Sleeping on Back--- a Mixed Bag

[SeaPup]

I spent most of my life sleeping on my stomach and still feel drawn to that position---even though sleeping that way has been impossible since some surgeries a few years ago. The best I can do is sleeping on my side. But since I started CPAP therapy, I'm questioning the side-sleeping.

I find that sleeping on my side requires my mask be strapped on tighter. If I sleep on my back, I can loosen my mask straps to the point where I can barely feel that I have a mask on. I sleep the longest that way.

So there I am... on my back... getting the best sleep... but hating the position because it reminds me of being in the hospital and it's the polar opposite of my "favorite" position (which is barely a distant memory at this point.) But it sure beats my life before CPAP when I hardly slept at all.

[DeepBreathing]

G'day SeaPup, welcome to Apnea Board.

I remember I used to sleep on my stomach, then on my side and finally - like you - on my back. These days I have chronic lower back problems and I find sleeping on my side often aggravates that, so sleeping on my back is best for me. However, that's the worst position for apneacs - we should stay off our back as much as possible. There are two avenues to explore - your mask and your pillow.

A lot of people find that nasal masks or (more specifically) nasal pillows are better for side-sleeping. I really prefer a full face mask, so that's out for me. The other avenue is to look at your pillow. You can get special cpap pillows with a cut-away section to accommodate the mask. Alternatively you could try a duck-down pillow which you can just pummel into shape, which is what I do when I side-sleep. Or there are pillows filled with corn(?) husks which do the same thing. Maybe not corn - some kind of grain.

[SeaPup]

A lot of people find that nasal masks or (more specifically) nasal pillows are better for side-sleeping.

I tried those out, but that was before I "discovered" EPR. I need to re-evaluate the nose mask and pillows again. I use a thin pillow which I beat into submission every night. I will look into a CPAP pillow.

Comparing our avatars, it seems we both tend to buy our CPAP masks at Army Surplus stores. Mine obviously needs some attention with neatsfoot oil and brass cleaner.

[robysue]

It is possible to sleep with a CPAP on your stomach. You can google "Falcon sleeping position" for some tips. It looks like this when you're using a CPAP mask:

[tmoody]

I don't think I can sleep on my back with obstructing all over the place, even with CPAP/APAP/ASV. If I chance to land in that position for a significant portion of the night, I'm guaranteed to have a very high AHI and feel like crap the next day. And I'll probably wake up dreaming I'm suffocating. Fortunately, it rarely happens. It's too bad, because I'd like to be able to sleep on my back. I have to sleep on my side, preferably my right side, and I've yet to find the perfect pillow.

[JSL747]

I love my cpap pillow. It's a Buckwheat Husk CPAP pillow.

[trish6hundred]

Hi SeaPup,
WELCOME! to the forum.!
If I sleep on my back for too long, I don’t feel as well the next day.
I have a buckwheat hull pillow and I really like it; I can shape it into position and it works well for me.
Much success to you with your CPAP therapy and hang in there for more responses to your post.

[PaulaO2]

I have a buckwheat hull pillow too. The other side of it is the millet hull. I've grown to like the buckwheat side better. Both maintain their shape the entire night, unlike my feather pillow. So when I lay on my side and shape it to the mask, it stays that way.

If you choose to sleep on your back, and feel best sleeping that way, there are things you can do. You can raise the head of the bed in some way. The entire head (however boards feel right to you screwed together then lids screwed on where the bed's feet will sit), the mattress (boards again, but just under the mattress), or just you and your pillow (wedge pillows or multiple pillows). I use a body pillow, turn it so it forms a U, with the curve against the headboard. I then put a pillow into that U so it goes up the legs (like an I inside the U). Then I use another pillow and turn it sideways. The U supports my shoulders. The I supports my back. And the 3rd one supports my head and neck.

I also suggest a folded over body pillow under your knees.

Evaluate your AHI after a week or so. If you are feeling rested and the numbers are fine, then so are you.