ResMed P30i user review

[garlford]

Time for an update! While I had used the P30i continuously with the exception of going back to the Dreamwear nasal cushion and the P10 for a couple nights each to "test" for leaks, I have an update worth reporting.

One of my complaints about the original N30i was the headgear seemed too stretchy. Especially after wearing it for a few hours it seemed to take on body heat and get even softer. When the P30i version came out I immediately ordered the medium pillows nose piece replacement part. These are interchangeable with the N30i headgear. The P30i simply seals better, like the P10 the pillows are good at staying put even when laying on your side on a pillow. But even with the headgear tightened more than I wanted, up to the point it was actually putting too much pressure on my nostrils, I was getting more leaks than I wanted. Compared to other masks I have used. I think even small leaks effect my AHI score, and I know for sure if they wake you that screws the real world score all up! The problem seemed to be the angle the pillows were held in by the headgear.

I ordered another P30i in SMALL! I wanted to try the other sizes of pillows, just in case that would help if the small headgear did not. Getting the kit was nearly as cheap as that would have been. Well, the medium pillow size is still what works best for me. BUT....the small headgear has been a revelation! I don't have a small head. I wear medium to large in motorcycle helmets and hats. The small size headgear still sits well below my eyes when in place, actually more similar to the P10. No downside to fit with the small headgear. What using the small size has done is brought the headgear a bit more forward toward my forehead. That has changed the angle the pillows sit and made a LOT of difference in how they fit. Now I can have a relaxed fit that is quite comfy and seals with no leakage ( Resmed data screen ) and almost nothing on Sleepyhead. Even more secure when burying my head into a pillow!

Not saying you should order the small headgear. But I took a chance and tried it. Results exceeded what I hoped for.

Now I have a mask with everything good about the P10. And less of the bad. I don't know if I would go back to a front mounted hose again. Top mount hoses allow me to forget about the hose. About the only time I wake due to this mask is the occasional time the top hose vent blows on a pillow. Not often. I have on several occasions slept a full night and never had to adjust the mask, hear or feel a leak, or get a sensation the mask isn't flowing well. This is the only mask I can say that about.

Thanks for this idea! I,too, was having problems with the fit on the standard size. The top where the elbow is, was too loose and would flop around when I roll from side to side. The only way to stabilize it was to pull the back strap way tight which is hard on the nose. Yesterday was the 6 month mask replacement time and I got the P30i with the small frame. I had a very good night with it last night. Fits much better. I'm also a guy who thought he had a large head so the small frame was counter intuitive. But it does indeed fit better. Guess I must have a head like a Neanderthal.

[realshelby]

Glad it helped! I too would never have ordered the small frame....based on what I thought I would need and reading the info on the purchase sites. Two things got me to thinking about trying the small frame. Mainly the angle the pillows were at when in position just felt a bit wrong. I based that on using the P10 for quite some time ( still my travel cpap mask!). Second was that I was pulling the strap end well past where they divide to get them to seal up better. That in itself isn't a problem, but now I realize it was making up for a frame that was a bit too large in my case.

Yes, it mashes my hair down. But I am proud to still have hair all the way to my forehead, so that makes it a good problem! It does leave slight marks on my cheeks, like every other mask I have used. But they go away and are/were never an issue with me. The covers that are on the mask might actually allow less marking. I may try it without them and see how it goes.

[garlford]

I had the same issue with the strap on the standard frame - fastening the ends well into the split part. I was using the P10 until I had several events with re-breathing CO2 with the P10 with a plugged vent, so I gave up on the P10. What I really like is the P30i has the vent diffuser built into the pillows rather than the frame so with Medicare, I can replace the vent diffuser every 2 weeks along with the pillows. Plus it has the additional vent on the elbow.

[elizabeth25]

I've used a P10 since I started, and liked it well enough except for how much it slid around in the back. I have a lot of hair, but not long enough to put in a ponytail and keep the bottom strap down. I tried the P30i because I had to have Mohs/plastic surgery just below my eye and I thought the P10 would put too much pressure in that area. It turns out I like the P30i much better. Because it's a little "sticky" it doesn't slid around in my hair. Leak rate is practically zero. I was afraid I was going to here whooshing noise of the air through the side pieces but I do not hear a thing. I love not waking up in the middle of the night with the hose around my neck. In all ways I've been pleasantly surprised.
E25

[Lucyhere]

I've used a P10 since I started, and liked it well enough except for how much it slid around in the back. I have a lot of hair, but not long enough to put in a ponytail and keep the bottom strap down. I tried the P30i because I had to have Mohs/plastic surgery just below my eye and I thought the P10 would put too much pressure in that area. It turns out I like the P30i much better. Because it's a little "sticky" it doesn't slid around in my hair. Leak rate is practically zero. I was afraid I was going to here whooshing noise of the air through the side pieces but I do not hear a thing. I love not waking up in the middle of the night with the hose around my neck. In all ways I've been pleasantly surprised.
E25

+1

I feel the same way about the P30i. Very surprised how much I like it.

[realshelby]

I had the same issue with the strap on the standard frame - fastening the ends well into the split part.

Since we both noticed this, and both went to the smaller frame with a very positive result, I think this might be something others can use to judge by. If your P30i strap ends are well into the divided part of the headband, and you are still having some issues with fit/comfort/leakage, you might find the small frame a better fit. Certainly not a scientific study to prove anything. But I am SURE glad I tried the small frame!

[ChrisN]

I switched to the p30i about 3 weeks ago, really like it.

