CPAPtalk.com

Oval shaped nares are the norm. The openings in the nasal pillows are oval shaped too.

Be sure that the longest part of the opening in the pillows is aligned vertically up/down, not sideways. After you check that, then be sure to turn the pillows just a bit, so that the tops of the openings are pointed slightly toward each other.

Now, does this mean the pillows aren't large enough if you need to pull the unit back so that it pulls the bottom of your nose back/upward (kind of scrunching it up) to keep the seal?

I wish I could tell you for sure, but I don't know. Sounds like a larger size of nasal pillows might be needed. I have oval shaped small nares, but I find that the Large nasal pillows seal better for me. For some though, the next size down might do better.

Often it's shifting headgear that causes leaks if the pillows feel comfy enough when you first lie down. Before I spent money on larger pillows, I'd work some more on trying to get the headgear to "stay put". A soft stretchy headband or sweatband might work better than the straps that come with it.

Another possibility is that the sliding adjustment part of the headgear spine up near the hairline might be slipping in or out more during the night. I've read of several people who find that adjustment doesn't stay "adjusted" very well. In that case, a piece of tape around it when you get it slid the way you want it could help.

Side note to qrlylox: using the straps does mean having to twist the velcro tip of one strap to make the velcro hold the other strap when the straps are placed in front of the hose the way I do mine. Or you can turn one strap all the way over, "wrong surface out" before threading it in at the back, to be sure it will lay flat all the way. Replacing those straps with a softer material like the stretchy headband you're thinking about would work fine.

I recall reading about a woman who placed a piece of foam under the front of the headgear, up near the top of her forehead. That made the entire headgear sit a bit farther out in front of her face to give a slightly different "tilt" to the nasal pillows below.

It's good that you have a different mask like your Activa, LI, to switch to....even in the middle of the night, if necessary!

Lori

From what I've read here the sore nostrils is not unusual for many with this type mask...took me probably a week to 10 days to completely "toughen up" my nostrils even with the nasal gel. You shouldn't however have to pull back and up scrunching your nose terribly to get a seal though. Doubtful its that you need bigger pillows if your using the large already...something probably needs minor tweaking in your basic adjustments.

Jim

Okay, RG and Jim, I am going to put off the purchase of XL pillows until I see what I can do to get this headgear from shifting. RG, you think moving down to the mediums might help??? I don't think it's the sliding adjustment. It stayed where I had it all night. And I can't adjust the curve any more than I already have it under the nose where the pillows go into that plastic piece. So it's off to CVS to find a stretchy headband to use tonight. I just am not sure, do you thread it through anything because those stretchy bands are usually one piece? Haven't worn one of those since I was like seven years old.
And, Jim, I hear you when it comes to toughening up the nose to not feel pain. It seems like the Ayr didn't do much for my nose last night, but without it I can only imagine. Maybe I'll try the trick with putting a hose over my head (stocking hose) to keep it from moving. I'm sure my husband will get a laugh out of that one, if nothing else...boy, we throw away our pride when we start wearing these contraptions, don't we? But I guess it's better than throwing away our health. Thanks for the feedback. If you can think of anything else I might need to know, I'm here.

Lori

From what you've described believe you're on the right track concentrating first on stabilizing everything...either with hose or headband addition. Then make whatever minor adjustments are needed to get the pillows to rest comfortably against your nares without having to pull back and up to get a seal.

Good luck tonight

Jim

LI, using a headband you wouldn't have to thread it through anything. Just put the headband on first, down around your neck, put the Breeze on and pull the headband up where you want it.

...and Lori,
Even with gel, I had to take a 2-3 night break from the Breeze after about a week. But none since.

By the way I'm trying to figure out why my headgear isn't shifting about... and the pieces stick together fine too.

Did you notice the the forward strap holder has notches, and clicks into place when it's properly connected?

I keep the backmost part of the heagear pretty low near my neck.

And my hair is curly - it might be more difficult with straigh hair.

I can just imagine you with a stocking on your head...

O.

to sleepless in LI:

go to the main board and go to artwood"s posting and replies and you might get some good info from my reply to artwood (ufo13) and from (rock & roll's) reply as well as the others ref. nasal pillows masks etc.

