Help-CL2-left nostril popping out during night

stoverquill · Post by **stoverquill** » Wed Jan 03, 2007 8:52 am

Love my CL2 but recently (last 3 nights) the left nasal thingy has been popping out of my nose. Only the left side- isn't that weird!! What to do?

muld00n · Post by **muld00n** » Wed Jan 03, 2007 8:54 am

Love my CL2 but recently (last 3 nights) the left nasal thingy has been popping out of my nose. Only the left side- isn't that weird!! What to do?

Are you using the Nasal Prongs or the Nasal Pillows?

stoverquill · Post by **stoverquill** » Wed Jan 03, 2007 9:07 am

I am using the Comfort Lite 2 with Nasal Pillow

muld00n · Post by **muld00n** » Wed Jan 03, 2007 9:27 am

I am using the Comfort Lite 2 with Nasal Pillow

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Philippians 4:13

Amen.

Back to your question. My DME had the 2 confused and gave me the Nasal Prongs which seal just inside the nostrils instead of the Nasal Pillows which seal on the outside of the nostrils. With the prongs, I was constantly breaking the seal during the night and pushing the prong back into the nostril, sometimes to a painful extent. I did some research and found that the CL did actually have the Nasal Pillows (more like the Swift and Breeze interface) that actually seals on the outside. I made the switch and have had much better results ever since.

Since you are using the Nasal Pillow, I would suggest trying a different size ( the largest one that is still comfortable). The reason I say largest, is to keep the seal on the outside of the nostril AND you get the additional benefit of having a larger exhale port which will make breathing out much easier.

Hope this helps.
Steve

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Wed Jan 03, 2007 10:09 am

My understanding from the description at cpap.com is that the nasal seals fit against the nares to seal and the nasal pillows fit somewhat into the nares to seal. With that understanding I've used the pillows but not the seals. However, if you take a good look at your pillows or seals there is a thin metal belt that runs under the base of the pillows or seals. That metal band can be "reshaped" and my guess would be that maybe you have accidentally changed its shape. You can squeeze the pillows closer together or farther apart to a degree to better fit your nostrils by bending this metal band. You may have accidentally bent it out of its prior "shape".

Also go up to the top of the vertical piece where the blue thig-a-ma-bobs' "teeth" fit into the clear plastic thig-a-ma-bobs' slots. Sometimes they are not in the same equal slot which can skewer the fit slightly to one side or the other. There is a "fix" that someone (I think maybe OldGearHead) has come up w/using garbage bag ties to prevent this from happening. Somewhere here in the forum there is an actual picture of this "fix".

Then too, there is the matter of how long you have had this particular set of pillows or seals. How often you wash them and what you use to wash them. The material they are made of may be too "aged" by now and lost some of its "elasticity" or spring when it fills from the air pressure.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Jan 03, 2007 5:10 pm

A couple more things you can do......Find some posts by "Oldgearhead" where he describes "adjusting" his CL-2 using garbage can ties. I use his method......excellent. Also, pick up some lanolin for nursing mothers at the drug store. Lube your nares....for a good feel....and a good seal.

Gerald

stoverquill · Post by **stoverquill** » Thu Jan 04, 2007 7:12 am

Thanks for your replies!

My mask is only about 8 weeks so it's not too old. I clean it every day (yes, I know ) with Ivory dish liquid and every third day soak for 10 min in 3:1 water and vinegar. So, shouldn't have problem with the mask itself sealing.

I already have the panty hose tied around the vent tube on the mask (not blocking holes, of course), but I have not tried the garbage ties. Just found that link. So I'll try that next.

oldgearhead · Post by **oldgearhead** » Thu Jan 04, 2007 7:21 am

Trina,
..and don't forget the lube, I think anything with lanolin oil is good.

Another thought is maybe the down tube is at an angle, so that, the
nasal pillow piece is slanted. Check your fit in a mirror.

I don't see how the 'pantyhose" strap can help with the nasal pillows.
However, at least for me, an extra strap is required with the Simple Cushion.

stoverquill · Post by **stoverquill** » Thu Jan 04, 2007 8:23 am

Oldgearhead,

I didn't even think about the angle!!! Actually, a few nights ago I moved the mask up higher on my forehead - that's probably the whole problem!!! Thanks...btw I started using the panty hose the same time to bring the nasal pillows more snug.

I'll move the mask back down tonight and see.

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Thu Jan 04, 2007 8:56 am

Remember the areas of adjustment for the CL2. The head straps, of course. Then the blue plastic/clear plastic "thig-a-ma-bobs" which gives most control of the angle of the down tube to the face. (The area of the garbage bag tie "fix"). Then the spot you can turn to regulate the length down the face.

And the metal band that can move the pillows closer together or further apart to some degree by pinching or re-bending it to fit.

Or with the nasal cushion slight adjustment of angle where the cushion fits onto the hard plastic elbow.