Lifelong side sleeper now on back

projecttoday · Post by **projecttoday** » Mon Jul 18, 2016 5:07 am

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?

ChicagoGranny · Post by **ChicagoGranny** » Mon Jul 18, 2016 5:44 am

projecttoday wrote: Is there any relation between the CPAP and changing sleep position or is it just a coincidence?

A coincidence is a correlation. (But, a correlation is not necessarily a coincidence.)

projecttoday wrote:Is it common?

Probably. Many people are better able to control unintentional mask leak when sleeping on the back as compared to sleeping on the side.

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?

projecttoday · Post by **projecttoday** » Mon Jul 18, 2016 6:29 am

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.

rockncountry101 · Post by **rockncountry101** » Mon Jul 18, 2016 6:39 am

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.

LSAT · Post by **LSAT** » Mon Jul 18, 2016 8:47 am

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.

ChicagoGranny · Post by **ChicagoGranny** » Mon Jul 18, 2016 9:13 am

projecttoday wrote:we were finished

That part is fine.

projecttoday wrote:the doctor said that I was doing very well on the CPAP.

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!

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 · Post by **Sheriff Buford** » Mon Jul 18, 2016 9:35 am

How bad does it get on your back vs on your side?

Sheriff

projecttoday · Post by **projecttoday** » Mon Jul 18, 2016 10:13 am

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?

Sheriff Buford · Post by **Sheriff Buford** » Mon Jul 18, 2016 10:17 am

Side sleeping is the best position, but I enjoy sleeping on my back, so I wouldn't worry about it.

Sheriff

4kidsmom · Post by **4kidsmom** » Mon Jul 18, 2016 11:55 am

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...

projecttoday · Post by **projecttoday** » Mon Jul 18, 2016 1:06 pm

How do I get this software?

cancun · Post by **cancun** » Mon Jul 18, 2016 1:15 pm

projecttoday wrote:How do I get this software?

Under announcements:
Pugsy's Pointers for Sleepyhead. It will give you the info you need for downloading sleepyhead. It is free.

ChicagoGranny · Post by **ChicagoGranny** » Mon Jul 18, 2016 1:40 pm

projecttoday wrote:How do I get this software?

First, which model of Phillips Respironics System One are you using? Not all of them are data capable. See - https://sleep.tnet.com/cmd.mfg

projecttoday · Post by **projecttoday** » Mon Jul 18, 2016 2:32 pm

There's a lot of stuff on the bottom. Maybe IP22 or DS6HFLG.

ChicagoGranny · Post by **ChicagoGranny** » Mon Jul 18, 2016 2:55 pm

projecttoday wrote:There's a lot of stuff on the bottom. Maybe IP22 or DS6HFLG.

You are reading the bottom of the humidifier. Look at the CPAP machine. Probably starts with DS.

Lifelong side sleeper now on back

Lifelong side sleeper now on back

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