Nostril irritation from pillows: suggestions beyond Lansinoh

Sibbs wrote:Thanks for the continued help!

I tried going up a size, but the L size pillows are too big to even get into my nostrils

This makes me wonder if you are putting the pillows in your nostrils. The pillows should rest gently against the nostrils with only a very small portion of the tip actually entering the nostril. We had a similar discussion to this with another person who was having a problem only to find out after several days of trying different things that he was actually shoving the pillows into his nose. This probably isn't your problem, but wanted to mention it just in case. Another person with a similar problem (she was using the P10) didn't realize that the label that shows the size of pillows for the P10 was actually suppose to be pointed down and not up.

I understand that this is all difficult and applaud your efforts at trying to make it work.

I keep my Wisp nasal mask handy in case of a sore nose or a nascent cold sore.
Sometimes even the toughest nose needs a break, but skipping cpap is NOT an option for me.
(edit) I found that Lansinoh does not work with the P10 because the headgear is not fully adjustable,
(in spite of the claims) but it works very, very well with the Swift FX,
since the straps can be loosened until the lanolin is the only thing holding the silicone onto the nose.

Nick Danger wrote:

Sibbs wrote:I tried going up a size, but the L size pillows are too big to even get into my nostrils

This makes me wonder if you are putting the pillows in your nostrils. The pillows should rest gently against the nostrils with only a very small portion of the tip actually entering the nostril. We had a similar discussion to this with another person who was having a problem only to find out after several days of trying different things that he was actually shoving the pillows into his nose. This probably isn't your problem, but wanted to mention it just in case. Another person with a similar problem (she was using the P10) didn't realize that the label that shows the size of pillows for the P10 was actually suppose to be pointed down and not up.

I don't believe it's operator error, but let me not assume. I have,say, 3/4ths of the cones in the pic below in the nostril, but not the whole cone that includes the cylindrical base. My nostrils are pretty big, but size large for the P10 looks massive – the DME that fitted me tried it but said not even close. I'll take a 2nd look tonight though.

Thanks to you all-- if nothing else, you all have made me feel that with some trial and error I'll figure it out.

Sibbs, I have the exact same mask and was started out with the M pillows. Several folks here also suggested that I size up, and this was the result:
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=99933&p=931401&hili ... sh#p931401

RicaLynn wrote:Sibbs, I have the exact same mask and was started out with the M pillows. Several folks here also suggested that I size up, and this was the result:
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=99933&p=931401&hili ... sh#p931401

Thanks for the link-- I'll give the size L's a shot!

I think the larger pillows will improve things for the OP but wanted to mention for those searching for answers to their pillows problems to start with the largest size pillows first. Then work your way down until you start have problems.

Many start way too small and some find that the small pillows also limit the volume of air they get, this can cause distress. As pointed out the pillow does not go inside the nostril but should be large enough to seal against the nare - that is the outside part of the nostril.

This is where Lansinoh helps - it is thick enough to help the seal yet reduces any friction caused by the movement of breathing.

Try a thin layer of K-Y jelly. It works great.