Need tips for better nasal pillow seal

kolchak · Post by **kolchak** » Tue May 13, 2008 7:30 am

Hi
I use a respironics autoSV machine & sometimes require gale force winds >20 cms to correct my centrals. I've tried many types of masks but, the swift 2 is the only one I find comfortable enough to wear all night. Problem is the higher pressures seem to blow out the seal on the nasal prongs rendering my therapy useless.
Are their any tips to achieve a stronger seal with the nasal pillow masks?
I'd consider crazy glueing them in if it meant not having to wear a FFmask or nasal mask.
thanks so much

yardbird · Post by **yardbird** » Tue May 13, 2008 7:45 am

I've been using a Swift and a Swift 2 for over a year so I'll chime in

#1 make sure you're using the correctly sized pillows. I've never used my Swift at that high of a pressure, but .... well I could have SWORN I'd be a "medium", but in fact I get the best seal, the most consistent seal, with a "large" pillow size. Those pillows should NOT be inserted into your nares. The air pressure should inflate them slightly and THAT's where they seal at the rim of your nares.

It's a balancing act. No doubt about it. If your pressures vary a lot, then to get a seal at 20cm, you'll almost certainly be leaking at 10cm. The narrower the pressure range, the more consistent of a seal you'll get. I would say range no more than 4 (2 up, 2 down). Go to the middle of that and set up your mask.

START LOOSE, then slowly tighten the straps until it stops leaking. It should NOT have a lot of pressure against your nose. If it does, start over. You may find you want to get the rear-most strap pretty much set first, and then do the top. You may find you have better results doing it the other way. Do what works. BUT START LOOSE (see a trend here? heheheh)

Treesap · Post by **Treesap** » Tue May 13, 2008 8:18 am

Using AYR Nasal Gel around your nares before you put your mask on. It helps to seal.

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Tue May 13, 2008 8:20 am

Why insist on the Swift? You may find other nasal pillows masks fit you better, and therefore seal better even at higher pressures.

O.

zorrro13 · Post by **zorrro13** » Tue May 13, 2008 9:10 am

A bulkier nasal mask like the Activa (and others) are built like a tank and may help

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): activa, swift, seal, Nasal Pillows

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): activa, swift, seal, Nasal Pillows

Hurricane · Post by **Hurricane** » Tue May 13, 2008 9:29 am

[quote="kolchak"]Hi
I use a respironics autoSV machine & sometimes require gale force winds >20 cms to correct my centrals. I've tried many types of masks but, the swift 2 is the only one I find comfortable enough to wear all night. Problem is the higher pressures seem to blow out the seal on the nasal prongs rendering my therapy useless.
Are their any tips to achieve a stronger seal with the nasal pillow masks?
I'd consider crazy glueing them in if it meant not having to wear a FFmask or nasal mask.
thanks so much

kolchak · Post by **kolchak** » Tue May 13, 2008 8:42 pm

[Kolchak, I found in my case using the Swift 11, I use the Respironics Premium chin Strap $24.25, I put this chin strap over the Swift strapping, using the large nasal pillow, hang the hose from a holder behind the bed, and with this arrangement I can sleep on my side , back and what ever, and have very little dislodging of the pillows, I also use a down pillow which also takes off the friction on the straps while turning, experiment with the pillow sizes, tightness needed, and be patient you will find sleep.
Ed

Thanks all for the suggestions. Unfortunately (or fortunately) i'm leaving tonight for a bass fishing vacation in Mexico and won't be able to follow up on this thread....maybe I'll just stay home instead?
Ed - Are you placing the chin stap over top of the actual pillows somehow or fastening it some other way to just support the straps better? Just trying to get a visual of how you're doing it.
I'll try the other suggestions and have actually looked for the ary gel - is ary gel basically the same thing as KY or one of those "sex lubes?
Unfortunately I just purchased a new edition Bravo nasal pillow mask but that seal seems more challanging then the swft. I'm waiting to hear back from respironics if their are actually any "approved" pillow type masks for the autoSV machines. Evidently the extra tubing causes the machine problems sensing the breathing ciruit....thing.
If not I may be resigned to finding a nasal or FF mask.
Thanks so much for the advice

