Time to order a new mask should I try nasal pillows?

[Andy99]

I have a nasal mask. Its fine when Im on my back but if I roll to my side it leaks a little bit mostly blowing air into my eyes. Would Nasal Pillow eliminate this? My mask is still in good shap but my insurance company will pay for a new one so Should I order a pillows mask and give it a try? What is the best mask for a side sleeper???

[bigk]

I'm a side sleeper and used the Activa before I got the Swift LT nasal pillows. I had tried the Swift II and hated it but the Swift LT is the only mask I use now. I'm getting zero leaks consistently. Great mask.

[Hawthorne]

With your current mask still being in good shape and the fact that your insurance is paying for it, I would try the nasal pillows.

While I really like nasal pillows because there is no nose bridge problem, and with the Swift LT, no forehead piece, the choice of a mask is so individual that it is hard to advise.

Given your situation, though, I would give nasal pillows a try.

[lktnky]

I'm a side sleeper, too and have found the Swift LT the best for me. I've been forced to sleep on my back alot lately and that's ok, too.
I like the fact there's no headpiece on my forehead and I can read while hosed. The hose in the front swivels and it's quiet. I've ordered an LT for her and until I can find a ffm that'll work, this is it for me. I still have to tape and use a chinstrap, but whatever works.

[roster]

How is your therapy going? What is your AHI? What is your leak rate? When you look at the daily detail report do you see any times during the night when something looks out of whack? Do you often have dry mouth?

[SharkBait]

LOOOOOVE that Swift LT. "Headrest" is a close 2nd but for me the Swift LT won out (simply because I don't like having anything between my eyes like the Headrest does if I have a good alternative...).

I tried a Mirage Liberty (kind of a "hybrid" full face with Swift type nasal pillows), and while I liked it and didn't have any leakage problems, after about an hour of reading I switched back. I now know I have a good backup in the LIberty if needed, but I didn't even want to go one night on the full face mask if I didn't have to...

[birdshell]

Yes.

No guarantees that you will find the mask to work better, but it is worth the try, isn't it?



Karen,
Who cannot stand a standard nasal mask

[Kiralynx]

I really like my ComfortLite 2. The head gear is a little heavy, but one thing which is especially nice is the ability to switch between a nasal mask, standard nasal pillows, and an interface unique to the Comfortlite, the direct seal.

I have not tried the Swift Light because I can't stand anything on my cheeks. I'm a side-sleeper, and anything between me and the pillows is a Bad Thing.

I use the direct seals, which I have found to give me the best leak rate, and the most comfort.

Of course, one person's favorite mask is another's chamber of horrors, so, your mileage may vary.

[lizpalika]

I am very comfortable with my Optilife nasal pillows.

Since I'm claustrophobic, I can't stand too much on my face and a FFmask is way too much.

Liz

[Andy99]

How is your therapy going? What is your AHI? What is your leak rate? When you look at the daily detail report do you see any times during the night when something looks out of whack? Do you often have dry mouth?

My Therapy is going great. Everything is in check with little to no major leaks. No dry mouth. I do use a chin strap. The only thing is When I try to sleep on my side the piece on my forehead presses into the pillow causing a small leak up by my eye. I have trained my self to sleep on my back but sometimes my back gets stiff from laying the same way all night. Im more comfortable on my side. Since my other mask is good I'm going to try a different mask. My insurance will pay for a new mask and hose every 3 months. I download My info every week and monitor how my therapy is going. I learned to do it my self since the DR. seemed to careless how everything was going after I went threw the sleep studies and got the Machine as far as he was concerned his job was done.

[tdm5032c]

I'm a side sleeper too and absolutely LOVE my Swift LT. Almost always completey zero leak rate and very comfortable, light, and easy to put on and use. Adjustment is about as easy as you can get and does NOT have to be tight at all to work right. Works much better and is much more comfortable kept loose and seals perfectly even then. If kept tight at all, it seems to leak more and seems to me to restrict the airflow(not to mention waking up with sore nose and upper lip). I think it is because of the double seal design they went to on the LT. Just my opinion, but I seem to get much better airflow and seal if I keep it loose. Just my experienence so far. I've been on it since I started CPAP Thanksgiving of this last year, so I'm still a newbie

[NeurosurgeryNP]

I am a side sleeper too and I love my Activa. I have tried nasal pillows - Breeze, Swift and Swift LT for her - with no success. THey are very loose when I out them on, seal well, but my nostrils KILL me after only a few hours with them, even with lubrication and adjustments. Everyone has had different experiences though and it can't hurt to try them, inderstanding not every interface works for every patient, and that you may need to replace your nasal mask on your own.

[Mebake]

When I first saw the nasal pillows I could not imagine putting them in my nose. I have had 4 masks 1 full face (hated it) 1 nasal gel mask was ok but still leaked when I moved. And 2 nasal pillow mask. I use the Swift LT and love it never leaks when I move or sleep on my side. The mask is so comfortable I can forget I am wearing it. i would recommend because of the small area that comes in contact with you nose that you clean it daily wich is very easy to with the Swift LT. Switching from the nasal mask to the pillow mask has been the best decision I have made for my therapy. I could never go back. Good luck with your choice.

[Babette]

YES! You should try a different mask!

I recommend TRYING before BUYING. You can test drive a great number of masks now, thanks to the generosity of this forum's members.

Click on the link below to be taken to a thread that contains links to all the mask test drives I know about.

I run the Nasal Aire II Test drive, and I highly recommend trying it. I'm a full-time side sleeper and have found this to be the most stable and comfortable mask I can find.

See my links below for more info.
Babs

[Andy99]

I ordered the swift LT. I always have my old mask to fall back to if I dont like it. I will let you know what a think.