Nasal Pillows question

Barbee · Post by **Barbee** » Mon Mar 11, 2019 7:12 am

I recently switched to a mask (6 weeks or so ago) that has pillows. I’ve noticed that the pillows seem pretty soft and squishy at this point. Does this mean time to replace them?

chunkyfrog · Post by **chunkyfrog** » Mon Mar 11, 2019 7:18 am

Your mileage may vary.
I change mine at 3 weeks.
Medicare allows as little as 2 weeks.
They are not made to be used forever;
but some consider it a challenge to use them for a looong time.
I prefer good performance over saving money for my insurance company.
I might feel different if the premiums were reasonable . . .

Pugsy · Post by **Pugsy** » Mon Mar 11, 2019 7:25 am

How does your leak rate look?

As long as the leak rate doesn't increase with the soft squishy pillows...it hurts nothing to use them.

This is another one of those cpap things that come with a huge YMMV sticker. No hard fast rules as to life of a nasal pillow.
A lot depends on your own facial oils and your own cleaning routine.

Barbee · Post by **Barbee** » Mon Mar 11, 2019 7:34 am

Pugsy wrote: ↑
Mon Mar 11, 2019 7:25 am
How does your leak rate look?

As long as the leak rate doesn't increase with the soft squishy pillows...it hurts nothing to use them.

This is another one of those cpap things that come with a huge YMMV sticker. No hard fast rules as to life of a nasal pillow.
A lot depends on your own facial oils and your own cleaning routine.

My leak rate has really jumped this past week. Not awful for most, but bad for me. Not necessarily from the pillows, which are super comfy soft now but it seems like the mouth part of the mask is just moving around like crazy. I believe its time to put some new ones in to stabilize the mask. Will update tomorrow. Thanks ladies!

Muse-Inc · Post by **Muse-Inc** » Tue Mar 12, 2019 12:03 am

Boil pillows in distilled water with a teaspoon or two of baking soda (bicarbonate of soda) for a few minutes to restore them. I do this when they get hazy or lose their tackiness. I get up to 24 months on a set of pillows, longer for oral cushion. I only get 7-10 months on headgear.

I wash mask with Dawn an hour or so before I plan to go to sleep. Too, I wash face just before maskup. Any oil on mask or face and I don't get a good seal.

josh.gonzales · Post by **josh.gonzales** » Tue Mar 12, 2019 5:44 am

Muse-Inc wrote: ↑
Tue Mar 12, 2019 12:03 am
Boil pillows in distilled water with a teaspoon or two of baking soda (bicarbonate of soda) for a few minutes to restore them. I do this when they get hazy or lose their tackiness. I get up to 24 months on a set of pillows, longer for oral cushion. I only get 7-10 months on headgear.

I wash mask with Dawn an hour or so before I plan to go to sleep. Too, I wash face just before maskup. Any oil on mask or face and I don't get a good seal.

This is a great tip!! Thanks for sharing!

Barbee · Post by **Barbee** » Tue Mar 12, 2019 1:10 pm

Muse-Inc wrote: ↑
Tue Mar 12, 2019 12:03 am
Boil pillows in distilled water with a teaspoon or two of baking soda (bicarbonate of soda) for a few minutes to restore them. I do this when they get hazy or lose their tackiness. I get up to 24 months on a set of pillows, longer for oral cushion. I only get 7-10 months on headgear.

I wash mask with Dawn an hour or so before I plan to go to sleep. Too, I wash face just before maskup. Any oil on mask or face and I don't get a good seal.

Dang man! I was feeling pretty good about getting almost 6 weeks out of mine! Too bad I already threw them in the trash. I will remember this tho

Nasal Pillows question

Nasal Pillows question

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