HOPE IT HELPS!!!

ufo13

I have to say, first off, thanks to you all for being so wonderful. This is such a supportive site. I've said it before, but I think it bears repeating. I can't get over how nice it is to have such a group of people to lean on and know are always there for support. It means so much to me. I am trying now to give whatever I have learned back to "newbies" since I guess I no longer fall into that category, although I have a long way to go to catch up to some of the others on this site (you know who you are).

I did buy my stretch headbands (package of 6!!!) and tried putting the straps that came with the gear to the forward most slots, too. I will keep what Ozij said in mind if I have to take a break and give my poor schnoz a rest down the road. Hopefully it will be tough and get used to the pillows. Jim, thanks for the wishes of luck. I think I'm going to need it. And UFO, I always had nothing but the utmost respect for anything Rock & Roll had to say, so I will be checking out his post. Thanks for the suggestion.

Will keep you all posted after tonight. I hope it's better than last night.

OMG, do I feel like a total idiot!!! I just went to try on the headband with the headgear and discovered not only does the front of the headgear adjust, but the back part does, too! Now I know why the front of the gear where the pillows go in your nose was pulling up on my nose all night. It wasn't stretched out far enough for it to span the distance of my face! All I can say is, Duh!!! Is my face red .
Now I just hope it makes a different tonight...

Thats OK it happens. I "missed" the one with the knob adjustment for the shell with pillows for several days. Gee...could that have contributed to my sore nostrils (pressure on bottom) when I first started...Duh, yeh!

Really four adjustment points...in back, in top middle, in front, plus the one with the knob for the shell with pillows....plus straps. Have fun playing with things

Jim

Thanks, Jim. Now I have to go check the middle top on (LOL).

I once counted at least 7 - let me count the ways....

*Padded plastic on back of the headgeear'spine -
*Paddded plastic on to top the head of head (front peice can be pulled in or out) - it has 5 raised dots so you can remember where you preffer it
*The Pillow shell itself is on a track (pardon my dumb vocabulary) that also pulls down- straight down, as opposed to the more arc like change you get from moving along the spine - loosen the hose from the u shaped holder and you'll get movemetn there
*Placement of the strap holders, as I said, note the notches
*Length of straps (they can even be connected on the bridge on the top of you head instead of up front...
*Angle of pillows shell with that knob on the right
*And... (tadam!) separate rotation of each pillow, so if your nostril are non symetrical, you can rotate just one pillow.

Happy tinkering, and sleep well!
O.

Good grief - I had no idea there were so many places to adjust the Breeze. Made me realize I hadn't even read the instructions that came with it!

Dumb, dumb, dumb...

LOL!!!! Ozij, you are very well versed on the intricasies of the Breeze. I took a look at mine, and then pulled out the booklet that came with it so I didn't miss anything (4Katie, don't think we need it with 'O' on the job). I think I finally have it under control. I also put it on with the back extended (AHHHHH), and what a relief it was to my poor nose. And using a thicker type stretch headband (per RestedGal's advice) just for that extra hold seemed to really make a difference. Now, should I move down to a medium pillow tonight or leave it at the large? Hmm...

Now, when I go to sleep tonight will be the true test. I will be hoping for a better night than last night. Don't want to wake up to that painful aching nose like last night. And I don't think it had to be THAT painful had I known the back portion of the headgear adjusted, too. Like I said, DUH!!!

Thanks, O.

I've used the Breeze since last November and absolutely love it. I use a chin strap to stabilize the head gear. Any chin strap will do. Usually you get one when you initially get your cpap equipment. I don't use the chin strap to stop mouth breathing, just to stabilize the head gear. As RG said, you don't have to thread the chin strap through anything and you can wear it pretty loose since you're not using it to keep you mouth closed. I've worn my Breeze almost every night since last November and it hasn't moved a bit or lost its seal and I toss and turn all night. I've slept on my side, my back, and my stomach and it never leaks or moves around. I have a tough nose so I never suffered from sore nares like a lot of people do. One thing you might try for your nares is Neosporin ointment with pain reliever. It won't hurt the plastic pillows. I've also used the Neosporin every night and then again in the morning since last November and it hasn't damaged my nasal pillows yet. Hope you can get it to work. It's a great interface even if it does look a little weird. As long as you can get a good night's sleep, who cares what you look like. My kids call me a "Borg" (remember from Star Trek) with it on. I just tell them to watch out or "they will be assimilated".