Nasal pillows - help!!

[2cpapfamily]

I have also posted part of this on the Comfort Lite thread, so please excuse any repetition. I can't use an over-the-nose mask, so I moved to the Nasal Aire. I had no comfort issues with the nasal prongs, but couldn't deal with the noise of the tubes going over my ears, or the discomfort of the tubes since I'm a side-sleeper. I'm in the process of trying a Comfort Lite. It has not worked out: noise and side-sleeping comfort are greatly improved, but the type of seal on the Comfort Lite doesn't seal well. I end up having to press it so hard against my nose that I end up in pain and having to take it off. Also, my husband (who just started with his first CPAP last week- not having much success with the Flexi-fit, but that will be another post...) informed me that the exhalation port is blowing cold air on him when I sleep facing the middle of the bed. I'd like something that has prongs somewhat like the Nasal Aire, but better headgear, and a hose system that doesn't go over the ears. I've looked at the Mirage, the Aura and the Nasal Pap, but it's hard to tell exactly what the 'nasal interface' looks like. Does anyone out there have any experience with these? My CPAP is set at 8, and I'm a fairly restless, mostly side sleeper. Thank you so much!

[Janelle]

You might like the Swift or the new Aura nasal pillows. The Swift is very non=intrusive, one hose that can be attached to the headgear or left down, your choice. Vent is at about a 45 degree angle down so shouldn't bother your husband. The headgear doesn't have to be tight, only slightly snug and in fact can be worn pretty loose, very little pressure on the upper lip.

Another choice the Aura has an over the head hose like the Breeze, but the nose piece is more adjustable on angle than the Breeze and there is less upper lip pressure because of it. However, through CPAP.com it is on backorder, no other sites have it right now as it is so new. My Sleep Doctor hadn't even heard of it, but made a note.

[rested gal]

I like the Aura very much. It's the most comfortable at the nostrils of any nasal pillows or prongs interface I've used (Breeze, Swift, Nasal Aire II, Lyra.) The Aura's exhaust points straight up and will not point toward your bed partner unless you sleep completely sideways in the bed.

I'm primarily a side sleeper - turning often from side to side. Aura works great for me.

These two tricks should make it work for you too:

1. hang the main air hose above your head by rigging something on the headboard or on the wall at the head of your bed to hold the main air hose up...a bungee, a hook, whatever. Fix it above your head so you are like a fish on the end of a slack line - you'll be able to turn over easily without the hose getting in your way or pulling on headgear.

2. If it doesn't stay absolutely steady at your nose, make some straps for the sides. Side straps will hold everything steadier at your nostrils. Think creatively - the straps can be made of just about anything - strip of Ace bandage, lingerie strap, piece of soft cloth, stretchy headband or sweatband...whatever. I used the extra straps that come with the Breeze. Whatever you use, you won't have to undo them to take the Aura on and off. It will still lift on/off like a ball cap, even if you have added extra side straps. I put side straps on my Aura down low, like this picture that I've retouched here:

[2cpapfamily]

Thank you so much for your replies. I just got off the phone with my DME supplier. She's going to see if she can even order the Aura (even if I have to wait awhile, my insurance will cover part of it- we bought our machines from cpap.com- thanks, guys!). Great suggestions on how to arrange the hose, too. I have no problems with getting crafty and adding straps- I bought 1 1/2" sports elastic and velcro from JoAnn's and made my husband's chinstrap. You have to save whenever you can!

[Mcdreamer]

New user started of 6 months ago with swift. I have very thick shoulder length hair and can not get the headgear to stay on comfortably. I am awakened several times during the night feeling like someone is pulling off my nose so I reach up and pull the strap back down across the back of my head. No I am not cutting my hair.

Between that and the rainout I am looking for something else. I also don't like the hose coming from the side.

Any tips for hair friendly headgear?

[Chicago]

My DME switched me from the Activa to the Swift. My main complaint with the Activa had been that the right fit when falling asleep--comfortable and leak-free--would cease to be the right fit at some point in the night, following which I'd be waking up every fifteen minutes in a vain attempt to "get it right."

Well, last night was my first night with the Swift, and whether or not it's solved the "fit" problem, that's not even my main question anymore. I wanted to find out if anyone else has experienced the following:

This morning, within a few minutes of waking up, taking off the mask, and being up and about, it's like I've been attacked by a ferocious cold or allergy. My eyes are tearing like mad, I'm stuffy and sneezy, the whole nine yards. Even though I was breathing clearly all through the night! I had the same reaction when the guy came out with the Swift a few days ago and "fitted me" for it, so I know it's not a coincidence. (And I know it's not the KY Jelly that I put in my nostrils last night, because I didn't put in any KY Jelly on he day he fitted me.)

