points to keep it from slipping out of adjustment, it is excellent.

I think that folk might give up on the Breeze because it can be a real pain to get it adjusted just right; this is unfortunate as ultimately, I think it is a great interface. I really do rock-and-roll during the night and I wake up with the Breeze right where it is supposed to be. Also, when I look at the data that I get from Silverlining, it shows a consistently low leak rate.

WS,

Regarding the Swift hurting your nares, I know you probably don't think this will work, but did you ever try the small pillows? Even if you think the larger ones are for you, if you didn't, give them a try. I did. They hurt the least of any of the sizes and they actually do work without leaks. Just don't make the mask too tight or they can get lodged into your nares too tightly; hence, discomfort. That is the trick with the Swift, not to make the straps too tight. Works and feels best that way. I found if you adjust the back strap first and then the top, you get a great fit.

You, too, disliked the Aura. Correct? I am probably going to try that since the people who do like it, love it. And, I know, the people who don't, hate it. But something is telling me it may work for me.

One last question, and I asked this of Terry, too. Didn't the NAII cause pain above your ears if you sleep on your side? Looking at the photo, it seemed like it would.

Masks are the "wild card" in this whole CPAP equation..

I'd suggest the Ultra Mirage as it's the most comfortable and dependable that I've tried.

I also have a Breeze nasal pillows setup that I fight with constantly and rotate between the Mirage and it.


Will Succeed said it best above. That Breeze is a great mask but it's a P.I.T.A. to get "just so". Good Luck !