help I'm getting gorilla nostrils

writes4me · Post by **writes4me** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 1:02 am

I've been using a nasal prong mask and I have found that the small is too small and the medium is maybe too big.

Worse, because the nasal prongs wiggle around when I move, they often come out of my nose and start blowing on my face. To keep this from happening I tighten up the harness and then I get Gorilla Nostrils!

I'm not kidding ya'll. The tubes have literally gone up my nose! I'm seriously afraid I'm going to have huge nostrils if this keeps up. The prongs stretch my nose open and/or go up my nose.

I don't know what to do about this. I have less trouble with the nasal prong mask though than I did with the other type of masks because I am constantly on the move in bed. I haven't had A SINGLE NIGHT where I sleep soundly throughout the entire night. I am constantly waking up, adjusting my mask and going back to sleep.

Are there better nasal prongs? Is there something I can do to help keep from having the prongs go inside my nose and help them not yank my nostrils open. The tip of my nose hurts terribly from being forced up.

( I tried rubber bands last night to hold the prongs a little closer together but that ended up being more painful. I'd love to see more homemade solutions.)

Thanks ya'll.

writes4me · Post by **writes4me** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 1:53 am

I wanted to add that after reading some posts that some suggested going up a size to cure the leak problem. I tried that as well. But the large nostril prongs were so big I couldn't even get them in my nostrils.

Rested Gal, can you tell me are there any fixes for the Opus? I read all about Aura and about the Swift but there isn't anything on the Opus 360. Is that because I've got a dud of a mask?

I don't think they will let me take this back because I've been fighting it for 2 months now.

Any suggestions? Please?

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 9:08 am

Are you routig the hose above your head? It need some slack to let you move around - not too much. but not too little either.

Momadams reported on some Opus lab ratting recently - and with a great picture too -- take a look.

O.

sleepycarol · Post by **sleepycarol** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 10:24 am

From what I know about the Opus it is a nasal pillow mask which sets just inside your nares.

A nasal prong mask is different in that the prongs are actually inserted into your nostrils.

It sounds as though you are trying to make the Opus pillows go up into your nostrils instead of setting just inside the opening.

If you go to cpap.com you can see the differences in the nasal pillow masks and the nasal prong masks.

You do NOT want the pillows to go clear into the nostril.

Try loosening the headgear some. Turn your machine on with your mask on and then adjust it by moving it away from your nose slightly and adjust it against your nares.

Some Ayr gel or lanolin will help the pillows seal better for many so you might try that.

Hopefully someone else will jump in and give you better advice.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 10:31 am

I echo what SleepyCarol said.

One thing I discovered was that nasal pillows are just too leaky and uncomfortable for me. I switched to true prongs with the Nasal Aire II and find them much more comfortable. It seems counterintuitive, but it works for me.

It's not the Holy Grail, and I still have bad nights when I leak and shift, but not nearly as much as with pillows.

Good luck!
Babs

RosemaryB · Post by **RosemaryB** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 12:07 pm

I echo what SleepyCarol said.

In addition, you may want to try to find a mask that you can stabilize when you move. The tights (pantyhose type) solution seems to be best for many people. That means finding a mask that works best for you and then stabilizing it via extra straps made from tights' legs. Routing the hose can be important too. I tried a variety of masks but the best one for me for stability has been the Headrest/Aura stabilized with pantyhose straps with the headgear removed. The NA II is my second choice. Again, stabilizing those pillows/prongs so they don't get pulled away while sleeping is important.

sleepycarol · Post by **sleepycarol** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 12:21 pm

Here is a link to some modifications that users have made. You will need to scroll down to find the Opus modifications.

viewtopic/t15104/LINKS-to-Lab-Rat-Trophy-awards.html

Good luck.

neverbetter · Post by **neverbetter** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 12:59 pm

I tend to agree with Bab's. if you go with a prong , go with the gold standard. Nasal Aire II is a fantastic mask.

Hurricane · Post by **Hurricane** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 3:09 pm

Its a costly process of finding the right mask for each personal requirement, the sad part is it is what it is, after you have tried different solutions for say a month, or whatever you can endure, drop that mask and try another brand or size, there is a mask build just for your needs, one shouldn't have to spend a half a hour securing this , bending that, this should be a comfortable part of your life, not an endurance test, like the time I went to Ireland looking for the bad pint of Guinness and never found.
Ed

kteague · Post by **kteague** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 10:15 pm

Hi. If your pillows are jammed up your nose, you either have the wrong size or are wearing them wrong. Early on I used the Breeze and used small pillows with the first rim crammed up in my nose and the upward pull made the tip on my nose sore. Going to a larger size pillow and allowing the first rim to just rest against my nose, and an extra strap to stabilize the mask eliminated the pull upward and minimized leaks.

Have to say that my Headrest (Aura) rarely wakes me from shifting, and has never registered a large leak on the software. It's pillows rest gently against my nose, and I reinforce it with gentle pressure from a pantyhose tights strap around the nosepiece and tied in back. With the vent placed much higher, I don't have to be concerned with the strap covering the vent. I've been at this almost 2 years - nose still has narrow slots. Shucks, I've always wanted a little flare to my nostrils.

RosemaryB · Post by **RosemaryB** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 10:54 pm

I love, love, love the Headrest/Aura! It doesn't make my nose sore at all. It took a lot of tries at other masks to get to it. Why? I was afraid to do modifications at first and it seemed confusing. I did well at first with the Swift right out of the box, so I was lucky.

Is there any chance that you could find a mask-fitting clinic at a nearby hospital with a sleep lab? I had to call around to 5 or 6 but did find two places that they did this. It sounds like you need a real expert to help you with fit. You may still end up with a different mask (no lab I found had the Headrest) but at least you will know what to look for.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 1:34 pm

neverbetter wrote:I tend to agree with Bab's. if you go with a prong , go with the gold standard. Nasal Aire II is a fantastic mask.

Allow me to echo that as well

Sleepdeprived

help I'm getting gorilla nostrils

help I'm getting gorilla nostrils

Nasal pillows masks