Wow! What a difference nasal pillows make!

Wrenna · Post by **Wrenna** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 1:44 pm

I've been reluctant to use any nasal pillow system since having something pressed against my nostrils makes my brain think I can't breathe. But while the comfortgel is comfortable, it's also noisy, has rain out issues, and still leaks air into my eyes.

So I was loaned a swift II to try for a couple of nights. While it did take a while to fall asleep, OMG what a difference it made!! The exhaust is far far quieter than the comfortgel, although leaks are a lot noisier. The seal held so much better even when I moved. I had almost no rain out problems and was even able to turn the humidification up without causing issues.

But most importantly, I woke up before my alarm and felt really good! And I had no lasting marks on my face. I had a little strap mark on my check, but it wasn't red and it was no worse than the marks that a fold of a pillow might make. I assume that my brain will eventually learn it can breathe better with the nasal pillows and that I'm not suffocating.

So I think I may be an official convert from nasal masks to nasal pillows!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 2:11 pm

I am happy for you, however the strap marks will indeed start to show up over time, at least they have in mine and most other cases, unless your one of those RARE cases...

You might need to eventually buy Karen's Pad-A-Cheeks she's a forum member here and does a wonderful job for us, at http://www.padacheek.com .

Be sure and try to buy some AYR GEL and keep it rubbed around your nares and a little on the inside of your nose as well!

Congrats at finding a mask that was made for you

danw61 · Post by **danw61** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 3:26 pm

Maybe I'm a rare case but I use the Swift II and i rarely have any problems with lines on my face. Just once in a long while I'll notice a mark on my face & it goes away quickly.

Dan

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 3:38 pm

Make sure to get regular eye exams and have them check your intraocular pressure. I loved my Opus nasal pillows, but went for a reg eye exam and my intraocular pressure was out of control and I had already gotten glaucoma damage to my left eye. Another poster had the intraocular pressure issues on nasal pillows too, so I discontinued and went back to my Activa. Went I went back for recheck my pressures were fine. Not trying to scare you, just giving you a heads up. There has been a correlation between OSA and glaucoma, but not sure if anyone has done studies on the affects of the air pressure on the eye pressures.

SleepyNoMore · Post by **SleepyNoMore** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 3:43 pm

I agree, the last time I had my eyes checked at Lens Crafter, they said my pressure was over the roof and wanted to dialiate my eyes, I said no because I had to drive myself home and they did mention glacoma but I had no idea that the cpap causes this, thanks so much for the info, I also use nasal pillows, I can't wear a ff mask the air really shoots in my eyes!

I had my eyes checked about 7 or 8 months ago and have never went back to let them dialate my eyes!

SleepyNoMore · Post by **SleepyNoMore** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 3:45 pm

[quote="SleepyNoMore"]I agree, the last time I had my eyes checked at Lens Crafter, they said my pressure was over the roof and wanted to dialiate my eyes, I said no because I had to drive myself home and they did mention glacoma but I had no idea that the cpap causes this, thanks so much for the info, I also use nasal pillows, I can't wear a ff mask the air really shoots in my eyes!

I had my eyes checked about 7 or 8 months ago and have never went back to let them dialate my eyes!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 4:02 pm

SNM,
Be sure to follow up on the high pressures. Glaucoma can lead to blindness if not treated. Go to an opthamologist, preferably one who specializes in glaucoma. My opthamologist told me that the puff of air is outdated technology. I had just had my eyes checked last year by an optician that used a puff of air and it didn't show a problem. They checked mine in April at opthamologists office by putting numbing drops in my eyes and touching an instrument to them to measure the pressure. It didn't hurt, but it does feel weird to have numb eyes, lol. They also measure my corneal thickness. Apparently thicker corneas can tolerate the higher pressure better than thinner ones. The last time I went back, they did dilate my eyes. It wasn't too bad. I drove home, but had to wear sunglasses for several hours to shield my eyes from the sunlight and glare. My vision is good though. If I had poor vision, I would have had someone drive me there and home. High IOP is not to be taken lightly and should be followed by a specialist.
Good luck,
Sundra

goose · Post by **goose** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 4:28 pm

I've never had a problem with dilation and blurred vision. It just dilates the pupils so the doc can see the back of the eye (retina) better -- anyone ever notice the blood vessels in the reflection when the doc shines the bright light??? -- But it never blurred my vision -- driving has never been a problem.
I don't like the puff of air test and much prefer the instrument on the numb eyeball....Actually I've had that kind of check since I was a kid -- only recently did they start the air puff deal.....me no likes!!!!

IOP is a serious condition and you shouldn't ignore it!!! It could be a mis-reading or it could be more serious!!! I'd make another appointment...
One big reason I don't consider Lasix surgery (besides it wouldn't fix my problem) is that I was only given two eyes -- I ain't messin' with them even though they are imperfect specimens!!!!! Just me.....

I'm overdue for my diabetic eye exam (Baaaaad Goose) -- that's another thing that can adversely affect your eyes, so........
Git 'em checked!!!!!!!!!!