Does anyone recognize these symptoms? If so, do they go away? (Not that I'm eager to give the Swift even one more chance tonight, feeling the way I feel this morning.)

[sleepyred]

I love my activa. I was up for a new mask and got a breeze to have something to change to. A friend had a swift and she let me borrow it because she could not use it. I hated it! I never could get it to work. But there are a lot of posters who it works great for and the just love it.

As far as your activa, did you wash the mask everyday and your face at night? I did not wash my mask and it leaked when I did not wash it. Also, make sure the piece which goes on your forehead is tight and the part around your nose is very loose - mine did not fit well until I loosened the mask to a ridiculous level!

As far as your tearing from your swift - could the air be leaking into your eyes? Do you use a humidifier with your cpap?

[Chicago]

I love my activa. I was up for a new mask and got a breeze to have something to change to. A friend had a swift and she let me borrow it because she could not use it. I hated it! I never could get it to work. But there are a lot of posters who it works great for and the just love it.

As far as your activa, did you wash the mask everyday and your face at night? I did not wash my mask and it leaked when I did not wash it. Also, make sure the piece which goes on your forehead is tight and the part around your nose is very loose - mine did not fit well until I loosened the mask to a ridiculous level!

As far as your tearing from your swift - could the air be leaking into your eyes? Do you use a humidifier with your cpap?

Thanks, sleepyred. I might try going back to the Activa. I was washing my face at night, but maybe not washing the mask every day. What's the best method? Antibacterial pump soap? A bar of Ivory? What?

As for humidifier/eye-tearing--yes, I used a humidifier with the Swift last night. Not sure if you're suggesting that I should have or shouldn't have. In any case, I'm not sure how that would account for the humongous cold/allergy symptoms of every sort that I'm suffering this morning.

[Janelle]

Can't recall ever having the symptoms you describe with several months of Swift useage. You might want to tell your friend, that like most masks, the Swift needs to be loose, as well.

As far as the Activa goes, mine isn't tight at all on the head rest, and I still get a great seal.

Most women make the mistake of using a night time moisturizer or other cream on a clean face and forget that this will make a nasal mask or full face mask seal nearly impossible. I had a friend who had used it for 10 years and was always having leak problems no matter what she did, and we traced it just recently to her using moisturizer.

No mask should be washed in anything other than soapy water. Doesn't have to be antibacterial. And the hose doesn't need anything other than a vinegar and water or soapy water lavage either. And it doesn't have to be daily or even weekly like the literature and the DME tell you.

[Jim Eads]

If you get an Aura, check out the rubberband trick at viewtopic.php?t=5962

Use the lightest weight rubberbands that work. With the rubberbands I don't need an extra strap.

For me, the Aura is so comfortable that I'll wake up and think I've taken it off but it's still there.

Jim

[sleepyred]

I love my activa. I was up for a new mask and got a breeze to have something to change to. A friend had a swift and she let me borrow it because she could not use it. I hated it! I never could get it to work. But there are a lot of posters who it works great for and the just love it.

As far as your activa, did you wash the mask everyday and your face at night? I did not wash my mask and it leaked when I did not wash it. Also, make sure the piece which goes on your forehead is tight and the part around your nose is very loose - mine did not fit well until I loosened the mask to a ridiculous level!

As far as your tearing from your swift - could the air be leaking into your eyes? Do you use a humidifier with your cpap?

Thanks, sleepyred. I might try going back to the Activa. I was washing my face at night, but maybe not washing the mask every day. What's the best method? Antibacterial pump soap? A bar of Ivory? What?

As for humidifier/eye-tearing--yes, I used a humidifier with the Swift last night. Not sure if you're suggesting that I should have or shouldn't have. In any case, I'm not sure how that would account for the humongous cold/allergy symptoms of every sort that I'm suffering this morning.

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): breeze, humidifier, activa, swift, CPAP

I use dawn dish soap. My DME said to use whatever I was washing my face with which is Cetaphil. I would not use anti-bacterial.

I was just wondering about the humidifier because - correct me someone if I'm wrong, that it is good to have it. I know that if I cut mine down too much , I have sinus problems. I have had to cut mine down with nasal pillows to cut down on the rain out. It's been trial and error for me! Hope this helps!

[sleepyred]

Great reminder Janelle about moisturizers! I did, however, find that my activa did get "slimy" feeling if I did not use soap and water each day to wash it. However, I have a VERY oily face and that might be why I need to do this. Just by trial and error!

[roztom]

I posted a reply under allergy symptoms that I had with my Swift & KY.

Tom

[Guest]

Is your humidifier heated? Makes all the difference. Had that teary eyes (floods) and runny nose (constant) before the heated humidifier.