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Comment by checkyoursudo | Hacker News Reader

My sleep tracking now consists of putting my APAP on to counteract my sleep apnea, falling asleep within seconds because I'm like Pavlov's sleeping baby dog because of the machine, and then waking up and seeing what the machine says re: how long it has been pushing air in my nose.

It works surprisingly well, actually. If I only got 6.5 hours of APAP last night, then I will pretty reliably go to bed a little earlier tonight.

My takeaway from this is that someone should make a fake CPAP face mask for people who don't need a CPAP that tells you how long you've been wearing it. I'm 100% convinced that the mask itself is what makes me fall asleep so fast. Once the mask is on, my brain knows it's time for sleep and complies. I guess I don't know if that's the same for all APAP/CPAP/Bi-PAP users though.

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I'm curious - How do stomach sleepers adjust to these masks? Or does sleep apnea only affect back sleepers? It would be impossible for me to sleep wearing a mask.

There are masks and pillows specifically designed for stomach sleepers. But stomach sleeping is somewhat uncommon, and plenty of people who sleep in more conventional positions can't adapt to sleeping with a CPAP, so you probably just have to find out yourself.

FWIW, I have sleep apnea and I'm a strict side sleeper. I also had a real tough time getting used to sleeping with something attached to my face. Sometimes I still take it off if I'm awake too long during the 2-4am time period, but most nights I sleep through without even noticing. I use a nasal mask, though, I absolutely have not ever been able to tolerate a full face mask.

Definitely doesn't only affect back sleepers. I sleep almost exclusively on my side. There are some very small masks including a type that only has two tiny "pillows" (as I understand they are called) that rest right up on/in your nostrils. Mine basically only covers my nose and has the hose on the top of my head so I can turn from side to side. I'm not sure that would be good enough for a stomach sleeper, but it might. I can see how being a stomach sleeper could make wearing a respiratory mask difficult, for sure.

I was a stomach sleeper before getting a CPAP. In retrospect, I was a stomach sleeper because my body figured out it made breathing easier. Rarely find myself sleeping on my stomach any more.

As Pavlov would tell you, it doesn't need to be a mask. It can be anything. So for the mass market, perhaps a bell would be a better choice.

The one I recommend is automated light.

A while back I built something to mimic a day-night cycle: https://github.com/wpietri/sunrise

My original goal was to counteract the darkness of winter, which impacts my mood and productivity. But the thing I like best about it is that the lights dim in the evening, so I actually go to bed at a reasonable hour. Whereas with manual lighting, I can easily leave the lights on while doing something, not notice the hour, and throw off my sleep cycle.

Sleep researchers and doctors claim that your bed itself should be the bell. It will be easiest for you to fall asleep if you don't spend any time in your bed unless you are actively trying to fall asleep. No reading a book before you sleep, no checking your email in the morning, etc.

They prioritize it to the point that, if you are lying in bed trying to sleep at night for more than 20 minutes, you should get up and spend some time relaxing somewhere else.

I have been told this before, though the person I heard it from said sleep and sex, not just sleep. :)

Hahah good point, my doctor obviously thinks very poorly of me.

Would it be dangerous if the machine fails during sleep? Ie block breathing

No, the hose and mask have vents to allow some input. And even when it is off, you can draw air through the hose, there's just no positive pressure.

It's not comfortable, but it's not dangerous.

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