What to put on nasal pillows to ease pain?

qrlylox · Post by **qrlylox** » Fri Jun 17, 2005 10:28 am

I am trying Infinity nasal pillows (I guess thats what its called) and am having pain when putting it in my nose, and also as it pulls at the inside of my nose all night. I think I read somewhere that you can use KY jelly or something to help.
Wouldnt that make it prone to slip out though?
Does it take awhile to get used to these things? Should it hurt your nose for awhile?

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Fri Jun 17, 2005 11:17 am

It take time to get used to anything touching your nostrils. And for me the pain got gradually worse during the firs week or so - and I took a three day break.
Since then I have been using the Breeze on a nightly basis (that's two and something months).

The KY jelly was a life saver for me - I used it from day one, and on many many other days. I had to take that break despite using the jelly.

Talk to your RT if the pain gets very bad, don't let a sore develop.
There is lots of fiddling around you can do with the breeze to make it fit - and it need time. You may also have to change the angle of one pillow or the other - do it bit by bit till it feels right. Take the time to make it fit you.

I don't know the Infinity.
O.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Jun 17, 2005 2:09 pm

I too use a Breeze and was given KY jelly to help with the discomfort but I have not had to use it. It would be good to check that you have the right size of nasal pillow for you--they come in 3 sizes I think. Also try loosening the screw that holds the pillows in place. For me, it still doesn't leak and gives me a little more flexibility. Good luck.

Yawning in OK · Post by **Yawning in OK** » Fri Jun 17, 2005 2:27 pm

I use AYR gel. I found it at WalMart, but have seen it at other drug stores.
Definately try the other pillow sizes. I use the Aura interface, and kept going back and forth between the medium and large, trying to figure out which was the best fit, but was having nare pain with both sizes. Then I heard about AYR and that worked wonders for me.

Good luck!

ahujudybear · Post by **ahujudybear** » Fri Jun 17, 2005 5:33 pm

I read in the literature that if the nasal insert causes pain during the night, it is probably too large for you.

Also a fan of the Ayr-Gel (found it at Target) It's a saline gel that is very soothing for the inside of your nose and doesn't break down and get goey like K-Y sometimes does.

- JB

qrlylox · Post by **qrlylox** » Fri Jun 17, 2005 8:09 pm

Thank you JB, Yawning, Guest and Ozij!
I just love this board so much. I can't believe how helpful you guys are - its so touching to have people respond to you when you ask for help.
Well - today I ordered the Ayr Gel AND ordered a new Breeze. I've heard so many good things about the Breeze and finally decided to bite the bullet and get one.
I'm sure I'll be firing off a dozen more questions when i get it!

rock and roll · Post by **rock and roll** » Fri Jun 17, 2005 8:16 pm

Sounds to me like your pillows are a size to small. You might try a bigger size.

qrlylox · Post by **qrlylox** » Fri Jun 17, 2005 8:59 pm

Oh my gosh R&R, say it aint so! I tried the large ones first (bec. of what I've read that the large suit some better) but I could NOT get the whole thing shoved up my nostrils! No way. And the medium ones even hurt pretty badly once they were in. The infinity I learned, is a nasal prong system (not pillows) so maybe its different?
All i know is the darn prongs hurt! I am going to get a breeze and try it. Pillows sound better than prongs.

rock and roll · Post by **rock and roll** » Fri Jun 17, 2005 9:34 pm

I have to admit I have little experience with prongs. Pillows should not be stuffed up the nose but seal just at the entrance. If they are too small they will hurt.

I got to tell you, the majority like the Swift over the Breeze and I have both. Just easier to balance and handle and less to adjust.

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Sat Jun 18, 2005 12:53 am

I had a Swift for one night. The Breeze was much better for me, especially since I need the pillow angled differently fo each nostril.
O.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Sat Jun 18, 2005 2:05 am

qrlylox, there is indeed a difference between nasal "prongs" interfaces and nasal "pillows" interfaces.

Prongs interfaces like the Nasal Aire II, the Infinity, the Lyra and some others have to be pushed up inside the nostrils. Exact size is important with prongs - too big hurts, too small won't seal.

Pillows interfaces like the Swift, Breeze, Aura, Adams Circuit, and ComfortLite can seal best if they sit outside and against the nares (nostril openings.) The tapered open tip of pillows should be just barely inside the nares.

If a person has to cram nasal pillows up into the nostrils trying to achieve a leakproof seal, the pillows are probably too small. In nasal pillows, a size larger than most DMEs would say, "This is the size you need." is usually better for a good seal and for comfort.

Even with pillows interfaces, some people need to use a dab of Ayr gel or KY jelly. And some like to rotate using one mask one night and a different mask another night, to ease off on the pressure points with any one mask.

ahujudybear · Post by **ahujudybear** » Sat Jun 18, 2005 7:58 am

One more word on the Swift pillows... Well, maybe two?

I found out by accident, that the air pressure you use helps them to seal. At a setting of 10, mine were leaking all over the place. At a setting of 12 or 13, there were NO leaks.

I too have asymetric nostrils and have to keep readjusting the unit so that both nostrils stay open. For this reason i only use the Swift for naps or for short sleeps (3 AM sort of thing).

Second word is bed pillows. Please do a search for the thread on "pillows" The right pillow can make a huge difference in how your mask fits/leaks during the night.

- JB