Help! Nasal Pillow users

[Linda1904]

I just got a Mirage Swift LT. I think the first few nights I had the straps to tight because the top of my nose and the tip hurt so bad it kept me awake. I have loosened the straps quite a bit now. Now I sleep through the night, but the next morning after I take off the mask my nostrils are very tender. Is this normal when you first start using pillows? Will it go away soon? I think I would rather go back to the nasal mask and try a different kind than have those sore nostrils every morning. Doesn't seem like long term it would be OK. I have dentures that I take out at night so the comfort gel I was using was just to large. (small size) and it hit me right between my lips, which of course would cause mouth leaks. I have a pap cap that I use to keep my mouth closed. Have never tried a full face mask. I am a side sleeper most of the time. Trying to give you plenty of info for the best advice. Thanks!

[bdp522]

Yep, perfectly normal. You can use a little Ayr Gel (sold in most drug stores and some supermarkets) on those tender nares. It will help until the nares toughen up!

Brenda

[SharkBait]

I just got a Mirage Swift LT. I think the first few nights I had the straps to tight because the top of my nose and the tip hurt so bad it kept me awake. I have loosened the straps quite a bit now. Now I sleep through the night, but the next morning after I take off the mask my nostrils are very tender. Is this normal when you first start using pillows? Will it go away soon? I think I would rather go back to the nasal mask and try a different kind than have those sore nostrils every morning. Doesn't seem like long term it would be OK. I have dentures that I take out at night so the comfort gel I was using was just to large. (small size) and it hit me right between my lips, which of course would cause mouth leaks. I have a pap cap that I use to keep my mouth closed. Have never tried a full face mask. I am a side sleeper most of the time. Trying to give you plenty of info for the best advice. Thanks!

Lansinoh Lanolin. It's sold at the drug store next to the breast pumps, it's for nursing mommies. Make sure you get the Lanolin (about 10 bucks for a 2 oz tube) and not the cream.

Squeeze out about 3/8 inch and spread around the nares. It helps soothe the nostrils and helps with the seal (perhaps letting you lessen the straps a tad more as well...)

I'm kicking myself for not buying 5 tubes of this stuff off of ebay for $35 when I saw it a couple of weeks ago. I wasn't completely sold on the product, but I sure am now.

[Babette]

I had the same problem with nasal pillows - raw upper lip, tender nares, painful teeth. I did the Ayr Gel, the Lansinoh, and everything I could think of. Someone gave me a nasal PRONGS mask, and after one night, I never went back to pillows.

Could be you will de-sensitize and get used to the pillows. I never really did. I can only say "try another mask."

There are several masks "test drives" on this forum, being run by forum members for the purpose of helping other forum members. You can read more about it in the links below in my signature line.

Good luck!
Barbara

[SharkBait]

I had the same problem with nasal pillows - raw upper lip, tender nares, painful teeth. I did the Ayr Gel, the Lansinoh, and everything I could think of. Someone gave me a nasal PRONGS mask, and after one night, I never went back to pillows.

Could be you will de-sensitize and get used to the pillows. I never really did. I can only say "try another mask."

There are several masks "test drives" on this forum, being run by forum members for the purpose of helping other forum members. You can read more about it in the links below in my signature line.

Good luck!
Barbara

Interesting. I looked at that mask and didn't really see that much difference between prongs and pillows. How are they different as far as interacting with your nares? Do you find that they just seal easier and therefore don't have to be worn as tight?

[Babette]

Interesting. I looked at that mask and didn't really see that much difference between prongs and pillows. How are they different as far as interacting with your nares? Do you find that they just seal easier and therefore don't have to be worn as tight?

They friction fit inside my nostrils, so there is absolutely no pressure on my nares nor my upper lip nor my teeth. No pressure, nor any friction. The pressure of large pillow assemblies, added to the friction of it moving around, caused me much pain and raw tender skin.

I gots NOTHIN' with the NAII. It's so much like sleeping naked, I some times wake up in a panic, and think I AM sleeping mask-free, and put my face up to check and find it there safe and secure.

It's not for everyone. But for those that love this mask, it's a god-send.

PM me if you'd like to find out for yourself.

Cheers,
B.

