How do nasal masks compare to pillows?

[BuddhaCat]

I use the ResMed AifFit P10 For Her nasal pillows and really had trouble the first week. My nostrils ached, I felt like I was constantly being "poked," and I got blisters in the right side. Since then I've done several things recommended by folks here:

1. Use the largest size pillows that are comfortable, which tend to poke inside the nostril less.
2. Soak the nasal pillows for an hour or so before using them the first time.
3. Use Lansinoh or a generic form of lanolin to protect your skin.
4. Experiment with the A-flex (or EPR) settings to see if that helps.

In my second week of use, I'm feeling much better and can almost see a future where pillows will feel comfortable! Good luck!!

[gdgiles]

I had the pillows to tight in the beginning. Loosen 'em up.

[herefishy]

I started with nasal pillows and couldn't adjust to them, so wound up with a Mirage Activa LT. It's worked fine for 10 years. Can't tell whether it will work for you, but you can get one from cpap.com with the return insurance to try it.

[rjezuit]

Three things that made a big differnce for me.
1) Lansinoh
2) Lansinoh
3) Lansinoh

It really made that much of a difference as far as leaks and comfort.

[SleepyToo2]

Stratapastor, good luck with changing people's behaviors! To the OP, the mustache adds a layer of complexity. For me, the pillows work best, although I have also found nasal masks that work well. The key seems to the mustache being trimmed "just right" for you, taking the time to follow the suggestions others have given here, and finding out what works for you. I find that medium size pillows work best, but I do need to keep the hair just under my nose (and in the nose) trimmed as short as possible. Not easy to get everything set up right, and it can vary from day to day, so good luck and ask any specific questions you have.

By the way, Lansinoh worked well for the soreness with me, but now I find a scuba mask sealer (silicone) works even better for that last bit of seal.

[englandsf]

If you can try P10s or Nuance pillows - very soft on the nares. Be prepared to use larger pillow sizes to maximize seal and minimize movement/rubbing...

[Drowsy Dancer]

How tightly do you have the pillows strapped to your nose? I found I didn't need to have mine as tight as I might think.

as lightly as possible... I think part of it is the material pulling at my skin / stache.

Next question: are you using any kind of a hose hanger/hose management system? I found that the weight of the hose would tend to pull at the pillows, but if I had the hose hanging from a bedpost or a Hose Boss, they worked really well.

[englandsf]

I hold the hose under my are or to my chest so it holds the pillows in position. I call it hugging the hose...

[englandsf]

Three things I've found with nasal pillows -
- it was surpassing how big a sized pillow I needed (went from small to medium then large),
- how little headgear pressure they need (P10)
- and how easy they are to jiggle into engagement on the nares.

[ChicagoGranny]

major complaints about the pillows. 1 is that they seem to make my nose quite sore.

I loosened the mask as loose as I could while keeping it on my face and then adjusted for a seal with the least amount of pressure possible.

"Loose" may be part of your problem. If the headgear to the nasal pillows is adjusted loosely, small movements you make tend to cause the pillows to rub your nostrils. For me the rule is "not loose, not tight, but snug".

As far as "sleeping on your face", here is the best technique - http://www.uarsrelief.com/sleeppositions.html .

(Before anyone says it, no I won't!)

[gary1231]

Stratapastor, good luck with changing people's behaviors! To the OP, the mustache adds a layer of complexity. For me, the pillows work best, although I have also found nasal masks that work well. The key seems to the mustache being trimmed "just right" for you, taking the time to follow the suggestions others have given here, and finding out what works for you. I find that medium size pillows work best, but I do need to keep the hair just under my nose (and in the nose) trimmed as short as possible. Not easy to get everything set up right, and it can vary from day to day, so good luck and ask any specific questions you have.

By the way, Lansinoh worked well for the soreness with me, but now I find a scuba mask sealer (silicone) works even better for that last bit of seal.

Had to jump in here, the search function for the board directed me to this thread. I am having some troubles adjusting to a Wisp nasal mask, I feel pressure on my upper lip. I have a mustache, mainly because I never got in the habit of shaving every day, or at least consistently. Every once in a while I will use my mustache/beard trimmer with no guard and get rid of most of the hair. I don't get much on my chin past a goatee.

Do you think that trimming my mustache and keeping it trimmed (or even shaved) will help with the upper lip pressure?

[ChicagoGranny]

upper lip pressure

Isn't the determining factor the tightness of the headgear?

[bwexler]

I use the Wisp everyday.
I don't use my razor every day. Stuble makes it more difficult to get a proper seal.
The tightness and the position of the straps can make a dramatic difference in the pressure on the upper lip. On occasion I have that problem. Repositioning the head gear fixes it.

[gary1231]

Thanks. Will have to tweak my headgear and see how that works out. You guys are awesome.

[kcaves]

I had perfect teeth until I used a nasal mask. My dentist told me he had seen this before in some of his other patients. The pressure from the mask has pushed my teeth apart and forward. I would not recommend. I love my full face mask.