Hurricane · Post by **Hurricane** » Wed May 14, 2008 6:28 am

The chin straps are not touching the pillow area of the Swift 11, but over the Swift on the cheek area, making the Swift straps more non slipable when turning face on pillow, check out the picture of the chin strap on cpap.com you will get the idea. I put the Swift on first. then the chin strap, the only reason I use the chin strap is to secure the Swift in place, hey found out after a year of mask movement the chin strap stabilized the Swift.
Ed
Would have answered sooner, but was having a great day out trout fishing,and lost track of time.

formerobgyn · Post by **formerobgyn** » Wed May 14, 2008 7:46 am

I am using the Hybrid mask. I could not get quite the proper angle for the pillows to seal until I tried bracing parts of the mask and the pillows with athletic sweat headbands. They are somewhat elastic and made of terry cloth ( I guess ) and by cutting an indentation in the band, I find that I can place the band around my face with the indent cutout up against the flange of the pillows and create a seal.

Hurricane · Post by **Hurricane** » Wed May 14, 2008 9:55 am

[quote="formerobgyn"]I am using the Hybrid mask. I could not get quite the proper angle for the pillows to seal until I tried bracing parts of the mask and the pillows with athletic sweat headbands. They are somewhat elastic and made of terry cloth ( I guess ) and by cutting an indentation in the band, I find that I can place the band around my face with the indent cutout up against the flange of the pillows and create a seal.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed May 14, 2008 4:05 pm

Nasal Aire II, attached to a Deluxe Chinstrap.

But you knew I'd say that, right?

W W W DOT cpaptalk.com/viewtopic/t23207/Babettes-Nasal-Aire-II-Tip-Sheet.html

Cheers,
Babette

CamiTampa · Post by **CamiTampa** » Wed May 14, 2008 7:44 pm

formerobgyn wrote:
I am using the Hybrid mask. I could not get quite the proper angle for the pillows to seal until I tried bracing parts of the mask and the pillows with athletic sweat headbands. They are somewhat elastic and made of terry cloth ( I guess ) and by cutting an indentation in the band, I find that I can place the band around my face with the indent cutout up against the flange of the pillows and create a seal.

I also use either my Hybrid or Liberty and have found that the

tights mod

as the women here like to put it, works great for keeping the nasal pillows in place. Luckily I'm married and my wife has a never ending supply of tights (1 leg cut from a pair of pantyhose,) for my cpap use. One leg lasts me months.

Good luck
Cami

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): CPAP, seal, Nasal Pillows

neverbetter · Post by **neverbetter** » Thu May 15, 2008 11:44 am

the nasal aire might be a better choice for you. you can get all the sizes in your bag now, too , for a few dollars more. it's well worth it. great little mask.

kolchak · Post by **kolchak** » Thu May 22, 2008 6:59 pm

thanx for the suggetions & sorry for my delayed quetion but I just got back into town. Could someone please explain the "tight mod" to me & tell me which masks it work with?

CamiTampa wrote:
formerobgyn wrote:
I am using the Hybrid mask. I could not get quite the proper angle for the pillows to seal until I tried bracing parts of the mask and the pillows with athletic sweat headbands. They are somewhat elastic and made of terry cloth ( I guess ) and by cutting an indentation in the band, I find that I can place the band around my face with the indent cutout up against the flange of the pillows and create a seal.

I also use either my Hybrid or Liberty and have found that the
tights mod
as the women here like to put it, works great for keeping the nasal pillows in place. Luckily I'm married and my wife has a never ending supply of tights (1 leg cut from a pair of pantyhose,) for my cpap use. One leg lasts me months.

Good luck
Cami

Need tips for better nasal pillow seal

Need tips for better nasal pillow seal

Re: Need tips for better nasal pillow seal

Re: Need tips for better nasal pillow seal

Need tips for better nasal pillow seal

Re: Need tips for better nasal pillow seal

tights mod??