Help with nasal pillows, please

[pjwalman]

I am happy to say that, with the help of Benadryl and Nasonex, I have been able to manage almost a week of being able to use a Breeze mask after months of fighting with full-face masks. I know the sore nares thing is something I have to get used to and am using Ayr gel, but what I need help on is figuring out what I am doing wrong as the sleep night wears on.

I start out with wonderfully straight lines, the likes of which I've never seen with any of my FF masks. But at some point in the night, my lines start going crazy and I wake up to the mask seeming noisier, as if it's whoosing more air out somewhere. With the FF masks, I knew my face had gotten either sweaty or oily and was starting to not hold its seal well, but with the nasal pillows I'm doubting that the nares are sweating so wonder what change is taking place and how to fix it.

Any suggestions would be appreciated!

Thank you!

Peggy

[Mikosiko]

pJ: what pillow size are you using?.... maybe you should try with a different size... for your description apparently you are getting leaks.... I had the same problem with my pillow... I was using the "M"... I did change to size "S" and it reduced the leaks.

hope this work for you.

Miko

[jnk]

What are you doing to prevent mouth-leak/lip-flutters?

[Babette]

I found that I couldn't get the pillows masks to stay sealed consistently. Part of the problem is pushing your face into the pillow pushes everything out of whack. They are really designed for back sleepers and work best if you're flat on your back.

Now that you can nose breathe, you want to try the NAII again?

Cheers,
Babs

[Guest]

My guess is you are causing leaks later during the nite, likely when you move or turn. I would think a Larger size would help seal better. I use Lansinoh bc Ayr is just toooo slippery.

[Babette]

Well, the point of Lansinoh is to increase tackiness, not moisturize. Ayr Gel will do nothing to improve tackiness - it's a moisturizer.

So, Peggy, Lansinoh might be something to try here. As well as mouth taping.

Cheers,
B.

[rcarr121]

I'm sure this is just going to sound wrong, but it really works well.

This is a real, serious suggestion given to me by an RN. -- Use a personal lubricant, KY Jelly and such, but not massage oils. It has no interaction with silicone, is hypo-allergenic, won't irritate sensitive skin and if you use a small amount its not too slippery nor does it get too tacky.

One important note though: Make sure you get the plain stuff!!!
There are all kinds of fragranced/warming/numbing/sensitivity increasing types. While they all have positive uses, the nose is NOT one of them. Yes, personal experience talking, no I'm not telling which kind and yes, months later my wife is still highly amused. That'll teach me to not turn on the light and go groping around in the nightstand, let me tell you...

Anyway, I hope that helps!

Rich

[pjwalman]

All wonderful suggestions, forum friends! I am all set to head to the drug store and stock up!

Thank you!

Peggy

P.S. Thanks, Babs, for being willing to put me back on the NAII Test-Drive! I think you're right that it's worth a second try now if you wouldn't mind adding me to the bottom of the list, please.

[ozij]

Another vote for KY.
My nostrils did used to get sweaty....

O.

[jnk]

. . . at some point in the night, my lines start going crazy . . .

If you ARE doing something to prevent mouth leak, keep at it and make sure that is completely successful. If you AREN'T, research the subject thoroughly in this forum. It is considered by many to be the primary usual suspect (or, at least, a subject of primary interest) whenever sudden wild leaks are showing up.

And in my opinion, you don't want to do anything that might make the pillows at all slippery, since that just increases the likelihood of those little guys popping out of where they belong. I recommend trying it completely dry and letting your skin get used to it. The irritation should go away on its own. If not, moisurize in the morning after gently washing and drying the irritated skin. That is, of course, based merely on my experience, for whatever that is or isn't worth.

Wish you the best.

[Guest]

The Breeze works for side sleepers like myself too. There are several adjustments to make it fit properly (hopefully RestedGal will jump in with some links for you). The Breeze shouldn't hurt your nostrels. Sometimes if I allow it to exhaust close to the my pillow or blanket it will be noisey when the air hits up close.

[Babette]

Peggy honey, you're always tops on MY LIST!

LOL,
Babs

[fortomorrow]

What size pillows are you using? Small is blue, medium is clear, and large is green. Apparently the clear ones are stiffer and are harder to get a seal with because they're not as smushy. Maybe try using the large ones and see if that helps?

Personally I use the clear ones, but I've got relatively small nares considering the size of my conk. Also maybe try adjusting the bridge so that it hooks more under your nose?

You might also be mouth breathing/leaking. Have you considered tape?

I've had great success with the Breeze (except for the mouth leaks *grumble*) and I'm even able to sleep on my back with it. Whoever designed it had my head in mind, I think.

[rested gal]

Here's a ton of links about the Breeze:

LINKS to Breeze nasal pillows / nasal mask topics
viewtopic.php?p=31202

I used the Breeze for over a year. Liked it very much. I'm a toss and turn side sleeper. I do have to tape my mouth in order to use any mask that isn't a Full Face mask.
LINKS to: Mouth leaks - Air Leaks - Tape - DIY Guard
viewtopic.php?t=8011

Things I did to make the Breeze work well for me:

1. Used the Large nasal pillows instead of smaller sizes, despite the fact that I don't have particularly big nares (nostril openings.) The "Large" (light green) pillows smush up nicely against the outside of the nostrils so you don't have to cram them in to get a seal. As fortommorow mentioned, the clear (Medium) pillows for the Breeze are definitely a stiffer silicone than the other sizes. I liked the smushier pale green ones...the "Large"...but everyone's different.

2. I put a homemade strap around the front, as far down close to the shell that holds the pillows. Tied the homemade strap behind my head with a doublestart knot, which lays very flat and is easy to undo in the morning:
How to tie a flat knot behind head when using a homemade strap,
http://www.fieggen.com/shoelace/doublestartknot.htm

3. Hung the main air hose and Breeze's connector hose overhead, so I could turn over easily underneath without causing the air hose to tug at the headgear.
LINKS to Hose hangers and methods of managing the air hose
viewtopic.php?t=10640

The Breeze is great for side sleepers, imho. Not so good for trying to sleep on your back. although some can use it "as is" that way. It CAN be whipped into shape, however, for sleeping on one's back, if it shifts forward too much (leaks) or pulls up like a skyhook on your nostrils when you're on your back. Check out the Lab Rat headgear modifications for the Breeze:
LINKS to Lab Rat Trophy awards
viewtopic.php?t=15104

[pjwalman]

I use the large pillows. They seem to work best for me for seal. I have taped, have tried the Polident strips, and regularly use the CPAP-Cap Chinstrap. But usually I wake myself up with a mouth leak, 'cause any little noise is all it takes with me, so I think this is something other than that. Don't know, though. I usually have a few hours with beautiful straight lines and then things start going wacko, so maybe that's when I start thrashing around more or maybe my tongue grows tired of sitting on the roof of my mouth and starts letting more air through.

I've already seen the Breeze modifications link, so Laura doesn't have to supply those. I've got a Headrest on the way, too, 'cause I feel like I'm finally close to achieving a combination that will work for me and would like to figure out the magic formula and stick with it in the future.

Lots of great ideas for me to mull over. Thank you all!

Peggy