how much vent noise should I be hearing

[nwyant]

I just tried the small nasal pillow size on my Golife and the vent noise was almost nonexistent...with the medium size it sounds like a high wind all the time. And the medium pillows make my nose feel like they are stuffed and make my nose hurt....the small ones just rested there and as I said, it got very quiet.

[LinkC]

I think you answered your own question. (But I would bet the "vent" noise didn't increase with the bigger pillows. You had pillow leaks that sounded like venting air.

[tye]

I used the go life also. With them fitting properly I had very little noise. I don't know if you are having a fit issue but that's what it sounds like to me. With the small pillows I used, I had very minimal noise. I just switched to the respironics optilife yesterday and so far they are working well also. The DME fitted me with them due to the go life leaving marks in my face when I slept on my side at night.

I would try the small pillows and adjust them so you have no leaks and you should have minimal noise

[nwyant]

So the vent noise should be very minimal?? The guy who came out to fit me said the small ones were too small and put the medium ones on me and it was loud then but he said they were fine. They are uncomfortable...my nose hurt so bad this morning. I'm going to sleep with the smaller ones tonight and see what happens. Wow, this is getting old fast...LOL

[LinkC]

You should also ensure the vents aren't blowing on your pillow/blanket/arm/spouse*. If the flow is partially blocked, that will increase the noise. But I'd still bet it is leakage you are hearing.


*The spouse is likely to be the noisiest!

[2 B Sleeping Soundly]

You should also ensure the vents aren't blowing on your pillow/blanket/arm/spouse*. If the flow is partially blocked, that will increase the noise. But I'd still bet it is leakage you are hearing.

*The spouse is likely to be the noisiest!

(Psst... my wife is not standing behind me, is she... *looks around quickly*... Whew!)

[nwyant]

I could feel the air coming out of the vents but I couldn't tell if the pillows were leaking or not...it is loud though with medium pillows. When I switched out the small pillows and turned it on it was like "why is it so quiet now"....like I said, i am going to try the smaller pillows tonight just to see if there is a difference. I don't yet feel like I'm getting any benefits from this...and I'm thinking maybe because all of my air is escaping. Although, when I open my mouth and breathe through my mouth it feels weird...

[tye]

Stck with it. It definitely sounds you were hearing leaking from the pillows. Make sure they re not pulling into your nose. The should sit comfortably, not tight. Adjust the headgear until you get a good seal. They should not be up into the nares. If you continue to have this problem call your DME and tell them you want to try a different pillow system. I tried the respironics optilife and now am using the cushion instead of the prongs and I love it, very comfortable. I have been on cpap a month today and finding and fitting the right mask is the hardest part. Hang in there. You will figure it out

[tye]

And you shouldn't be breathing thru your mouth with nasal pillows. If you are you should get a chin strap because all of the air going in your nose will come out your mouth or your will swallow it and have gas pains in your stomach

[2 B Sleeping Soundly]

nwyant,

Both LinkC and tye have given you great advice. The hard thing for most of us in the beginning is to not over think everything. We then tend to try and fix everything that is wrong or that we perceive to be wrong all at once. Just like a baby taking their very first steps, this new way of sleeping is going to be hard in the beginning, but for most of us, one step leads to another step, and days turn into weeks, weeks turn into months, and then you will probably wonder how you ever slept without your PAP machine, mask, and hose . It is all doable and in reach for you if you take it one baby step at a time . So switch to the smaller pillows and give them a try. If they don't work, come back and post to let us know as we hose heads tend to stick together and like to help each other out You can do it!!

John

[nwyant]

I don't breathe through my mouth...never have. I think it comes from my mother when I was young that ladies don't breathe through their mouths...LOL I was just saying it feels weird when I do open my mouth to talk or something. I will try the small pillow tonight and see if I have a difference. I didn't have pillows or blankets near the hose vent and it was just loud. I told my husband I feel like I'm on the beach with the waves crashing in on me...that's how loud it was. I couldn't hear my phone ring on full..that's how loud it was. So, that's why I'm surprised the small pillows are almost silent.

[2 B Sleeping Soundly]

I don't breathe through my mouth...never have. I think it comes from my mother when I was young that ladies don't breathe through their mouths...LOL I was just saying it feels weird when I do open my mouth to talk or something.

Yeah, it does feel weird when you open your mouth to talk when the PAP machine is doing its thing. Kind of sounds like talking behind a pedestal fan while it is on, but with air gushing out of your mouth. I have heard it called around here by some of the forum members as 'Dragon Breath'. The only thing missing is the fire .

So, how did it go last night? Did you try the small pillows or stick with the mediums? Do tell...

John