Take care
cheers
goose

BigMoose · Post by **BigMoose** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 7:05 pm

Well isn't this interesting... I'm diabetic also and my IOP has ranged from 18 to 20 for years. I have been on CPAP for 2 1/2 months and just had my yearly eye exam last week. The tech had "trouble" getting my IOP and didn't like the "high" readings, but she wouldn't tell me what they were. She retook them on another machine and got "better" results. The Doc didn't mention it, and he is typically pretty good.

Having all that is "wrong" with me, I didn't go probing for something else to worry about with the Doc... guess there is a CPAP connection with high IOP? Is it just with nasal pillows, or any interface? Is it pressure dependent? Any further insight appreciated... I guess... ... rats, there is always a side effect...

LavenderMist · Post by **LavenderMist** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 7:46 pm

BigMoose,
For me the nasal pillows was when the IOP was high. As soon as I switched back to regular nasal mask it dropped back to normal. Coincidence?, well not sure, but one other member here posted same exact situation. High on nasal pillows and lower on reg mask. There is a known association between OSA and glaucoma just as there is an association between diabetes and OSA, heart attack/stroke and OSA etc. So, the question remains which comes first the OSA and then the high IOP or does the direct into nares pressure from the nasal pillow raise the IOP. Good question. I wrote the Clincal Research Supervisor for Sleep Medicine today at a university asking if there have been any studies on this and if not, that it would be intriguing to have a scientific study done on this. If she informs me of a study, I will post it in the forum. I didn't meant to hijack this thread. Perhaps if we wish to discuss this topic further a new thread would be appropriate.

Sundra

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 8:29 pm

LavenderMist wrote:For me the nasal pillows was when the IOP was high. As soon as I switched back to regular nasal mask it dropped back to normal.

Do you mean you used no eyedrops to control the pressure?

High IOP comes with age. As a rule, when it's discovered, people are given eyedrops to use twice a day. For the majority, the eyedrops cause a drop back to normal.

Did the doctor suggest a mask change, or was that your initiative?
When did you have the repeated measurement? A day later? A week later? A month later?

O.

LavenderMist · Post by **LavenderMist** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 10:42 pm

ozij wrote:
LavenderMist wrote:For me the nasal pillows was when the IOP was high. As soon as I switched back to regular nasal mask it dropped back to normal.
Do you mean you used no eyedrops to control the pressure? The dr. had me put drops in the left eye only twice a day even though both eyes had very high pressures. The glaucoma damage only showed up in the left eye and he said he wouldn't add drops to the right eye unless it showed signs of damage.

High IOP comes with age. As a rule, when it's discovered, people are given eyedrops to use twice a day. For the majority, the eyedrops cause a drop back to normal. Yes, I used eyedrops in the left eye, but what would account for the normalization of the pressure in the untreated eye when the pressure was higher in it than the treated eye initially?

Did the doctor suggest a mask change, or was that your initiative? After an exchange with a forum member who experienced a similar situation on nasal pillows, I decided on my own to switch back to nasal mask to see if pressure would normalize in both eyes.

When did you have the repeated measurement? A day later? A week later? A month later? The recheck was set for one month. At that time he told me the pressure was normal in both eyes and that I must have been having an aberrant day before. I don't know, but would prefer to err on the side of caution where my vision is concerned. I get optimal treatment with the nasal mask, but even though I'd prefer my opus, i'll be safe rather than sorry.

O.

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Sat Jun 07, 2008 2:50 am

Thanks for the detailed reply.

I am surprised to hear the doctor decided you should you use drops only in the damaged eye - since to the best if my understanding, the the damage is irreversible, and treatment is supposed to keep pressure down in order to avoid damage. Why wait for damag in the right eye?

If that was an aberrant day - what could have caused damage to your left eye?

O.

LavenderMist · Post by **LavenderMist** » Sat Jun 07, 2008 9:25 am

My thoughts exactly ozji. I questioned him more than once about using drops in the other eye too. When I saw him last time his response was that he likes to use as little medicine as possible and if the right eye begins to show damage then we will use drops in it. My theory is be proactive and prevent damage from occuring. I'm getting ready to move and will probably seek out another opthamologist and have the pressure rechecked and speak with them about treating both eyes if the pressure is still high in the right eye as well. Hopefully things will still show a normal reading when rechecked. The first dr doesnt' want to recheck until December, but I don't think I'll wait that long. In the meantime, I'm doing the Alphagan P drops in the left eye twice a day.

Babette · Post by **Babette** » Sat Jun 07, 2008 10:52 am

Checking your eye pressure with a poof of air is worthless.

If you really want to know what your pressure is, you need to let them do a pressure test by anesthestizing your eyes, and placing the gauge directly on your eye.

I get this done at least once a year, and drive myself home every single time.

And my pressure is JUST FINE. Had it checked just a few weeks ago.

Go to an Opthamologist with a good reputation. Skip the Optometrist at frickin' Doc in a Box at the mall... Sheesh!!!!!!! It's your HEALTH people!!!!!!!!! Get a clue!!!! Would you trust your CPAP therapy to the idiot DME? Why trust your EYE HEALTH to a similar idiot???
B.