Nasal pillows - are they all the same?

[ladyhen]

I was happily using my Swift LT for two weeks before the pillows became floppy and even though I added o-rings, I had major leakage (to the point that my husband could hear the air whistling.)

DME switched me to a Swift FX yesterday. The mask fits better, but what is going to keep me from getting the floppy pillows in two weeks?


The DME said that if by next week I was having issues with the FX, she'd look at switching me to an Opti-Life?

I'm wondering if the issue with the pillows is my soap? I was told to use dishwashing liquid that isn't Dawn. I am using Joy. Does anyone else use Joy? I used baby wipes on the FX pillows this morning instead of the Joy.

[Janknitz]

DME switched me to a Swift FX yesterday. The mask fits better, but what is going to keep me from getting the floppy pillows in two weeks?

Unfortunately, NOTHING. Swift FX pillows can deteriorate quickly too. If you are on Medicare, Medicare will pay for 2 sets of nasal pillows per month. Many insurers follow Medicare replacement guidelines.

Who knows if it's the soap, your own skin chemistry, or you just got the lot made in China where they cut corners to increase profits? Some pillows seem to hold up better than others, but many people report their pillows are only lasting a few weeks.

There's a number embossed inside the pillows--that's the manufacturer's mold number, and I swear some numbers hold up better than others, but that's just speculation.

Other brands may last longer, but I could never get the Optilife to seal or be comfortable for me.

[gatorb8]

I have Swift FX for Her also, and my nasal pillows just got floppy in last 2 nights. I picked up my CPAP machine and accessories on Feb 16th, so apparently these pillows only last about 1 month. I had to call my DME today, to ask them to send me replacement pillows. I don't understand: if we are allowed to have 2 of these per month, (per most insurance guidelines), WHY do the DME's not just provide them to us at the time we pick up the machine? This is ridiculous, now I have to wait about 3 days for them to come in the mail. That will be 3 nights of no CPAP, since the pillows I have now collapse when up against my nose and I don't get ANY air!

I have washed my nasal pillows only TWICE since getting them. 1st time: hand soap at BR sink, and 2nd time with vinegar & water as instructed by the DME. I realize I am supposed to clean these things EVERY day, but I don't have time to run to the BR or kitchen & clean them that often. I also realize I am supposed to do the vinegar/water wash for ALL my supplies every week, except the H51 humdifier, but also, no time for that crap! The H51 got it's water and dish soap (Dawn) bath on Saturday. The nasal pillows barely even go inside my nose when they are situated and working correctly, and my nose is not runny- is actually usually congested- so the nasal pillows are NOT dirty after use!! If they were gross I would certainly wash them before using them again.

The DME RT told me today if the replacement pillows she is sending me don't do the trick, she might have to change me to another mask. I don't understand her reasoning, since this mask worked for nearly a month b4 the pillows started collapsing! I don't like to feel the air or humidity rushing on the outside of my nose or mouth or chin, so do NOT want another mask! When they tried to make me use a full face mask 10 years ago, I gave up after a week of trying to keep the danged thing ON my face, and finally had nasal, uvula, & palate surgery to try to get around the sleep apnea problem without using CPAP, (which did NOT work by the way, for more than 6 months) so I am not willing to try the FF mask again. The air on my nose and chin tickled, and I constantly took the mask off, while falling asleep, enough to scratch nose and face, so I think I probably removed the mask once I fell asleep and just forgot to put it back on after the scratching session. I would find it on the floor in the morning, so finally gave up. The OSA became an elephant in the room that could not be ignored when I suffered bilateral multiple lung clots in Sept of '10, and then the OSA started causing problems during a long, slow recovery. I am beginning to think I will never truly get over the pulmonary embolisms. The DRs don't have a clue what recovery is like with constant SOB during any activity, and lack of stamina to even stand in the kitchen long enough to prepare a meal for the family.

I am really trying hard to get used to this CPAP use thingy, but really, I think we should have a minimum of 2 months worth of supplies at the start! I am considering going to a CPAP auction to buy the other stuff I might need, if ins will not cover them this soon.

[Pugsy]

I think we should have a minimum of 2 months worth of supplies at the start! I am considering going to a CPAP auction to buy the other stuff I might need, if ins will not cover them this soon

Replacement Resmed pillows can be found at Amazon.com and Ebay. Cpapauction used to have ResMed pillows but no longer since ResMed enforced a ban against selling their products at the auction. I just got some extras and stock piled them in case something happened and I don't have to worry about time frame with DME. My dog found one once...not good.

[DocWeezy]

Changing masks won't help the fact that your pillows are not lasting....and it is possible that the "new" mask won't fit as well. This is not a very good solution! If the mask fits and the pillows work well when new, then it is just a pillow problem that won't go away with a different mask.

I'm one of those who seems to have the skin chemistry that causes the pillows to very quickly go soft, and this happens on every mask I use: Optilife, Swift FX, Comfortlite, and now I have Swift LT but have only used it for one night.

One thing I'm discovering that helps the pillows to last longer:

Wash it every day, then let it sit for about 3 days....in other words, have 3 or 4 pillows that you rotate. Collectively, they will last longer than three or four weeks (one week is my average before it goes soft). I think it is because there is time to dry more thoroughly in between uses.

