Wow, Nasal Pillows really do turn to mush!

I just got a new set of Swift LT nasal pillows size small thanks to the great nasal pillow exchange (hi Teri ). I'd been using the original pillows that came with mine only since early April and they were becoming leakier and leakier. I had O-rings around the necks of both pillows just to get any kind of seal at all.

The brand new pillows I got in the exchange felt SO different. They were much firmer, and also the outer silicone on the pillows felt a little rougher, not so smooth and slick--the rougher surface seems to help them seal. Even though I'm still getting some annoying little leaks, I had a good night's sleep.

For the first time in a week, I didn't wake in the middle of the night in a puddle of sweat and panic--I think the old pillows were so leaky that I was having more severe "events" though it wasn't really showing up on my LED screen which still shows my AHI below 1 (but it was 0.6 last night rather than 0.9).

Even though I was having to do more tweaks to keep my nasal pillows from major leaks, I didn't really perceive that the original set of nasal pillows was breaking down until I saw the new set. My original set was a sample package from the sleep lab, so I'm not sure if they use pillows of less quality in the first place in those sets. But there was a huge difference and that may represent deterioration over just a little more than a month. (I'm going to be gentler about cleaning this set because I won't get a replacement until July).

Funny you should say this. I've been bothered by alot of leaks around my nose lately. Last night I just could not get a seal at all and when I was fiddling with the pillows, they suddenly felt like paper. They were so thin and flimsy. I hadn't realized that had happened. Fortunately I had a spare set so I got them and popped them in, and voila! no problem at all. Lesson learned!

Yes. ResMed began producing significantly inferior quality nasal pillows which began hitting the market about a year ago. The early Swift LT pillow lasted me 8-9 months without any leaking issues at all. A superior product, IMO. Everything after that has been reported to need props (eg: O-rings) in order to last effectively as long as a month or two at the most before collapsing. Without going into the whole rant again....More money for ResMed.

I've not heard a comparison of older & newer ResMed FFM cushions or the Liberty nasal pieces. I have to suspect that there would be the same quality issue these days. Wulfman Den--Have you tried a new cushion compared with the one you've used for 5 years?

This is going to be a problem with the Kaiser/Apria combo! I know Kaiser will replace the whole thing every 3 months, but I'm betting they will not replace the correctly sized pillows every month. Their argument will probably be that there are already three sets in the package ( despite the fact that 2 are the wrong size). This is going to be fun (NOT!)

Well, thank goodness for the pillow exchange.

I remember nearly a year and a half ago when my husband got his CPAP, the RRT warned him about not using anything on his face before bed as face cream would detoriate the pillows.

Fast forward to this past April. I'm in the same DME getting set-up, and fitted with a Swift FX, but different RRT. She asked me about makeup, but not about facial cream before bed. Does the same warning apply? Or have things changed?
Thank you for your answers!
Cindy

Cindy58 wrote:I remember nearly a year and a half ago when my husband got his CPAP, the RRT warned him about not using anything on his face before bed as face cream would deteriorate the pillows.

Fast forward to this past April. I'm in the same DME getting set-up, and fitted with a Swift FX, but different RRT. She asked me about makeup, but not about facial cream before bed. Does the same warning apply? Or have things changed?
Thank you for your answers!
Cindy

The difference is which RRT is talking.

BTW, my latest supplier insists that I can get a new pillow every month. The headgear can be replaced every 6 months, but the actual pillow is once a month. Medicare standards.

I've been looking for the Medicare Standards in writing--found them lots of places, but so far NOT on an "official" Medicare document on the Medicare.gov website or the CMS website (I did find the HCPCs reimbursement schedule so I can see EXACTLY how much Medicare in my region reimburses for CPAP equipment and supplies, though--$170.72 per mask, $21.25 for a nasal pillow) .

I don't have Medicare yet, but Kaiser proudly proclaims "We follow Medicare Guidelines for CPAP accessory replacement" so I'm going to hold their feet to the fire in that regard. It'll piss off Apria royally, I'm sure (oh, I feel so sorry for them ). But, I would like to have the source of authority in case they balk.

Janknitz wrote:I've been looking for the Medicare Standards in writing--found them lots of places, but so far NOT on an "official" Medicare document on the Medicare.gov website or the CMS website (I did find the HCPCs reimbursement schedule so I can see EXACTLY how much Medicare in my region reimburses for CPAP equipment and supplies, though--$170.72 per mask, $21.25 for a nasal pillow) .

I don't have Medicare yet, but Kaiser proudly proclaims "We follow Medicare Guidelines for CPAP accessory replacement" so I'm going to hold their feet to the fire in that regard. It'll piss off Apria royally, I'm sure (oh, I feel so sorry for them ). But, I would like to have the source of authority in case they balk.

What state are you in? You need to look at the LCD for the DME MAC for your area.
I checked on Ravelry and you're in California? Here's the LCD for Noridian: https://www.noridianmedicare.com/dme/co ... _apnea.htm

plr66 wrote:Yes. ResMed began producing significantly inferior quality nasal pillows which began hitting the market about a year ago. The early Swift LT pillow lasted me 8-9 months without any leaking issues at all. A superior product, IMO. Everything after that has been reported to need props (eg: O-rings) in order to last effectively as long as a month or two at the most before collapsing. Without going into the whole rant again....More money for ResMed.

But it was such a good, informative rant, plr66! Worthy of a link to it, I do believe...

Re: MIRAGE SWIFT LT QUALITY POLL--THE RESMED CHARADE??? -- poll started by plr66
viewtopic.php?p=425631#p425631

On page 12, tattooyu's DME talks to a ResMed rep:
viewtopic.php?p=411916#p411916

"I wanted to chime in here and mention that I brought it up to my DME, who is a great guy and very interested in my feedback and my therapy. He spoke with a rep. at ResMed (I don't know what department) and he brought it up to them. According to him, they know about this quality control issue on the nasal pillows but don't want to change anything because, "Patients are allowed new nasal pillows every month anyway."

plr66 wrote:Yes. ResMed began producing significantly inferior quality nasal pillows which began hitting the market about a year ago. The early Swift LT pillow lasted me 8-9 months without any leaking issues at all. A superior product, IMO. Everything after that has been reported to need props (eg: O-rings) in order to last effectively as long as a month or two at the most before collapsing. Without going into the whole rant again....More money for ResMed.

I've not heard a comparison of older & newer ResMed FFM cushions or the Liberty nasal pieces. I have to suspect that there would be the same quality issue these days. Wulfman Den--Have you tried a new cushion compared with the one you've used for 5 years?

Other than using one other UMFF and one Quattro for about a month in 2006 (UMFF) and 2007 (Quattro), I've used my original UMFF continuously for the last five years (anniversary was last Friday, the 14th of May). I replaced the headgear a little over a year ago (got four years out of that) and only wash it about 3 or 4 times a year.

It's like the "Energizer Bunny".........

So, no, I haven't tried any newer masks or seals. The extra masks and seals I have for backup or future use were all purchased in 2006 and 2007.


Den