Breeze Nasal Pillows

Rolyn · Post by **Rolyn** » Fri Dec 10, 2004 3:42 pm

I've moved another step in my quest to find a mask that doesn't leak or destroy my nose. Yesterday I visited my sleep clinic and was loaned a Breeze Nasal Pillow set-up. Thanks to advice from this site, I got medium and large pillows.

I tried it last night and had a few problems/questions that I'd like input on.

It was harder to exhale with the pillows. Will I get used to this or should the pressure be lower when you switch from a full face mask to nasal pillows?

I also experienced a very dry mouth although I was sleeping with my mouth taped shut with Curad Scar Reduction strips (again thanks to the good people on this site) and didn't think I was leaking.

I experienced my first rain-out. I have a heated humidifier set on 3 and had a lot of water in my nose. Should I reduce it to 1 or 2 or use it without any heat? I got up around 1 am with a very wet, stuffed up nose. I used a nasal spray, put everything back on and slept until around 4:30 am when I took it off and slept until 6:15 am without it.

I tried the Activa Nasal Mask while I was at the sleep center and wanted to try it, but they were out. I am supposed to get it next Thursday. Any advice on what to look for with it.

Again, thanks for all the input available here. I think I would have already given up if not for the advice. I'm determined to make this work!!

cheer sponsor · Post by **cheer sponsor** » Sat Dec 11, 2004 2:11 pm

I don't know anything about the pillows but do have an activa mask. It seems to do ok. Get it settled, watch for little leaks, hose is not too loud, and it is soft. I wish mine was just a bit smaller. It rides too close to my eyes and way down on my upper lip. It does allow for some serious movement while sleeping. I just started on the whole CPAP thing. It sure is going to take some getting used to. Good luck to you.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Sat Dec 11, 2004 5:52 pm

hi cheer sponsor,

What size cushion is your Activa? If it is "Standard" size, you might like a "Shallow" better. I have both and I find the shallow much more comfortable. Even the shallow occasionally gets too high up under my eyes. When that happens, I pull the mask forward off my face a bit (with machine still going - those loose-ish straps are sooo nice) and plop it back into place, but a little farther down.

Rolyn, yes, you might want to try turning the humidity down if your nose felt wet and stuffy. Advice on what to look for with the Activa - unless you have a big face or beak nose, the "Shallow" size seems to suit a lot of people. Even the shallow is still pretty big. The trick to making the Activa do its thing (not leak) is to fit the straps very loosely. After you are lying down (and with machine going) do the "real" fitting. The angle of the mask is the key - play around a lot with tilting the mask via the button on the arm that connects to the forehead pad. Straps can be (and should be) rather loose once the pressure is going.

I keep my pressure the same when I use either the Breeze/nasal pillows, the Activa, or my FF mask. It may be a matter of getting used to the nasal pillows, but if your nose is stopped up, it would be very hard to get air through.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Dec 12, 2004 4:17 pm

Thanks rested gal.

I do have the standard size. My insurance co and I are having issues but I am changing cos in January. (not by choice) So I have to go through the rent before buying stage again. I will see if they will help cover if I get a shallow size mask. If not, I will cough up the $$.

cheer sponsor · Post by **cheer sponsor** » Sun Dec 12, 2004 4:19 pm

The guest above is me. Thanks again rested gal.