Another trick: When it gets too soft to use, wrap it loosely (i.e., in a tightly sealed foil packet that is not tight against the pillows) in foil and BAKE it in the oven for about 2 to 3 hours. I've used various temps up to 400 because I just toss in the pillows when I'm baking something else (that's why you need to wrap them so that the pillows don't look or smell like roast beef!). Take them out of the foil and let them cool. I've found that it does help get more life out of them.

I buy extras from ebay and Craigslist and make sure that I always have at least two new sets waiting in the wings.

Weezy

[Lizistired]

I tried the pillow boiling method and it did seem to help. I'm only on the first set, but it was a like new fit after boiling. Go figure. Can't hurt.

[napmaster]

I have the Swift FX and the Optilife. The Optilife is a good backup for a weekend afternoon nap while my Swift FX is drying. However, it is a backup. It leaks a little for me. I guess I don't have the floppy issue. I've been using the Swift FX for a month. Here's my routine:
I wash it every morning in fairly warm water with Johnson's baby shampoo. It doesn't stay in the water more that a couple of minutes. I let it air dry in my room on a dry towel. I make sure my face is washed and shaved just before going to bed. I wear the mask as loose as possible without having leaks. I put a barrel cozy on a couple of weeks ago. The cozy gets washed once a week. The first week or so, I was worried about nasal irritation so I was putting Lansinoh in my nostrils. I don't need it so I quit doing that.
My DME said that my BCBS will only replace it every 6 months and will replace the whole thing: head gear, wraps, and three sizes of pillows. But, they will not replace my pillows separately. However, he said there is a three month warranty on the whole mask. So if I have problems, they will replace the pillows free of charge. I bought an extra pillow just in case. Plus, I have the Optilife as a backup.

[Janknitz]

My DME said that my BCBS will only replace it every 6 months and will replace the whole thing: head gear, wraps, and three sizes of pillows. But, they will not replace my pillows separately.

Napmaster, CALL BCBS and ASK what their nasal pillow replacement schedule is. NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER trust a DME to tell you things like this. They often lie or just make it up if they are not sure. The DME may be correct, but until you hear it from BCBS itself, don't believe it!

Don't forget The Great Pillow Exchange thread right here on this forum. New Swift masks are packed with 3 sizes of nasal pillows (if yours came with only one set, your DME ripped you off). You can trade out the two sizes you don't need with other users for only the cost of postage.

[Slartybartfast]

You might try an Opus 360 mask. I have the same one since last August and it's just like new. I recently bought a Swift FX and have found the pillows are so smooshy it tends to leak. So, after A/Bing the masks, I'm back to my Opus 360. Pillows on the Opus are more substantial than those on the Swift. Can't figure why the Swift FX is so popular. It's more expensive than the Opus, yet the pillows don't last, and even when new, don't work as well as those on the Opus.

Is a puzzlement.

[Pugsy]

From the other side of the fence. Just wanted to comment that not everyone experiences short life of nasal pillows.
I used the Swift LT for a little over a year with minor time off initially for typical other mask experiments. I routinely was able to use the nasal pillows 2, 3 and 4 months.... Been using the Swift FX since last August. I just recently retired the XSmall and opened a new package. Now I can also use the Small size. The original small is still in use. I got a whole new mask in late Dec but didn't open it for a month or so. There are some people (like me) who seem to do very well and have good luck with the pillows. I don't do anything special with them. I wash maybe every 2 or 3 days with some baby cleanser in warm water. Brief wash, very brief and air dry. My leak line is always pretty good. I don't hear odd whistles unless I have head gear too tight. I can't explain it but I have had exceptional luck with using them.

[ladyhen]

Thank you all for the input. I am going to try to bake or boil these LT pillows because I at least need that mask for backup (have some back-up pillows for it, thanks to a couple of nice ladies on this forum!) but I was like "Hey, I'm within the 30 day window - the DME needs to make this right!"

I have Medicaid and I have looked up the actual rules for my state and they only cover one mask and one set of pillows every 6 months. I am blessed to have Medicaid right now, so I won't complain too loudly.

I think that I am justifiably worried that these pillows are going to behave the same way as the LT ones. The RT said she thinks it may just be the anatomy of my nose and the fit itself not being exactly right. Who knows? I'm going to watch it closely over the next week though and if I'm having any issues with it, I'm going to go in and get a different brand. I appreciate the recommendation of the Opus 360. In looking at the Opus, it looks like they've recently redesigned the pillow to keep it off the upper lip. I HATE that the LT presses on my lip! The FX doesn't do it nearly as much, particularly if I flip the hose over my head - but the headgear doesn't have a clip to allow it to be held that way so I fought it all night.

[Janknitz]

About the pillows on your upper lip:

The LT has these little cogwheels on the headgear where it attaches to the pillow holder. You can tilt the pillow holder out away from your lip so it won't rest there.

The best way to keep the FX off you lip is to use a hose hanger and hang the FX over your head. This also stabilizes the FX by preventing the weight of the hose from pulling the pillows out of your nose.

The FX is by far the most comfortable mask ever--it's light as feather and very easy to use (with the tweaks mentioned).

[LinkC]

My DME said that my BCBS will only replace it every 6 months and will replace the whole thing

My BCBS (Federal Employee) replaces the whole mask at 3 mos. BUT will replace pillows @ 2 sets per month. And cushion every month. You really need to check with BCBS to see if your DME is BSing you. (I suspect it's ignorance, because the DME won't make money by NOT selling you supplies.)