Questions for Nasal Pillow Users

[Lauperfan]

I've finished my first week (and still hate it, don't sleep, etc.)

Questions:
1. Since the nasal pillow masks are essentially like snorkeling with your nose, how do you keep your mouth closed all night? When mine drops open, I wake up startled with the air blowing out of my mouth. Makes me feel like I'm gonna choke. Do I need to add a chin strap (yet another annoyance)? Did you eventually just "learn" to keep your mouth shut as many hours as possible at night?

2. I keep my unit about 6 inches from my pillow, but the tubes still dangle/pull when I roll over. Solutions? My headboard is way too high to drape them over.

3. I have considerable chafing/soreness only on my right nostril. Is this from the pulling/tugging or something else? Does it just go away eventually?

I'm sure there are more, but thank you!

[Pugsy]

Do I need to add a chin strap (yet another annoyance)? Did you eventually just "learn" to keep your mouth shut as many hours as possible at night?

Chin strap might help. Assuming that the mouth opening is out of habit and not out of physical need (nasal congestion) often a gentle reminder is all that is needed. I elected to tape my mouth when I was first starting cpap therapy. Took about 2 months and my brain seemed to have unlearned the mouth opening habit and it became pretty much a non issue. I still might have the mouth drop open occasionally (usually when I am on my back) but it doesn't happen often and when it does happen it doesn't last long. I can usually spot it on the leak graph when it happens.

2. I keep my unit about 6 inches from my pillow, but the tubes still dangle/pull when I roll over. Solutions? My headboard is way too high to drape them over.

You may benefit from some sort of hose management system.
You can buy one or make one.
Some ideas can be found here
viewtopic.php?t=10640
I don't use one myself so I can't really offer personal experience.

3. I have considerable chafing/soreness only on my right nostril. Is this from the pulling/tugging or something else? Does it just go away eventually?

Go to WalMart and in the baby aisle look for a product called Lansinoh lanolin ointment/cream.
Use it liberally during the day and sparingly at night.
The abrasion could be from nasal pillow moving a little or straps too tight or wrong size nasal pillow.
At most all newbies should have when using nasal pillows is very minor tenderness...abrasions, blisters, sores, red chaffing...all indicate something is not quite right with either the fit or sizing. Usually it is the straps are too tight.
Consider loosening the straps a little and/or changing the size of nasal pillow.

[R1200ST]

Hi and welcome to the forum. Lots of great advice here.

Nasal pillow and mouth opening, I use a chin strap to train my mouth to stay closed. It looks stupid but it works. Eventually your body will train the mouth to stay closed. I am a mouth breather but the nasal pillow is working for me.

Hanging your hose: There are hose hangers available on CPAP.com. you should check them out. I noticed the same issue with the light weight P10 nasal mask that if I don't have my hose right, it pulls the mask causing a leak. This is just a obstacle to overcome. I am ordering a hose sleeve which will reduce the noise of the hose dragging across the bed / headboard.

There are a couple items you can use to reduce the soreness. Get a mask wrap (I have one) and that helps out a lot. There is a product that mothers use for helping out with breast feeding soreness that works great to reduce the soreness in the nose until your nose gets used to the mask. You can find it in the baby section of walgreens. It is not cheap but it works

Make sure you post your equipment in your profile so the experts here (not me...) can see what you are using and help out or offer advice.

Keep up with the treatment.

Rich

[Lauperfan]

Thanks to you both.

R1200ST, my equipment has been listed in my profile since my first day.

The soreness on my right nostril isn't severe, but I don't have any on my left nostril. Also, I know my mask isn't too tight, nor is the pillow (size small) the wrong fit because the doctor fitted me with it to make sure. I think the drag of the hose may be the issue. I'll check out the link you posted.

As for the chin strap: I just hate the thought of yet another accoutrement to this already busy hospital scene by my bed! Plus, I was trying to minimize as much stuff on my face as possible because I have severe anxiety disorder, so the nasal mask alone is enough to cause a panic attack. I can't imagine forcing (or TAPING!) my mouth shut. I pray my brain will just get accustomed to staying shut.

[SewTired]

1. Since the nasal pillow masks are essentially like snorkeling with your nose, how do you keep your mouth closed all night? When mine drops open, I wake up startled with the air blowing out of my mouth. Makes me feel like I'm gonna choke. Do I need to add a chin strap (yet another annoyance)? Did you eventually just "learn" to keep your mouth shut as many hours as possible at night?

I normally keep my mouth closed, so I have no suggestion for you short of a chin strap. Many people have trained themselves to keep their mouths shut, but I have no practical experience.

2. I keep my unit about 6 inches from my pillow, but the tubes still dangle/pull when I roll over. Solutions? My headboard is way too high to drape them over.

I pull my hose under my blanket. You can also make a hose strap and clip it to your sheet. Keeps it ON the bed then. You can make your own out of any number of things. The goal is simply to keep most of the hose ON the bed.

3. I have considerable chafing/soreness only on my right nostril. Is this from the pulling/tugging or something else? Does it just go away eventually? I had that when I first started and then again when my mask would shift too much. I actually have a second mask (Circadian Advance) for when my nose gets particularly sore. However, it is loud.

Just remind yourself that this is just a temporary annoyance, it could be worse and any new thing takes time to get used to.

[CaptainRaven40]

I use a Ruby chinstrap and it has stopped my mouth leaks but has added a ton of headgear. Which sucks so bad, but it was necessary.

[wef678]

This is my first week on CPAP.
My machine shows leak msg, maybe because I opened my mouth, but that is not drop open, it is PUSH open. For whatever reason, air got into my mouth and push my lips open.
I want to tape my lips, but if air get in, have to find a way to get out.
so I ordered full face mask, not delivered yet. Don't like it, but what other option do I have?

