Nasal pillows for side sleepers?

[Janknitz]

I sleep almost exclusively on my right side, and every mask I've tried pushes into the side of my nose even when I start out with the mask and my nose totally hanging off the edge of the pillow. I have a very sore nose

I haven't been that interested in nasal pillows, but I'm getting desparate, now.

I'm looking at the Swift line of nasal pillows. How well do they work on your side? Do the pillows get pushed against the sides of the nostrils causing leaks and pressure? What happens to the headgear when you lie on your side?

Oh, and my maximum pressure is 12 on an APAP. Is that too much for nasal pillows???

[silver123]

I'm a side sleeper and use the Swift FX and before that the Swift LT. I also use one of the commercially available CPAP pillows, which helps a lot. I think it's the PAP pillow actually.

My pressure was 11 and I did not have problems at that pressure. You have to work to correct any problems with leaks, making sure you have the right pillow size and a balanced adjustment of the straps.

I'm sure others will chime in here.

[dtsm]

I am a side sleeper, toss/turn to both sides, currently cpap 11. I just started trying the nasal pillows about 2 wks ago, alternating btw Swift LT (recently acquired) and a Swift Fx. So far, the Fx is by far the most comfortable but the LT has given me the better leak numbers. Still testing...

I think both would work fine for siders.

[Nord]

For side sleepers... try:

Activa and Activa LT or into F & P Zest, Zest Plus... both have engineering that allows side pushing better than others.

I personally like the Zest Plus for a couple of reasons...

all are nasals which allow higher pressures than pillows... IMHO

Nord

[Scarlet834]

I use the Swift LT for Her and sleep on my side. My pillow is a relatively inexpensive memory foam pillow from KMart or Target or someplace like that. I tilt the pillow a bit at an angle and seat the side of my head into the depression. I don't have problems with the pillows dislodging, although I think that on my side I tighten the top strap more than I might otherwise.

Sharon

[Bookbear]

I also am a confirmed side sleeper (as far as apneas are concerned, it's better anyway, you have more apneas when lying on your back), and I have used the Breeze nasal pillows since I was diagnosed four years ago. I have tried others, but for me, the Breeze headgear works best. There is nothing on the side of your face to be pushed out of position by a pillow. I use a regular pillow to sleep with. I know the Breeze is less popular with others on the board, but you might take a look at it and see if it appeals to you. I have not had leakage problems with higher pressures, either.

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/purita ... rface.html

Good luck!

[gpk111]

Sider here. The FX works great, albeit at relatively low pressure (~6). My wife says it's very stylish too...

Seriously, from an engineering point of view, it's effectiveness seems to be in its simplicity.

[Janknitz]

Thank you all for the responses. And I'd love to hear more.

The only thing that worries me is the sensitivity of my skin around the nostrils. If I use regular tissues during a cold it gets red and raw and I get sores. I have to use lotion tissues and put vaseline on my nose and upper lip (yes, I know not to use vaseline anywhere near a silicone mask!--that was BC--before cpap).

I remember reading SOMEWHERE about things to help your nostrils with nasal pillows. Ayr gel is one thing (and easily done), but I also remember some sort of pads that could be cut out and laid on top of the pillows. Anyone?

Nord, I tried the Activa LT and it was a bust. Even though I had the smallest size, it was big and heavy for my face and would NOT seal no matter what I tried. I couldn't even wear it long enough to try sleeping in it. It bumped into my lips, too. Very uncomfortable for me.

One of the things that looks nice about the Swift pillows is the headgear. The bottom straps on the nose mask I've been using (a Mirage Micro, and the same problem on the LT) rides up and bends my earlobe. That hurts TOO. It looks like the Swift headgears don't go anywhere near the ears.

I think I've got to try it--the reviews seem to indicate the FX is a little better than the LT for her because it's lighter and softer and quieter. But aren't the silicone face straps uncomfortable?

[Marietjie]

But aren't the silicone face straps uncomfortable?

Janknitz - I use padacheeks wraps for comfort - the SwiftFX comes out with wraps (see pic. no 1)
OR you can order padacheeks (see pic no.2) Personally I like the blue ones from Padacheek.
They also cover the strap behind your ears.

sensitivity of my skin around the nostrils.

Type in 'Lansinoh cream' (Search column on your top left side) and you
will find LOTS of info regarding ointment for sensitive skin/sore nose.

[Sleepy Taz]

I use the Opus 360 at a pressure of 17 with no problems. I like the design better than the Res-Med masks and they hold up better with my weekly cleaning. :lola: :lola: I also sleep exclusively on my side!!

[dtsm]

Nord, I tried the Activa LT and it was a bust. Even though I had the smallest size, it was big and heavy for my face and would NOT seal no matter what I tried. I couldn't even wear it long enough to try sleeping in it. It bumped into my lips, too. Very uncomfortable for me.

Nasal mask that is very light and comfortable - EasyLife from Respironics. Do a search for other's comments, relatively new mask. I used it for 2 months before my current experiments with the various nasal pillows.

[Janknitz]

My sleep lab had a Swift for Her for me to try that I picked up this afternoon.

So far I've only set it up and tried it for about 10 minutes but I AM impressed. It seems so light and comfortable and I love the thing that attaches the hose to the head strap so I will be able to turn and move without coming fully awake for "hose management". I tried on two sizes to find one that didn't seem to leak at all no matter how I moved.

I'm looking forward to a good night's sleep.

But I do have a question--what's with those little tabby things on the headgear that dig into your face???

[JZ]

I guess the tabs are there to help hold the headgear in place. I agree with Mariejie's advice -- I also have a pair of Padacheek covers for my Swift LT and that takes care of the tab issue -- http://www.padacheek.com.

[tillymarigold]

I'm a side sleeper and have used the ComfortLite 2, the OptiLife, and the Opus. No problems side-sleeping with any of them, although I got sore nostrils from the CL2. So I'd suggest trying a different (maybe thicker/firmer) pillow.

[MarylandCPAPer]

But I do have a question--what's with those little tabby things on the headgear that dig into your face???

Your Swift LT for Her should come with a set of small blue covers for the side straps, including the "tabby things," that look like the ones depicted above for the Swift FX. I am using this mask lately, although I had switched to an OPUS 360. The tabby things on the Swift LT for Her should not be digging into your face. This mask has a number of slight adjustments and they should make those pieces rest comfortably on your face to support the nasal pillows.At least, that is the way they work on mine. You do not have to make the straps so tight that they dig into your face.

One thing to check is whether the nasal pillows are in correctly, per the manual. On mine, the Resmed logo imprinted in the plastic goes on top toward the nose. With the nasal pillows positioned correctly and the other straps just tight enough to keep the nasal pillows in good contact with your nose but not too tight, the tabby things should rest comfortably against your face even without the little blue covers that should have come with the mask.

Good luck. If you have a data-capable machine, check the AHI and leak rates after you've used the mask overnight.