Question:
I just got a cpap I dont know if I should sleep on my back or my side ?

   — Oliver J. (posted on April 13, 2004)


April 13, 2004
Sleep the way you normally do..well except on your stomach. For the first month you will probably have some difficulty getting used to it. It took me a while before I stopped yanking it off my face in the middle of the night. Once I started using it faithfully it really made a big difference in how I felt the next day. My advise..stick with it no matter what. Good luck to you. Char
   — Charlene W.

April 13, 2004
I HAVE HAD ONE NOW FOR 5 DAYS AND I HATE THE DARN THING...WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO SLEEP ON MY SIDE I KNOCKED THE WHOLE MACHINE OVER, SO NOW I TRY THE BACK THING....I HAVEN'T GOTTEN THIS RIGHT YET...I WILL BE READING ANSWERS TO YOUR POST BECAUSE I NEED HELP ALSO...WHEN I SLEEP WITH IT DOWNWARDS, IT PRESSES AGAINT MY GUMS, SO THEY ARE ALL SWOLLEN AND TENDER, WHEN I SLEEP WITH IT UPWARDS, THE CRACK BLOWS THE AIR IN MY EYES I CAN'T GET IT TO FIT JUST RIGHT...
   — ladyspann

April 13, 2004
I used a c-pap for 5 year prior to my BPD-DS. I always slept on my side by maneuvering the mask in place and supporting the hose with a small pillow and having the machine positioned on my nighttable next to me. It made life livable with no headaches and not falling asleep everytime I sat still for 2 seconds! Good luck-don't give up!
   — Eleanor P.

April 13, 2004
I have been sleeping with a CPAP for many years. You should be able to sleep however you normally sleep. If you have air blowing in your eyes and pain from pressure on your gums or upper lip then your mask is not the right size for you. Go get fitted for a new mask. And YES, keep using the darn thing. Good luck and God bless, JH
   — J H.

April 13, 2004
I used a bipap(nasal hoses- no mask) machine for the 4 months before surgery and was lucky enough to shed the thing already- 4 months post-op. I couldn't use the mask at all. I felt like someone was trying to smother me. I had the machine under the bed and slid it out when I would sleep. My hoses were quite long and was able to sleep pretty much anyway I wanted. I am a side sleeper. It does take some time getting used to it- be patient. I loved it after a few weeks and couldn't sleep without it. I was very stubborn when it came to my sleep apnea but once I realized how serious it is and could be and for the surgery, I gave in to the doctors. Good Luck!
   — Kathy *.

April 14, 2004
I have used a CPAP for many years. I don't think I will be able to stop using it unless I have a nose job since I have a deviated septum. But that's not what you're asking. I can sleep on my side and on my back. I use a "neckbone" pillow when I sleep on my side to keep the mask in a good position. Since surgery, my mask has gotten lose, so I am going to have to re-fit it. I use a gel-filled mask. It's much better than the one they usually give you with the machine. I'm lucky that Kaiser covers it, but I would pay for it if they didn't. One of the secrets I've discovered is that when first fitting the mask, they tell you to put it in hot water for a short time (Iforget how long) and then put it on and wear it for 5 minutes. THAT IS NOT ENOUGH. I decided the last new mask I got to do it for longer. I wore it for an hour. That did give it enough time to form to my face. Otherwise, the air blows through openings created by the improper fit. I've always had a small nose and that didn't help the problem. When you lose weight in your face, you'll have to refit it. If you, or anybody else having a problem, want to contact me and talk about it; my daytime number is 714-433-7685.
   — lbwales

April 14, 2004
Hi...I'm interested in seeing the answers to this question as well since I just got one about 2 weeks ago. I have yet to sleep a full night without pulling the thing off...and the funny thing is that I don't even remember taking it off or turning the machine itself off. I'm normally a stomach sleeper and obviously I have not been able to sleep that way so its been hard getting used to sleeping on my side or back. Although its more comfortable sleeping on my back because when I sleep on my side, the mask starts to bother me and I wake up with indents all around my nose :) Not the prettiest site!!
   — Giovanna G.

April 14, 2004
I've used a cpap for just over a year. You're "supposed" to sleep on you back. I've always been a side sleeper and I've tried to sleep this way on occasion, but the mask slips around. I find myself waking up to re-adjust the blasted thing. At times I just want to hurl the thing across the room! It's one of the reasons I'm getting WLS. At least I sleep alone. I'd hate to think of sleeping next to someone wearing this rediculous mask. At least my machine is quiet...wish I could say the same thing when the mask slips and I'm awakened by the loud hissing of the air escaping the seal.
   — Dream Achiever

April 14, 2004
I no longer need the cpap but when I first got it, my doc said that I could sleep in any position, as long as the mask stayed in the proper position.I'm a stomache sleeper and that worked out fine even with the mask on, except for the red strap marks on my face every morning lol.
   — jennifer A.

April 15, 2004
I am a stomach sleeper. I have been using a CPAP for over a year now without any problems. It stays in place and I can roll around when I have to. It has made a world of difference in me. I just has RnY surgery, so I am looking forward to getting rid it in the future, but I do not fight it now as it has improved my quality of living so greatly.
   — Pookie B.




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