Nasal Pillow does not fit?

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Reddwarf
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Nasal Pillow does not fit?

Post by Reddwarf » Sat Aug 29, 2009 12:28 pm

I have been thinking of trying a nasal pillow, but when I entered my measurements for the new Mirage Swift LT, CPAP.com said it was not a good fit for me and it only recommended nasal masks or full masks. Does this sound right? Did I measure wrong or are there some people who can't fit a nasal pillow?
"First things first, but necessarily in that order" - Dr. Who

harry33
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Re: Nasal Pillow does not fit?

Post by harry33 » Sat Aug 29, 2009 1:04 pm

they usually come with 3 different size nosepieces, small medium and large
australian,anxiety and insomnia, a CPAP user since 1995, self diagnosed after years of fatigue, 2 cheap CPAPs and respironics comfortgell nose only mask. not one of my many doctors ever asked me if I snored

Reddwarf
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Re: Nasal Pillow does not fit?

Post by Reddwarf » Sat Aug 29, 2009 1:58 pm

Yes, I noticed that it comes in different sizes, but when I entered my measurements, that may not have been accurate, the website said the Swift LT was not recommended for me.
"First things first, but necessarily in that order" - Dr. Who

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Hawthorne
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Re: Nasal Pillow does not fit?

Post by Hawthorne » Sat Aug 29, 2009 2:01 pm

I have never had good luck with the sizing guide on cpap.com. It tells me certain masks are not recommended for me but I wanted to try them anyway. I have done that and they generally work just fine.

It may be something I do wrong in the measurements.

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jules
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Re: Nasal Pillow does not fit?

Post by jules » Sat Aug 29, 2009 2:15 pm

how did you answer nares slotted question?

Reddwarf
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Re: Nasal Pillow does not fit?

Post by Reddwarf » Sat Aug 29, 2009 2:36 pm

Well, I had my wife help me with the measurements. She said "slotted" but just now I looked in the mirror and when compared to the photos on the measurement page I would not say "slotted" My nares are not round but not slotted either. More oval.

Funny, before having a CPAP I had no idea that it was called nares!
"First things first, but necessarily in that order" - Dr. Who

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twokatmew
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Re: Nasal Pillow does not fit?

Post by twokatmew » Sat Aug 29, 2009 2:40 pm

If you say your nares are not the same size, the size estimator will tell you that pillows are not for you....

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Spirit
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Re: Nasal Pillow does not fit?

Post by Spirit » Sat Aug 29, 2009 2:44 pm

Will never know what works, till you try. Everything with cpap equipment is an adjustment, till the right combination are found. Good luck !

Reddwarf
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Re: Nasal Pillow does not fit?

Post by Reddwarf » Sat Aug 29, 2009 3:30 pm

I answered that my nares are the same size. I may give it a try, but a tad reluctant at spending 100 bucks on something that may not work for me.
"First things first, but necessarily in that order" - Dr. Who

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twokatmew
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Re: Nasal Pillow does not fit?

Post by twokatmew » Sat Aug 29, 2009 3:39 pm

Reddwarf wrote:I answered that my nares are the same size. I may give it a try, but a tad reluctant at spending 100 bucks on something that may not work for me.
Then either buy the "return insurance" on the mask or buy from cpapauction.com. In the first case, you can return the mask and only pay the insurance & shipping. You can often get a new or gently used mask much cheaper on cpapauction.com.

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millich
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Re: Nasal Pillow does not fit?

Post by millich » Sat Aug 29, 2009 3:42 pm

The sizing guide told me the same thing. I bought the Swift LT anyway and I really, really like it. Glad I ignored what that guide told me.

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Reddwarf
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Re: Nasal Pillow does not fit?

Post by Reddwarf » Sat Aug 29, 2009 4:24 pm

Thanks for all the good advice and the tip on insurance and cpapauction. Thanks everyone!
"First things first, but necessarily in that order" - Dr. Who

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mdintx
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Re: Nasal Pillow does not fit?

Post by mdintx » Sun Aug 30, 2009 4:35 am

I have slotted nares and use nasal pillows quite successfully. cpap.com's recommendations were not accurate for me with a couple of the masks I've tried. So I wouldn't take it as gospel. Also, Breath Right strips work really well at helping me achieve a very solid seal with nasal pillows.

redbear
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Re: Nasal Pillow does not fit?

Post by redbear » Sun Aug 30, 2009 10:39 am

I am a new CPAP user and thought the nasal pillows were the ones for me. I tried all the sizes on different nights and none of them appear to fit properly. Not only do they push up my nose a lot but my nares seem to push into the pillow holes and not enough air comes in and out.
I need to find something else. Maybe the Opus360?

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Muse-Inc
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Re: Nasal Pillow does not fit?

Post by Muse-Inc » Sun Aug 30, 2009 7:33 pm

redbear wrote:...tried all the sizes on different nights and none of them appear to fit properly. Not only do they push up my nose a lot but my nares seem to push into the pillow holes and not enough air comes in and out...
Sounds like you have over-tightened the pillows against your nose. They sit at the end of your nose with just the opening (in the silicon) and a bit of the silicon inside the end of your nose. If your nose is going inside the opening, it shouldn't, too tight. Take the pillows to a mirror and try each size...looking at it closely to make sure it is not going much inside your nose. There are fitting guides that come with the mask or there were with the 2 masks I've worn; plus, there are online fitting guides. I suggest you watch and see how to fit the pillows..I know that Respironics has a good fitting guide for the OptiLife, my first mask.
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