I want your extra nasal pillows!

Background: I'm trying to find a nasal pillow mask that will work for my freakishly shaped nostrils. I used the Swift for a short time and ended up with really bad irritation and soreness; tried the Hybrid and was not able to get a good seal due to nostril shape. I've been using a nasal 'cup' style mask since, and while it works well, it's causing permanent dents in my face. So I'm now wanting to see if some of the newer nasal pillow systems might work for my nose. However, as I'm sure you all know, one can quickly go through one's retirement buying CPAP masks.

BUT! I had a brainstorm last night. People on this list often post about wanting to swap or sell their extra nasal pillows -- since most systems come with several sizes, people often end up with two or three extra pillows that they can't use. I think I could quickly eliminate the masks that absolutely would not work, based just on how the pillows fit in my nose, so if you have extra pillows for the following systems lying around, I'd like to take them off your hands:

-- F & P Opus
-- Respironics OptiLife
-- Respironics Comfortlite Direct Seal nasal pillows
-- Puritan Bennet Breeze nasal pillows (not the dilator kind)

I'll take any size you have, and will gladly reimburse you for shipping/mailing. I would also entertain the idea of buying them (for a reasonable price).

If you can help, please P.M. me.

Thanks!

Min

Smart Min!

Hey, I have a spare Nasal Aire Sizing Prong at home. Would you like to try it, and see if maybe the Nasal Aire II might work for you? I could send it along.

I know alot of people don't like "dilators" or "prongs." I didn't either. Until I tried it.

Free trial offer... Can't hardly beat that...

PM me at "Babette" if you're interested.

Cheers,
Barbara

Thanks, Barbara -- I'm not considering the NasalAire, just because it has that 'barrel' below the nose. I think that's part of what the problem was with the Swift, because most of the irritation I had was on the outer part of the nostril, where the 'barrel' part mashed up against them... but thanks for the offer! I'll let everybody know how it works out.

Min

Another option:

If you've got extra nasal pillows that are unused, sell 'em on cpapauction.com. There aren't *any* nasal pillows listed on the site as of right now... it's a way to get back some of the bucks you paid for your masks!! I'm sure I'm not the only one looking for nasal pillows.

Just a thought!

Minerva

Check your PMs

Kathy

Hey Min, I agree. The worst part of the NAII is the barrel below the nose. Everyone recoils at the prongs in the nostrils. Nope. It's the barrel rubbing your upper lip.

Last night, I just couldn't seem to twist it off my lip. I got all squinched up between the chinstrap and the barrel and it just wouldn't seal any other position.

Now, generally I can manage to twist it so it's just above my lip and not touching, but not last night.

Good thread Minerva! Great idea!
Barbara