Do bed and pillow firmness make a difference?

I just spent the last 5 nights at a conference, sleeping on a firmer mattress than I'm used to, with a squishier pillow (feather) than I'm used to (my normal pillow is memory foam). Interestingly enough, my average AHI over those 5 nights is my lowest ever...2 of the nights it was even 0. However, I noticed my 90% pressure was a good bit higher (typically is 8.1-8.2....last 7 day average was something like 8.9) and after reviewing my data tonight, I noticed several nights where I was getting above 9 - even was at my max of 12 for a while at one point! Last night was back home in my normal bed with usual pillow and my data looked more typical - AHI was 0.39 and my pressure stayed around 7, popping up to 8 or 8.2 on occasion.

Has anyone ever noticed something similar? I can't say conclusively that the bed/pillow were all that were different - I had a drink each night I was away so I wondered if that contributed to needing a higher pressure. (By drink, I'm talking a single glass of wine or a rum and coke.)

beanfruit wrote:Has anyone ever noticed something similar? I can't say conclusively that the bed/pillow were all that were different - I had a drink each night I was away so I wondered if that contributed to needing a higher pressure. (By drink, I'm talking a single glass of wine or a rum and coke.)

Have a drink at home to see if that plays a role.

LSAT wrote:Given enough alcohol I wouldn't care what my AHI was...HIC!

I know, right? I've been wondering if I should have a drink every night before bed

Just a thought.... if you were especially busy at the conference and really tired at the end of the day, you may have slept more soundly than you usually do. That might have contributed to your lower AHI.

Bookbear wrote:Just a thought.... if you were especially busy at the conference and really tired at the ned of the day, you may have slept more soundly than you usually do. That might have contributed to your lower AHI.

And if this is the case, you need to wear yourself out more at home... or at the gym... or wherever.

I think almost anything that affects your sleep might affect your AHI and pressure.

If nothing else, it may cause you to change your sleeping position. Side vs. back position can affect your apnea. So can tilting your chin up or down. It wouldn't surprise me if your level of stress affects your apnea.

archangle wrote:I think almost anything that affects your sleep might affect your AHI and pressure.

If nothing else, it may cause you to change your sleeping position. Side vs. back position can affect your apnea. So can tilting your chin up or down. It wouldn't surprise me if your level of stress affects your apnea.

I do think the bed firmness and pillow squishiness changed my sleep position - even though I still slept on my side, I feel like my head might have been more in line with my body or even a little lower. At home, I almost feel like my body sinks down further than my head and I'm just a tiny bit inclined. So maybe if my neck was slightly bent it would have needed more pressure to keep the airway open?

Alshain wrote:And if this is the case, you need to wear yourself out more at home... or at the gym... or wherever.

I was actually less active at the conference than I normally am at home. Home = thinking at work, 30 min. of exercise each night after dinner and playing with/cleaning up after an active 5 year old boy. Conference = thinking during sessions, eating, socializing and a few drinks However, I do think maybe at the conference I was less stressed. I don't typically feel more stressed out than your average person, but I do know at a conference I feel a nice sense of detatchment - like the office could be in mad panic and even though I check email, there's not much more I can do than that.

I'm going to have a drink sometime this weekend and just see how my data look. I've had a glass of wine every now and then and it hasn't changed my sleep data noticeably, but I might do more of a rum/coke and see what happens then.