[CPAP] Lower AHI on firmer mattresses?

[Jeads95]

This seems counterintuitive to me. My mattress is very soft for side sleeping, however whenever I travel out of town or go camping with my air mattress, these mattresses are always a lot firmer than my ultra soft, hybrid mattress. However, my AHI goes down from 1.00-2.00 normally to like 0.5 (and even 0.00 one night while camping) when sleeping on these firmer mattresses.

Does this happen to anyone else?

My theory is that these firmer mattresses make me roll on to my back which is ultimately more comfortable for me so I stay there longer. Being still longer and more comfortable means less moving around, less tugging on my Airfit P10 nasal pillows mask, less air leaks and less arousals from sleep.

Because of this, I'm thinking of trying a different mattress but it's a big investment on a whim.

[PeaceLoveAndPizza]

I can’t comment on your hypothesis, but rather than buy a new mattress just yet you can put a piece of plywood under the mattress (above box spring if you use one) on your side of the bed or entire bed to make your it firmer as an experiment.

[FaceInTheCrowd]

I get very low readings when camping. I wasn’t thinking it was the firmness of the mattress though.

I suspected it was the fresh air

[Jeads95]

All the AirBnbs and hotels I've stayed in I got a similar AHI reduction and the only variable I could see being a significant contributor was the mattress. The air quality definitely wasn't any better, so I really don't know for sure.

[cdplatt]

There are quite a few mattress brands the offer sleep trials.  Of course, you'd need to read the fine print, but you may be able to test your whim and still recover your expense if it doesn't work out.

[ario]

I exactly have been thinking the same way!!

I had vacation for 1 month, and noticed that the bed was firmer than my bed at home, and AHI is consistently 1-2 score lower (ie. in 0.3 - 1.5) compared to home (ie. 2-3), not sure how to explain that though

[Jeads95]

I've become very intrigued with this. I was hoping someone would have experience with this and could weigh in on why it is. I guess another possibility is when you're on vacation you just sleep better with less stress about work or having responsibilities to deal with (atleast for me). But I'm leaning more towards a physical explanation. A true scientific experiment would I guess involve using a camera to monitor tossing and turning in the night and then compare that to a home-bed baseline.

[Nightynite]

When I sleep in different bed in a hotel or anywhere the first few nights my AHI is always lower too.
I contribute it to the fact I’m not really sleeping soundly like I do in my own bed. So basically I’m not fully asleep and probably tossing and turning. At home in my own bed I sleep pretty good usually for 8 1/2 hrs and that permits my AHI to show itself naturally under ideal conditions.

[SarcasticDave94]

I too have lower AHI in motels. Because I'm not in my hospital bed with air mattress, I sleep less. Less sleep less apnea.

[ivorpetkov]

+1

Last weekend we spent the night in a good hotel.
The mattress was nicer than ours at home.
AHI significantly decreased.
I have ordered a new mattress for home.
The results will be clear tomorrow