Trying to block nasal pillow but it's still blowing

MbMinx · Post by **MbMinx** » Thu Dec 11, 2014 3:30 pm

I've been trying to block off one of my nasal pillows so that it quits leaking air. That nostril does not function. The leak is not major, but it is enough to be annoying and keep me awake.
I'm using the Mirage Liberty. I have a cotton ball stuffed up in there, but there is still air getting through somehow.
Do these nasal pillows have some double-wall type design that would channel air through a separate chamber (that my cotton ball doesn't block)?
If so, are there any suggestions for sealing that off?

How dangerous would it be to fill that up with bathroom caulk? I know it's not medical grade by a long shot...But once it sets I do not think it produces any off-gasses. I don't think it would be all that durable (I could be wrong!) but nasal pillows don't last forever anyway.

I just want to sleep without air hissing past one side of my nose...

Chevie · Post by **Chevie** » Thu Dec 11, 2014 3:42 pm

MbMinx wrote: I have a cotton ball stuffed up in there

Somewhere on here there is a post showing how to use a pair of ladies' leggings to control the nasal pillows on that type of mask. This "fix" works great to stop leaks.

I would not use caulk. The fumes are bad and the chemicals may destroy the plastic the nasal pillows are made of.

Guest 2 · Post by **Guest 2** » Thu Dec 11, 2014 4:21 pm

If it were me I'd use a nasal mask instead of the pillow, I would not use caulking in your situation , is it an all time matter ? or just a cold?

MbMinx · Post by **MbMinx** » Thu Dec 11, 2014 4:30 pm

I can't use a nasal mask - I can't really breathe through my nose. I have one nostril that barely functions, sometimes, and another that doesn't work at all.
I need a FFM and the Liberty is the best for me of any I've tried.

englandsf · Post by **englandsf** » Thu Dec 11, 2014 4:38 pm

If you don't need either nasal pillow, is there a way of blocking the two holes in the mouthpiece instead?

ChicagoGranny · Post by **ChicagoGranny** » Thu Dec 11, 2014 4:38 pm

MbMinx wrote:I have one nostril that barely functions, sometimes, and another that doesn't work at all.

Have you consulted with an ENT about your nasal problems? If not, he should do an endoscopy in his office on your first visit and give you an opinion. It's easy and quick and usually gives a good indication of any structural problems. http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/endos ... -sinusitis

MbMinx · Post by **MbMinx** » Fri Dec 12, 2014 10:12 am

Does Duct tape give off any toxic fumes?
Seriously!

chunkyfrog · Post by **chunkyfrog** » Fri Dec 12, 2014 10:30 am

Why don't you wrap the cotton ball in a little bit of Saran wrap before you shove it into the pillow?
Someone used the moldable silicone swimmers ear plugs, like Mack's, on the same mask as yours.

MbMinx · Post by **MbMinx** » Fri Dec 12, 2014 12:12 pm

The silicone earplugs sound promising. I tried the regular foam ones, but they weren't quite big enough. I'm really tempted to just duct tape across the bottom of that pillow, or try to seal it off with plastic wrap.
Unless the pillow really is blocked up and the air is leaking from my nostril? Is that even possible? No, I'd be able to feel that, for sure.
Are we sure these aren't some double-walled setup where I'm only blocking the inner ariflow, and the outer airflow is unimpeded?

Tatooed Lady · Post by **Tatooed Lady** » Fri Dec 12, 2014 12:12 pm

How about a marble?

OkyDoky · Post by **OkyDoky** » Fri Dec 12, 2014 12:15 pm

Maybe a soft ear plug?

Pugsy · Post by **Pugsy** » Fri Dec 12, 2014 12:21 pm

Tatooed Lady wrote:How about a marble?

Good idea but the weight might be annoying but I was also leaning towards trying to find something round that might block the pillow and not fall backwards when laying down.
Wonder about some sort of round foam stuff...dense enough to block the air flow but light weight but still stick in place (don't want it falling backwards into the nostril.

I keep thinking of the time I was a kid and I stuck a bean up my nose because I wanted to find out why everyone said not to do it.
I found out why I wasn't supposed to do that.

Does anyone know if silly putty or Play dough is harmful to be up around the nostril area?

MbMinx · Post by **MbMinx** » Fri Dec 12, 2014 1:41 pm

Thanks for all the suggestions!

chunkyfrog · Post by **chunkyfrog** » Fri Dec 12, 2014 2:41 pm

I had some "skull screws" industrial earplugs that would work, but I think the kid got them.
They are molded foam, and you could jam them into the hole instead of the pillow for that side,
and trim the excess with scissors. Check a hardware store.

Tatooed Lady · Post by **Tatooed Lady** » Fri Dec 12, 2014 6:25 pm

Play doh up the nose I haven't a clue...however, play doh in a kid's ear to block the sound of the bells at school... not the call I expected to get.

Trying to block nasal pillow but it's still blowing

Trying to block nasal pillow but it's still blowing

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