Nasal pillow challenges

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
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Sleepysuz
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Nasal pillow challenges

Post by Sleepysuz » Mon Oct 20, 2014 4:27 pm

So I got a Nuance nasal pillows and my AHI dropped way down better than with the FFM. However a week of fighting with loosening the straps and changing the pillow size using the lanolin etc and I still have a red inner right nostril. Last night the pain from the sore spot woke me and now I have a scab there

The problem is when I roll to my left side head gear pushing against my left cheek pulls the pillows to the left making the pillow dig into my septum on the right side only.

Called the DME. He says the other brands have less substantial head gear so would most likely be more inclined to shift. Is there another brand that is better for a side sleeper? I've read a ton of posts about who likes what nasal. pillows and why. Seems like the p10 is more streamlined, but I'm looking for stable. Was the Swift bulkier? I'd wear a space helmet to bed if it kept the nasal pillows in place. Thoughts appreciated.

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jencat824
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Re: Nasal pillow challenges

Post by jencat824 » Mon Oct 20, 2014 5:15 pm

The Swift LT gives a more stable 'frame' to hold the pillows in place. I loved this mask until the P10 came out. When I first got the P10 it worked well first night, then I had problems with it and went back to the Swift LT. After about 6 weeks I tried the P10 again & loved it. I'm now a P10 convert.

I think I needed the Swift LT as a 'training' mask to learn how to be comfortable with nasal pillow masks in general. I would highly recommend that you try the Swift LT. It stayed in place quite well for me & I'm a side sleeper.

Jen

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grayghost4
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Re: Nasal pillow challenges

Post by grayghost4 » Mon Oct 20, 2014 5:23 pm

If you're not part of the solution you're just scumming up the bottom of the beaker!

Get the Clinicians manual here : http://apneaboard.com/adjust-cpap-press ... tup-manual

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englandsf
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Re: Nasal pillow challenges

Post by englandsf » Mon Oct 20, 2014 6:55 pm

P10 is very stable and the "arm" inside the side strap can be used to wedge the frame at a good angle against your pillow (hard ones are better).

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ems
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Re: Nasal pillow challenges

Post by ems » Mon Oct 20, 2014 7:31 pm

I'm a side sleeper also - both right and left. Both the Airfit P10 and the Swift FX work well for side sleepers. The Airfit is a little lighter, but the Swift is just fine. Google both and you can compare. The Airfit is a big seller, newer than the Swift, and people love it.

Also, the bed pillow you use can either help or make it more difficult. I've tried several and have a favorite one week and a different favorite the next. Some people use a CPAP pillow, some use a regular pillow you can pick up at Walmart. It's whatever works best for you.
If only the folks with sawdust for brains were as sweet and obliging and innocent as The Scarecrow! ~a friend~

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SleepyEyes21
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Re: Nasal pillow challenges

Post by SleepyEyes21 » Mon Oct 20, 2014 7:43 pm

Sleepysuz wrote:So I got a Nuance nasal pillows and my AHI dropped way down better than with the FFM. However a week of fighting with loosening the straps and changing the pillow size using the lanolin etc and I still have a red inner right nostril. Last night the pain from the sore spot woke me and now I have a scab there

The problem is when I roll to my left side head gear pushing against my left cheek pulls the pillows to the left making the pillow dig into my septum on the right side only.

Called the DME. He says the other brands have less substantial head gear so would most likely be more inclined to shift. Is there another brand that is better for a side sleeper? I've read a ton of posts about who likes what nasal. pillows and why. Seems like the p10 is more streamlined, but I'm looking for stable. Was the Swift bulkier? I'd wear a space helmet to bed if it kept the nasal pillows in place. Thoughts appreciated.
Hi Sleepysuz - I can relate to what you are describing with headgear moving too much and causing irritation. I'm not so sure I agree with what your DME said about 'less substantial head gear being more inclined to shift.' To me, if the headgear and mask are properly fitted, the weight of the setup shouldn't have much to do with movement (unless its extremely top heavy or something

I had been using a contoured foam pillow for weeks when I started cpap, and it didn't take long to realize that I could not move my head at all, or in any direction, without the headgear wanting to move also. I have tried several masks (Swift Fx, Nuance, and now trying P10), and if I use a foam or regular bed pillow, the headgear wants to move when I move. When the headgear moves, the nasal pillows move of course.

Recently, I tried the Regenesis pillow (sold on Amazon.) It is a pillow filled with buckwheat hulls that you can adjust to your comfort level. I've found that I can move better, without the headgear of any mask moving out of place right away, with this pillow. I think its because there is more 'give' with the buckwheat hulls, than with foam or feather pillows. I am a back and side sleeper and feel like I have more freedom to move now with the Regenesis.

If you do a search in this forum for a member named SleepyGuy, you will find a lot of info on this pillow, along with many reviews for the pillow. You can also find a lot of reviews for it on Amazon.

Another tip is to try a nasal only mask (like Airfit N10) when your nose is irritated from the nasal pillows.

Hope you find relief soon

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SleepyEyes21

TyroneShoes
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Re: Nasal pillow challenges

Post by TyroneShoes » Mon Oct 20, 2014 8:01 pm

If stability is the issue, what about this?

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/tap-pa ... oCd-zw_wcB

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Sleepysuz
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Re: Nasal pillow challenges

Post by Sleepysuz » Mon Oct 20, 2014 8:44 pm

Thanks for info. Have the nice pillow and the F10 mask. Only issue with the mask is that it doesn't bring my AHI down enough. Nose pillows are dramatically better

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