nasal pillows - pros and cons?

[linmac]

It's been 4 nights for me so far. I know it's early days, but I'm struggling to adjust. I'm using a nasal mask (I don't know the brand, sorry) and finding it difficult. My nose itches and I can't scratch it, when I roll over I get leaks (although minor ones, there are no large leaks recorded by the machine). I'm wondering about trying nasal pillows. My doctor says they can be hard for some people to tolerate because the air comes out hard through such small holes. I have a humidifier, and my apap is only going to around 8.5 so I'm thinking high pressure shouldn't be too much of a problem.

How have you all found nasal pillows vs the mask? Do you have any suggestions for me in terms of what to look for when trying the mask at the office? It's so hard to know how it will feel after a long night, when you just try it for a moment in an office.

All tips gratefully received. I'm definitely sticking with this, but feeling a bit disheartened right now.

Thanks!

Linda

[HoseCrusher]

Linda, ask your doctor if he/she has ever slept a night using nasal pillows... I think not.

The key to pillows is to keep your mask loose. If you tighten it up you end up with a sore nose. If you thrash around a lot while you sleep you may see some additional leaks but they should be tolerable.

Pillows are minimal compared to masks and I prefer that.

As far as your nose itching goes... I know a nose massage specialist that suggested that a thorough massage tends to de-sensitize the area making it less prone to itch.

Of course, your mileage may vary...

[SewTired]

I highly recommend nose pillows. I have both the Wisp and the Airfit. You might get a sore nose the first night or two, but for most people, that is it.

[jab1972]

I've been using the Mirage FX for around 3 years now with minimal problems. I toyed with a couple nasal pillows, and found them comfortable, but my high pressure (17) and stomach sleeping made them a little tougher for me. I agree with the previous person who suggested loosening up the strap until it is just barely holding the mask on. When your nose itches, just scratch it. It will be a tiny blip on your numbers, but your nose will feel so much better. And once you have the hang of it, resetting the mask isn't that big a deal.

Good luck!

[palerider]

My nose itches and I can't scratch it, ... My doctor says they*pillows) can be hard for some people to tolerate because the air comes out hard through such small holes.

couple points here... 1) in my experience (and some other people), itchy noses under the mask correlate 100% to nose hair... nose itches at night.. give it a good trim... no itches for weeks. and I'm not talking old man braidable stuff, either, just hairs close to the end of the nostrils that get blown around by the air currents. funny thing, it *never* feels like it's itching there... just at various places around the nose.

2) your doctor is full of poo, there's no air coming out 'hard' through the holes... the only air going in and out of the holes is what you inhale and exhale... in other words, there's no more air going in through your nose with the cpap than there is during the day when you're breathing normally... usually LESS air, since respiration tends to be lighter during sleep.

when the mask is on your face, the only air moving is coming up the tube and out the vents, until you inhale...

[Zomby Woof]

How have you all found nasal pillows vs the mask? Do you have any suggestions for me
in terms of what to look for when trying the mask at the office? It's so hard to know how
it will feel after a long night, when you just try it for a moment in an office.
I'm definitely sticking with this, but feeling a bit disheartened right now.
Linda

Don't be disheartened Linda! There is an optimal solution out there for you,
proceed optimistically and be unstoppable.

I agree with you that trying a mask at the DME office is near useless;
none fit or perform the same while sitting up, or even while sitting in a recliner, as they will
when you are streatched out on your own bed.

After requesting a trial of nasal pillows and being told that they "would not handle high pressures"
I began therapy with a WISP nasal mask that was very,very leaky at my 22-25cwp prescription.
The Wisp was succeeded by an ESON Full Face mask which I could only wear for 11 minutes
before its headgear gave me a truly terrible headache. Then I moved to an AirFit F10
full-face mask that also gave me headaches; 45 minutes is my record wear time with it.

Leaving headgear behind I discovered the Tap Pap that has ZERO headgear, and,
Oh baby - NO HEADACHES However I did then discover that flappy lips were the
ultimate source of my leaks so the Tap Pap was succeeded by...

Ta Daaa... P10 Nasal Pillows - and they are HEAVEN to wear!

BTW, despite the DME's assertion, the nasal pillows on the Tap Pap and the P10
are far better at maintaining their seal at high pressures than the nasal-only mask
OR the full-face masks I've tried

All good wishes for your success,
Dennis


"Work out your salvation with diligence" Buddha

[SewTired]

It's my understanding that nasal pillows are a problem if your pressure is over 12. Before that they should be pretty comfortable. I really like these nasal pillows and I get almost no leaks. I have one nasal mask, a Sleepweaver Advance, and I love it but I do get more leaks and it tends to be louder. It is also a more expensive choice. I have that one for times when my nose is sore or when I have a sinus infection because of the swelling.

Most of my nose issues were because I had the wrong size pillows. Even though the medium feel more comfortable the small actually fit. The small feel perfectly fine after a couple of days use. I think I just sort of between sizes.

