Location of obstruction too much for nasal pillow?

[Country4ever]

I REALLY don't want to go to a FFM, so I'm trying to figure this out.
I have no tubing leaks. I tape my mouth and in the morning, it is still completely sealed.
If my leak rate is still high, that means its coming out of the nasal pillow.
I use Lansinoh ointment on my nares, which helps the seal. I was at 7.2cm for almost 2 years and doing well, but gained about 5 pounds (yes I know that might be the problem....but maybe not). I moved the pressure up to 8 now for a couple weeks. A little better, but still AHI too high and leak rate too high alot of the time.
No, I don't have the software yet.
So.....is it possible that I have an obstruction that just can't be cleared by a higher pressure, because the Swift nasal pillow can't remain sealed with that kind of back pressure?

[ozij]

The Swift LT is supposed to be capable of handling pressures of up 20 cms/h20.

[Country4ever]

Thanks Ozij,
I suppose with any mask, if there's just a little breach, lots of air can pour out and not be able to sustain much pressure.
I need something like that plumber's expanding foam. haha

[Hawthorne]

A weight gain of 5 pounds should not make any difference to cpap pressure.

I have used SwiftLT nasal pillows and am now using SwiftFX nasal pillows. My machine is set at and auto range of 10.5 cm to 13 cm and I have nad no trouble with these nasal pillow masks at all, except when the pillows got to old and worn. Replacing the nasal pillows fixed up the seal issue.

I tried the Swift 11 nasal pillows for awhile and again - no seal problem.

Do the pillows on your mask need replacing? Just a thought.

[JohnBFisher]

... I suppose with any mask, if there's just a little breach, lots of air can pour out and not be able to sustain much pressure. ...

Unfortunately (for me at least) that's also true with full face masks. It can be quite an adventure to get it "just right". You can use the Search function to see what others have done.

But no, nasal pillows can normally handle high pressures. If you like nasal pillows, but suspect you leak pressure through your mouth, you might want to consider the Hybrid mask. My hybrid mask from CPAPauction just arrived. I look forward to trying it this weekend.

I personally LOVE nasal pillows. But my current pressure setting and how my mouth hangs open (and I drool ... what a lovely picture) just does not allow for normal nasal pillows. But the Hyrbid offers something that just might work.

... I need something like that plumber's expanding foam. ...

Talk about lovely pictures. Imagining CPAPtalk folks with plumber's foam coming out of their noses and mouth and ... Ugh! Talk about fodder for the old REM machine tonight!

[rosiefrosie]

Do you have EPR on your machine and do you use it? May be something to think about. And as John said, do you need to replace your pillows?

rosie

[caseyb]

The two adjustments I made to reduce leaks while wearing my Swift Lt was to change the nasal pillow size from a small to a medium. Apply even less Lansinoh to the nares and to the outside of the pillow. Just want them to be a little tacky. I have noticed less hissing during the night.

Casey