Confused About Fitting Nasal Pillows

I just got my Swift LT and am confused about how to fit the pillows. I watched the Swift FX video and it showed the pillows going into the nose to a certain extent. I have read here that they should just rest on the nose, but not be inside it. Also, I have read that they shouldn't balloon up your nose, but people talk about it making their nose bigger. I am confused about what size to use. I can get them to seal, but it feels like they are somewhat stuffed up my nose. I tried loosening the straps but then they leak. I tried different sizes. I definitely feel the airflow no matter what. Is this normal? So my question is, how do you fit your pillows? Thank you for all of your help! It is greatly appreciated!

I'm pretty new to nasal pillows myself, but I think that if you are getting a good seal with no leaks, then you have the correct size.

When they say that the pillow should not be up your nose, I think they mean the entire pillow. If you think of each pillow as a mushroom shape, the top part will go into the nostril just a bit, but the biggest (widest) part will rest on the outside (bottom) of your nose. That widest part of the pillow should not be inside your nose, if that make sense.

I'm sure others here will offer more advice...this forum is great in that way!

jbn2boys has got it right:

The pillows themselves are essentially cones attached to a "barrel" that is in turn attached to the short hose.

The tippy top narrow part of the top of each cone goes inside your nostril.

The wide part at the bottom of the cone rests against the outside of your nostril.

When people here on the forum warn that you don't stuff the pillows up your nose, they mean you don't put the whole cone into your nostril.

Watch the video to figure out the angle that the tip of the cone should be at when you've got the pillows placed against your nose.

Good luck.

I've used pillows for several years and I don't believe that they have enlarged my nose. I also think that if you place the mask on your face and then gently pull it away from your nose and lightly set it back down, it will seal and you will be set for the night. Don't push them into the nose to get a seal. I think most people that have problems with pillows are pushing them onto the nose to get a tight seal and that is not necessary. Good Luck and good sleeping.

On the LT, you can also flip the pillow so that the openings in the cones can either be in a / \ or \ / configuration. The pillow barrel can also pivot so you get just the right angle to attain a good seal. I've been using the LT for 4 months now and love it..... Good luck...hope it works well for you!!

Emilia, I really find the LT comfortable and think it is going to be the mask for me once I get situated with the pillows!

Thank you everyone for your responses, that definitely helped me understand how to do this.

Does the air pressure ever make anyone's sinuses hurt and is that a passing thing?

First and foremost for me it's essential to have an oil free nose. I am blessed with smooth non-wrinkled skin because it has a never-ending flow of oil. The oil keeps the nasal pillow from seating properly. A non-moisturizing cleanser on the end of the nose and blotting with a tissue just before putting on the nasal pillows will ensure a good seal.

My mask, the CL2, has many adjustments so that I can apply just the right pressure of the nasal pillows to the nares.

First, I breath into the pillows so that the machine starts airflow. Then I place the pillows on my nose. Lastly I make any adjustments to the mask needed so that there is a good seal. For me this means just the tip of the pillows are inside my nares and there is light enough pressure so the pillows puff out to create a seal outside the nares. Having the air on helps the pillows to puff out to ensure there are no leaks.

gasp wrote:First and foremost for me it's essential to have an oil free nose. I am blessed with smooth non-wrinkled skin because it has a never-ending flow of oil. The oil keeps the nasal pillow from seating properly. A non-moisturizing cleanser on the end of the nose and blotting with a tissue just before putting on the nasal pillows will ensure a good seal.

My mask, the CL2, has many adjustments so that I can apply just the right pressure of the nasal pillows to the nares.

First, I breath into the pillows so that the machine starts airflow. Then I place the pillows on my nose. Lastly I make any adjustments to the mask needed so that there is a good seal. For me this means just the tip of the pillows are inside my nares and there is light enough pressure so the pillows puff out to create a seal outside the nares. Having the air on helps the pillows to puff out to ensure there are no leaks.