[Pugsy]

It's my understanding that nasal pillows are a problem if your pressure is over 12.

Common old wives tale told by people who never have even tried nasal pillows at "higher" pressures.
People are successfully using nasal pillows at pressures well beyond the 12 cm mark. Cpap/apap users with pressures in the high teens and bilevel machine users with pressures well over 20 cm.....all successfully using nasal pillows. Sometimes a little bit more challenging at higher pressures but then so is any mask at higher pressures and the more surface area needing to be kept sealed the more the challenge. Nasal pillow masks have the least amount of real estate that is in contact with the skin so actually they are easier.

At the most nasal pillows should only cause minor tenderness at the nostril area because that area is virgin territory which has never had anything up against it for any length of time.
No abrasions to the skin...no rubbing the area raw...no significant pain....
Really no mask out there should cause these problems and if they do then the most common cause is wrong size, too tight or simply not the right mask for the person.

I'm wondering about trying nasal pillows. My doctor says they can be hard for some people to tolerate because the air comes out hard through such small holes. I have a humidifier, and my apap is only going to around 8.5 so I'm thinking high pressure shouldn't be too much of a problem.

If you want to try a nasal pillow mask then try it. Wanting to try something is a good enough reason to try it.
If you don't you will always be "what iffing" things...what if I really like it or what if it works better.
When I was on apap my pressure started out the night a 10 cm and often went to 18 cm and I slept right through it quite well. Now that I am on bilevel I often see pressures over 20 cm and I still sleep right through all the changes.
The only nasal/nostril discomfort I have ever had was when the headgear was just a little too snug. Never had raw skin or prolonged pain or abrasions. All I have ever had is very minor tenderness (sore of like pushing on a bruise) and that went away quickly.

Having the direct airflow up the nose. We do get used to it and it does feel a bit weird to start with but we do get used to it rather quickly and there comes a time where we wake up in the middle of the night and have to feel the mask on the nose to make sure it's there because we don't notice the air at all and wonder if the machine is even on.

I have always felt like that the "I want to try" reason was good enough reason to try something and I have tried lots and lots of masks just for that reason and not because I necessarily had problems with the mask I was using. I just wanted to try something new to see how it works out. Sometimes it worked out great and sometimes it didn't work out so great but I always learned something either about myself and my preferences or about the mask. Anytime something is learned the experiment isn't a total bomb...even if all that was learned was how much a person might hate something (I have had a few of those).

[palerider]

It's my understanding that nasal pillows are a problem if your pressure is over 12. Before that they should be pretty comfortable.

your understanding is in error.

[Too tall]

It's my understanding that nasal pillows are a problem if your pressure is over 12.

Common old wives tale told by people who never have even tried nasal pillows at "higher" pressures.

Yes, my even my DME (I don't think any of them ever used a CPAP) told me I couldn't use a nasal pillow with a pressure of 6 because it was too high. My face was raw from trying different mask. When I was about ready to give up, they pull out the nasal pillow and I was able to use it. I'm still struggling with the best way to control mouth breathing but I don't think that's relevant to the nasal pillow.

[Uncle_Bob]

If your nose itches trying pinching it on the end of an exhale. Its going to take your nose some time to get used to the pillows, especially brand new and thus firmer pillows.
Its worth while taming a nasal pillow mask since they cost a lot less than full face masks and that can add up over time. They are also easier to clean and smaller to travel with.

Some people have used LANOSIL® to help ease the itching and irritation.

I agree on keeping your nasal hair under control with a nasal mask but you don't need to go as far as waxing. I had an European wax center open near me a couple of years ago, they offered a complementary waxing, i chose nasal hair. She packed my nostrils with wax let it dry and then yanked it out, it was the first time i almost hit a woman and i couldn't use the mask for 3 nights.

The major con is potential mouth leaks, but they can be controlled with chin straps or mouth taping.

You could also consider nasal prongs

[popcpoo]

If you want to try the air pillows, I have a Resmed Swift FX with two new air pillows (medium) still in the bag. I will send them to you if you want them. I have learned I need to use a full face mask.

[linmac]

Thanks so much for all the replies, I am feeling greatly reassured. Off to ask for nasal pillows to try today. Had a bad night with the nasal mask last night, but I think that was due to mouth breathing in spite of the chinstrap.

I'm in Australia, so posting the mask to me is likely to be crazy expensive, but thanks so much for the offer!

[Strict Compliance]

Some people have used LANOSIL® to help ease the itching and irritation.

Mmmmm? I believe you mean this - https://www.lansinoh.com/products/hpa-lanolin

[kteague]

Off to ask for nasal pillows to try today.

Keep in mind even among nasal pillows masks there are variables. Some masks the pillows are in a fixed position. If your nares don't match that position the mask will leak. For instance I have slotted nares. I do better with masks where the pillows are adjustable. Just keep in mind one mask not working doesn't necessarily mean another won't. Good luck.