Nasal pillow tip

[Hogsrul]

For the longest time I thought I was a medium in the nasal pillow. I think this was because my DME told me I was when I first got my mask about 2 months ago.

I sure wish I had tried the large pillows when I first started, as I struggled quite a bit with the mediums and didn't realize there was that much of a difference between sizes.

So, for those of you possibly struggling with the pillows, try a larger pillow to see if that helps. I know it made a world of difference for me!

[cosmo]

I use the same Swift LT mask, my ideal size would be in between M/L. I tried the large size one night and it was one of my worst nights. That air hole in the center is huge.

I didn't like that jet of air where as the medium has the hole smaller. I had a difficult night with it but I still stuck with it for the experiment. Over time, I probably could get used to the large size if I had to.

[stage0]

Plus, believe it or not, some nostrils are a different size....so....a mix of pillow sizes can help some ppl be compliant.

[Hogsrul]

Stage0, you just blew my mind

[Always tired]

I really wish, as Cosmo does, that my Aloha pillows would offer a size between a M and L.
I contacted the company and bla bla bla, NO! Even thought about opening up a med with an Exacto knife, but the ragged edge would probably drive me nuts
A T

[RogerSC]

Just noticed the same thing with my Swift FX mask...been having a lot of leaking problems lately with the medium size nasal pillows, and just seemed like too much of a fight, too many wake-ups from leaks. I've been wanting to try the large size, but only had medium for a long time. I thought that medium was the right size (as did my DME, for whom I have very little respect at this point, very unhelpful people), large looked really really big, and I sized it according to the Swift FX fitting video at medium. My DME finally got me a whole new mask, which came with large, medium, and small size pillows. So I tried the large a few days ago, and it was really nice not fighting leaks. Haven't been waked up by leaks much at all lately, only once or twice a night instead of 5+ times.

I looked at my detailed leak data, before and after switching sizes, and I've had much less leakage on the large size nasal pillows, just a few short spikes a night, probably from rolling over. No longer leaks or high spikes. Which confirms what I've been feeling, that I'm doing a lot better with leaks now.

This goes back to the original Swift FX mask that my DME supplied a year ago. I'm pretty sure that they charged my insurance company for the full kit, but all they gave me was the medium size nasal pillows and the headgear. If I had the large size nasal pillows to try a long time ago, I would have known that large was the right size for me. I've been on the verge of just buying a large size to try from cpap.com for some time, but now don't have to do that *smile*.

At any rate, I agree with the OP, if you're having a hard time with leaks with nasal pillows, the first thing to look at (after mouth leaks *smile*) is pillow size.

[Conrad]

My DME insited that my nasal pillow size was small. I looked at the small and said no way. He said yes way. I tried the small for one night, he was wrong. I've been using the med. size ever since.

[khauser]

I really wish, as Cosmo does, that my Aloha pillows would offer a size between a M and L.
I contacted the company and bla bla bla, NO! Even thought about opening up a med with an Exacto knife, but the ragged edge would probably drive me nuts
A T

Next time you get new pillows try the experiment with the old ones.

Luckily, I figured this puzzle out at the start. My local less-than-helpful DME insisted I let her size me and always said "looks like a medium", no matter which mask. I finally said "large", period. They are the typical screw-em all you can kind of DME and only want to give me one set of pillows with a new mask, so they'd hang it on my head. "If you don't take my advice and insist on the large, we're not going to take it back if you're wrong."

They are also my EX-DME....

[PiobGuy]

Hi folks. As many of you have, I too have wished for an in between size. The solution for me was, in fact, cutting the tip, but not with a normal knife.

I found that this Craftsman Razor tool does a terrific job and leaves no rough edges.

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-edge-uti ... 937309000P



I just flatten the tip between my thumb and fore finger then carefully cut a VERY thin bit off.

Works like a charm.

JJ

[2 B Sleeping Soundly]

Hi folks. As many of you have, I too have wished for an in between size. The solution for me was, in fact, cutting the tip, but not with a normal knife.

I found that this Craftsman Razor tool does a terrific job and leaves no rough edges.

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-edge-uti ... 937309000P



I just flatten the tip between my thumb and fore finger then carefully cut a VERY thin bit off.

Works like a charm.

JJ

I don't use Nasal Pillows but that is an excellent idea for those who do. IMHO, you should be considered as a potential recipient for the Lab Rat Award viewtopic.php?p=127492