PB Breeze Nasal Pillow help

TClay · Post by **TClay** » Thu Jan 13, 2005 10:45 am

I have tried to use the PB Breeze nasal pillows but have not have much success. The pressure(14) is too much to exhale against and it makes my sinuses congested or gives me too much pressure. I have switched from the regular CPAP to one with CFLEX and it is easier to exhale however the PB Breeze still gives me difficulty exhaling. I have allergies and a deviated septum. Am I just stuck using the full face mask?

wading thru the muck! · Post by **wading thru the muck!** » Thu Jan 13, 2005 10:57 am

Have you tried the "ramp" feature to ease you into the 14cm?

TClay · Post by **TClay** » Thu Jan 13, 2005 11:54 am

Yes. The ramp feature just wakes me up about 45 minutes later.

TClay · Post by **TClay** » Thu Jan 13, 2005 11:55 am

Is it possible to lower the pressure when using nasal pillows but still get the same benefit?

wading thru the muck! · Post by **wading thru the muck!** » Thu Jan 13, 2005 12:01 pm

TClay said:
Is it possible to lower the pressure when using nasal pillows but still get the same benefit?

I've read some people suggesting that. I seems to make no sense to me. If one could lower their titrated pressure significantly just by using a nasal pillow interface I think most everyone would be doing it.

TClay · Post by **TClay** » Thu Jan 13, 2005 12:03 pm

Why is it easier to breathe(thru nose) with a full face mask? Would a nasal mask be the same?

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Thu Jan 13, 2005 1:11 pm

TClay, do you have a heated humidifier?

I'd ask the doctor if you could try the Respironics REMstar autopap with C-Flex and heated humidifier for a week or two. Perhaps your pressure could be set at, say, 8 - 16 on the autopap. That way, if you didn't really need a straight pressure of 14 blowing at you all night, the autopap would "read" your breathing and automatically decide what pressure (within that range of 8 - 16) you needed at any given time during the night . The autopap might let you spend most of your night sleeping more comfortably down around 9 or 10 or 11, with the machine going up to 13, 14 only when necessary and then back down again when the higher pressures weren't needed.

The C-Flex feature on that particular autopap would give you the slight back-off for each exhalation that you are already enjoying and doing well with.

Just a thought.

snamvar · Post by **snamvar** » Thu Jan 13, 2005 3:20 pm

Hi TClay,
I had the same problem with you when I started using Breeze nasal pillows. My sinuses would get congested and I won't be able to use it. My sleep doc. prescribed me Fluonase and my sinuses are so much better. I also switched to C-flex and that was a big help. M pressure is lower that yours at 8.
Start taking care of your sinuses. ha seems to be the underlying problem. I find that using the Breeze helps keep my nostrils open and not closing up as before, when I was not using CPAP. The humidifier has also been very useful. Also try using Sinucleanse to rinse your sinuses. Walgreens have them. In my case, I had to take care of the sinus problem to have the CPAP therapy work for me.

WillSucceed · Post by **WillSucceed** » Thu Jan 13, 2005 3:57 pm

I'd agree with the Flonase comment. I've had a terrible time with congestion and associated mouth breathing (day and night) for years. I've been on Flonase for 2 months now and am significantly better.

Irving · Post by **Irving** » Thu Jan 13, 2005 4:02 pm

I use Flonase, Singulair, Allegra with little success. Today my Doc told me to try Sudafed for a few nights and call him Monday.

Irving

Janelle · Post by **Janelle** » Thu Jan 13, 2005 6:25 pm

My ENT Dr. has me on Nasacort AQ. I think this is the only nasal spray I've found that really works for me longterm. I too have a deviated septum (in two places, no less), but I can really tell when I've forgotten to use it. An oral decongestant doesn't work as well. The Nasacort seems to also target swollen tissue at the back of the nose as well, which really opens up the airway.

I've used the Breeze with nasal pillows too but didn't like the whole headset and have switched to a Swift and find it much more comfortable and stable even with the straps adjusted very loose.

TClay · Post by **TClay** » Fri Jan 14, 2005 7:42 am

Got through the night with PB nasal pillows! However had alot of water in the tube from humidifier which woke me up. What am I doing wrong?

Hugh Jass · Post by **Hugh Jass** » Fri Jan 14, 2005 7:58 am

Depending on your room temperature, you may need one of those hose covers to prevent condensation from forming inside it.

Something like this may help https://www.cpap.com/productpage/52.

Also, make sure your CPAP is lower than you so the condensation can drain back into the tank.

If your still having trouble with exhaling, make sure your CFLEX setting is at 3.

Regards