So I recently got diagnosed with pretty severe sleep apnea. More than likely brought on by my obesity. I was prescribed a cpap machine and just started using it this last week. I’m running into a major problem with it. Firstly, I had to get a full face mask because I’m so constantly congested I mostly breathe out of my mouth. So it’s uncomfortable right from the get go. Secondly, I’ve slept on my stomach my entire life. Obviously I can’t do that with a sleep mask like I have. So I was told to lie on my back or my side. Can’t sleep on my back because being on my back any longer than like 20 minutes and something happens around my lower back/hip region that causes SEVERE pain. Like to the point I can’t move. Sleeping on my side is really the only solution but again, I can’t get to sleep in that position easily. Obviously I do eventually get to sleep but my mask keeps waking me up with leaks. I’ve tried tightening it as much as I can. I’ve tried wearing it comfortably or loosening it a lot. Every time it’s sealed at first but the moment my head moves, I get a leak. It’s frustrating and I end up taking the mask off after a couple hours just to get some sleep. Does anyone have any advice to help in this situation? I have to start wearing it consistently or my insurance won’t pay for it. But I need to get some actual sleep as well.
Is your CPAP an automatic one? They adjust the pressure as needed. They are more comfortable
They make special pillows when wearing a full face mask. You might look into them. They make work when sleeping on your stomach.
Try to stay with the CPAP. It has made a big difference in my life.
Can you talk to the company that provides the CPAP about getting a different mask? Sometimes it takes trying a few to get one that works for you.
There is one called the No Mask that changed my life. Like you, I sleep on my side and need full cheek to pillow contact to get cozy enough to sleep. I know they have an adapter of some type for those who breathe through their mouth.
I’d been trying to be compliant for 20+ years and couldn’t get more than an hour’s sleep at a time. The No Mask takes a little time to adjust to - but I average 6.5 hrs sleep now with very few AHIs.
I highly recommend it.
I wear a full-face CPAP mask and I sleep on my stomach. I will try to describe how I do it.
Pillow is squished to under the armpits. Arms are crossed, left forearm on top. Head is turned to the left, resting on left forearm or wrist. Chin part of mask tucks into crook of left elbow. Hose swivel on mask is pointing up-ish.
I imagine you could reverse left and right arms and head direction if that works better for you, but I’m too used to facing left.
Good luck. I remember my first night with a CPAP even though it was something like 17 years ago. It was a horrible mask with only one strap across the back and I had to cinch it so tight to prevent leaks that I was afraid I was going to end up with peanut head. But I slept the night through for the first time in years, and I easily got through the next day without feeling sleepy. I had it bad before CPAP, and I’ve been grateful for it ever since.
Hope you’re adjusting AngleSoft.
Trying different masks may help. Some just seem to work for me a lot better than others. I prefer sleeping on my stomach but have switch to back and side for the most part.
I woke up with a caffeine headache every day for years and years. First night with CPAP and the caffeine headache just wasn’t there. Turns out what I thought was caffeine was a lack of good sleep. And I don’t experience the “jet lag” like feeling in the afternoon where I just need to sleep any longer. And I’m pretty borderline on the apnea. What I’m trying to say, is stick with it and eventually you’ll at least get to tolerate the sleep with a mask and the tradeoffs will probably be well worth it.
I don’t know how to address your specific issues. I have always slept on my back, and I move around very little while sleeping. The machine took a little getting used to, but now 15 years later I can’t sleep without it. Keep trying, and keep in touch with your ENT and your respiratory technician to get you a setup that works.
I had to learn to sleep on my back when I got my APAP. It was worth it.
Your back pain while sleeping on your back is probably a symptom of your obesity. Your doctor has probably harped on it plenty, but losing weight will go a long way towards helping you get a better night’s sleep. The more weight I lose, the better I sleep. In the meanwhile, look into getting a pillow wedge to make sleeping on your back more comfortable.
Now as for comfort, you need to get used to the mask. That means wearing it even when you aren’t trying to get to sleep. Take it out to the living room and wear it while you’re watching TV. Do that daily, until you get comfortable with the thing.
When you have sleep apnea, an uncomfortable night with a C/APAP is better than the best night’s sleep without.
I also get back pain if I’m sleeping flat on my back. I arrange pillows under my knees and under my back and head to create kind of a W shape for my body.
some kind of body pillow or combination of pillows will allow you to sleep on your stomach. I do it now with only my single pillow. As for the sealing problem that would require a different mask that fits you better unless you’re putting lateral force on it because of the way you’re sleeping.
