[Diagnosis] Newby needs help interpretting data

[JDH]

I got my CPAP in 2009 and have used it 4 times since. I am a stomach/side sleeper so have very hard time wearing the mask. I am now dedicated to getting sleep relief and would appreciate some help with interpretting my results.

Please do not be too harsh on me for ignoring this very important issue.

I've attached a screenshot of sleepycat results from last night.

Thanks!

[trish6hundred]

Hi JDH,
WELCOME! to the forum.!
That's good that you have decided to treat your sleep apnea.
Hang in there for answers to your question regarding interpreting your data.
Best of luck to you.

[JDH]

Thanks Trish! Looking forward to starting this process in earnest.

[PaulaO2]

One night of data means very little. Use it consistently for at least 10 days then look at the data as a whole.

Glad you are trying it again. There's a few masks out there that is good for side sleepers. Look at some of the nasal pillows vs a nasal mask.

[Tez62]

JDH, Paula02, is right, you only have a few hours of one night, look at it over a couple of weeks for a start. The reason we sleep on our stomachs, and I used to is because with OSA our tongues or throats collapse and apnea's occur, by sleeping on our stomach our tongues fall forward and don't block our airways, side sleeping is similar. You may have to train yourself to try to sleep on your back more once you get the confidence that your CPAP will keep your airway open.

[Sleepster]

I am a stomach/side sleeper so have very hard time wearing the mask.

Me, too. I got a special pillow designed for CPAP users, which helped some.

Then I switched from a nasal mask to a nasal pillows mask. Much, much better. I can sleep on my side or stomach and can rest the side of my head on the pillow.

The other thing I do is choose masks that allow the hose to be routed upward, between my eyes and past my forehead where it fastens with a loop of velcro to the headgear strap that goes across the top of my head. From there the hose is routed up over the top of my headboard and then down to the CPAP machine on the nightstand.

I think I developed a tendency to not sleep on my back as the years of untreated sleep apnea went by. When I was a teenager I could sleep on my back, but I can no longer do it, and I've tried.