Need help with Nasal Aire II

[alexL]

I use a Swift FX. After using it a while, the skin where the pillows rest will get sensitive and irritated. I purchased a second mask, the Nasal Aire II, about 6 months ago. I figured that the nasal prongs would give the outside of my nose a rest. My intention was to alternate back and forth between the two. I had no trouble with the fit and feel of the NAII. But I do have a problem that has me scratching my head. The CPAP pressure is the same. But, the pressure from the Nasal Aire II seems higher, much higher. In fact, I have trouble breathing against it. My pressure setting is 10.5, which feels comfortable on the Swift FX. But the same setting on the NAII is very difficult to exhale against. I can't figure out how this can be? Does anyone have a guess or a suggestion? It isn't a little bit of difference, it is a lot of difference.

[Pugsy]

I have used both the Swift LT and the Nasal Air II prongs. I use a APAP minimum starting pressure of 10. I didn't notice any appreciable difference in exhale. There aren't many Nasal Air II users here. There are several Intellipap users here though. Perhaps if you add "Intellipap user" to your topic title it will get their attention.
I do see that you are using the basic "Plus" model and I am unsure as to what exhale relief is offered. Those familiar with the Intellipap machines could perhaps offer some ideas.

[alexL]

Okay, thanks for the suggestions. The other thing that I noticed, which also seems unusual to me is that, when I remove the Swift FX my machine senses that the mask is off and shuts itself off. With the NAII, it does not sense that the mask is off and keeps running. That strikes me as unusual also. Don't know why that is. I doubt if the two issues are related. I am hoping that another NAII user stumbles across this post and lets me know if they feel a big difference in pressure. Reading your reply one thought comes to mind. I was unaware that the machines offer exhale relief. Maybe the two issues are related. If my machine can never sense when the NAII is off, maybe it can't sense exhalation either so it never affords any degree of exhalation relief.

[Pugsy]

I think that SmartFlex listed on the machine spec page in your profile is a form of exhale relief. How it works or how it might be able to be adjusted will need to be answered by someone familiar with the Intellipap.

If you edit the Subject to "Intellipap user needs help with Nasal Aire II" you will get some attention.

As far as Nasal Aire Prong users...not many here and none using the Intellipap that I know of. I tried them but found that I needed an in between size. So my time using it was short lived.

[6PtStar]

I have used the Nasal Aire II for almost 4 years and really like it. My DME has been trying to get me to try to the Swift FX because they don't want to supply the NAII but so far I have not tried it yet. So I guess I can't help much. I am also not using the Intellipap machine although I can't think of any reason it could make any difference in machines. The only thing I can think of is that the NAII seals so well that it might seem like the pressure might be higher. I am at 11 cm/h2o and my leak line is so flat as long as I don't mouth breathe that all the pressure goes in the nose. Just a thought. Pugsy and I have compaired leak lines before and the NAII is one mask that does not leak as long as you don't open your mouth.
Jerry

[Pugsy]

Just a thought. Pugsy and I have compaired leak lines before and the NAII is one mask that does not leak as long as you don't open your mouth.

Tis true. I have threatened to go to Jerry's house and poke holes in the mask and hose because I was so jealous of the leak line. Funny thing is I often now have a nice perfect little leak line myself with the Swift FX. I never could get the prongs to work because I happened to be an in between size. One size was just to small and wouldn't seal at all, next size up was too large and hurt like a son of a gun.