question about new nasal pillows and pressure

[nmevan]

greetings

I just received new nasal pillows...both the swift LT and the swift LX
I have not slept with either yet.
After trying them on, I find that it is somewhat difficult to draw a full breath with the pressure from my machine.
Perhaps I am just used to the regular nasal or FFM I have been using so far?

The hose that accompanies the nasal pillows is quite a bit smaller in diameter than my regular hose.

I am wondering if it is not unusual for one to have to raise the pressure when switching to nasal pillows?

The beginning pressure on my bipap is quite low. Following are the numbers.

max IPAP 15
min EPAP 4
max PS 4
flex type bi-flex
biflex 3

thanks

evan

[sleepnationtv]

For most people it will feel different because the air does not circulate as well. Most people say it feels like there is more pressure when they switch to the nasal pillows. i would just see if you get used to it.

[rested gal]

The beginning pressure on my bipap is quite low. Following are the numbers.

max IPAP 15
min EPAP 4
max PS 4
flex type bi-flex
biflex 3

thanks

evan

Yes, the beginning pressure on your BiPAP Auto is very low. With that min EPAP, the machine is going to start out each time using only 6 for IPAP and 4 for EPAP.

If it were me, and I felt like it was difficult to "get air" using nasal pillows at those settings, I'd set the min EPAP at 6 and leave all the other settings like they are. That would make the machine start out at 8 for IPAP and 6 for EPAP.

[nmevan]

thanks, rested gal!

I set my min EPAP at 5.5 and it seemed to work fine.

I have been using a FFM since I started cpap about 6 months ago, but since I've started using a nasal mask about a week ago, and as of last night, nasal pillows, I've brought my AHIs down from 7 to 2.5

my needed pressure has dropped as well from 13 to 9

I appreciate everyone's help

evan

[trike-mike]

Evan,

There is another discussion in the list at viewtopic/t62911/fx--pr1--feeling-like- ... h-air.html that may address some of this for you. The short of it is for me with the FX and medium pillows, I feel starved for air. With large pillows (albeit a bit harder to seat) I breathe like they aren't there. Try to get the nasal pillow mask seated with the largest possible pillows and see if that helps.

mike

[DennisG]

greetings

The hose that accompanies the nasal pillows is quite a bit smaller in diameter than my regular hose.

Not sure what machine you are using but there is probably a setting that can be adjusted for the smaller hose. I know there is on my machine.

Good luck
Dennis

[trike-mike]

Dennis,

I think you may be right that there is an adjustment to account for that but, as I understand these, the mask and lead-in hose are designed as an aggregate system so the specs for it account for the hose diameter and might not be a specific issue... More likely an adjustment for the overall mask system if but if is like with the Respironics machine, the only known settings are for Respironics masks...

That being said, as many do... careful experimentation may find the magic elixir to make it comfortable.....

[Muse-Inc]

I, like the other poster, went to large pillows for its increased air flow. I get anxious if I feel my breathing is compromised even slightly, so large pillows it is for me. Medium pillows fit me well but my breathing feels restricted. Worth experimenting.