[sleeplessinaz]

Hi There----I LOVE my Swift LT!! You will too --once your nares settle in and get used the air flow. I would try a smaller pillow size. What size are you using? it might be too big and that is what is making your nose sore. The AYR GEL is great too--I use that on mine before bedtime to coat my nares to make a better seal. I am strictly a side sleeper too-this is the best mask for us side sleepers. Give it some time --loosen the straps too--I have my straps VERY loose --esp. on the top of my head. I usually rotate the nasal pillows in the headgear before I lay down to make sure that they are in the correct angle. It will work out for you---just don't give up!!!

[lizpalika]

I had a sore nose for about a week, with the nose gradually getting less and less tender. Then no problems at all. I do use an ointment on my nose before bed; it helps with the friction and makes a tighter seal.

I did have to reach a balance, tho, of making sure there were no leaks and not tightening the straps too tight. Tight caused more pressure on my upper lip and hence more discomfort.

Since I'm claustrophobic, the pillows are much much better than a mask for me.

Liz

[SharkBait]

Interesting. I looked at that mask and didn't really see that much difference between prongs and pillows. How are they different as far as interacting with your nares? Do you find that they just seal easier and therefore don't have to be worn as tight?

I gots NOTHIN' with the NAII. It's so much like sleeping naked, I some times wake up in a panic...

This does not compute...

It's not for everyone. But for those that love this mask, it's a god-send.

PM me if you'd like to find out for yourself.

Cheers,
B.

Way ahead of you... PM sent...

[Sleeprider]

I've been using the Swift LT since July last year and rarely experience any discomfort. When I do, its usually the result of condensation. Using a cozyhose cover helps to prevent that and also makes the hose management a lot easier and softer. As far as adjustments, Keeping the top straps minimally tight, then snugging up the straps in back of your head will apply the right tension and keep the straps from moving towards your eyes and front of your cheeks.

[Babette]

Liz, I'm with you there. I am claustrophobic AND a mouth breather. They showed me a FFM, and I went "NO FREAKIN' WAY!!!!!"

I tried nearly every pillows mask out there, even bought several here from other forum members, and then just fell into this NAII.

SharkBait, got your PM, and you're on the list! Might be faster than I said in PM; looks like there's only one person ahead of you in that line. I have three masks out there, so I have to look at the list to figure out where any one one is at any one time. I need a GPS locater beacon to put in the boxes.....

Cheers,
Barbara

[Debjax]

The same thing happened to me the first night, my nose hurt so bad the next morning. I loosened it up some the next night, then some more the next...I finally found the perfect balance to eliminate leaks, and really other than the first couple of minutes while the air is "cool", I don't even feel it anymore and there is no sore nose or nares.

[Linda1904]

Thanks for all the advice. I tried the small size pillows last night. They seem to seal much better. Nose still sore but I will try and be patient. I forgot to mention in my first post, that I did purchase the aryl get and have been using it each night for the last four nights. I am also going to see if Walmart has the Lansihoh Lanolin. Is that better than the aryl's? The funniest thing happened the second night I use the Swift. I woke up the next morning just as wide awake as I could be and felt great that whole day. Hasn't happened since! It does tell me those that maybe some day I will get this whole thing right and have my life back. One more question, when you finally get it right do you feel great from then on or do you still have a few bad days? How often? It's been 6 months for me on Cpap.

[packitin]

I used the Swift LT for about 5 weeks, and I thought it was the mask that suited me.
But the straps continued to be a problem, (the skin along the top of where my ears are attached to my head were always sore).
Also, when I slept on my side, the leak issue was a problem. I decided to go back to my Mirage Ultra (which in essence is the nasal mask version of the larger Quattro). So for the last 4 months, I've done great with the Ultra, and have no need for anything else, except when I catch a cold, in which case I use the Quattro. I still have my LT, but rarely use it.

[Victoria]

I really like the Swift LT. (But still thinking about doing a Nasal Aire test drive..... ) I also had some irritation around the edge of my nose for about a week or so. Now there is no irritation at all. I ended up having to tighten the strap on the back of my head quite a bit, so it didn't move around. B/c I have four kiddos, I already HAD the Lansinoh. Its great stuff. I use it on my nose, lips, and on my hands (great moisturizer) all the time. I, too, am a committed side sleeper, so the LT is perfect. In fact, I can actually turn my head to the side and sleep on my stomach if I choose, b/c the headgear stays in place so well and is so flat.