Nasal pillow masks effect on your nose

I'm new to this stuff and been switching between full face and Swift 2 pillow masks. My question is do the pillow masks end up making your nose nostrils bigger so you end up eventually looking like a pig? I thought my nose looked bigger but maybe I'm imagining things whiling trying to make this stuff work. Also get higher leak ratings with the pillow but AHI are always less than 5. Can leak number be caused from my mouth openning up during the night? I use a chin strap but it still sometimes opens up.

river_terror wrote: Can leak number be caused from my mouth openning up during the night?

Absolutely.

Wondering if you have seen the effects of not breathing? tough choice?

. My question is do the pillow masks end up making your nose nostrils bigger so you end up eventually looking like a pig?

Given the popularity of this nasal cushions, there would be a lot more pigs running around....people would know us by our noses. Hasn't happened in my world yet.

Seriously, I doubt it...........it's just a little piece of flimsy, plastic.

Are you looking for reasons not to use your cpap? You won't find much support on this board.

Three years using nasal pillows every night and there is no noticeable effect on my nose.

Look at your nose in the evening, not after you get up.
O.

Rooster,
Your nose looks normal to me but your ears seem to be growing Besides, I would be more worried about the creases in my face and the dent in my forehead from a FFM. But it all beats the alternative

Don

Nasal pillow user for 11 years. No effect that I can see other than being alive and I probably wouldn't be if not for cpap and nasal pillows.


JeffH

When I started out, I wore a small Swift LT nasal pillow. I transitioned to a medium pillow but used Breathe Right strips to open up my nostrils so that it would fit. I can now wear a medium nasal pillow without needing the strips.

Thanks for all the responses. I don't have a choice but to get use to CPAP so I'm just trying to learn all I can to make the process easier. I think I've been tightening all the masks too tight as I ended up with a sore on the bridge of my nose with the full mask and sore nostrils with the pillow. Going to loosen things up a bit tonight and see what happens.

I use the OptiLife by Respironics- the first six months I had it, I could well identify with what you are saying. (Even worse when I tried using the large sized pillow). Plus I often felt I was not getting sufficient airflow, particularly as I settled in each night. I did add a strap that helped me feel the mask was more secure- but the airflow was still a problem.

So, I tried the cushion option and liked that much better-- didn't go into nostrils, but sat below them (and a bonus of feeling I was getting more air). I did that for several months and along the security of the added strap I was pretty happy.

However, I had wanted to play with the airflow on the pillows version- and it was about time to change pillows or cushions anyway, so took out the scissors and made the holes in the original pillows just a little larger-- but what a difference it made!

One more thing I discovered-- I started playing with how tight the original gear was--- and discovered that I had been using either option too tight and that has made a world of difference. (I have been thinking lately that I would like to switch between the pillows and cushions- just for the fun of it- and I am glad I have the flexibility of choices in the same headgear).

Bottom line: tightness has seemingly been the biggest culprit for me-- followed closely by stability of the headgear.
letworth

Close to six years of using nasal pillows every night.

No problem here, either.

I have been using a Swift Mirage mask since July of 2007, I seem to have better luck with it and no more sores on my forhead. My nose doesn't look any different.

rooster wrote:

I think you got some rude answers. Not sure why people have to behave like that.

I have noticed my once slender nostrils are bigger. WTH? I have been using the pillows since they came out. My answer is YES, it think it changes your nose. My next pillow will be the extra small. We will see how I do with that.

Have a nice day!

roster wrote:Three years using nasal pillows every night and there is no noticeable effect on my nose.

This cracked me up! Thanks. I needed a laugh today.

When I read the question, I went to examine my nose and I do think my nostrils are larger. I should have measured before I started treatment, but, didn't think of it. But, my nostrils were originally rather narrow. My nose rather narrow, so, this is not a negative for me. However, I hope it doesn't get out of control. Will it go back if I stop using a nasal pillow? Hmmm.......lots to consider. But, not really. I don't think that I would be comfortable with a full mask, so, that's not an option. Oh well, I'll hope for the best on this one. lol

river_terror wrote:Thanks for all the responses. I don't have a choice but to get use to CPAP so I'm just trying to learn all I can to make the process easier. I think I've been tightening all the masks too tight as I ended up with a sore on the bridge of my nose with the full mask and sore nostrils with the pillow. Going to loosen things up a bit tonight and see what happens.

I've found moleskin on the nasal pillows to help tremendously with leakage and allowing me to use it looser... as for the mouth leak... I had to switch to a hybrid mask personally. (now trying a full face.)