Question about Opus nasal pillows

[grumpygirl]

I know this may sound like a dumb question but here goes: I have used the Opus nasal mask for quite some time now and started with the small pillows but they seemed to be too small I then went to the medium pillows but they leaked a lot so I used dental floss to tie them together at the base. My question is this-could doing this actually make them too close and not be allowing me enough air to successfully treat my apneas. I have great daily stats but still feel very tired and foggy and frankly depressed. If this is not a proper way to stop the leaks then I am not sure exactly how to address the problem. The smalls seem too small and the mediums leak so what next? Any suggestions on this. I am looking for any solution to this fatique even if it's something that seems so simple and insignificant. I do tape my mouth and use the ResMed auto with settings of 9-13 (titrated at 12). Does this sound ridiculous?? My leak rate is usually between .10 and .14.

[SharkBait]

Only dumb questions are the ones you don't ask...

Are you restricting air flow when you tie them up like that? If not then I'm sure you're fine. I'm also wondering, if the smalls don't leak why do you not think they are the right size?

Also, if I was titrated at 12, I would set the minimum on my APAP at 12. You're likely getting apnea events that then force your pressure up to where it belongs after awhile.

That leak rate looks high.

[Hawthorne]

In my opinion, your minimum pressure of 9 cm may be too low if your titrated pressure is 12. I think your minimum should be at least 10 or even 11 with a titrated pressure of 12. If you raise your minimum you may also want to raise your maximum pressure a couple of cm as well.

I'm wondering how often you are getting up to 13 cm and what your 95 % pressure is. This could be a good clue as to how high to raise your minimum.

[grumpygirl]

I don't use the small nasal pillows because it almost feels like I am not getting enough air. I have my minimun pressure at 9 because I suffer horrible aerophagia at a pressure closer to 12. My morning stats usually show a pressure reading of 10.2 or 10.4 sometimes 10.6 but never over that. I know I would do better with a higher pressure but my "gas" problem is almost unbearable some days and I am caught between a rock and a hard place-either suffer debilitating gas or feel less tired. I was just wondering if adjusting the nasal pillows might allow more air flow and help with the fatigue. I am grasping at straws I know but "anything to feel less tired!!"

[1kim1]

Hello Nasal Pillow Users!

I am on my eighth day of using the machine. WOW...only experienced one full night of sleep so far. I am still getting used to the air blowing up my nose. I lower the air coming into the nasal capacity, which seems to help. Now I have a severe cold. Do you all sleep with the machine when you are sick? I have tired, but it is difficult. I wonder if it is just because I'm getting used to the machine? Humm. I hope I sleep soundly tonight. I want that sleep again. I have never felt sleep like I did that one night. I am wondering if I chose the right machine. Humm. During my study I tried the one that is placed over the nose. OPs...sorry about not using correct scientific words...I do not know what all of the correct terms are that are related to the machines and the air breathing numbers...yet. I am new to all of this. HELP comments please....Also, does your nose get sore when using the machine?

Thank you.

[greenvelvetdragon]

I had similar trouble with the sml vs med nasal pillows at first. I did the dental floss trick and it worked for awhile, but i have since found a better solution for me. i went to a beauty/hair salon warehouse when i made a trek into civilization, and purchased the tiny rubber bands for hair (ie braids, corn rows) it it worked perfectly. they are clear, not too stretchy and they last a long time where as i kept having to change the dental floss a lot. i tried it with the large pillows and it was ok, but had a higher leak rate. the only thing is that i do have to put a small amount of surgical tape between the pillows over the rubber band as a cushion or it rubs my nose and leaves a mark. i use about 3 very small thin strips right smack in the middle between the pillows over the band and have had little leakage problems. i just ordered the new opus mask (mine currently is a 2007 model) and assume i may have to do the same tweak. i used pure aloe vera gel to toughen and heal my nose and nares at the begining, and use when needed as it occasionally gets a bit sore.

all the best
GVD

[joylk1]

I also use the Opus nasal pillows and felt the same way about the small not giving me enough air, and found the medium to be perfect after I got used to the idea of my nostrils being pushed out and looking like a pig!The thing that stopped my leaking - with either size pillow - was - believe it or not - loosening the headgear! I've found that if the headgear is so loose that it almost feels like it's going to slip off, the seal works best. I read that from a post somewhere and that solved the problem for me. It seems like the leaking numbers would be your biggest clue about whether you're getting the therapy you need. I was wondering if a soft tape might give the pillow insert more stability for you than the dental floss. Another thought - one I was going to try until I committed to the medium - if the small really isn't working for you and it wouldn't be a loss to lose it - I was thinking of trimming off just a tiny bit from each nostril section so that the air opening was larger, but not so much that they wouldn't fit inside the nostrils. It might be that they could be trimmed off just one side if that fits up inside your nose more. Hopefully, one of these suggestions will work for you. Good luck!

[greenvelvetdragon]

I also use the Opus nasal pillows and felt the same way about the small not giving me enough air, and found the medium to be perfect after I got used to the idea of my nostrils being pushed out and looking like a pig!The thing that stopped my leaking - with either size pillow - was - believe it or not - loosening the headgear! I've found that if the headgear is so loose that it almost feels like it's going to slip off, the seal works best. I read that from a post somewhere and that solved the problem for me.

thanks for the reminder joylk1! i did this to, it was so long ago i forgot and that with the tweaking makes for virtually zero leaks....

GVD