Just received P10 nasal pillows...

[JMB73]

I'm just starting CPAP. My Resmed airsense 10 machine should arrive at end of the week. Today I received my mask in the mail, the Resmed P10. It's really light, no question, which is great. But I'm having the same problem that I had with the nose cannula thing I used during my sleep test: it seems anything (plastic?) I stick even only a little in my nose (even this pillow thing, which just rests against the nostril) makes it react, like an allergy; feels like the inner lining of my nostrils swells a little in reaction (strange sensation, hard to describe, but my sinuses definitely don't like it). I put these things on my nose for maybe 1 minute and I am still feeling the reaction an hour later. I have no known allergies, but I am sensitive to smells, and we are talking all plastic here (all the mask types), and the inside of the nose is very delicate in many ways. Has anyone else experienced this kind of thing?

I am already despairing that CPAP won't work for me, and it's simply from just trying on the mask! I honestly don't have it in me to try a bunch of different masks with all the headgear...the leaks, the returns, hoping refunds come through...I'm just too exhausted. I'll "give it time," but I'm not hopeful. Unless someone else has experienced this and found a solution or found that it got better over time...?

[Pugsy]

Wash the nasal pillows in really hot soapy water....rinse well....maybe even soak in diluted vinegar solution if you are okay with vinegar then rinse. Let them air dry for a full day....and then try putting them on again and see if you react to them.

Consider the barrel cozy as a barrier.
https://www.padacheek.com/barrel-cozies-1

Consider using Lansinoh lanolin ointment/cream as a barrier.

You might want to consider the Bleep/DreamPort nasal mask....no silicone touching your skin...but there is adhesive that needs to touch the skin. See my review here on page one of the forum fairly near the top of the main page.
I have a sample of the tape/adhesive I would be happy to send you so you can stick it on your nose and see if you have a problem with it.

[JMB73]

Wash the nasal pillows in really hot soapy water....rinse well....maybe even soak in diluted vinegar solution if you are okay with vinegar then rinse. Let them air dry for a full day....and then try putting them on again and see if you react to them.

Consider the barrel cozy as a barrier.
https://www.padacheek.com/barrel-cozies-1

Consider using Lansinoh lanolin ointment/cream as a barrier.

You might want to consider the Bleep/DreamPort nasal mask....no silicone touching your skin...but there is adhesive that needs to touch the skin. See my review here on page one of the forum fairly near the top of the main page.
I have a sample of the tape/adhesive I would be happy to send you so you can stick it on your nose and see if you have a problem with it.

Thank you for the suggestions. I will try washing and then soaking in vinegar. Easy enough to try. The crappy thing is that the mask feels pretty comfortable, and has about as many straps as I think I could deal with (which is why those crazy elaborate strap systems on those nasal masks...I just can't bring myself to do it. I know that's terrible, but I just think it's true). My feeling at this point is that if I can't make this work with this mask, which, again feels really comfortable so far, than this probably just won't work out for me (I suspect that the (even extremely slight) plastic smell of a nasal mask would produce the same problem). I know that sounds like a bad attitude, but with mild apnea, I just don't know if putting myself through all this is worth it, especially since I have a feeling I will not be able to get used to the air blowing into me. But one step at a time. I'll try washing and vinegar-ing, and see what that does. Thanks.

[Pugsy]

I know people who routinely let their masks "air out" for several days to out gas things so they can tolerate the odors.
Doesn't matter what kind of mask....nasal or full face or pillows. They wash and then let the mask air out for several days then it is no longer a problem. Worth trying for sure.

[Thumper68]

As Pugsy stated, you may like the Bleep mask. Also how do you feel about the nasal cushion mask, such as the Respronics Dreamwear or the Resmed N30i? They don't touch inside of the nostril at all, just rest under it.

[JMB73]

As Pugsy stated, you may like the Bleep mask. Also how do you feel about the nasal cushion mask, such as the Respronics Dreamwear or the Resmed N30i? They don't touch inside of the nostril at all, just rest under it.

At this point, I think I'll be stuck with the P10, because I'll only have a couple of weeks to try it out before the 30 day return window closes (cpap.com). I suppose after that I could try other masks (though not the bleep, since they don't carry it), and by then have a feeling for whether I like them better than the P10, and could make sure to return them and get a refund. I feel bad about that, but they offer it, so I may as well take advantage of it. So, anyway, that's my plan as of now.