I envy the fact that the pillows fit you that way. I tried the medium and they go all the way in my nose to seal; the large are way too large. I have a thin nose with slotted nares, so they are hard to fit with pillows. Thank you though, I am going to retry this with all sizes.

Maybe this will help: http://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/swift- ... ing-guide/

It's for the Swift FX, but the same idea applies. Hold the pillows up to your nose (headgear off) and turn on the machine.

The most important thing is that you fit the pillows with the machine ON so that they are fully inflated. That will help you figure out what size pillows you need and how loose or tight they need to be. It will also help you figure out the best angle for the pillows.

Let us know how this works for you.

KimberlyM wrote: Does the air pressure ever make anyone's sinuses hurt and is that a passing thing?

You might experience some soreness the first few days but it should pass. Some folks use a nasal pillow for a few hours the first few nights, swap to other mask. Then eventually keep nasal pillow full time.

Janknitz wrote:Maybe this will help: http://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/swift- ... ing-guide/

It's for the Swift FX, but the same idea applies. Hold the pillows up to your nose (headgear off) and turn on the machine.

The most important thing is that you fit the pillows with the machine ON so that they are fully inflated. That will help you figure out what size pillows you need and how loose or tight they need to be. It will also help you figure out the best angle for the pillows.

Let us know how this works for you.

Thank you! I refitted the whole mask with the medium pillows. I angled them up to accommodate the narrow nares and they fit! I took a nap and crashed hard, didn't even want to get up to make dinner for the family.

Thank you everyone, for all of your wonderful advice!

dtsm wrote:

KimberlyM wrote: Does the air pressure ever make anyone's sinuses hurt and is that a passing thing?

You might experience some soreness the first few days but it should pass. Some folks use a nasal pillow for a few hours the first few nights, swap to other mask. Then eventually keep nasal pillow full time.

Thank you, I will try using the FX LT for just a few hours tonight. I did notice sinus pain after napping today. It is good to hear it should pass. I am so happy to find such a comfortable mask!

Nipple grease is the key...

KimberlyM wrote:

gasp wrote:First and foremost for me it's essential to have an oil free nose. I am blessed with smooth non-wrinkled skin because it has a never-ending flow of oil. The oil keeps the nasal pillow from seating properly. A non-moisturizing cleanser on the end of the nose and blotting with a tissue just before putting on the nasal pillows will ensure a good seal.

My mask, the CL2, has many adjustments so that I can apply just the right pressure of the nasal pillows to the nares.

First, I breath into the pillows so that the machine starts airflow. Then I place the pillows on my nose. Lastly I make any adjustments to the mask needed so that there is a good seal. For me this means just the tip of the pillows are inside my nares and there is light enough pressure so the pillows puff out to create a seal outside the nares. Having the air on helps the pillows to puff out to ensure there are no leaks.

I envy the fact that the pillows fit you that way. I tried the medium and they go all the way in my nose to seal; the large are way too large. I have a thin nose with slotted nares, so they are hard to fit with pillows. Thank you though, I am going to retry this with all sizes.

I went to CPAP.com and looked at the Swift LT. I think it may be that the mask doesn't have (from what I can see) a way to adjust the angle of the pillows. The ComfortLite 2 (CL2) can adjust both closer and farther away from the face as well as up toward the nose and down away from the nose. My pillows also have a metal brace that allows me to slightly change the shape of the pillows. I'm uncertain if the Swift LT can do all that. It could be that you don't have enough options to achieve the correct pressure of the nasal pillows against your nares. Also, the flexibility of your pillows may differ.

Here is a link to my mask that has pictures of the pillows you can click on and get a close up picture to see if they are designed the same as yours. https://www.cpap.com/productpage/Comfor ... gwod-ySOng

I don't like a mask to touch my face and like the way the CL2 mask only touches my scalp/hair and of course the pillows.

I hope you find your perfect mask : ) I tried quite a few before finally trying what I thought was a very unattractive CL2. Now I totally love it.

LinkC wrote:Nipple grease is the key...

I did buy that and it definitely helps keep the seal. Thanks!