3 month mask eligible, can i get pillows too?

I finally have reached the three-month mark, so am eligible for a new mask thru insurance/medicare. I've already paid for several out of pocket with our hosts to try different ones, and am excited to get one at a much lower cost. My question is, the months I get a new mask from my DME, can I still get the two sets of pillows also that month? I find that I seem to actually go through 1-2 pairs a month because of my body chemistry. I notice that after a couple of weeks using a set of pillows, I start getting leaks and using a new set stops that. Maybe I'm doing something else that's causing that, but I cant' figure out what that would be.

Otherwise, I'd say I'm approaching a success story. I've gradually upped my pressure to my current 10.5/14 from the originally prescribed 7/9 and have managed to get my AHI's down to the "3" or lower range most nights. Even a few nights in the "1's." I still have a few of those "alien-possessed" nights where it goes up to 5-7, but they're fewer and fewer. I've noticed that my bathroom calls have dropped from once an hour to once a night, which is awesome! Also, a nap maybe once every couple of weeks instead of daily. My memory is improving and I'm feeling better in general, slowly but surely. Funny, it almost seems like I'm aging in reverse.

My sleep doc is happy with my results and is delighted that I'm using Sleepyhead to manage my settings, etc. He loves that I'm owning my therapy. I'm lucky with him.

All in all, things are good, and I couldn't have done it without constant reading and learning here! So thanks to you all!

IreneN wrote:I've already paid for several out of pocket with our hosts to try different ones, and am excited to get one at a much lower cost. My question is, the months I get a new mask from my DME, can I still get the two sets of pillows also that month? I find that I seem to actually go through 1-2 pairs a month

Since you have gone thru so many masks I am wondering which mask it is that you have problems with the pillows?

Is it P10 pillows you're using every 2 weeks?

Have you tried the Nuance (the gel pillows might help you)?

My DME wouldn't let me get replacement nasal pillows and a new complete mask at the same time. I have Medicare.
I didn't push the issue because I had spare nasal pillows.
When in doubt though....call up Medicare and see if someone will give you a straight answer.

Oh...BTW that 3 month mask thing....doesn't include the headgear so some DMEs won't do it.

P10 nasal pillows...I have been using the same set since Jan 15. I can't imagine them wearing out after 2 weeks.
They get a little tired and leaky and I give them a really good hot soapy water wash and they bounce right back.
Haven't even needed to do the baking soda distilled water boil trick.

Pugsy wrote:Oh...BTW that 3 month mask thing....doesn't include the headgear so some DMEs won't do it.

I got 2 pillows each month. When I got a new mask ALL of the pillows were in with the mask.

btw - It was 6 months mask replacement for me as the headgear didn't separate.

Guest wrote:I got 2 pillows each month. When I got a new mask ALL of the pillows were in with the mask.

btw - It was 6 months mask replacement for me as the headgear didn't separate.

I guess I should clarify...when it was time for a new mask I was thinking of trying a different mask but didn't know how it would work out and that was when I was asking about getting the pillows and a new different mask at the same time.
I wasn't asking for a new mask that used the same nasal pillows...it was for a totally different mask and had no idea if I would like it or not.

I only get a new cpmplete mask every 6 months and when I get it they just wait a couple weeks for me to make sure I want to keep the mask and not return it because it doesn't work for me. If I choose to keep it they order 6 new pillows to get me to the next 6 month replacement period. Hope that helps.

Guest wrote:

IreneN wrote:I've already paid for several out of pocket with our hosts to try different ones, and am excited to get one at a much lower cost. My question is, the months I get a new mask from my DME, can I still get the two sets of pillows also that month? I find that I seem to actually go through 1-2 pairs a month

Since you have gone thru so many masks I am wondering which mask it is that you have problems with the pillows?

It's the Airfit P10 that I'm using at this point. I was having trouble with the headgear for a while, and determined that it was the plastic prongs inside the fabric on my cheeks that were pushing the mask out of alignment on my face especially when I sleep on my right side. I did some surgery on it and got it to work better. Then I noticed the leak thing after a couple of weeks. I eventually went back to the standard headgear but with a stretched out version, and that seems to work. The pillows just leak after a couple of weeks. I've tried both the small and the medium, with the medium working better in general. My body chemistry is either very acidic or basic, never determined which, but it destroys many things...a well-known issue over many years. I was attributing the pillow problem to that.

