How should nasal pillows feel?

I've always thought that nasal pillows would give a feeling of freedom as compared to the nasal cushion masks. However, I've acquired the Optilife, Opus 360, and the Comfortlite 2. The Comfortlife 2 is the only one that would seal, but I couldn't stand the feeling of something stuck up my nose.

Did you nasal pillow users feel as though something had been stuck up your nose at first? I realize that the nares may be sore at first, but I can't even get to that point.

Are there just some of us who can't ever adjust to using the pillows?

gasparama wrote:Did you nasal pillow users feel as though something had been stuck up your nose at first? I realize that the nares may be sore at first, but I can't even get to that point.

I thought it would be uncomfortable and make my nares sore. But to my surprise, it really isn't uncomfortable and had NO soreness at all. I am using the Aeiomed Headrest now and it is the most comfortable (best) mask I have tried to date and with the best leak rate

-signed- another disciple
18/15 Ipap/Epap

They were very present in the beginning, for me - but much better than a nasal mask. Do your remember your first nights with a nasal mask?

Anything that touches my face has a lot of presence in the beginning, even the pantyhose straps I use for the headrest and I always need some nights to get used to the newness.

O.

I've said before -- nasal pillows feel like the Jolly Green Giant has his fingers stuck up your nose. I COULDN'T get used to them. I find the cradle cushion (go to cpap.com) with my Optilife system much more tolerable. Still hate it though. Good luck.

Hi Gasparama, I'll share my experience with you, with the realization that mask experiences are totally individual.

I've been on xpap therapy about a year. After several months of experimenting and experiencing problems with many masks, I was thrilled after one night with the Headrest. I had decided to buy it following much research; reading the interesting posts under "FAQs" (by Rested Gal and others), and also reading the reviews under cpap.com "headrest."

I feel this is an amazing mask. It's so comfortable, I hardly know it's there. Great for sleeping in any position, low leak rate, lucky to be wearing it "as-is" with no modifications, find it easy to sleep with closed-mouth even though I'm very congested. I just spend a second pulling it on like a baseball cap every night, and have excellent results every day on the software.

I feel much empathy for you and others who are still struggling, and really hope things will go well. Just wanted to share this experience in the hope that it might help. Take care, Twilightcat

Only if my Opus 360 is not properly positioned do I get the feeling of "something stuck up my nose". Otherwise, it's just a very light pressure against the bottom of my nose, which is not at all uncomfortable.

I got the OptiLife nasal pillows mask at a awake group meeting and the very first night it felt great, there was a little adjustment period but once you get it right it's very comfortable. I also tried the cradle cushion but prefer the pillows.
If you go to the respironics web site and view the video, you will probably get it right the very first time. It still takes time to get used to a new mask and some people don't like pillows mask, I like both, the pillows and nasal mask, but I prefer the pillows over the nasal mask.

Dan

I've only been doing this for about 6 weeks and started with the Swift II. Only the first night did I have the feeling of something up my nose and had one side of a nare that was a little sore. I loosened the mask and voila1 no more odd sensations or discomfort. I switched over to the Swift LT and even though I am using the small pillow, find it very comfortable with minimal leaks. But again if over tightened, I can get a little discomfort on the one nare.

I hate the " there's an alien living on my face" feeling of a nasal mask so I really like the nasal pillow masks.

Margo