Cpap

BuffaloAl · Post by **BuffaloAl** » Sat Mar 19, 2005 2:49 pm

HI, I'm new to this forum today and this is my first post. I have been using a cpap with nasal pillows for about 2 years, and I have started to notice that my nose is becoming misshaped. I fist noticed this a couple of months ago when I saw a picture of me that my son had taken. I compared it to pictures of me from before the cpap and my nose has been bent to one side and pushed up. I met with the Resp. Therapist who said that it had to be tight enough to prevent airleaks, but he said nothing else about my nose being bent. Has anyone else noticed this or anything? Thanks for your help.

wading thru the muck! · Post by **wading thru the muck!** » Sat Mar 19, 2005 3:21 pm

What nasal pillow unit are you using. I have used several different units and am able to have them barely push on my nose and still seal. I don't think there is any need to have them push hard enough to disfiguire your nose.

Mikesus · Post by **Mikesus** » Sat Mar 19, 2005 3:47 pm

Sounds like it looks like this one

I used a bad one once and looked like this all day

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Sat Mar 19, 2005 4:15 pm

I've been using a Breeze almost a year - haven't noticed any change to nose or nostrils at all. Whatever you're using, BuffaloAl, do you sleep with your head in a position where your head pillow is pushing hard against whatever holds the nasal pillows in place?

I use nasal pillows that most RT's would say are "too large" for me. They are more comfortable and actually seal better if they sit more to the outside of the nose and against it - not be a size that has to be crammed up tightly inside the nostrils to try to prevent leaks.

WillSucceed · Post by **WillSucceed** » Sat Mar 19, 2005 8:59 pm

I use nasal pillows that most RT's would say are "too large" for me. They are more comfortable and actually seal better if they sit more to the outside of the nose and against it - not be a size that has to be crammed up tightly inside the nostrils to try to prevent leaks.

I'm with Rested Gal on this one. I've recently switched to using a Swift and the Supplier said I should use the 'medium' size. I switched to the 'large' and it is more comfortable and seals better.

Mikesus · Post by **Mikesus** » Sat Mar 19, 2005 10:45 pm

Sigh guess I better leave the comic relief to Liam...

Mike who is hoping his Aura will come in soon...

wading thru the muck! · Post by **wading thru the muck!** » Sun Mar 20, 2005 5:48 am

Mikesus,

I got a ROTFL out of it! Although that first picture made me cringe.

BuffaloAl · Post by **BuffaloAl** » Sun Mar 20, 2005 3:12 pm

Thanks for your replies especially Wading and Rested Gal. Not sure how to reply on what type of pillows I have. I have three different sizes blue clear and green but don't know anything besides that. I seem to be highly sensitive to the platic or latex they use. When i used a mask instead of the pillows I got irritations on my cheek and upper lip from the contact. I also get irritations on the septum from the pillows so I keep changing sizes to keep it to a minimum. I also wash the equip now with water and Purell, as I found I had problems with the antibacterial soap I was using.

And yes I do think it would be a riot to have a giant sleepover with all of us hosers. I know you can't get authentic wings outside of Buffalo so I guess I'll bring those.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Sun Mar 20, 2005 3:29 pm

Al, it sounds like you have either a Breeze or an Adams Circuit with nasal pillows. I think both of those use the same kind of pillows. I use the "Large" pillows with the Breeze, even though I have a small nose and small-ish nostril openings.

Usually, if a person will use nasal pillows that most would consider "too big", they'll sit more to the outside of the nostrils. More comfortable out there and usually seal better too, against the nostrils instead of up inside them. Perhaps you might do better with the Extra Large to keep them more outside.

For the Breeze (and I suppose the Adams, too) the color/sizes of the nasal pillows are:

blue - small
clear - medium
light green - large
lavender - extra large

I don't know what to suggest if you're having sensitivity to the silicone material mask cushions and nasal pillows are made of. Since you've been using them for quite awhile I'm sure you've already tried soaking them in mild soap/water to get any possible lingering manufacturing stuff off.

Mikesus · Post by **Mikesus** » Sun Mar 20, 2005 3:33 pm

whoops wrong thread!

Yoga · Post by **Yoga** » Sun Mar 20, 2005 5:28 pm

Buffalo Al,

I believe Purell has alcohol in it. Alcohol and antibacterial soap shorten the life of your mask and should not be used.

Repironics recommends Ivory liquid and lemon joy for cleaning although I have not seen lemon joy for a long time.