Should I switch to nasal pillow?

rushman007 · Post by **rushman007** » Mon May 11, 2009 4:23 pm

So I've been using my full face mask for a couple of weeks now, and I think the honeymoon is over. At first I was just grateful for something to help with my apnea. But now, I'm just frustrated, and my wife might kill me if I throw my mask down again...

The mask doesn't sit right. Once my pressure level hits 12 (after ramping) the air keeps pushing it too hard and creates leaks. The only way to sleep without leaks is to prop my head and shoulders up on 3 pillows and have my head tilted (uncomfortably) back. Forget sleeping on my side. The full mask is just a pain.

What about switching to a nasal pillow? Opinions?
My mouth tends to open, so I would entertain using a chin strap. I'll take opinions on that too...
I'm just tired of the mask. It's just hard to sleep comfortably with it on.

Please help...

bdp522 · Post by **bdp522** » Mon May 11, 2009 4:29 pm

The chin strap didn't help me at all with mouth leaking/breathing. I tape my mouth shut every night. Some use polident strips to seal the lips. Of course it is worth trying a nasal only mask to see if you can get it to work for you.

Brenda

Catnap · Post by **Catnap** » Mon May 11, 2009 4:31 pm

I'm going through this kind of experimentation myself right now, because the nasal mask option wasn't really considered at my sleep study and I have mixed feelings about the full face masks. Since you have a data-capable machine, it seems like you could track how you do with various types. Cpapauction.com is a good place to find less-expensive masks, cpap.com offers return insurance on masks, and of course there are masks that people on this site are circulating on a trial basis -- check out some of Babette's posts for more info on that option.

robertmarilyn · Post by **robertmarilyn** » Mon May 11, 2009 4:35 pm

rushman007 wrote:So I've been using my full face mask for a couple of weeks now, and I think the honeymoon is over. At first I was just grateful for something to help with my apnea. But now, I'm just frustrated, and my wife might kill me if I throw my mask down again...

Those of you guys who are throwing your masks need to stop doing that

The mask doesn't sit right. Once my pressure level hits 12 (after ramping) the air keeps pushing it too hard and creates leaks. The only way to sleep without leaks is to prop my head and shoulders up on 3 pillows and have my head tilted (uncomfortably) back. Forget sleeping on my side. The full mask is just a pain.

I only lasted a week in a full face mask (two different sizes though) but one thing you can try is to be sure to fit the mask on your face for the night, with the highest pressure you are going to have during the night. That way you don't have to go through the ramp process only to find out after you have drifted off to sleep, that the mask is going to be making pfffffffffffffft noises once the pressure gets higher. Actually, you may find you don't need ramp at all anyway, because you may adjust to the higher pressure.

The only way I could get my full face mask not to leak was to smash my face down into the pillow...but I think that is cheating and I certainly couldn't sleep that way

What about switching to a nasal pillow? Opinions?
My mouth tends to open, so I would entertain using a chin strap. I'll take opinions on that too...
I'm just tired of the mask. It's just hard to sleep comfortably with it on.
Please help...

A lot of us have been there...maybe most of us...I swapped to the Mirage Swift LT for Her (you can skip the Her part ) and it has worked well for me. I'm a side sleeper and I am able to sleep on my side...there usually are some tweaks to be done each night and I absolutely need to use Lansinoh lanolin for my nose each night, to keep the nasal pillows from making my nose sore...but it works and I like it. Others will be able to tell you more options...I've only used the two different masks before.

Hang in there, things will get better

janp · Post by **janp** » Mon May 11, 2009 5:50 pm

rushman007 wrote:So I've been using my full face mask for a couple of weeks now, and I think the honeymoon is over. At first I was just grateful for something to help with my apnea. But now, I'm just frustrated, and my wife might kill me if I throw my mask down again...

The mask doesn't sit right. Once my pressure level hits 12 (after ramping) the air keeps pushing it too hard and creates leaks. The only way to sleep without leaks is to prop my head and shoulders up on 3 pillows and have my head tilted (uncomfortably) back. Forget sleeping on my side. The full mask is just a pain.

What about switching to a nasal pillow? Opinions?
My mouth tends to open, so I would entertain using a chin strap. I'll take opinions on that too...
I'm just tired of the mask. It's just hard to sleep comfortably with it on.

Please help...

Hi,

I switched from the FFM to the nasal pillows (actually cushions) a while back because of the marks it left on my face. This was before we got EP to monitor the leaking.

However, my husband (who has just joined me on CPAP) changed from the FFM to the nasal pillow; because he discovered that the mask would start leaking every morning in the early hours ... because 1) moisture would build up between the cushion and his face, breaking the seal and 2) his skin would get oily again (after bedtime washing) and also help break the seal!

He talked to his RT about it ... who confirmed that moisture/oily skin breaking the mask seal is not that unusual.

Good luck!

Jan

Yes, we both use a heated humidifier, but the moisture level is not excessive.

yorkiemum01 · Post by **yorkiemum01** » Mon May 11, 2009 6:50 pm

OT here, but wanted to say Hi to Janp...and tell her I LOVE her Maine Coone, have 2 that could
be the offspring of her sweet kitty...look just like the pic. Nice avatar. Still havent figured out how
to upload pics here on cpaptalk to share though. My maine's are shelter rescues, brother and sister,
and we love em to pieces!

roster · Post by **roster** » Mon May 11, 2009 7:06 pm

yorkiemum01 wrote:OT here, but wanted to say Hi to Janp...and tell her I LOVE her Maine Coone, have 2 that could
be the offspring of her sweet kitty...look just like the pic. Nice avatar. Still havent figured out how
to upload pics here on cpaptalk to share though. My maine's are shelter rescues, brother and sister,
and we love em to pieces!

