Swift LT to Hybrid - Nasal Burning???

Quick question. I've used Swift LT nasal pillows the last couple of months with good success. Last night, I tried using the Hybrid (I'd like to have it for a back-up mask during cold and flu season). After 2 hours, I had to take it off because the inside of my nose was burning like fire! Very, very uncomfortable.

I found this puzzling. I would have thought that both pillows would be made out of the same material. It's hard to imagine being allergic to one and not the other.

Any ideas? Color me confused.

I suspect this is a fit issue, and not a sensitivity issue.

The first thing to check is make sure you are using the right size nasal pillows. For me, I found that the best seal occurred on the pillows where the projecting oval portion at the tip of the pillow just filled my nares. If this is too large, it could be causing a lot of irritation.

The second, and equally (if not more) important part of fitting the pillows is the angle of the oval openings. This again could vary between different users, and is a bit hard to describe. But for me, I found that the longer axis of the oval had to tilt outwards (on the patient side) at about 25-35 degrees. This was determined by trial and error over about a month. They should approximately match the angle of your nares, but I bet you find the pillow angle is narrower than the nares are in practice. Until I had this angle right, I had minor irritation of the nares. Since I got this right, I have had three months of comfortable therapy with this mask.

I had a pretty similar outcome with the Hybrid pillows. All the sizes irritated my nose. The material of the pillows seemed much harder and tackier than the Swift pillows.

timbalionguy wrote:I suspect this is a fit issue, and not a sensitivity issue.

You're probably right. It just burned sooooo bad (and I've had such good luck with the Swift) that it seemed sensitive to me. It surprised me to not be able to switch from one to the other without difficulty. Ok, I'll play more with the Hybrid. It sure as heck won't be tonight, though. I'm giving my poor nose a break.

mdintx wrote:I had a pretty similar outcome with the Hybrid pillows. All the sizes irritated my nose. The material of the pillows seemed much harder and tackier than the Swift pillows.

Oh, how interesting. I wouldn't have expected that. Anyone else find this to be true?

millich wrote: mdintx wrote:I had a pretty similar outcome with the Hybrid pillows. All the sizes irritated my nose. The material of the pillows seemed much harder and tackier than the Swift pillows.


Oh, how interesting. I wouldn't have expected that. Anyone else find this to be true?

Not me. No problem with a number of different brands of nasal pillows. I have slept using the Hybrid and no problems with those pillows either. I have even used the Nasal Aire II prongs without any issue. Maybe just dumb luck..

millich wrote:...After 2 hours, I had to take it off because the inside of my nose was burning like fire! Very, very uncomfortable...

Sounds like it! Did you wash it well? Spway with vineagar to remove all residues?

The pillows on the Hybrid are squishier than my beloved former mask, the OptiLife...some nights I can't get the opening angle aligned just tight with my slotted nares (what Timbalion said) and I get a leak on the side facing the pillow. Most annoying; if it goes on for awhile, my nostril gets irritated. I've learned the fastest resolution when that happens is to take the mask off, remove then re-insert the pillows, put on mask, hit 'on.'

Lucky you, Pugsy!

Muse - No, I didn't wash them first. Probably would have been a good idea. Thanks for the advice.

Millich,

I thought I was the only one that would ever have that experience with the Hybrid!!!
I washed the hybrid as soon as I recieved it through the mail as I do all masks, got it adjusted so it would be ready to hose up that evening, well I put it on, went to sleep & woke up a few hours with my nose almost on fire, I had to rip that thing off as fast as I could and RUN to the bathroom and start throwing water up my nose, I actually had to suck some water up inside my nose to get the burning out, that was the worst pain I have (since starting cpap in 2007) ever experienced, people on the forum thought I was nuts, lol... they had never heard tell of anything like this until then and now so (you and I) are the only two that I know of that have experienced this with the hybrid we are going to be considered 2 very rare cases, needless to say, I had that brand new hybrid sold and out the door in a week or two!!!
I think we are somehow allergic to something the mask is made out of, dunno but all I can say is I don't EVER wan't to experience anything like that again!!!
BTW, I have a very dry nose, it never runs and I was wondering if maybe this was part of the problem, I have always used my aussie heated hose and had my HH set to 1. Just curious, Do have a dry nose all the time or does it run like a normal nose???
You might want to do a search on my post re: the hybrid and see what others had to say...
Goodluck, I hope it ends up working out for you, I really, really liked that mask & wanted it to work for me, geez, just my mask luck...
SNM

Millich, are you using Ayr nasal gel, or a nasal spray or rinse? That may help as well to give the nose a little TLC prior to CPAP.

SleepyNoMore - Sorry that you went through the same thing, but it's nice that someone understands. I'm not usually a person who is sensitive/allergic to things (and I'd say I have a "normal" nose). I was shocked at how much it burned. It was intense. I wish I'd actually worn it sooner; it's now past it's return date to cpap.com. I had lab-ratted it,thought it was great, and put it on a shelf. Live and learn.

GaryG - No, I didn't use anything with it because I don't need to with the Swift LT. When I work my nerve up to try it again, I'll use lanolin (or else the Ayr gel). Thanks!

Millich, you could try wearing it while awake or during a short nap after washing well, spraying with vinegar, rinsing well, and using nasal moisturizer. If that still occurs, I dunno...pillows are all made of silicon, maybe there's different types made of different chemicals?

Thanks Muse. Yes, I will wash it well before I use it next time, check the size of the pillows (I went up a size from the Swift - perhaps that was a mistake) and use lanolin. Hopefully, those things will work. I really want a back-up mask that I can use during colds or flu. As I haven't found a FFM that will work for me, I thought the Hybrid was THE answer. And perhaps it is. I'll try it again.

On a different note, I've recently added a Mirage Micro nasal mask to my collection and that thing is awesome. Very comfortable. And, while my AHI is always good, it's consistently lower on the Micro. Interesting. So, I've got quite a collection of masks going for a newbie!

Soak in soapy water for 30-60 minutes.
Washing doesn't do it.
It's not the mask material itself, but whatever is left on it when they take it out the mold(s).
I had carpet burn on my face from my first mask, despite washing it. But a long soak did it.

Moderated Chat Transcript: The Respironics Comfortgel™ Nasal Mask
With Respironics' Laurie Scott (and you'll find this recommendation on other - newer mask transcripts as well)
http://www.talkaboutsleep.com/sleep-dis ... elchat.htm

37. How do I clean my new ComfortGel mask?

Laurie Scott answers: We recommend using mild soapy water on a daily basis for optimal results for any of our masks. Avoid soap with moisturizers. Cushions tend to interact to natural facial oils, so be sure to wash your face each night before use. Your seal and comfort can be compromised if cushions acquire build up on the cushion surface. For those with sensitive skin, it is a good idea to soak ANY new mask you use for 30-60 minutes in mild soapy water

O.

ozij wrote:Soak in soapy water for 30-60 minutes...

Thanks! I didn't know this. Will do this with all new replacement mask parts.