Thank you for all your help so far, everyone. It is deeply appreciated.

[Pugsy]

The Bleep isn't available yet anywhere so you have plenty of time to see if the P10 can be made to work for you.
I mentioned it for something to consider down the road.
Right now it is pre order status everywhere. Hopefully to be shipped the first week of March.

I have asked the powers at cpap.com if they plan to offer it but I haven't received an answer.

[realshelby]

Thank you for the suggestions. I will try washing and then soaking in vinegar. Easy enough to try. The crappy thing is that the mask feels pretty comfortable, and has about as many straps as I think I could deal with (which is why those crazy elaborate strap systems on those nasal masks...I just can't bring myself to do it. I know that's terrible, but I just think it's true). My feeling at this point is that if I can't make this work with this mask, which, again feels really comfortable so far, than this probably just won't work out for me (I suspect that the (even extremely slight) plastic smell of a nasal mask would produce the same problem). I know that sounds like a bad attitude, but with mild apnea, I just don't know if putting myself through all this is worth it, especially since I have a feeling I will not be able to get used to the air blowing into me. But one step at a time. I'll try washing and vinegar-ing, and see what that does. Thanks.

Yes, you might feel self conscious about a mask on your face. I certainly did, and I am not what you would call a "vain" person. The large full face would be the most obvious to cause that. So you are not alone in thinking that way. I promise it will be less of a problem as other things are dealt with too. The P10 you have is an excellent mask, with a low effect on how intrusive it feels.

Pugsy knows an awful lot about how masks effect their users. By all means try a little of the lanolin she suggests. It does not have to be that brand, it is available at most grocery, walmarts, and pharmacies. But the washing process might just be enough. Using the mask without the lanolin usually makes it seal better, but use it if it helps get you going.

The main reason I replied is this: If you can get yourself going with using the machine, putting up with the learning curve, you just might find that the difference it makes is more than worth the problems you will have to deal with! I fought the whole process until I actually got to use the machine. After one night the difference was obvious. And worth whatever it takes to keep it that way!

[JMB73]

The main reason I replied is this: If you can get yourself going with using the machine, putting up with the learning curve, you just might find that the difference it makes is more than worth the problems you will have to deal with! I fought the whole process until I actually got to use the machine. After one night the difference was obvious. And worth whatever it takes to keep it that way!

Thanks for the supportive reply! And, yes, I have been telling myself that this entire time, pushing myself to keep moving forward with this. So, yeah, that's the hope. Then again, my arousals may not even be caused by disordered breathing events. I'm not at all convinced that that is the case with me. But I figure that it comes down to trying CPAP, and if it works, then great, if not, then not. But I can't know if I don't try.

[JMB73]

So, I washed and rinsed yesterday afternoon, and this morning there are still moisture droplets inside the tube (which I was concerned about). How do you dry the inside of the tube? What am I missing/did I do wrong?....

[Okie bipap]

Nothing to worry about. Just shake it out. The next time you wash it, hang it up so it will drain while it dries.

[Dog Slobber]

So, I washed and rinsed yesterday afternoon, and this morning there are still moisture droplets inside the tube (which I was concerned about). How do you dry the inside of the tube? What am I missing/did I do wrong?....

I wash mine in the morning.

I spin mine like a lasso, then throw it on the CPAP with the newly washed humidifier tank. I then put it on mask fit. Come bed time, haven't noticed any water.

[palerider]

So, I washed and rinsed yesterday afternoon, and this morning there are still moisture droplets inside the tube (which I was concerned about). How do you dry the inside of the tube? What am I missing/did I do wrong?....

Given that some water may condense on the inside of the tube in normal use... why be concerned?

[Muse-Inc]

...let their masks "air out" for several days to out gas things so they can tolerate the odors.
Doesn't matter what kind of mask....nasal or full face or pillows. They wash and then let the mask air out for several days then it is no longer a problem. Worth trying for sure.

When I get new stuff, I unpack and let sit overnight. Then I soak (using a little Dawn) for at least 2 hours, then spray with full-strength white vinegar and let sit for 1-2 minutes, rinse really well and air dry. If I still smell vinegar, I soak in plain water for 5-10 minutes, then air dry again.

[JMB73]

UPDATE: After washing and airing out, after a few days the smell has dissipated. Thank you to everyone for their suggestions.