Set up a free account at photobucket.com. Upload the photos to your account. Then use photobucket's image copy function and paste them in a cpaptalk post. Do it once or twice and it will then seem easy.

Hope to see you and some of your family Monday night.

Gerald · Post by **Gerald** » Mon May 11, 2009 7:39 pm

I can HIGHLY recommend the Aeiomed Headrest (Aura) mask....used with Lansenoh Lanolin....and 3M 2" Blue Delicate Release Painter's Tape available from Lowe's.

My AHI stays below 1.0 all the time......last night was a 0.0....and that's not unusual.

Mouth Taping means that the mustache would probably have to go.

The "trick" to this whole CPAP process is to eliminate mask and mouth leaks. Do that....and there's no way you'll fail.

Gerald

Tcamillemars · Post by **Tcamillemars** » Mon May 11, 2009 7:54 pm

During my first sleep study, the tech said I needed a full face mask because I was a mouth breather, so that's why my doctor (not a sleep doc) ordered. I suffered through a couple of different face masks for a while and decided it wasn't working. I made an appointment with another doctor who thought the first sleep study was inaccurate. The tech there was a respiratory therapist and she said everybody who can't get air is a mouth breather, and encouraged me to try a nasal mask or nasal pillows. I used a nasal mask for that study and then switched to a nasal mask. It was much better but still leaked. I switched to nasal pillows- yes, it made my nose sore the first few nights but once I toughened up it was worth it. I don't have a data compatible machine but I don't wake up any more and I'm dreaming again. I don't plan on changing to anything else unless I catch cold and can't breathe through my nose.

snoregirl · Post by **snoregirl** » Mon May 11, 2009 8:02 pm

I also started with a full face mask because I thought I was a mouth breather. With all that air blowing up your nose you man not be what you think you are. I started taping for well over a year since my mouth flopped open, but recently found I no longer need to do that. When I first started with the swift, I not only taped but wrapped an ace bandage around my head. It did the trick. I would have said at that point that anyone who said you could learn to keep the mouth shut was crazy, but here I am a couple years later with nothing but the swift and doing fine.

The lesson is try everything even if you think you can't.

Also, the nose toughens up amazingly quickly (a couple of nights to a week) and you don't have to worry about putting anything on your nose. Just need to stick it out.

anotherRandy · Post by **anotherRandy** » Mon May 11, 2009 8:08 pm

Give it a try. What do you have to lose? I am a Swift LT user and I tape and use polygrip strips. Most nights I get 0.00 leaks. The occasional leak numbers are usually countered with a tightening of the head straps.

I tried a Quattro for a week and it was pure hell. I swear that the Quattro was designed by Satan himself so he could watch its users suffer on earth!

roster · Post by **roster** » Mon May 11, 2009 8:27 pm

rushman007 wrote:............
The mask doesn't sit right. Once my pressure level hits 12 (after ramping) the air keeps pushing it too hard and creates leaks. The only way to sleep without leaks is to prop my head and shoulders up on 3 pillows and have my head tilted (uncomfortably) back. Forget sleeping on my side. The full mask is just a pain.

...........

Rushman,

For anyone who mouthbreathes or mouthleaks, here is the approach I recommend:

1. Try a full face mask.
-Make sure you have the proper size.
-Make sure you have it adjusted correctly.
-Read the manufacturer's instructions/watch the video over and over until you practically have them memorized.
-Place your machine on a safe perch in front of a mirror.
-Try the mask on with the machine running at the pressure you will use.
-Check for leaks and readjust if necessary.
-Move the head and neck around and continue to check for leaks.
-Pay attention to how the hose places torque on the mask.
-Adjust the mask and headgear according to the manufacturer's instructions.
-Remember, no mask should be adjusted tightly - this is a common mistake. Adjusting tightly often causes leaks. The masks are designed to be adjusted loosely.
-Pay close attention to hose management in the bed. Hose torque on the mask can cause problems. Have a well-studied technique for managing the hose that fits your sleeping habits and your mask.

2.If you cannot get the mask to work try a total of three or four different face masks. Run each through the same routine as above. It is not unusual to take a few weeks with a single mask before you get the hang of it.

3. Perseverance is critical. Learning to properly use and sleep with a full face mask is the best thing a mouthbreather/leaker can do for his life and health.

4. If you take the above steps over several weeks and just cannot get a FF mask to work, then try a nasal mask with some of the "last resort" techniques such as chin straps or mouthtaping.

5. Do make number 4 a last resort and always remember number 3, even if only to come back to it later.

6. Post questions and comments on the forum about your full face mask journey. There are many members here who are very successful with full face masks. There is a cult of mouthtapers and polident users who are enthusiastic about their techniques. But remember, they did not persevere with full face masks and are using a suboptimal therapy.

Good luck,

Rooster
A former cult taper

DaveG · Post by **DaveG** » Mon May 11, 2009 9:04 pm

I am new to the cpap lifestyle but I use nasal pillows and love them. I tried several different types at the sleep study and settled on the one I currently use. I too though I was a mouth breather but when you have pressure pumping into your nose it makes it pretty easy to breath through it.

Should I switch to nasal pillow?

Should I switch to nasal pillow?

Re: Should I switch to nasal pillow?

Re: Should I switch to nasal pillow?

Re: Should I switch to nasal pillow?

Re: Should I switch to nasal pillow?

Re: Should I switch to nasal pillow?

Re: Should I switch to nasal pillow?

Re: Should I switch to nasal pillow?

Re: Should I switch to nasal pillow?

Re: Should I switch to nasal pillow?

Re: Should I switch to nasal pillow?

Re: Should I switch to nasal pillow?

Re: Should I switch to nasal pillow?