I sleep almost completely on my front with my head turned to one side and the knee on that side drawn up. I change what side I turn my head to and draw my knee up on. I sleep with two very thin pillows, one under my head so my head tends to fall forward off the edge of it, and one in front of my face and somewhat on top of my face. This means the mask is in a pocket between the pillows, and my head is somewhat resting on the mask, as it’s trying to slip downhill into the mask. The hose swivel is pointed over my forehead and up to the headboard of the bed, with the hose falling between mattress and headboard. I get a good seal this way and don’t wake up serenaded by cheek farts (so to speak). I’m using a mask that covers my mouth and nose, which I’ve seen referred to as a full face ask, but there are other full face masks that cover the eyes too. Which of these are you using?
I have had my apap about a year. took a couple of months to adjust but now it feels funny if I forget it. mine is pretty much silent unless it gets dislodged or water in the hose.
I am a stomach sleeper too. Cant sleep on my back because of a wreck years ago. if can sleep on my side or sort of on my stomach. I manipulate my pillow so that my head is supported but the mask is not pressed hard into my face.
I do rest my hand on the mask to add a little bit of pressure to hold the mask in place. without having to cinch the mask down.
other things that help is to have the hose run up over the headboard. keeping the moisture content low since my bedroom is usually cool and that prevents water condensing in the hose.
Good luck
I slept on my stomach for 50-some years.
Then I developed Osteoarthritis in my right shoulder. Sleeping on my stomach produced a shear force on the shoulders. Not good.
I very quickly adapted to sleeping on my back.
Just force yourself to learn.
Put on the mask and make yourself keep it on. Your sleep position will adapt to the new reality.
Good luck.
Thanks for the advice guys. I’ve been trying my best to get this to work. The last few nights I’ve successfully ‘slept’ through the night with the mask, and managed to mostly sleep on my stomach. The problem I’m running into now is I’m so utterly exhausted in the mornings. Like, more so than I was before the mask. I don’t even think I woke up during the night. Waking up in the morning is an awful ordeal with me fighting against my body that wants to keep sleeping. I can’t ever remember being this tired. I’m a bit concerned because I have to work till like 10 tonight and have an hour drive home. I’m seriously so tired it hurts. I thought the CPAP was supposed to make me feel better 
Something is not working properly. Contact whomever you are getting your equipment from.
Definitely speak with your sleep doctor.
My original attempt at using a CPAP failed. I had issues breathing through my nose due to a deviated septum so I had to use a full mask. I just could not adjust to that mask style. Fast forward a few years of not using CPAP and I was in bad shape due to the sleep issues. I visited an ENT and ended up having surgery on to correct the nose/sinus issues. This allowed me to use something other than a full face mask.
I’ve been 100% CPAP compliant for several years now, maybe 5 years. Best thing I’ve ever done. I will tell you that getting the right equipment is important but 90% of this battle is mental.
Yes, please keep talking with your doctor.
My husband’s had his CPAP machine for only a year, and he’s already been through 3 or 4 different masks. The current one seems to be the best fit. He hates the machine, and all the trial-and-error’s a pain in his ass, but we’re finally able to consistently sleep in the same room (which he likes), and although he says he doesn’t feel different, I can tell his quality of sleep is much, much better.
the main thing I noticed is I don’t wake up so much during the night. I still have the fatigue problems though. I dont’ know if I have stopped snoring as there is no one to hear me usually.
It took a long while to get used to it but now after a year if I forget to put the mask on it feels funny.
I myself am wondering about the tiredness in the morning. I’ve been using one for 2 months. I took to it without much trouble. My blood pressure went down immediately. I just checked it a 8pm and it was 136/91. Yes I know these aren’t the best numbers but this is after a bad day at work, less BP medicine and drinking coffee. With a little exercise I expect it to continue to drop.
I was however expecting more energy in the morning.
I don’t have any extra energy in the morning. I do wake up more easily (I no longer hit the snooze button most mornings), but I don’t feel extra peppy or anything like that. The big difference for me is at the end of the day. Before my APAP, I would fall asleep pretty much as soon as I settled into my chair to watch a little TV for the evening. That doesn’t happen anymore.
The results are definitely different for everyone.