nasel pillows?

[jean19540_0]

hello,
could anybody tell me exactly what nasel pillows are and what they do please?
are they something every body should have, as nobody as mentioned them to me. i've heard so much about them on here but not realy got to the bottom of what use they are.. it seems to me that this is a very complex condition, just not as simple as it may appear, why i know i'm fireing lots of questions but i need to know these things, not just the kind of person who takes whats said.
jean

[sharonokc]

instead of a mask nasal piillows fit into your nostrils and the air is delivered that way. Often if you can't keep your mask on at night they might work for you.

[andypicch]

Be aware... if found that my nasal pillows mask, although being the best sealing mask I own, it was not very comfortable and really irritated the inside of my nose. I may be an anomally, but I have abandoned the nasal pillows. Everyone is different though and the Respiratory Therapists love (and push) the nasal pillows. I wore one for my follow-up sleep study and there were no leaks... that is rare, but I would rather deal with slight leaks than a constantly sore nose.

[sinemac]

The nasal pillows caused some irritation just inside the nostrils for me too. But I tried using some saline gel before around the area just before going to bed, and again in the morning, and found that after a few days the irritation resolved itself.

However, I've also found that if I go a couple of nights using a different mask, or can't use my CPAP for some reason, then it is like starting over again when I go back to the nasal pillows.

[JWMutt]

I have been using the "New Breeze with nasal pillow" for about 3 months now. I have not experienced any nasal irritation but I am finding it harder and harder to keep the thing from leaking. It is also impossible to sleep on your back with this thing.

I just ordered a Mirage Activa Mask and hopes this will correct the problem. If any one has any comments on a good nasal pillow or good mask please let me know.

[Guest]

I have a Respironics mask that you can change from nasal pillows to mask without tools. This is good for me because I like nose pillows and if I have irratation inside my nostrils I can switch over to the mask.

[dmstrom]

I have a Mirage Swift Mask, which has nasal pillows, and it is extremely comfortable and has no leaks.

I have had it for only a week, but I couldn't imagine using a bigger mask instead...

[G00fy217]

I am claustrophobic... I know for a fact using a mask will not work for me... I threw my trial one off of me like it was killing me during the sleep test. But if the nasal pillows leak, what else is there for me? I can not sleep or have anything over my face for a long period of time... HELP!!!

[wading thru the muck!]

G00fy,

Nasal pillows are less likely to leak than a mask. Try the Resmed Mirage Swift. It comes with all three pillow sizes so you don't have to be concerned about getting the right size. It is very open and unrestrictive. A great one to use if you are claustrophobic.

Link: Mirage Swift

[cmk]

Most people will purchase Nasal Pillows for the size they think their nostrils are,,which seems logical,,,try ones that are 1 to 2 sizes larger if you get irritations,,,it will create the good seal but not push far enough in to irritate.
This has worked for me.

[seanconnery]

I too, used the normal sized pillows and just for the heck of it, I tried the large size. It felt large at first, until I used them for a few nights. They did not penetrate as deeply as the normal size did, but simply and naturally rested at the opening of the nostrils- no leaks, no pressure - great! Just give each size a try - you just may be surprised at what you really need. Don't just rely on a 'fit' while awake - like I originally did.
Good Luck!