This may sound strange and I even hesitate to write it BUT the worst question is the unasked one so.....................................

For the past 8 weeks or so I have been able to ONLY sleep on my right side.  My back has been out of the question for years as is common for sleep apnea.  But I used to be able to choose a side however, it I use my left side now I feel like am suffocating.  I try to stay on my right but sometimes I just want a different position and roll over without really thinking.

Have any of you ever had such an experience?  If so please, share it with me I am concerned as it almost feels like my lungs CAN'T expand, weird............


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~ElleMarie~ One day at a time, ARE YOU KIDDING ME! Sometimes it's just a minute at a time.



AHI 100 -Diagnosis June 2007-

Hi Ellie Marie-Are you using CPAP?  You said that you have a history of significant back problems.  It is possible you may have something going on with your spine-I would have it checked.  There could also be nerve issues, secondary to spine issues.  Have you seen a cardiologist?  I have read that most people with sleep apnea wind up having some cardiac involvement.  I would see a cardiologist if you have not already do so, or if it has been > one year since you last saw a cardiologist.  I my self notice that I have a preference for sleeping on my right side.  I can sleep on my left side, but I feel more comfortable sleeping on my right side.  I sure hope the cause of your discomfort is discovered and treated.  Keep us posted. Lantern4life

Thanks for the reply.  To clear it up, I don't have any problem with my back but can't sleep on it as that position causes my sleep apnea to be worse.  I am racking my brain trying to think of what could be causing this trouble on my left side.  It is like the minute I roll over I can't get in enough air.  Physiologically it doesn't make sense to me.  I could better understand if the right side was a problem then my left.  Oh well, thought I would throw it out there, thinking if someone has a similar experience I could clean something from their story.


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~ElleMarie~ One day at a time, ARE YOU KIDDING ME! Sometimes it's just a minute at a time.



AHI 100 -Diagnosis June 2007-

Yes, ElleMarie is 100& compliant on the xPAP.  

I have a similar problem layng on my right.  In addition, I know longer can recline back or lay dawn without having my xPAP on...even if I am just reclining back at the beach...can not do it.  Wish I had answers for you.


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BiPAP Auto M 13/8 Mirage Nasal Swift. 20 years+ undx'd. RLS/PLMD, Hypersomnia & more.

Hi ElleMarie,

I only sleep on my left side. (I have to fixate me with pillows, when sleeping).

But I know what’s wrong – It’s my sinuses (or in fact my turbinate’s) who block my nose when I’m sleeping on my back or on my right side.

Even when I’m awake, I can’t breathe out when laying on my back or my right side.

Henning

ElleMarie I don't usually lay down I sleep in a sitting reclining position, but on the occasion I do lay down it has to be on my right side, I also get the feeling I just can't breath right if I lay on my left side, been that way for years, kind out an out of breath feeling, not pleasant at all!. Now days if  I lay down on either side for more that 5 minutes both my hands go to sleep and get numb! Anyway I might suggest if you are laying down on whatever side you choose, try using a body pillow it helps keeps your back in alignment and keeps it from twisting, and puts less stress on it. It is also more comfortable. Good Luck to You


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White Beard with a White Beard
Resmed VPAP Adapt SV Enhanced, HumidAire 2i, ResLink with Model 8000 Flex sensor Pulse Oximeter, and ResScan 3.5 software. Respironic EverFlo OPI Oxygen Concentrator 3 lpm
EEP 9.0, min PS 6.0, max PS 16.0

I can go you one better, ElleMarie - except mine is intermittent. Most nights I can not sleep on either side, even w/my CPAP, w/o feeling like I just can't get enough air. AND there have been nights where I couldn't lay on my left side w/o it feeling like my heart was hanging by a muscle and that muscle was tearing or ripping. I've experienced that to a lessor degree on my right side on occasion. I've been reduced to sleeping almost exclusively on my back because of this.


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Some people are like Slinkies... Not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
Resmed VPAP Auto. Humidaire 3i, Simplicity & Micro masks, ResScan 3.4, S8 ResLink, Embla oximeter.

I so miss sleeping on my back but I kind of like breathing too!!  Seems like I have to make a choice between the two.  Glad to hear I am not the only one with these type of problems.  Still wonder what causes it.....maybe it's one of those things we never find an answer for.


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~ElleMarie~ One day at a time, ARE YOU KIDDING ME! Sometimes it's just a minute at a time.



AHI 100 -Diagnosis June 2007-

No! You DO have a choice! Use your CPAP and get your pressure adjusted so that you CAN breathe on your side. OR sleep on your back WITH CPAP if that is your favored sleep position. CPAP will treat your OSAs and HAs on your back! Most of us encounter the majority of our OSAs and HAs whilst sleeping on our back and in REM sleep. That is the reason that they WANT you to sleep on your back at least part of the night during an evaluation and titration and to sleep long enough to go thru some periods of REM sleep. In addition, sleeping w/CPAP and mask encourages back sleeping. Your titrated pressure is determined by your stage of greatest need. You are going about this all wrong! You are making the WRONG assumpitons and coming to the WRONG conclusions.


