nasal pillow mask questions

[mgrunk]

So I have two - an optilife and a swift lt for her - I keep reading that they don't go inside your nose, but the phlanges (thin silicone part) do fit in your nose - correct? I am having major problems w/ not feeling like I get enough air through them - or the flanges keep getting pointed so the air doesn't go straight back, but hits the inside of my nostril. And, when I exhale, then it seems more difficult - like I can't quite get the air out easily. If I pull the mask away, just a little, then I can exhale easier. I have the masks fitting fairly loosely.

I thought about getting a nasal mask but I'm a side sleeper.

[Janknitz]

I don't perceive the airflow much when I use nasal pillows. You may want to try a larger size nasal pillow as they have bigger openings.

If I pull the mask away, just a little, then I can exhale easier. I have the masks fitting fairly loosely.

Do the nasal pillows leak when you pull the mask away like that? If not, you can probably loosen them even a bit more. Also, hold just the pillows up to your nose (without the headgear on your head) and turn your machine on. This allows the pillows to fully inflate with air and seal against your nose. Then adjust your headgear for the minimum tightness needed to keep the pillows from leaking. With the LT, you can angle the pillows so you can feel a stronger air flow up your nostrils.

I'm also wondering what your machine pressure settings are? I feel like I'm soffocating at 4, which is how many auto machines are initially set. It seems worse with nasal pillows. My pressure starts at 9, and that's much more comfortable. You might need a little more pressure to feel like you are getting air.

If you are OK with everything else but still having problems exhaling, use your pressure relief adjustments (EPR or Flex) if you have them.

Some people sleep fine with straight nasal masks in side lying but my face ends up pushing into the bed pillow no matter what I do and anything touching the bridge of my nose always caused problems. Nasal pillows are a godsend for me in side sleeping.

[Jersey Girl]

I had trouble exhaling and feeling as though I was getting enough air when I was using the Swift LT for her. Once I switched to the Swift FX, I had no problems. I don't use the ramp, however, and my pressure is set to 8. If I did use the ramp with a pressure less than this, I would be uncomfortable - as though I wasn't getting enough air. The nasal pillows should just sit at the entrance to your nares - just touching. Not all the way inside.

I am a side sleeper and I found that a Regenesis buckwheat hull pillow from http://www.pur-sleep.com helped me a lot - no fighting with my mask and the pillow.

With the Swift FX I am able to turn from side to side whenever I wish and get very good sleep. It takes some time to get used to all of this, but now, my body automatically goes to sleep shortly after the mask goes on.

It took me four tries before I found my perfect mask. So, keep on trying to see what is most comfortable for you.

All the best,

Jersey Girl

[jdm2857]

So I have two - an optilife and a swift lt for her - I keep reading that they don't go inside your nose, but the phlanges (thin silicone part) do fit in your nose - correct?

Yes, the end of the pillow (pillows? I'm never sure) goes inside your nostril. The seal however should occur where the wider part of the pillow(s) contacts the outside edge of the nostril, not up inside your nose.

[Janknitz]

With the Swift FX I am able to turn from side to side whenever I wish and get very good sleep. It takes some time to get used to all of this, but now, my body automatically goes to sleep shortly after the mask goes on.

Jersey, I don't want to hijack this thread, but any hints for hose management with the FX? I'm finding the weight of that little hose has a tendency to break the seal of the nasal pillows when I move around in bed.

[mgrunk]

I did set the bottom number from 4 up to 6 - the 90th percentile is 6.5 and 95th is is 7 - so I think the bottom number range is ok and my top number is 10. My machine, an intellipap doesn't have cflex or EPR unfortunately - I only have a 5 minute ramp now - but can turn that off, I tried last night w/ the humidifier off, but my nose is very dried out today. My pressure is pretty low, so I assume it's something you get used to. I have 3 masks now and am self paying, so I'm a bit freaked at spending more money on a nasal mask instead of pillows. I just had sinus surgery too, so when the air does finally shoot straight back, it feels a little raw still. I'm starting to get panicked about the idea of going to sleep now. It's turning into an unpleasant experience. I've managed about 4 hours a night, very interrupted for the past 4 nights.

[kempo]

mgrunk, the volume of air going up your nose is bigger than you think. Open your mouth and you'll get a general idea. Your not suppose to feel air going up your nose with your mouth shut.

[Golden-Alpine]

I use the Resmed Swift FX and for comfort I certainly prefer it over the Nasal masks as I am a side sleeper too. I haven't had any issues with the hose or anything so that is good.

My only question is in regards to the venting on the mask. I am really surprised how much air comes out the vent even when not exhaling. I know with the Nasal mask it was designed that the air from the CPAP as diverted away from the vent but there is nothing in the FX. I do find it annoying have so much air blowing out the vent onto the pillow or doona due to the noise or onto my air due to the breeze.

Does anyone else have issues with this?

[base2balls]

I use a nasal mask and I sleep on my side just fine. Some times even on my stomache and it's fine. I'll be getting the pillows next month I think. They are waiting until it's time for me to get a new headgear as they are diffrent than what I presently have and this way my ins will pay. That makes sense so it'll be some thing to looking forward to trying. With the warm weather I might not want the nasal mask on my face. I know I have had trouble with that before. The weather is finally shaping up so I dont know what I'll do when it gets even warmer. I'll have the fan on for sure. I'm thinking the nasal pillows might be moore comfortable in the warmer weather too so I'll hang onto it for a back up mask if the pillows don't work out. Every one take care and have a great day, Huggies, Fay

[cobra4x4]

... I know with the Nasal mask it was designed that the air from the CPAP as diverted away from the vent but there is nothing in the FX. I do find it annoying have so much air blowing out the vent onto the pillow or doona due to the noise or onto my air due to the breeze.

Does anyone else have issues with this?

Yes, I think everyone has an issue with this, its the only flaw I have with this mask. I just work around it by tucking my sheets in around my neck and sleep on the edge of my memory foam pillow.

[GumbyCT]

So I have two - an optilife and a swift lt for her - I keep reading that they don't go inside your nose, but the phlanges (thin silicone part) do fit in your nose - correct? I am having major problems w/ not feeling like I get enough air through them - or the flanges keep getting pointed so the air doesn't go straight back, but hits the inside of my nostril. And, when I exhale, then it seems more difficult - like I can't quite get the air out easily. If I pull the mask away, just a little, then I can exhale easier. I have the masks fitting fairly loosely.

I thought about getting a nasal mask but I'm a side sleeper.

You should have received 3 different size pillows with your mask. Have you tried a larger size pillow?

[Golden-Alpine]

... I know with the Nasal mask it was designed that the air from the CPAP as diverted away from the vent but there is nothing in the FX. I do find it annoying have so much air blowing out the vent onto the pillow or doona due to the noise or onto my air due to the breeze.

Does anyone else have issues with this?

Yes, I think everyone has an issue with this, its the only flaw I have with this mask. I just work around it by tucking my sheets in around my neck and sleep on the edge of my memory foam pillow.

Might be good in summer, more evaporative cooling!

[jdm2857]

mgrunk, the volume of air going up your nose is bigger than you think. Open your mouth and you'll get a general idea. Your not suppose to feel air going up your nose with your mouth shut.

A common misconception.

With your mouth open or another kind of leak the machine pumps to its maximum trying to maintain the pressure. But when there are no leaks the only airflow in and out of your body is the normal tidal breathing volume. The machine also pumps some volume through the mask vent to exhaust exhaled carbon dioxide but that flow does not enter the user.

Remember that the purpose of the xPAP is to increase the pressure in your airway, not to pump volume into you.