Is side-sleeping with CPAP possible? Yes!

[Tom @ Intus]

Hi all,

My name's Tom, I work alongside James at Intus Healthcare. I've been busy adding new products and information to our website recently, such as the SleepWeaver and a host of Philips Respironics masks. I'm also taking over the cpap.co.uk blog, which has been sadly neglected recently. I'll also be in and around the forums to help respond to questions and offer advice as and when I can.

I just wanted to point you towards my first blog post, entitled "Is side-sleeping with CPAP possible? Yes!", as I thought it may be of interest to some of you. If you have any suggestions of your own to help people side-sleep during their CPAP therapy then please do post, either here or as a comment on the blog (or both if you're feeling really altruistic!) so that we can share as much advice and information as possible.

I look forward to hearing your comments and advice! Thanks for reading

All the best

Tom @ Intus

[Grumpy]

wtp?

I always sleep on my side and have never had a problem with CPAP because of this.

[Tom @ Intus]

That's good to hear! That's basically what I wanted to tell people, that it is possible.

I wrote that post because its one of the main things that we get phone calls about, as people experience discomfort when side-sleeping either due to their mask digging into their face or because the mask loses its seal and starts leaking. A lot of people seem to resign themselves to not being able to side-sleep with CPAP when there's no reason to.

As you said yourself, it is possible, and that's what we want people to know. I've spoken to people who have given up trying, and others who assumed from the outset it wasn't possible. That's why I wanted to show that is it possible, and how it can be made easier.

Just out of interest, what mask do you use, and do you use any kind of technique to help you side-sleep? Any tips for the less fortunate?

Tom @ Intus

[Tigers Fan]

Bemused of Southampton

Hi Tom

Surely the problem is sleeing on your back? which as far as I am concerned would be worse than drinking alcohol as far as CPAP is concerned.

Side sleeping? Get kitted up, CPAP blowing, adopt your pre-CPAP sleeping position, move pillow backwards from face so that your head is supported but the mask hangs over the end of the pillow. Crucially, the strap fastenings must be clear of the pillow at all times and stages and wriggles and turnings-over. Having the hose dangling vertically downward is a huge advantage when turning over - over the headboard or from a HoseLift.

Well, I think that's how it works ......zzzzzzzz

TF

[Poppy56]

I sleep on my side a lot of the time but less than I did before CPAP. I've had no problems sleeping on my side - I tuck my hand round my face and can sleep perfectly well. Part of the reason is that I think you sleep so much better with CPAP than without and therefore aren't as restless. No problems with the mask slipping - I think you learn to turn slowly. I keep the hose loosely over me and dangling down towards the floor.

[Grumpy]

wtp?

I use a ReaMed Liberty hybrid mask; the hose lift (thanks for recommending it Tiger Fan) makes a big difference as it reomves the drag of the pipe on the mask.

[Poppy56]

Forgot to say, I use a Fisher-Paykel mask.

[James @ Intus]

Surely the problem is sleeing on your back? which as far as I am concerned would be worse than drinking alcohol as far as CPAP is concerned.

AHI wise, yes sleeping on ones back tends to be very bad for OSA. We recently had a sleep study with a gentleman who showed AHI < 5 on his side and then 30-ish on his back. Given this fact that sleeping on your back (supine as they call it) can worsen OSA, it makes sense to even go and try to sleep on your side, especially if you have an APAP I guess. But as Tom suggests, not everybody gets on with the mask when on their side. With a few tips and tricks, it needn't be an issue though.

Tennis balls in your PJs to facilitate side sleeping is a tricky one as when you roll over, you pretty much have to wake up, sit up and then back on your other side. That would be a not-so-micro arousal in its own right.

[Sparticus]

I have always slept on my front or back untill I got OSA, now I wear a mask it was quite difficult to get comfy on my side but I managed. The best way to do it is to find whats comfortable for you. Now I am at ease with my equipment I have now reverted back to how I use to sleep and again I now sleep face down on my belly. It took a while to get back to this position because of my mask but it is possible. I dont think there is any position that is not possible to achieve with a little thought.

[Barely Awake]

I'm a back sleeper, have to be as I have a serious back problem for over twenty years and have to use an electric profiling bed to minimise sleep disruption due to pain. With the upper part of the bed raised slightly my OSA is apparently not as bad as when flat but for reasons that are not clear I sometimes wake in the morning with a minor leak whereas I never do when flat. Head movement I guess.

I accept that OSA is not as bad on one's side but if you are on CPAP does that matter?

[James @ Intus]

It matters in as far as CPAP efficiency/success and the avoiding of high pressures, leaks etc.

CPAP isn't always perfect. Some events may still occur. So the lower the AHI to begin with, perhaps the better CPAP can keep them at bay. And if you avoid apnoeas happening in the first place, by sleepig on your side, those with an Auto-CPAP will achieve a far lower average pressure, with lower levels of noise, leaking etc. as a result.

So on one hand, yes, you can rely on CPAP regardless of your position. But you probably get even better results if you can maintain an "OSA-free/reduced" sleeping position.

[Barely Awake]

Any tips for the less fortunate?

Tom @ Intus

This is possibly naïve, but surely the type of pillow will affect whether the mask either digs-in or dislodged and thereby leaks? Memory foam pillows may be a bit hot for some but the way they work may be easier on the mask.

This from a back sleeping no pillows hosehead …

[Sparticus]

This is possibly naïve, but surely the type of pillow will affect whether the mask either digs-in or dislodged and thereby leaks? Memory foam pillows may be a bit hot for some but the way they work may be easier on the mask.

This from a back sleeping no pillows hosehead …

Oh nice one I too sleep with no pillows and sleep in any position I choose

[Fredxx]

I'm a thick-pillow side-sleeper. Never really had a problem, but it is easier with a Memory foam pillow

[Berneta]

Side sleeper

I never sleep on my back or stomach--prefer my left side--but I do turn over to my right side once a night to help keep from having morning backaches, The leg and back exercises I do for a few minutes in bed each night-- helped me get rid of those terrible backaches that I got when I first started using the CPAP ( I stopped turning over during the night for some reason.) Can't thank Doc Evil enough for telling me to do the exercises before sleeping--they made all the difference! Berneta