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Some people are like Slinkies... Not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
Resmed VPAP Auto. Humidaire 3i, Simplicity & Micro masks, ResScan 3.4, S8 ResLink, Embla oximeter.

CrohnieToo, I am confused by your post.  (what's new I LIVE in constant sleep apnea brain fog) I would LOVE to be able to sleep in each and every position.  I am unable to because I fight to get enough air in.  I am 100% compliant with my cpap machine, and could not even IMAGINE a night without it.

The problem isn't in my not wearing it but rather that as of late (2-3 months) I can not get enough air in while in certain positions.  I am scheduled for a pulmonary stress test near the end of this month.  In the MEANTIME I was wanting some feedback from this community about any others that have similar situations going on.  I have found (sadly) that I glean more information from this group then from any "professional" I have ever met about sleep apnea.  It is my opinion that we the sufferers are indeed the professionals in this area.......real life experience can't be taught.

So I am confused as to how I am going about this wrong and what wrong conclusions I am coming to.  I would appreciate any input you have as I am desperate for a full nights sleep where I am able to move freely, OR at least as far as my hose will allow!!!!


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~ElleMarie~ One day at a time, ARE YOU KIDDING ME! Sometimes it's just a minute at a time.



AHI 100 -Diagnosis June 2007-

You are wrong in assuming that you CAN'T sleep on your back because it makes your apnea worse. You CAN safely sleep on your back w/CPAP.

I reiterate:

CrohnieToo wrote:

... CPAP will treat your OSAs and HAs on your back! Most of us encounter the majority of our OSAs and HAs whilst sleeping on our back and in REM sleep. That is the reason that they WANT you to sleep on your back at least part of the night during an evaluation and titration and to sleep long enough to go thru some periods of REM sleep. In addition, sleeping w/CPAP and mask encourages back sleeping. Your titrated pressure is determined by your stage of greatest need. ...

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Some people are like Slinkies... Not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
Resmed VPAP Auto. Humidaire 3i, Simplicity & Micro masks, ResScan 3.4, S8 ResLink, Embla oximeter.

I realize that one SHOULD be able to, unfortunately for me I feel like I am drowning when I do.  I go into a full blown panic attack so for me it is best not to even try.  Every once in awhile when I do roll to my back my husband is quick to elbow me until I roll over as I snore through the machine just terrible!!  Also my centrals go through the roof on my back even with the cpap.

PS what are HAs that your refer to, I know them as Headaches.


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~ElleMarie~ One day at a time, ARE YOU KIDDING ME! Sometimes it's just a minute at a time.



AHI 100 -Diagnosis June 2007-

Ellie, when was your last sleep study?  Do you have asthma, COPD, or ant other lung issues? Sometimes my asthma acts up, and I have problems.  Just trying to help you brainstorm.  It must be frustrating and miserable for you.  I empathize. Lantern4life

I would suggest that you be re-titrated for the needed pressure whilst on your back. Back sleeping should not influence central apenas in any way.

I didn't mean to mislead you w/the HAs. I was referring to hypopneas and just too darn lazy to type out hypopnea. HI wouldn't have been appropriate because that would indicate Hypopnea Index. Hs didn't look right either.

My first 30 nights on CPAP were the worst 30 nights sleep I ever got. Thank goodness things gradually improved after that! You have my sympathies. For awhile I had problems sleeping on my left side due to a very aggravated rotator cuff. And most of my life I was a tummy sleeper so I also had to learn NOT to sleep on my tummy due to a neck injury after a whiplash. It is DIFFICULT to learn to sleep in positions other than those you spent most of your life sleeping in if you weren't one to change positions a lot during the night before. So I assume the opposite can also be true.

Lack of sleep or not enough sleep is so discouraging!


_________________
Some people are like Slinkies... Not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
Resmed VPAP Auto. Humidaire 3i, Simplicity & Micro masks, ResScan 3.4, S8 ResLink, Embla oximeter.

Lantern, My last sleep study was done in Nov 2007 so it's fairly recent.  I need to be at 14 cm but can only tolerate 12 cm.  I am unable to breath against the extra pressure.  I am asking for a bi-level machine but my doc doesn't like them.  I just faxed a note to him last week asking for it again but he is on vacation.  I have a few "spots" on my lungs but nothing of concern for the docs.  I am scheduled for pulmonary stress and function studies later in the month.

CrohnieToo, thanks for clarifying the HA for me I was thinking it might be that but years in the medical field have taught me to read headache when I see that!!  The tech did have me on my back often, she would wake me roll me over and before too much longer I would manage to roll to my side again.

We will see what my doc says when he returns from vacation and I return from mine.  In the meantime thank you all for responding.  It is again helpful to glean info from each of you to better prepare for my doc visit.


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~ElleMarie~ One day at a time, ARE YOU KIDDING ME! Sometimes it's just a minute at a time.



AHI 100 -Diagnosis June 2007-