Choices of Nasal Pillows

I've finished my sleep study & titration, just waiting on the last report so I can take it to my DME and get started.
From what I've seen on here, I think the nose pillows are going to be what I would want to try first, but it seems that some of them have the hose going up over & behind your head - then some have the hose going downward from your nose & out.....just wondering if there are more issues with one or the other, or does it even matter? My DME sells the Respironics brand so I'm guessing it would be either the Swift FX or Swift LT....if it matters, I am a female with a fairly small face and would also need a chin strap since I think I have some trouble with my mouth opening at times (did it in the 2nd sleep study because it woke me up several times) Thanks for any input/help you can give me. Love this site! I have already learned so much just reading the different topics.

Over the head or dangling hose is really a matter of personal preference, you're going to get a range of opinions.

Think about your sleeping style, your position at night and your comfort level. That may help you decide.

I'm a big fan personally of the Swift LT for her and the FX. Both are very comfortable, lightweight, and fit well (but the FX does have limited adjustments if your head is very small so be sure to try it on first). They both have headgear that reminds me of the orthodontia headgear I wore when I was a pre-teen. The LT's headgear is a little more substantial and there are more adjustments on the LT, so it's less likely to slip if you move around in bed. The FX is the closest thing to going to sleep naked with CPAP on! I love it, but it's tricky for a newbie to know how to adjust it so that it doesn't leak or get pulled out of your nose if you move around.

You should be aware that there are problems with the durability of the Swift nasal pillows. They seem to get too soft for leak-free use rather quickly. Some insurance companies will cover replacement nasal pillows monthly. Alternatively, both masks come with three sizes in a package--you can tade the unneeded sizes on the Great Pillow Exchange so that you will have 3 of the correct size.

I haven't had experience with the over-the-head types of nasal pillows, but I have seen complaints that one of them (can't remember which) does not fit small heads and faces well. Otherwise people seem very pleased with them too.

You can only tell which masks will work for you by trying them. It can be frustrating, but otherwise you are just guessing.

You do have to address the mouth leak if you choose a nasal pillow or nasal mask. Your choices include chin straps (not always effective), taping your mouth shut and sticking your lips together with DentuGrip denture adhesive strips.

BTW the Mirage Swift LT and FX masks are from ResMed. Respironics makes the OptiLife and the ComfortLite, Fisher and Paykel the Opus 360).

Or you could consider a full-face mask (which covers both mouth and nose) (ResMed Mirage Quattro , UltraMirage, Respironics ComfortFull and many others) or a hybrid mask which covers the mouth and has nasal pillows for the nose (ReMed Miragfe Liberty, AEIOmed Hybrid).

If you take a look at cpap.com you can see almost all of the masks on the market today.

Welcome!!
You have it a bit backwards, the Swift fx and lt are both Resmed products, not Respironics. I use the Swift LT myself, I route the hose from my cpap machine over my headboad and down to the back of my pillow, then hook it up to the hose on the LT, which I route over to the top of my head. Keep on reading the info here, and to familiarize yourself with product, just go to cpap.com and keep reading. There are patient responses to each item they have, so you can see who likes what. From what I've read, the swift is one of the most popular nasal pillows, but it is your choice, your therapy, so whatever you feel comfortable with. My first mask was the mirage quattro, full face, because I am a mouth breather. I soon learned to control breathing out of my big mouth via this forum and now absolutely love using the swift and keep the quattro for when I am stuffed up with allergies or a cold. It is a good idea to have at least 2 masks, one for backup. I have no insurance, so have to be particular and well educated on what I spend my dollars on. Like me you will learn how to cope and what all you will need.
Keep us posted on how you progress and again READ, READ, READ.
Cheers
Nan

Everyone is different but the Swift LT can be used either way, up or down. The hose will swivel.

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... dgear.html

if you have enough hair to make a tiny pony tail, the fischer and pakal opus 360 is fabulous!
Even the DME said the pillows on that headgear where the best designed...

It works best if you can put a little bit of pony tail on top of your head, that way the top head strap doesnt slide backwards..
I love the opus 360!
I have tried nasal pillows on two hybrid masks and hated them..

Thank you all so much for responding....I appreciate you all getting me straight on the correct manufacturers since I was quite off base. LOL I guess I will try on the choices that he has, then sounds like I also need to check with insurance & see how often they will pay for the replacements on the pillows. Great information to have! And I do sleep on my side for the most part at least getting to sleep then turn over on my back sometimes after I'm asleep, but it always wakes me up & I have to go back to my side. I am so anxious to get my equipment & get started....and hopefully get to where I'm not so foggy during the day, less headaches, and have more energy again!

Welcome, SHouston! Be prepared to try several masks because what works for one might not work for another. It depends on your face, your needs, what you can tolerate, moon phases, who knows what else. You are NOT limited to just what your DME has. Send a copy of your prescription to cpap.com and you can order from them or from cpapauction.com (there are bargains there!) It might be out-of-pocket for you, but likely no more expensive than trying them through your local DME. Also, remember that you need to have a FULLY DATA-CAPABLE machine, preferably with an auto feature for the most flexibility. Fully data-capable is NOT the same as compliance data, despite what many DMEs want you to believe. Hopefully your DME is excellent (many are) but your interactions with them might be the start of a totally frustrating experience. Read, read, read here and know what you want before you go. They are in business to serve YOU, you are not obligated to do business with them. Run the numbers BEFORE you sign anything or take any equipment, because it might be better financially to go to another provider. Just sayin'. Let us know how things go.

Well, I had problems with my DME cause they wouldn't give me any mask they didn't have in their inventory, SO, I got smart, went to CPAP.com and bought what I wanted to try. Believe me I tried a bunch and made many modifications to each one until I discarded it and tried another. I currently use a CL2 and you wouldn't believe the changes I made to it before I liked it enough to continue it for several years now.

HOW EVER!!!! I just ordered the new Hybrid Full face mask to try. It looks promising as it encloses my mouth with out leaving marks on my nose, some thing I tried and hated with other masks. I have a small problem with mouth breathing and with a mustauch and beard, finding a perfect mask has been a big problem. Don't like chin straps and tape is for fixing water leaks in the plumbing or what ever!!!

It's a ongoing process and I don't think I will ever find the perfect one, and stick with it forever. Gotta keep looking....

good luck in your quest/////