[SleepyEyes21]

I've finished my first week (and still hate it, don't sleep, etc.)

Questions:
1. Since the nasal pillow masks are essentially like snorkeling with your nose, how do you keep your mouth closed all night? When mine drops open, I wake up startled with the air blowing out of my mouth. Makes me feel like I'm gonna choke. Do I need to add a chin strap (yet another annoyance)? Did you eventually just "learn" to keep your mouth shut as many hours as possible at night?

2. I keep my unit about 6 inches from my pillow, but the tubes still dangle/pull when I roll over. Solutions? My headboard is way too high to drape them over.

3. I have considerable chafing/soreness only on my right nostril. Is this from the pulling/tugging or something else? Does it just go away eventually?

I'm sure there are more, but thank you!

Hi Lauperfan - welcome to the forum

1. This is what I did to help 'train my brain' to keep my mouth shut. I bought a cheap mouthguard at WalMart for approx. $20 (or just under), and wore it only while sleeping for about the first month. Now I only wear it when I feel like I need a bit of 're-training;' I think it helps because you need to remember to keep your mouth closed to keep the mouthguard in;

2. As for keeping the tubes from dangling/ pulling when you roll - similar to what SewTired said, I keep mine attached to and ON the bed. My machine is also about six inches from my pillow; I run the hose around the top edge of my mattress and behind my pillow. I attach it to the top edge of the mattress in two to three places with two things: a girl's ponytail holder and a badge clip holder. Slide the ponytail holders onto the cpap hose. Put the badge clip holders through the ponytail holders first, then space out and clip to the edge of mattress. The width of the ponytail holder gives the hose the freedom to move as needed.

Hang in there!

[araminta]

A Lauper Fan keeping their mouth shut??? For real???

She'd never forgive you

[R1200ST]

The chin strap I use stays away from my face, and does not hold the mouth closed in a tight fashion, just gives a little extra support under the chin. I don't think it will bother you at all. It is from philips respoironics about an inch wide with a nice chin cup. Made of very soft material and has a back strap to keep it from sliding off my face. It also has a secondary positive attribute in keeping the P10 head gear in place and allows me to position the head gear for optimal security. I would highly recommend it. Yes you have a lot of equipment by the bed, but what I do is put everything away in the morning, and take it out at night. This is a lifestyle change, and you need to, and work to, adjust to the equipment needed to give you the most comfortable sleep. If you focus on the fact you have it on your head, yes you might develop an anxiety issue with it, but if instead you focus on the fact that it does not force your mouth shut, and that you can open and close you mouth as needed, and that once it is on, you basically forget about it, then it will help out. The FFM is much more invasive so my suggestion is to just try it out and see. It WILL keep your mouth closed while you sleep, which naturally makes your tongue go the roof of our mouth and seals off the back of your throat which keeps you from having any mouth leaks. My pressures go as high as 12.8 at night and I have no mouth leaks and my chin strap is so loose that it almost falls off my chin. So give it a try.

[Uncle Flapp]

1. Since the nasal pillow masks are essentially like snorkeling with your nose, how do you keep your mouth closed all night? When mine drops open, I wake up startled with the air blowing out of my mouth. Makes me feel like I'm gonna choke. Do I need to add a chin strap (yet another annoyance)? Did you eventually just "learn" to keep your mouth shut as many hours as possible at night?

Tried a chin strap but didn't like the way it pulled back my jaw. I use an Ace bandage with a safety pin but the best solution was switching to a contoured pillow. Traditional pillows tended to push up against my P10 and cause leaks. In addition, the contoured pillow is better at keeping my jaw from dropping (I am a side-sleeper).

2. I keep my unit about 6 inches from my pillow, but the tubes still dangle/pull when I roll over. Solutions? My headboard is way too high to drape them over.

I use this.

3. I have considerable chafing/soreness only on my right nostril. Is this from the pulling/tugging or something else? Does it just go away eventually?

During the first week of getting used to nasal pillows, I applied a little Lasinoh on my nostrils just before going to bed. Made a big difference. Hasn't been an issue since the break-in period.

- Flappy

[Sleepysuz]

I got a Hose Boss. Instead of attaching the Command strip that holds the hook in place on the wall I attached it to the top of my Machine. I also pried the hook open a little so that I can remove the pulley section off when I remove the hose
If I roll side to side the pulley retracts to keep the hose level with my pillow. Kind of like one of those retractable dog leashes.

[CaptainRaven40]

I got a Hose Boss. Instead of attaching the Command strip that holds the hook in place on the wall I attached it to the top of my Machine. I also pried the hook open a little so that I can remove the pulley section off when I remove the hose
If I roll side to side the pulley retracts to keep the hose level with my pillow. Kind of like one of those retractable dog leashes.

I have a hose boss and use it more in the manner it says to, but what you have done sounds interesting. Would be something that I would like to see photos of. I mean I am not asking you to take photos just saying that it would be cool to see.

[curems]

2. I keep my unit about 6 inches from my pillow, but the tubes still dangle/pull when I roll over. Solutions? My headboard is way too high to drape them over.

I use this.

I got this one too but found that it was too tight for my hose. I attached a hair scrunchie to it and it is now big enough and very smooth for my hose to move through.

[idamtnboy]

I want to tape my lips, but if air get in, have to find a way to get out.

No, it does not. Air will get into your mouth simply because of the way the nose and mouth are connected together. I tape my mouth because air pressure also pushes my lips open. But with the tape air pressure builds up only to where it equals the pressure of the CPAP air, which is not very much. Your mouth acts like a surge tank on an air line or water line. Fluid moves in and out according to the pressure in the line but does not leave the tank. If the tank springs a leak you have to plug the leak. Your lips are the leak in the tank that is your mouth.