Lifelong side sleeper now on back
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Lifelong side sleeper now on back
As a lifelong side sleeper at age 59, after a few months of CPAP I now usually wake up on my back (after starting on my side). Is there any relation between the CPAP and changing sleep position or is it just a coincidence? Is it common?
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- ChicagoGranny
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Re: Lifelong side sleeper now on back
A coincidence is a correlation. (But, a correlation is not necessarily a coincidence.)projecttoday wrote: Is there any relation between the CPAP and changing sleep position or is it just a coincidence?
Probably. Many people are better able to control unintentional mask leak when sleeping on the back as compared to sleeping on the side.projecttoday wrote:Is it common?
It's also likely that you slept on your side most of your life because you had difficulty breathing when sleeping on your back. On your back, gravity is directly pulling your tongue and soft palate into the airway. On your side, this effect may be somewhat moderated.
Now that you are using CPAP, your airway is splinted open even when sleeping on the back.
Are you using Sleepyhead software or, at the very least, the clinician's reports on the machine's display to monitor the effectiveness of your CPAP therapy?
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Re: Lifelong side sleeper now on back
I don't what software it uses but the doctor said that I was doing very well on the CPAP. That was before I started sleeping on my back. He said I was doing fine and we were finished and to contacted him only if needed. I have been using a backpack (not entirely successfully) to try to avoid sleeping on my back.
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Re: Lifelong side sleeper now on back
I agree with ChicagoGranny. I don't know what kind of mask you have but the full face masks and to an extent even the nose masks have a tendency to leak more when you are lying on your side. If you are a side sleeper you can go to cpap.com and they can give you recommendations on the best masks for side sleepers. I use nasal pillows and that lets me sleep in any position comfortably and with very few if any leaks. And with Sleep Apnea I feel that before treatment I always slept a little bit better while on my side.
Re: Lifelong side sleeper now on back
As a 90% side sleeper with a FF mask I believe the solution is the pillow. A firm pillow (like a buckwheat hull) will keep your head and mask from sinking in.
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- ChicagoGranny
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Re: Lifelong side sleeper now on back
That part is fine.projecttoday wrote:we were finished
A doctor will tell you that you are doing well if your AHI is under 5.0. If your AHI is 4.5, and you are sleeping 7 hours per night, that's 30 awakenings per night - not healthy!projecttoday wrote:the doctor said that I was doing very well on the CPAP.
It's best to monitor your own therapy and not depend on a doctor's evaluation. The software is free. At the very least, learn how to use the clinician's reports on the machine display and don't depend on a doctor.
- Sheriff Buford
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Re: Lifelong side sleeper now on back
How bad does it get on your back vs on your side?
Sheriff
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Re: Lifelong side sleeper now on back
Bad in what way? I was wondering if the CPAP is what caused this lifelong side sleeper to start sleeping on my back.
I have read that sleeping on your back is not good for apnea. Also, I don't have any back problems and I'd like to keep it that way.
The machine I have is a Phillips Respironics System One. I'm not privy to any data. How would I get the data?
I have read that sleeping on your back is not good for apnea. Also, I don't have any back problems and I'd like to keep it that way.
The machine I have is a Phillips Respironics System One. I'm not privy to any data. How would I get the data?
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- Sheriff Buford
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Re: Lifelong side sleeper now on back
Side sleeping is the best position, but I enjoy sleeping on my back, so I wouldn't worry about it.
Sheriff
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Re: Lifelong side sleeper now on back
I had a friend who disliked sleeping on her back as a teen (no idea WHY). She sewed half a tennis ball to the back of her nightgown to keep herself from sleeping on her back! I don't imagine it was that comfortable, however...
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Re: Lifelong side sleeper now on back
How do I get this software?
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Mask: Eson™ Nasal CPAP Mask with Headgear |
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Re: Lifelong side sleeper now on back
Under announcements:projecttoday wrote:How do I get this software?
Pugsy's Pointers for Sleepyhead. It will give you the info you need for downloading sleepyhead. It is free.
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- ChicagoGranny
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Re: Lifelong side sleeper now on back
First, which model of Phillips Respironics System One are you using? Not all of them are data capable. See - https://sleep.tnet.com/cmd.mfgprojecttoday wrote:How do I get this software?
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Re: Lifelong side sleeper now on back
There's a lot of stuff on the bottom. Maybe IP22 or DS6HFLG.
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- ChicagoGranny
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Re: Lifelong side sleeper now on back
You are reading the bottom of the humidifier. Look at the CPAP machine. Probably starts with DS.projecttoday wrote:There's a lot of stuff on the bottom. Maybe IP22 or DS6HFLG.