Any advice on using nasal pillow mask?

[Oneeyedjack]

Well I switched to the large pillows for night 2 and were much more comfortable than the mediums. Also seemed like the air pressure wasn't as intense and could exhale more freely so will bump up the pressure a little tonight and see how that goes.

[Pugsy]

This happens often...the size larger from where ever...has a slightly larger volume area in the pillow area and the opening at the inner cones is slightly larger....so you end up with more comfortable air movement and easier inhale and exhale (especially exhale) because the air moves easier.

[Oneeyedjack]

Well I like that it was more comfortable. Started with the medium on the second night but right away it felt sore at a little tender in the inner-upper nostril openings so switched to the large and felt no discomfort. Also have the head gear fairly loose, easily get a finger under the straps and it seemed to seal just fine. Now I just read a couple posts on nasal pillows might enlarge the nostrils, which I find doubtful and couldn't really care less.

[mgaggie]

I must be odd, I was told that I needed a small swift FX but to me it didn't feel like it was sealing properly. So I tried the extra small pillow, and it feels much better to me.

[Oneeyedjack]

mgaggie,

I was never fitted for this mask, just wanted a change so ordered it and do the trial and error thing. Think the medium was going into my nostrils to much instead of just sort of resting up against the openings and causing discomfort. So far though I am really liking it.

[mgaggie]

mgaggie,

I was never fitted for this mask, just wanted a change so ordered it and do the trial and error thing. Think the medium was going into my nostrils to much instead of just sort of resting up against the openings and causing discomfort. So far though I am really liking it.

Thats the main thing jack, that you like it. As I've found out here what works for one, doesn't mean it works for all

[Kitatonic]

mmaggie, I wear the XS as well since one nostril has extra cartilage obscuring the opening. Pugsy remarked about the smaller pillow size adding extra resistance on the exhalation---now I'm wondering if that resistance, coupled with lowering my EPR to 1 and the soft collar, has been another factor to mostly eliminated my obstructive apneas (49.6 to 0.1 aver).

[Oneeyedjack]

mgaggie,

I was never fitted for this mask, just wanted a change so ordered it and do the trial and error thing. Think the medium was going into my nostrils to much instead of just sort of resting up against the openings and causing discomfort. So far though I am really liking it.

Thats the main thing jack, that you like it. As I've found out here what works for one, doesn't mean it works for all

Exactly right. Since day 1 of sleep apnea treatment I have been lucky as I had pretty much zero problems with wearing the mask from the beginning. Have been using the comfortgel from day 1 and love it, kinda weird because when I go to bed I actually look forward to gearing up now and doesn't feel right sleeping without it. Read excellent reviews on the Swift fx and thought I would give a less bulky mask a try. Even wore the hear gear all wrong the first night and still had a good sleep.

[Pugsy]

I have used nothing but nasal pillow mask for nearly 4 years now. My nostrils don't appear to be any larger now and if I was using the same mask as I started with 4 years ago I would still be using the exact same size nasal pillows.

I think those people who say the nasal pillows are enlarging the nostrils probably have the straps too tight and squishing the end of the nose. Cramming the pillows into the nose and when removed in the AM...the nostrils may look more open initially..I suppose. I don't see it being permanent though. Maybe if they wore it that way 24/7 for months.....