Wondering what kind of life other users are getting from the nasal pillows before switching them out?

I switched from a p10 and got probably around 6 months, maybe longer from a pair. Hoping the p30i pillows last as long.

Did anyone ever respond to this question? I'm using the p30i and had used the pillows for almost three months, washing it out every other day. Apria indicates that I can get insurance coverage for a new one every two weeks. That seems excessive, but is there a problem I'm missing here? Thanks.

P.S. Still having trouble keeping the headgear strap from sliding up to the top of my head; anyone find a solution? I found the small frame to be too close to my eyes and have stayed with the standard frame.

[jimbud]

P.S. Still having trouble keeping the headgear strap from sliding up to the top of my head; anyone find a solution? I found the small frame to be too close to my eyes and have stayed with the standard frame.

Some people have had success wrapping self adherent bandage wrap around the strap.
It may or may not work if you have long hair.

I seem to remember Pad A Cheek having a possible solution also.

JPB

[Dog Slobber]

I switched to the p30i about 3 weeks ago, really like it.

Wondering what kind of life other users are getting from the nasal pillows before switching them out?

I switched from a p10 and got probably around 6 months, maybe longer from a pair. Hoping the p30i pillows last as long.

Did anyone ever respond to this question? I'm using the p30i and had used the pillows for almost three months, washing it out every other day. Apria indicates that I can get insurance coverage for a new one every two weeks. That seems excessive, but is there a problem I'm missing here? Thanks.

P.S. Still having trouble keeping the headgear strap from sliding up to the top of my head; anyone find a solution? I found the small frame to be too close to my eyes and have stayed with the standard frame.

I didn't get much response about how long the P30i Pillows were lasting.

I'm still on my first pair, so that's 3.5 months and still going. I don't wash them regularly, wipe them down in the morning with a baby wipe.

A few weeks ago they were pretty leaky for a couple nights, so I washed them in Dawn and hot water and they've been good since.

Apria indicates that I can get insurance coverage for a new one every two weeks. That seems excessive, but is there a problem I'm missing here?

It is excessive. DME's want you to replace items as soon as insurance will pay for another set. This practice is predatory, wasteful, poor for the environment, and inflates prices.

Get a pair or two as spares, but continue using your existing pair until it actually wears out.

[zorki1c]

I've been using the P30i for a month and will be going back to the P10.
It's very comfortable and flexible, the pillows seal well when everything is set properly.
Unfortunately, since I have a slightly larger than average head, the back strap slides up the back of my head as I sleep and the pillows and frame come loose. I wake up several times at night to pull the strap back down into place.
Sadly, it is no a one-size-fits-all mask and ResMed seems to have addressed people with smaller heads but not larger ones.

I have pretty much the same problem with the n30i and p30i. It’s hard to beat the P10 although I wish the straps were adjustable. I have eight P10 hose assemblies but only two usable straps. Need to get another strap from my DME

[Becca8104]

I use both the N30i & P30i, small frame, small cushions. The small frame is perfect for me as well. Both cushions are comfortable. I have no problem with the hard plastic on the nasal cushion. I have until January to decide which cushion I want my DME to order for insurance to pay for. I will continue to purchase the other cushion out of pocket as needed. In October, I had my DME order the N30i and I bought the pillow cushion from CPAP.com. I may switch to the P30i in January. I just can't decide which one I prefer.

[Dog Slobber]

I've been using the P30i for a month and will be going back to the P10.
It's very comfortable and flexible, the pillows seal well when everything is set properly.
Unfortunately, since I have a slightly larger than average head, the back strap slides up the back of my head as I sleep and the pillows and frame come loose. I wake up several times at night to pull the strap back down into place.
Sadly, it is no a one-size-fits-all mask and ResMed seems to have addressed people with smaller heads but not larger ones.

I have pretty much the same problem with the n30i and p30i. It’s hard to beat the P10 although I wish the straps were adjustable. I have eight P10 hose assemblies but only two usable straps. Need to get another strap from my DME

Get the strap from the new N30.

Members have reported it fits perfectly on the P10, but is adjustable.

Haven't actually switched the headgear from the P10 to the N30 or vice-versa, but visually they look interchangable. The clips for the headgear are a little different shape, but they operate the same.

Update: switched the N30 headgear onto the P10 this morning. Perfect!

[Becca8104]

I have decided to stick with the N30i only & ditch the P30i. I do not have leaks with the N30i. The P30i leaks sometimes & also irritates my nostrils at times. Of the two cushions, the Nasal cushions are a better fit than the pillow cushions. (for the unenlightened: N30i/P30i use the same frame & headgear, just different cushions). I have let my DME know I am sticking with the N30i until the F30i gets invented. I am assuming Resmed would want to develop a Full Face version. The F30 was the best Full Face mask I have ever tried, no leaks, no need for liners, no chin strap, but I didn't like the hose placement. I am a hosehead. Can't deal with Hosenose.

[Pugsy]

I just got my hands on the P30i yesterday.
Not sure I am even going to try to sleep with it unless someone can tell me how to get rid of the Darth Vadar breathing sounds I am getting. Annoying as hell. I don't remember having them with the DreamWear.
I guess I am too spoiled with the no Darth Vadar sounds from either the P10 or the Bleep.

[realshelby]

The P30i does make some airflow noise. More noticeable because it is so quiet as far as venting. When you first put it on, you tend to be breathing deeper. Once settled down, and when in sleep, I don't notice any noise.

Did you get the standard or small frame?