A question about nasal pillows

[ksilb]

Hello again...hope everyone has been sleeping well. I finally received my sleep report and see now why I was so exhausted, though I already knew that. I had no stage 3 or REM sleep, only slept about four hours of the study and that was mostly with apnea activity with an AHI of 113.3, yikes! My O2 sats were pretty scary too but everything corrected fairly well on cpap and I continue to do well in home with my AHI averaging under 3. I would hope it will get a little better but feel great and am not complaining.

At the study I asked to try nasal pillows as I had already experimented with a friend's machine and nasal mask. Because my pressure settings were to be high at 12-18 my DME persuaded me to try a mask instead. I thought his reasoning was good, these pressure readings might be difficult to tolerate with direct air into my nose. He thought it might cause me sinus issues. So I got the Micro Mini nasal mask and am doing fine with it (not too much leaking, maybe averaging about 1.2) but I don't much like the marks it leaves on my face even with many adjustments and I just think I would like to try the pillows for the lessened cloying appearance they have. Also I live in a hot and humid town and run hot and think as summer approaches I'm going to find the mask makes my face hot as it already does that some. I've been reading on here as usual and the Swift FX seems to have many fans though I know there are lots of choices out there. I do have a slimline hose and like that and see that this probably won't be an option with that mask. I am a side sleeper primarily though do spend some time on my back. I am looking for input both on comfortable (I know this is very individual.) nasal pillow masks and how they were with the higher pressures. I don't know of any issues with my nose, seems pretty average in general. I seem to be averaging between 14-17 on the pressure reading any given night. Nothing below 14 in the less than two weeks I've been at this. As always I appreciate your comments and support.

Hope everyone has a great day and good happy sleep and dreams. Kathy

[momadams]

I been using the Headrest at 16cm for 2.5 years - love it.

[Nord]

Hi Kathy

There will be lots of supporters for the FX... I have 3 issues with them:

I can't get a good seal after an hour at low pressures - 7 cm
They blow a lot of air almost directly out the front... its bothered my wife several times.
I'm a side sleeper with sometimes 3/4 prone... it always knocks the mask off seal/ air blowing against the pillow noise etc... I'm awake.

I can live with the noise...
They are light.
They are comfortable.
When on my back... they work

You get the idea... going back to my Nasal.

Nord

[DaveL]

Hi Nord,

One of my recent purchases was a cpap pillow that Shoppers had at their Mississauga store. I find it very helpful. In the past I had trouble when I moved onto my side; my old mask would leak quite badly as it was pushed aside by the normal pillow I used.
My new mask is absolutely quiet under these circumstances (bought them at the same time).

I'm feeling much more comfortable with my new masal mask (Mirage SoftGel-- IIRC), my cpap pillow, and the cpap wipes that help me clean the mask surface better than I used to.

You've provided me with wonderful help with your suggestions. Thanks!

[Nord]

Hi Nord,

One of my recent purchases was a cpap pillow that Shoppers had at their Mississauga store. I find it very helpful. In the past I had trouble when I moved onto my side; my old mask would leak quite badly as it was pushed aside by the normal pillow I used.
My new mask is absolutely quiet under these circumstances (bought them at the same time).

I'm feeling much more comfortable with my new masal mask (Mirage SoftGel-- IIRC), my cpap pillow, and the cpap wipes that help me clean the mask surface better than I used to.

You've provided me with wonderful help with your suggestions. Thanks!

Hi Dave

You're very welcome...
I tried on the Mirage SoftGel and I really liked it. I am just about to switch out my Swift FX for the SoftGel. As a confirmed "side sleeper"... Nasal masks seem better than Pillows to me.

Sorry about the thread heist...

Nord

[Redeye]

Hi Kathy,

I don't know if this is an option for you but have your DME come over to your house. Have him or her bring over an FX, a Headrest, and also maybe an Activa LT as an alternative to try. The LT is a mask (not pillows) and is good for side sleepers and may be better for you with leaving marks. Lay down and turn from side to side with the machine on while the DME is there. Many insurers will let you change in the 1st 30 days so you should be able to do this. Some will limit you to only one changeout but many DMEs understand that the mask is the hardest, most personal aspect of the whole 'mess'. You might be able to change again in as little as 3 months anyway. Interestingly, my DME told me that pillows work better with higher pressures and they weren't sure that my 10 would be enough...but it was. I think I'm loving my FX but I'm a newbie at this! Lots of reading here.

