Replacing Mask?...

[DisneyFan]

Time to re-place my mask(Mirage Swift LT for Her Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear), it's been a year and honestly I have been on/off when it comes to using my cpap machine. During my move it was mis-placed and when I finally got settled in, I just didn't use it as often as I found the mask I have to uncomfortable. I wake up with sore nostrils and don't feel as rested as I should.

I got my cpap from Apria and though they have contacted me several times during the year, "assuming" to upgrade my mask, etc..I never did follow up on it.

Can anyone recommend a good mask? Maybe what I need is a full face mask? With the nasal pillow mask I always had a problem feeling the air blowing, constantly moving around the nasal pillows and headgear never staying in place during sleep.

[montana]

This is a recent post: viewtopic/t49308/nose-sores---ugly-subject.html

[Jersey Girl]

Dear Disney Fan,

I too have a Swift LT for her with nasal pillows. Someone on this site was kind enough to suggest that I put a very small amount of Lanisoh Lanolin ointment on my nostrils - it is safe for our nasal pillows and helps to create a beter seal. However, I do switch back and forth between that and a Comfort Gel Nasal Mask. (I have also asked my DME to come back and show me a few more nasal masks as well.) I still haven't decided if I am going to give up on my Swift LT for her or not. I know now that I can breathe through it - it is just a matter of deciding if I want something at the entrance to my nostrils or not.

For comfort, I have also purchased a Cpap memory foam pillow from Countourliving.com. It has nice cutouts on each of the bottom corners, providing room for your nasal mask. That said, I also ordered a regenesis buckwheat pillow from pursleep.com - that might be even more comfortable than my memory foam pillow - wanted to try it out. And, finally, I have ordered fleece hose covers (for short and long hose), and forehead/mask strap covers from padacheek.com. The idea is to make this sleep experience as comfortable as possible. And I have just ordered some essential oils that will create some nice scents for my cpap - you just put a little on a pad, set it in the holder and place a few inches away from the air intake on your machine. I decided to try a lavender scent.

Hope you find a mask that you can deal with but you might want to try some other comfort items as well. I am somewhat new to cpap, but I believe that using your cpap consistently is important for your health.


Keep us posted on how you are doing.

Warmly,

Jersey Girl