Any Danger to using Nasal Dilators under CPAP?

[RomanDelta]

Hi All,

Deviated septum here, trying to maximize my chances of not switching to mouth breathing in the middle of the night while asleep.

I have a pack of these:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075K ... UTF8&psc=1

Basically it's a piece of plastic with wings that hold your nostrils open. Any issue with wearing one of those in my nose and then putting the mask on over it? I wouldn't imagine so since the connected part straddles your septum, but just want to be sure. I tried the breathe right strips, and they are great without a mask, but under the mask the humidity peels them off in no time flat.

[Lovetoski]

Hello RomanDelta:
I used these same dilators in conjunction with the N20 when I first started cpap. I now use a nasal pillow mask which I find solved the problem of airflow caused by the deviated septum. The only issue I found was that the bottom of the cushion pushed up on the plastic bit that connects the two sides and I would get a sore nose to the point of slight bleeding on the inside surface of my nose.
I do think the dilators are very helpful at maintaining an open nasal passage on the side of your nose affected by the deviated septum. I didn't try other nasal cushion style masks, so can't give advice as to if there is a particular cushion that might work better with the dilator.
Good luck in the hunt.
Lovetoski

[chunkyfrog]

Breathe right strips adhere much better than the knock-offs.
Skin oil needs to be cleaned off for best adhesion.
Using an alcohol swab to clean the skin before application makes it stick very well.

[RomanDelta]

Thanks lovetoski. Yeah I have a full nose mask as opposed to the nasal pillows, so I am hoping that it won't be an issue with rubbing up. I will try them tonight.

Chunky Frog,

Yeah I use and have sworn by the breathe right strips for years, but I use the skin sensitive ones. I guess I can try the regular strength ones again but good god they hurt when you peel them off, lol.

Yes, I am Italian, so oily nose gets rubbed vigorously each night

[chunkyfrog]

A baby wipe might be a better idea than alcohol.
The trick is to get it sticky enough for all night, but not enough to remove hide.

[ChicagoGranny]

Yeah I have a full nose mask as opposed to the nasal pillows

I find that nasal pillows inflate my nostrils - no dilator needed.

What are your pressure settings?

[RomanDelta]

Thanks chunkyfrog, I will try a baby wipe and see how it goes. God knows I have plenty of them laying around with a 20 month old!

ChicagoGrandma,

Setting is currently at 7. Fortunately I only apnea 8 times per hour without the CPAP so they set me pretty low. However, I have no cartilage in my nose, so I can't use the pillow style. I have to use either FFM or the nose mask that goes over the whole nose.