The pillows themselves are very comfy when they don't leak.

englandsf wrote:Is it P10 pillows you're using every 2 weeks?

Have you tried the Nuance (the gel pillows might help you)?

Yes, P10's. I have noticed the mention of the Nuance gel pillows. I think I might try them to see if they' work better for me. Thanks.

Pugsy wrote: When in doubt though....call up Medicare and see if someone will give you a straight answer.

Yes, I'll call them tomorrow.

Pugsy wrote: Oh...BTW that 3 month mask thing....doesn't include the headgear so some DMEs won't do it.

Oh, I thought it would just be a whole new package including the headgear and all the different size pillows.

Pugsy wrote: P10 nasal pillows...I have been using the same set since Jan 15. I can't imagine them wearing out after 2 weeks.
They get a little tired and leaky and I give them a really good hot soapy water wash and they bounce right back.

I've washed them too, but the water wasn't really hot. Maybe that will make a difference. I'll try it.

Pugsy wrote: Haven't even needed to do the baking soda distilled water boil trick.

This is a trick I don't know!

angeltink wrote:I only get a new cpmplete mask every 6 months and when I get it they just wait a couple weeks for me to make sure I want to keep the mask and not return it because it doesn't work for me. If I choose to keep it they order 6 new pillows to get me to the next 6 month replacement period. Hope that helps.

Your DME sounds like they give a #$*!. With mine it's a fight every step of the way. Plus they lie right to my face. On Thursday they say "We sent out your pillows on Monday." On Saturday they say "Oh, we sent them out yesterday." On Monday they say "Oh, they're on back order."

IreneN wrote: I've tried both the small and the medium, with the medium working better in general. ...
The pillows themselves are very comfy when they don't leak.

you might get a large and try that. even though they aren't supplied in the 'for her' p10 version, the mask frame is the same and all pillow sizes fit all masks. some ladies like the larger pillow size.

IreneN wrote:I've washed them too, but the water wasn't really hot. Maybe that will make a difference. I'll try it.

Maybe it is your cleaning method or soap? Soaps can cause deterioration. Which is why many only wipe down their mask.

IreneN wrote:Your DME sounds like they give a #$*!. With mine it's a fight every step of the way. Plus they lie right to my face.

Here is a basic rule - "All DMEs lie". But if you can try another then do it.

IreneN wrote:Oh, I thought it would just be a whole new package including the headgear and all the different size pillows.

Some DMEs may provide the whole pkg, so it could be worth the try.

Anyone wondering what is the boiling with baking soda trick...this thread
viewtopic/t75749/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=74 ... il#p685240
If you have hard water like I do then you might want to use distilled water for the boiling and rinsing. First time I tried it I used tap water and my nasal pillows ended up very cloudy but the next time I used distilled water and they were nice and clear and like new.

IreneN wrote: Oh, I thought it would just be a whole new package including the headgear and all the different size pillows.

You might ask at the 3 month mark. Medicare won't pay for the headgear until 6 months but some DMEs will go ahead and supply the entire package including the headgear and won't bill for for the headgear. Or sometimes they supply a package that has everything but the headgear.

IreneN wrote:I've washed them too, but the water wasn't really hot. Maybe that will make a difference. I'll try it.

I only wash my nasal pillows maybe once a week but when I do I use really hot water. As hot as I can stand.
I don't use Lansinoh ointment anymore though...if I did I would wash more frequently.
Some people don't get as much life out of nasal pillows...body oils or cleaning routine or whatever. I have always got months and months of use out of any nasal pillow mask I have tried.

Sometimes when one starts getting tired and leaky I am tempted to toss it but I will think "maybe one last really good cleaning" and try it and low and behold the next night it won't be leaky anymore so it stay in use for more time. My nasal pillows have all had more than one "last really good cleaning".

Pugsy wrote:Anyone wondering what is the boiling with baking soda trick...this thread
viewtopic/t75749/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=74 ... il#p685240

I have to admit to wondering what kind of crazyness that was... *lol*

reading through the thread, I think I'll try it hehe