An introduction, a question and cake

Greetings all!

I've been lurking these forums for the past month or so, ever since I found out that I would be on a CPAP machine. The posts and most posters I've seen have been incredibly helpful and I really couldn't begin to say how many greatly informative, thoughtful and well written posts I've seen. Especially those regarding new users of CPAP machines. So, thanks for that...seriously!

I filled out my profile and believe I chose the correct machine, I will have to better determine that when I'm back home this evening, but its the mask that has left me wanting. Now, as far as I know, and you'll note that my profile doesn't specify what I use, this nasal pillow mask came with the machine...and if not with, then it was part of some package, in fact I'm pretty sure that the straps say "Philips Respironics" on it or whatever. The crux of the issue is that I'm waking up pretty consistently around 2:30-3am, because my nose hurts. It isn't dry or irritated, its just been pushed against for too long. The nasal pillows themselves are incredibly soft, but (and this is hard to convey) it's difficult to tell when they are seated correctly. I have to turn the machine on, adjust, test, readjust. If the straps that fit the pillows to my shnoz are loose and comfy, I'll wake up with nasal pillows blasting air on the side of my face...but if I adjust them tight, so that my range of motion while sleeping is not so inhibited, then I wake up with sore pig nose. I'll go further and clarify that I like the nasal pillows and don't think I'd really prefer other type of delivery option.

So my question is thus:

1. Is the nasal pillow option just a lot of trial and error for everyone and waking up with nasal pillows in your ear or smashing your sniffer pretty common?

so... the cake is a lie?

Welcome to the forum.

Your profile for equipment isn't showing anything at all. Did you click on the "submit" button? If you did then you may have chosen a discontinued model by mistake. Tell use the model name or model number and we can help you.

Regarding nasal pillows...yes, I have woke up with a nasal pillow in my ear. Thankfully not often.
The most common cause of nostril discomfort associated with nasal pillows is people simply tighten the straps too much. Especially the top strap. If you look in the mirror and the first thought through your mind is "piggy nose" then those straps are too tight.
At the most when properly sized and fitted the nasal pillow masks might cause minor tenderness because the nostrils aren't used to having anything rub up against them. We normally suggest that people try a little ointment that breast feeding mom's use for nipple soreness. It's called Lansinoh lanolin ointment/cream. Found in the baby aisle of most stores.
Just a little at night and liberally during the day to help promote healing if there is soreness or abrasions.

So for the discomfort...consider adding Lansinoh ointment and maybe trying a different size nasal pillow and watch the fitting videos and maybe loosen the straps just a little. The most common error people make with nasal pillow masks it getting those straps too tight. I wear mine so loose that I can put on and remove mine with my pinky finger alone and with very little effort.
Right now I am using the ResMed AirFit P10 nasal pillows.
Respironics makes more than one model of nasal pillow mask...check here to see if you spot yours.
https://www.cpap.com/cpap-masks/nasal-p ... p#1:1::::0:

Winner, winner!

I would tell you to watch this video about fitting nasal pillows (should be helpful even though it is for a different mask): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MylY6a6KXMY

But, I won't do that - I just came for the cake...

Your chosen machine is a PR System One Plus CPAP machine...model 250 which is a 50 series machine.
That's a brick. Only data it gathers is hours of use.
Check the model number on the bottom of the machine...3 digit number with REF or DS preceding and following it.
What does it say?

Let's hope you just chose the wrong machine. You need model number 450 or higher to have any useful data.
If you do have a 250 (that model has been replaced with the 260 which is still a brick but a brick with heated hose option) then you should read this.
http://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/

So tell us that model number and we can point you to correct choice in the equipment menu.
The 50 series machines were discontinued 2 years ago and while it wouldn't be impossible for you to have one of those, if you got your machine from a DME supplier I would suspect they would dispense a 60 series machine.

For example, a better machine can tell you how much leaking there is and help you determine what causes it. So if you do have the 250, go back and smash the cake in your DMEs face--make it lemon flavor because you got a lemon.

In case you're unaware of it, you don't need to use nasal pillows at all... some of us find them not to be comfortable and certainly difficult to fit. If you go to Cpap.com (most options for all equipment and best prices), you can look under masks both nasal (but not pillows) and 'full face' (which are those that cover your nose and also extend to cover your mouth if you tend to have it open when sleeping... losing therapy air. There's also 'total' face mask available, but it's not popular and apparently leaks a fair amount.

but... I was told that there was going to be cake!

WOW!

62 views and no doubt counting and still NO CAKE!

Gonna be a lot of tossing and turning in this community tonight

Kathy

Phew! Thank you all for the kind responses.. I was sure there was a cake somewhere . I will further investigate my machine and let you all know what exactly it is, I am hopeful that I'll be able to pull data from it though to be honest, at this point being only a few weeks into using it I'm still learning how to wear it and hadn't given too much thought to mining data from it.

Pugsy, I will try and loosen the straps to see if I can find a sweet spot sort of setting that will allow me to roll-over at night AND not dislocate the nasal pillows. Thank you for the handy link, I have now linked my head-gear. I will keep the nipple cream in mind...but I don't have any abrasions or anything, I really think its the tightness of the straps and my nose being pigged up all night. Lastly, model number will be updated later this evening. And even more lastly, thanks again!

Julie, I know I don't need the nasal pillows...but I really want to. The idea of wearing the masks isn't appealing at all. If it should become necessary, of course I'll do what I must, but for now I'll stick with this option. I have had some wife grumbles about becoming Darth Vader by way of opening my mouth at night, but it doesn't happen often and she said a nudge is all it takes for me to correct it.

The trick with pillows is not having slotty nares.

Gotta leave now; if I stay, I'll just have cake--and eat it, too.

And, thing is, my doc ain't no Marie Antoinette.

Welcome....not even a cupcake?....

I wouldn't know about the mask, but a white cream with dark cream on top and strawberries would be very nice thank you....

After confirming the number on the bottom of the machine is 250 or 260, I would go back to DME imediatly, do not pass go.
After samashing the lemon cake in his face, INSIST that they replace your BRICK with a fully data capable PRS1 560 or Resmed Airsense 10 Autoset for Her machine. I know you are not a her but that machine has some extra settings you may need or like some day.