How often do you replace nasal pillows on your mask?

soundersfootballclub · Post by **soundersfootballclub** » Sat Jan 21, 2012 9:59 am

I have a hybrid Liberty Mirage mask and that I have been using for mebbe 3 months. I've noticed like clockwork now on 2 occasions that about 5 weeks in I start getting leakage at night from the nasal pillows which seems to clear up when I put new ones in. So I am just wondering how often folks here replace their pillows on their mask.

nanwilson · Post by **nanwilson** » Sat Jan 21, 2012 10:10 am

I use a Respcare Hybrid that I have had for a year....still using the same pillows and cushion. The problem is with Resmed parts they don't last at all. I had a Swift LT and had to change the pillows out every month...pretty rotten and expensive when you don't have insurance. I will no longer own a resmed product nor will I buy another.

soundersfootballclub · Post by **soundersfootballclub** » Sat Jan 21, 2012 10:31 am

Nan, I don't have insurance either. I am getting frustrated with how expensive all this stuff is over time. I recently bought the RespCare mask as a backup but have not used it much. I don't like how the mask doesn't have a quick release like the Liberty for when I have to get up in the middle of the night. I might start using it more now that I know the pillows will last longer. Thanks.

2 B Sleeping Soundly · Post by **2 B Sleeping Soundly** » Sat Jan 21, 2012 11:18 am

soundersfootballclub said: I don't like how the mask doesn't have a quick release like the Liberty for when I have to get up in the middle of the night.

FWIW, I find it much easier to remove the hose from the humidifier (I use a quick connect purchased from our forum sponsor) instead of removing the mask. For me it works well as the mask stays in place and there is no re-adjusting when you get back into bed, just re-attach the hose and your good to go.

I just kind of wrap the hose around my neck like a snake, do whatever necessary business that got me up, and get back to sleep ASAP

John

Kairosgrammy · Post by **Kairosgrammy** » Sat Jan 21, 2012 11:41 am

This is off topic but do you like the hybrid? I do mouth breath and wear a chin strap which is one more thing on my head. My problem is claustophobia. Do you think your mask would be okay for a claustophobic? Just wondering.

nanwilson wrote:I use a Respcare Hybrid that I have had for a year....still using the same pillows and cushion. The problem is with Resmed parts they don't last at all. I had a Swift LT and had to change the pillows out every month...pretty rotten and expensive when you don't have insurance. I will no longer own a resmed product nor will I buy another.

RocketGirl · Post by **RocketGirl** » Sat Jan 21, 2012 1:59 pm

I have the Opus 360 and noticed the pillows starting to soften and leak at about 8 weeks. I have kept them going a bit longer by adding o-rings, a dental tape lasso, and using Lansinoh to improve the seal. My insurance will only replace them after 12 weeks which is why I tried to get some more time out of them, but if this next pair also degrade that quickly, I will probably just pony up to buy new ones outright.

RUFFSTUFF · Post by **RUFFSTUFF** » Mon Jan 23, 2012 6:33 pm

Every 6 months or so.

LSAT · Post by **LSAT** » Mon Jan 23, 2012 6:44 pm

soundersfootballclub wrote:Nan, I don't have insurance either. I am getting frustrated with how expensive all this stuff is over time. I recently bought the RespCare mask as a backup but have not used it much. I don't like how the mask doesn't have a quick release like the Liberty for when I have to get up in the middle of the night. I might start using it more now that I know the pillows will last longer. Thanks.

If you have a good seal don't take the mask off...detatch the hose and reattach when you get back

nanwilson · Post by **nanwilson** » Tue Jan 24, 2012 9:47 am

Kairosgrammy wrote:This is off topic but do you like the hybrid? I do mouth breath and wear a chin strap which is one more thing on my head. My problem is claustophobia. Do you think your mask would be okay for a claustophobic? Just wondering.

nanwilson wrote:I use a Respcare Hybrid that I have had for a year....still using the same pillows and cushion. The problem is with Resmed parts they don't last at all. I had a Swift LT and had to change the pillows out every month...pretty rotten and expensive when you don't have insurance. I will no longer own a resmed product nor will I buy another.

. The Respcare Hybrid has nose pillows and a mouth cushion, take a look at the photos and description ot cpap.com.
I am a mouth breather too, but since I started using a youth size boil and bite mouth guard I am rarely mouth breathing. Seems the combination of the mouth guard and the hybrid mouth piece is keeping my big yap shut. I found the full face masks too claustrophobic too besides I couldn't put my glasses on to read if I wanted too

proboscis · Post by **proboscis** » Tue Jan 24, 2012 10:36 am

Have you tried boiling the pillows? I have the Swift FX and they start to leak every 2-3 weeks. I found out about boiling them on this forum. Just boil a pot of water, dump in some baking soda, and drop the pillows in for around 30 minutes. Then rinse off with cold water. They seal like new after that.

khintul · Post by **khintul** » Wed Jan 25, 2012 10:13 am

proboscis wrote:Have you tried boiling the pillows? I have the Swift FX and they start to leak every 2-3 weeks. I found out about boiling them on this forum. Just boil a pot of water, dump in some baking soda, and drop the pillows in for around 30 minutes. Then rinse off with cold water. They seal like new after that.

Interesting thread, and I'm glad to see this tip - I'm currently using the Swift LT, and have been keeping track of just how long the pillows will go before leaking. Last night was #19 on the pillows, and I fought all night long having to constantly readjust to stop leaks. Managed to avoid the Red Frowny Face, but it was not a peaceful night!

Those pillows are currently boiling away, and I'm hoping this is a good solution. Thanks for the tip!

Karon

adrianne · Post by **adrianne** » Wed Jan 25, 2012 10:23 am

[quote}If you have a good seal don't take the mask off...detatch the hose and reattach when you get back[/quote]

With my experience on the Swift LT is that it's extremely easier to pull the mask off and put it back on than get the tube off. That tube is on there tight. I don't know if all nasal pillow masks are equal, but mine is easy to put on, I could practically do it in my sleep.

Robespierre · Post by **Robespierre** » Wed Jan 25, 2012 10:46 am

proboscis wrote:Have you tried boiling the pillows? I have the Swift FX and they start to leak every 2-3 weeks. I found out about boiling them on this forum. Just boil a pot of water, dump in some baking soda, and drop the pillows in for around 30 minutes. Then rinse off with cold water. They seal like new after that.

When you put the pillows in, do you turn off the heat or keep it on a low boil for 30 minutes? If you turn the heat off, do you cover the pot?

And, why the baking soda?

greg-g · Post by **greg-g** » Wed Jan 25, 2012 10:24 pm

I've finally changed my Swift FX pillows after 18 months and multiple boilings. The old ones started to get a bit distorted.

I think 30 minutes boiling is more than required, not that it appears to do any harm. My last boil was 20 minutes of gentle boiling, and then plunge into cold water.

Without baking soda you get an oily scum on the water. The baking soda acts as a detergent to help breakdown the absorbed oils in the silicon.
After boiling, or with a new pillow I find I get a better seal using a small amount of Lanolin on my nares for a few nights.

Popi · Post by **Popi** » Thu Jan 26, 2012 6:44 am

Swift LT...my nasal pillow is on it's third year. Soak in straight vinegar once a week to clean/disinfect. I've had no problems.

How often do you replace nasal pillows on your mask?

How often do you replace nasal pillows on your mask?

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