Nasal Pillow Convert

Perrybucsdad wrote:

Janknitz wrote: Or you can try my trick--sleep on your side with a small pillow tucked under your chin to support it in the closed position.

What type of pillow do you use? I tried this last night but with a full size pillow and it really helped but was awkward since the pillow was really big.

Update on Day 2 with Nasal Pillows... HELL YEA!! AHI of 1.3!!! Woot-Woot!! I love it!! I had some rain-out last night though which was puzzling since I have the ClimateLine. I'll try increasing the temp of the line tonight to see if that helps. I only had it set to 72F, so maybe that isn't warm enough to keep the moisture from condensing in that short amount of pig tail tubing.

John

I use a climateline and had some rainout with Swift LT nasal pillows. You can buy a snuggle hose to fit the short portion of the hose, from the mask to the climateline. Or you can also take an old sock, cut the toe portion off and put it over that exposed tubing. I secured mine using Twist Ties, those that are used on bread bags, just make sure you don't coverup and exhaust vents.

Good luck and it sounds like you've found a winner!

Update on the rainout... I increased the hose temp to 82F and all rainout issued seem to have resolved. Humidity is set to 4.5.

Also, switched from the small to the med pillows last night to see if they were more comfortable. No issues so I will try them again tonight. The small pillows were okay, but I had to keep readjusting them to make them feel right. I'm thinking they were entering the nose hole (sorry for the medical jargon) too deeply, so that is why I tried the med.

AHI was 1.4 this AM... very nice to see it that low consistently and no leaks. Once I figure out the pillow situation, I'm going to see if I can reduce the pressure. I'm debating if I should take it out of CPAP mode and put it to APAP. Current pressure setting is 16cm. My thinking is with APAP, maybe go with a range of 10 - 17cm and see what happens. I personally don't like the pressure changes in APAP, but it works nicely in finding that zone and then I can switch to CPAP once I figure out the right pressure.

John

Perrybucsdad wrote: I'm thinking they were entering the nose hole (sorry for the medical jargon)

Since you're a Pillow convert you should know the terminology.

Nostril or nares will do...
J

never heard of nares before... kinda like nose hole a little better though.

One change at a time Perry, one change at a time.

Lizistired wrote:One change at a time Perry, one change at a time.

Are you hinting I'm a wee bit impatient Liz?

Perrybucsdad wrote: Are you hinting I'm a wee bit impatient Liz?

I almost bit my finger tips so I wouldn't say what Liz said. I was content to sit here laughing when you starting talking about changing things again. Still am, I figure you are a lot like me and are just going to do what you want anyway. Sometimes some of us just like to keep pushing the envelope as much as we can.

What type of pillow do you use? I tried this last night but with a full size pillow and it really helped but was awkward since the pillow was really big.

I think you answered your own question. If that pillow was too awkward, find a smaller one!

Perrybucsdad wrote: The S9 has a setting in the menu for the mask type (FFM, Nasal, and some other Nasal). I believe this only comes into play with leak detection as someone else suggested on the site. Maybe when I'm bored I'll go between nasal and FFM and see if there is any pressure difference, but I wouldn't think so as 10cm pressure should be 10cm pressure regardless of mask.

John,

I'm really glad the nasal pillows are working for you!! Regarding the setting on the S9 for the mask type, are you using the one called "Pillows?" It wasn't clear to me from what you posted above. It is the first setting all the way turning the knob to the left. There is Pillows, then Full Face, then Nasal, then Nasal Ultra.

Keep us posted!


Randy

I don't believe I saw "pillows" but I will double check Randy.

Well, I did have it set to just Nasal and now fixed it to Pillows. At looking at the ResMed Chartthat Randy sent me, I think this would have caused it to over report my leaks a tad. I've fixed it, but haven't had a chance to review my data yet.

On a side note, I'm noticing that the aerophagia has not been as bad on the nasal pillows. I'm sure my wife in happy that I'm no longer farting the Starts and Stripes Forever in the morning now.

John