Good luck,

Redeye

[Redeye]

Kathy,

I forgot to mention to please not forget to tell your S9 about the mask changes you're doing. Not changing the S9's setting for mask type will give you the wrong idea about how a new mask will behave. When the DME leaves, make sure the S9 is set to the mask type you will be trying. Thanks.

Redeye

[sarcher]

HI nord, i have had good luck with the softgel so far with my patients as well. It does come closer to the eyes than a comfort gel but seals pretty good for side sleepers. For pillows, we do the 2 different cpap pillows as well. a pt said they had luck wit a buckwheat pillow( sounds weird but you can get them at natural or eco bedding stores. they are filled with buckwheat and your face and mask kind of sink into the pillow without that face smudge(very technical i know) and she said it worked great.. we are doing some masks reviews today and will be posting them on our site next week. I will be doing the soft gel as well as a opus 360 i think. Go canucks go... steve

[Redeye]

HI nord, i have had good luck with the softgel so far with my patients as well. It does come closer to the eyes than a comfort gel but seals pretty good for side sleepers. For pillows, we do the 2 different cpap pillows as well. a pt said they had luck wit a buckwheat pillow( sounds weird but you can get them at natural or eco bedding stores. they are filled with buckwheat and your face and mask kind of sink into the pillow without that face smudge(very technical i know) and she said it worked great.. we are doing some masks reviews today and will be posting them on our site next week. I will be doing the soft gel as well as a opus 360 i think. Go canucks go... steve

Sorry, Steve...what site? Thanks.

Redeye

[cobra4x4]

Hi Kathy

I see this thread got hijacked, but if you search the site for nasal pillows you will find many informative threads on the subject including peoples experiences and tips on making certain types of masks work (which will undoubtly vary by person).

I also have a pressure of 7cm and nasal pillows work fine at that pressure.

Good Luck & happy reading

[Nord]

HI nord, i have had good luck with the softgel so far with my patients as well. It does come closer to the eyes than a comfort gel but seals pretty good for side sleepers. For pillows, we do the 2 different cpap pillows as well. a pt said they had luck wit a buckwheat pillow( sounds weird but you can get them at natural or eco bedding stores. they are filled with buckwheat and your face and mask kind of sink into the pillow without that face smudge(very technical i know) and she said it worked great.. we are doing some masks reviews today and will be posting them on our site next week. I will be doing the soft gel as well as a opus 360 i think. Go canucks go... steve

Thanks Steve

Each mask seems to do better with different types of head pillows. I switch between Tempur, soft flat feather, fuller firm feather, and even a bean pillow. Is the "buckwheat a hard bean ???
I'll go to your site and watch the new mask videos (clinicalsleepdotcom). I watched a couple of your mask videos on utube... older ones.

Looking forward... bad luck with Canucks and officiating...

Nord

[ksilb]

Thank you all for your comments and ideas! My DME does come to my house so I can try things out. The responses you have given me give me hope that pillows may work even with my higher pressure requirements. I do have the option of a change within 30 days but was asked to give this mask a two week trial which seems reasonable. And I'm ok with it just would like to try other options. It seems from reading here that many or most have more than one mask. I think ultimately having one for stuffy nose nights and mouth breathing is also a good idea.

Though not usually the norm, it appears my insurance is ok on this, and I get all free supply exchanges every three months with filters and hoses more often.

So next week after my two week mark I will call the DME and set up another appointment to try some of these suggestions you all have kindly made. If anyone else wants to chime in, I'll welcome your comments as well and also when I have a chance I'll check the site for other mask info.

You all are great! Thank you so much for making my entry to this hosehead world an easier one. I am one of the lucky ones to be having such a positive response immediately. I think soon I'm going to be able to cut back blood pressure, bladder and GERD meds which is such a nice perk in addition to just feeling so rested and ready to take on each day! I wish you all the same positive responses whether quickly or over the long term!! Kathy

[rtsteve]

HI everyone. i am finally signed in all official like.... username rtsteve not sarcher now.. great to be on the site and still learing myself with all the experiences from you guys... steve

[Hawthorne]

Steve - I'm glad you officially registered! The Canadians on this site should be happy about that.

This Canadian is!!

One thing - you probably should be prepared for lots of PMs!

[rtsteve]

thanks , i look forward to them.. and to respond to nord the buckhweat almost feels like a softer beanbag chair?? . I am going to bring some in to the clinic and have poeple give them a try on our clinic bed with there mask to see how it feels.. i will try to give some feedback on how people do with it.. steve.