nasal pillows and seasonal allergies

[bearinthefield]

I am considering which mask to get for my first one. I have spring allergies big time lasting into the fall. Are nasal pillows good or bad for that? I side sleep often and mouth opens, so I am looking at either a Quattro FX Full Face or a Mirage Liberty Full Face mask with nasal pillows. It seems that the pillows might force a congested nose better, but I have no experience in such matters. I will of course test any mask first and get return insurance. Thank you

[Pugsy]

If your mouth opens a lot you will need to figure out some way to keep mouth shut if you use the pillows. Tape, chinstrap or something. Full Face mask will let you leave the mouth alone and let it do its thing.

I use nasal pillow mask only. Do not even own a Full Face mask. Don't want one. When I first started therapy I had to tape my mouth but after about 2 months I found I kept my mouth shut just fine. I don't have bad allergies though. Just occasional bouts easily managed with something like Claritin. Even with a head cold I have never slept without the nasal pillow mask. I have found that the added moisture actually helps me breathe more clearly in times of brief allergies which does seem to be starting right now.
Of course as with any thing, YMMV

[klutzo]

As a mouth breather who can only use nasal pillows, I have to use a very tight chin strap with it, which I hate since it makes my head sweat. It also leaves a red mark on my neck that looks like someone tried to strangle me. If you are a mouth breather, my DME says to go with a mask. I could not due to chemcial sensitivity to the materials they are made from, so I got stuck with the chin strap.

Pugsy, I am jealous that you can use nasal pillows without a chinstrap. The pillows headgear I use (the Breeze) is wonderful, almost like wearing nothing, as long as I make sure to use the largest size pillows that fit in my nose, but the chin strap ruins it all.

klutzo

[Janknitz]

The nasal pillows did a lot to clear my nose. Using them, my nose was clearer than it had been in years (I also use an oral antihistamine daily).

BUT, I've had two respiratory infections in a row, and my nasal passages are so irritated that nasal pillows are uncomfortable. So I've been using the Mirage Quattro and I'm actually starting to like it a lot.

It's NOT an easy mask to wear, I'll tell you that. It's hard to get a good seal at higher pressures, and it's also hard to get a good seal that does not tear up your nose. You need to understand that it has an air cushion, and making the mask too tight will actually increase leaks. But getting a good seal without too much tightening is tricky at best. I have some hints on my blog "Taming the Mirage Quattro" that would apply to just about any air cushion type seal.

I suggest you get BOTH nasal pillows and a FF mask. The nasal pillows are so much more comfortable and easy to seal, but have a good FF mask on hand for those heavy allergy days. You don't have to go all or nothing here, although cost is an issue.

[Pugsy]

Pugsy, I am jealous that you can use nasal pillows without a chinstrap. The pillows headgear I use (the Breeze) is wonderful, almost like wearing nothing, as long as I make sure to use the largest size pillows that fit in my nose, but the chin strap ruins it all

The Breeze was one I never tried during my experiment phase. I did try the Opus but had problems with headgear stability (I toss and turn a lot). I tried have a Nasal Air prong, didn't like. I have a Nasal air freestyle type I never tried.. Now can't even remember how to put it together. Optilife headgear too big for my head and too much stuff on my face.

I tried some chin straps but you are right, not the most comfortable. I did not try the PapCap and was toying with that idea but it looks so darn hot and I still get enough hot flashes that didn't look so good to me. I did okay with taping and got lucky that I seemed to have unlearned the mouth breathing thing. I rarely open my mouth at all now. I know I am lucky. I could never wear any full face mask because of the straps and the way my neck is so I don't even try. Can't stand the pressure of nasal (over the nose) mask because the pressure causes immediate nasal congestion and no air will move at all. So like you it is nasal pillows or bust. I have yet to have a night where the congestion was bad enough that the moisturized air and the pressure didn't clear up any minor congestion even with a couple of bad upper respiratory infections. Most of the time I wake up with nose clearer than when I went to bed.

[M.D.Hosehead]

I know it's been mentioned before, but it seems germane to this thread. These filters:

https://www.cpap.com/cpap-filters/bacte ... covers.php

Do wonders for my seasonal allergies. Absolutely no allergy symptoms all night. I start sneezing 30-60 minutes after I turn CPAP off.

[BusyLyn]

I think xpap in general helps to clear up clogged nasal and sinus cavities. When I arrived for my titration study my entire head, including my ears, was so clogged that I almost couldn't hear the tech's instructions (I have a long history of allergy, nasal, sinus and ear issues). I used a full face mask, and much to my surprise my head was clearer when I woke up than when I finally fell asleep. I've faithfully used my cpap with a FFM since late October and I'm happy to report that my head remains clear. Using a pillow mask might have cleared up my head a little faster, but I'm comfortable with my FFM and happy that my head is clear.

-Lyn