tiredykins

Thanks all for your replies here. I'm pretty happy with the mask and have never (even before using CPAP) been really happy with my pillows so I'm going to try some of the suggestions here. I also like the SleepyHead suggestion. I think it'd help me to have a bit more insight into what's going on other than "leaking frequently" "not leaking frequently"

Hello all, I'm new here though was diagnosed with apnea in 2016. I have not used my CPAP more than I have used it in these 3 years, mostly due to the irritation I've had with the nasal pillows I used to use. I don't think my apnea is that bad (tested at 13.6 events per hour but it may have gotten worse from then since I've gained weight) but I hate the feeling of starting awake, heart racing and sure I'm dying (for all I know, I am). So I went back to the sleep tech and he recommended the Dreamwear Nasal (not the pillows - the other one). I've been using it now for 4 days and I really like it - the hose isn't constantly in my way, I'm not irritated by having something stuck in my nostrils at night and I don't wake up feeling like my whole face is swollen from weird sinus things. However, the seal isn't very good for me. It seems good when I'm sleeping on my back but I'm mainly a side sleeper and apparently I mash my face into the pillow a bit so it seems that the pressure on one side of my face is pushing the nasal "sling thingy" to gape on the opposite side of my nose/face, breaking the seal (I think). Anyone experience this (I suppose this is unique to this design, which I kind of don't want to give up on)? Is this actually a mask fit issue (as in should this thing be snugger on my face so that it doesn't gape, face mashing and all)? Anyone find they have a GREAT pillow for side sleeping that helps with their equipment? I also suffer from acid reflux and hear that left side sleeping is the best for THAT, so sleeping on my back is not my fave choice here. Thanks for any thoughts. -sleepykins (trying not to be)