nasal pillows versus nasal mask

[Country4ever]

I'm really having problems with my pillows leaking, if I move the slightest bit.
Would a nasal mask be any better? It would also be nice to not have air shot up right into my sinuses, like the pillow does.
Thanks!

Machine: Resmed S8 autoset Vantage
Mask: Swift original nasal pillow
Humidifier: 4Hi

[chunkyfrog]

Nasal masks do provide a different airflow "feel" than nasal pillows, some notice this more than others.
Several of the new models are minimal in size, including mine. (click below on my mask listing)
You may check out features of our masks, if we have them selected in our profile.

[pootsie]

What kind are you using?

Maybe a different size might help?

[Country4ever]

Thanks chunkyfrog and Pootsie.

For some reason, the equipment I use isn't coming up anymore.......so I just typed it in.

I'm using a swift original nasal pillow. I'm using the large, so anything else would cause worse leaks.
I have alot of leg pain at night, and I'm thinking I unconsciously move around alot, which doesn't help with the leaks.
I do seem to go through spells of having bad sleep. Maybe this is just a long one............

[chunkyfrog]

If you want your equipment to appear on all your posts,
you may put it under "additional comments"
or in your signature, under your user control panel.

[pootsie]

Have you trued out the smaller sizes at all?

I have only used the swift FX but have had almost no trouble with it moving

[lc96]

I am one who thought the pressure of air going up into my nose was too great with the pillow. There were also leaks as I switched from side to side.
I switched to an Activa LT (nasal mask) and there are no more leaks. I also don't have the strong sensation of air up my nose.

[dos coyotes]

I've been using nasal pillows for the majority of my 6 months on cpap - and the original set I loved. Once I realized it was time to change them - because they got so noisy and leaky they were waking me at night, I've never been able to find a happy replacement set. No so much leaks but OMG it sounds like a freight train in my bed using my S9. I use a F&P Icon for travel and had a nasal mask with it. I recently switched to the nasal mask as my go to mack and love it. I sleep far more relaxed. Only issue is the bottom straps of the headgear want to ride up and pinch my ear lobes (I'm a side sleeper). While the nasal mask is not as convenient for reading or watching TV once in bed, that's a small price to pay for a better night's sleep.

[SleepWellCPAP]

You may have seen this product suggested here before. Here, in fact, is where I learned about it. It's called Lansinoh, a lanolin based product available at most pharmacies in the maternity section.

Whenever I have a customer with nasal pillow leaks I recommend it without fail, and most say it helps quite a bit.

It's safe for the mask and your skin and it doesn't take a whole lot to do the job. If that doesn't solve the problem, I would recommend trying the Mirage Fx for her small.

Good luck!

[klh1016]

I love my optilite nasal "cushions", which are different than nasal pillows. Give them a try, Amazon has great prices. As I'm sure other places do as well.

[JohnO]

[quote="Country4ever"]I'm really having problems with my pillows leaking, if I move the slightest bit.
Would a nasal mask be any better? It would also be nice to not have air shot up right into my sinuses, like the pillow does.

If I had your concerns, I would try the Wisp. It is a very minimal nasal mask. I tried it on yesterday at the DME, but ended up getting another nasal pillow mask (Swift FX - So far I've used the Aloha from CPAP.COM). I started CPAP therapy with the TrueBlue Nasal mask, but when I would turn from side to side, I would often get air leaks that shot into my eyes. After a month with that mask, I switched to the Aloha nasal pillows. For me, the minor leaks I get near my nose are less of an issue that the leaks I got near my eyes with the nasal mask.

John

[sleepy_learner]

Do you clean your mask regularly. With usage and fax wax, it starts leaking

[cpappapc]

Just switched to the Aloha Nasal Pillow and have a question regarding the air flow. I do have common sense but I still have to ask, "do I switch to a different air flow setting then when I was using with my full mask?" There seems to be a drastic change. While the nasals are intact, do I breath through my mouth or through the nose? I am a newbee and just learning about all the equipment. Any advice/information will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[Pugsy]

Just switched to the Aloha Nasal Pillow and have a question regarding the air flow. I do have common sense but I still have to ask, "do I switch to a different air flow setting then when I was using with my full mask?" There seems to be a drastic change. While the nasals are intact, do I breath through my mouth or through the nose? I am a newbee and just learning about all the equipment. Any advice/information will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

When using the Aloha nasal pillow system the pressure may seem like it is a lot more when going straight up the nose but it really isn't...so leave your air flow setting (pressure) the same for now and you must breathe through your nose and not your mouth.
If you open your mouth to breathe through it the air pressure can exit your mouth and not make it down to the part of the airway that collapses. So you have sub optimal therapy.

Now there are some people who happen to find that they can use a lower pressure with nasal pillows than they were using with a full face mask but you need to evaluate your software reports to see if you can do this....don't do it automatically without checking to make sure that a lower pressure is still effective.

Please add your equipment to your profile and we can point you to some software (hopefully your machine gathers the needed data) so that you can make sure your therapy is optimal.