Question about Nasal Pillows

[Bilbosax]

I am currently using a Simplus full face mask that I got from my sleep test, but i mostly sleep on my side or my stomach and I am tired of knocking the mask loose, and I can't STAND if I drool in the mask LOL. So I have decided to go with a nasal pillow mask because my DME offers a 1 time free mask replacement to its users. The company is called Apria, and although they offer a lot of masks on their website, the actual place here in Indianapolis only offers 2 options. I can either get the Resmed Airfit P10 (part #26900), or the Dreamwear Gel Pillows (part #1124984).

I would like to get any feedback from anyone who has tried either of these nasal pillows. I'll look online to see if I can find any reviews, but Apria literally made no suggestions to me, and they let you just pick one that looks good to you without any suggestions or information. Pointless. If other nasal pillows are highly sought after by CPAP users, I would be willing to spend some money out of pocket to get the best pillows for the buck if you have any suggestions as well.

Thanks for any insights!

[LSAT]

2 Comments...I have used the Simplus for the past 10 months and find it to be a very comfortable mask..I sleep 90% on my left side and Sleepyhead shows me with virtually no leaks. I have never knocked the mask loose. Maybe you should look at the various videos regarding the Simplus.....Regarding your DME...Aprea Sucks!

[chunkyfrog]

Many nasal pillow masks have free return insurance when bought from
the forum hosts, cpap.com.
Apria is only limiting you to one. Hmph!

[Bilbosax]

Thanks for the feedback LSAT. I can't really say that I have a big problem with the Simplus. My seal numbers have been good. But I'm not a mouth breather, so don't really need a full face mask, and would like to switch for a number of reasons including, but not limited to - I hate drooling in the mask which happens frequently, my nose itches a lot and I either have to jam a finger under the mask to scratch it or wake up to remove the mask to itch it, it is really marking up my chubby face Since Apria is going to give me a free mask, I figured that a smaller more manageable mask might be nice to add to my tiny collection, and I just want to make an informed decision than just grabbing a random one.

[Bilbosax]

So from the reviews I've read so far, here are the big points I am taking away from the two products.

Dreamwear Gel Pillows - I like that the tube connector is on top of the head. This would allow you to roll over without any tubing running across your chest. BUT, from the reviews that I have read, the tubes running down from the top of your head to your nose run right by your ears and the noise is noticeable. I'm a very light sleeper, so this could be a problem for me. Some people complain that the strap around the back of the head can ride up a lot to making it hard to stay fastened to the face.

Airfit P10 - This one seems very well liked, reviewed, and popular. I like that the air noise is away from the ears, but this puts you back in the position of having the tubing across your chest. The biggest complain seems to be that the headstraps are not adjustable, and that over time, they tend to stretch and become loose causing leaks. People say that washing the straps can cause them to shrink a bit, but this will only last so long before the straps are essentially useless.

Has anyone used either of these and have some input on whether or not it works well for you?

[realshelby]

I don't like full face masks....for the same reasons you mentioned!

I have both the ResMed P10 and the Dreamwear. The Dreamwear is available in pillows or nasal. The pillows have the same silicone pedestals the Nuance uses. But they don't work near as well on the Dreamwear due to how they sit in the frame. The Dreamwear "nasal" cushion has no pillows at all. It has an opening in a soft membrane that seals against your nose area. This style is simply the most comfortable mask I have ever worn. BUT....if you sleep on your side it shifts the opening in the nasal cushion sometimes enough that it blocks airflow to one nostril. That is the main reason I don't use the Dreamwear every day. The Nuance is a very good mask, I use the "pro" version. Pretty good for sleeping on your side. It does have a vent that can be bothersome.

The P10 may be the best all around mask you can buy. Very comfortable. Seal is stable, but not as good as the Nuance. Still very good. It allows more pressure from the side, while still sealing and staying in place, than any other mask I use. It has a headband that doesn't at first to appear to have any adjustment. But it is quite adjustable just by increasing the distance between the two back straps or shortening them with the provided clips.

[jnk...]

P10 is my go-to. I run the hose back over the headboard of the bed, so nothing across the chest for me. The straps don't adjust the traditional way, but they do adjust quite a bit by changing the placement of the straps, which haven't stretched at all for me, since I don't wash the heck out of 'em like others seem to do.

[Pugsy]

If you are a light sleeper and noise tends to bother you...go for the P10.
It is adjustable but not in the traditional sense with velcro kind of adjusting. You adjust the tension by how far apart or together you bring the 2 straps. For most people this is sufficient...if not..there's always surgery. I can walk you through it. Surgery on the headgear...not you.

Yes...over time they can stretch out and eventually need replacing because the hot water shrinking doesn't help enough but that's usually with months and months of use...most insurance will allow a new mask including headgear before that happens but if not...EBay is a good cheap enough source for just a replacement headgear. I just retired a headgear after 10 months of continual night use.

I have used both...and both have their own pros and cons...none are deal breakers but if you are a light sleeper the P10 has essentially silent venting and the DreamWear doesn't. Substantial potential difference in noise as well as the chance of the vented air bouncing back on you or hitting your bed partner. With the P10 I have to have my hand about an inch from the vent holes to barely even feel it.
With the DreamWear I can feel it at 2 or 3 feet.

[zonker]

p 10 for me, see? have been on the current one for over a year. the washing to shrink option has worked for me fine in that time frame. pretty decent price, too.

i'd recommend it.

[Scluvsrain]

I use the P10 and love it. To deal with the hose, I use a hose buddy which holds the hose up and swings when I move without bothering me or getting tangled.

I’ve been using mine without washing it since May. . It just never looks dirty.


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[accrn]

What did you end up going with? Do you like it?

I normally use a P10, but I lucked into a free sample of the Nuance with the fabric headgear and I'm giving that a go tonight.

[robo2084]

P10 all the way...I love it. If I hadn't gotten the P10 I don't think I could have ever gotten to the point where I use the machine every night.

Keep in mind you can buy just the replacement straps once they get stretched for something like $20. Also, the clips can tighten things up a lot when needed, although it gets a bit awkward looking once you've clipped half of the strap (still works though).

One thing on venting, I've found some other masks sometimes wind up venting air into my eyes, which is really annoying. The P10 has advanced vents that do none of that. It's just a very light vent through a sort of microfiber.

Make sure you let the P10 dry after washing, otherwise sometimes the vent doesn't work well.