Excessive Congestion w/ Nasal Pillow

The Nasal Pillows is great - very comfortable. However, when using the pillow or the nasal mask, I awake with significant congestion that last all day. This occurs when using with or without the humidifier. Any thoughts are much appreciated.

You sound like you are having the same issue as me. Yesterday, I took my full face mask back and exchanged it for Mirage Liberty. It has two nasal pillows and a mouth mask. Well, after one hour I had to stop using them. Noticed that I couldn't breath and felt like I was suffocating and not getting enough oxygen. I do have allergies that can make it hard to breath through one nostril. However, when I took the pillows off after one hour I noticed that I could not breath through either nostril. Hopefully, someone will give us some advice on how to alleviate this problem.

Until those who deal with chronic congestion chime in... fsmitty, you have 2.5 listed as ramp - is that how long your ramp is set for, since that is too low to be the pressure?

P.S. Never mind, just saw in your post in another thread that 2.5 is your humidifier setting.

kteague wrote:Until those who deal with chronic congestion chime in... fsmitty, you have 2.5 listed as ramp - is that how long your ramp is set for, since that is too low to be the pressure?

Yes the the the actual ramp (initial pressure). They told me that it ramps up to max pressure 9 in about 30 minutes. I agree that it appears low as with the nasal pillow, last night, I was unable to breath when the ramp was set. I have been diagnosed with mild sleep apnea with AHI of 5.85. The sleep lab said that my max pressure should be 9.

This morning, I squirted vVramyst up my nose which is helping me breath better. The doctor had given me that allergy steroid during my initial sleep consultation due to my nasal stuffiness. Have not used it up to now as I try to avoid prescription stuff.

Quttro FF resolved my nasal congestion, how ? I have no idea. My nasal congestion was severe, when I tried the Swift LT, then switched over to Hybrid, no matter what I tried, my nostrils swelled beyond belief. At first, I was nasal rinsing, and using Afrin spray every night, humidifier adjustments up/down, nothing seemed to work. Also I was battling pillows popping out of nose, till I wrapped tights around my face.

Then I tried the Qauttro, amazingly my nasasl congestion went away. My nostrils have not swelled since. Maybe it was the harsh direct air pressure, going up my nose, but whatever the case, I can breathe naturally with the Quattro.

The strange thing about the Quattro is, doesn't feel like any air pressure is being applied, when I first began using it, but when I lift the mask, a tornado gushes from the mask, Lol !!!!

But I think the direct air pressure (irriation) going up my nose, caused swelling, I'm not a 100% sure, but only reasonable explaination.

So FF is another option.

fsmitty wrote:Yes [2.5] the the the actual ramp (initial pressure). They told me that it ramps up to max pressure 9 in about 30 minutes..

As kteague said, it's unlikely that 2.5 is your ramp pressure but if your ramp pressure is low, that explains why you feel you are suffocating. YOU NEED TO BUMP UP YOUR RAMP PRESSURE TO AT LEAST 6 (7 or even 8 may be better). Without enough air flow - especially through nasal pillows - you won't be comfortable. It ain't gonna happen.

In addition, starting with a low ramp means you are experiencing a wide swing in pressure such that it makes 9 feel too high. Raising your ramp will also take care of that.

millich wrote:

fsmitty wrote:Yes [2.5] the the the actual ramp (initial pressure). They told me that it ramps up to max pressure 9 in about 30 minutes..

As kteague said, it's unlikely that 2.5 is your ramp pressure but if your ramp pressure is low, that explains why you feel you are suffocating. YOU NEED TO BUMP UP YOUR RAMP PRESSURE TO AT LEAST 6 (7 or even 8 may be better). Without enough air flow - especially through nasal pillows - you won't be comfortable. It ain't gonna happen.

In addition, starting with a low ramp means you are experiencing a wide swing in pressure such that it makes 9 feel too high. Raising your ramp will also take care of that.

My machine when turned on does not default to using the ramp mode. They showed me an extra button that you need to pressure which will lower the pressure to 2.5. I did try that with the Liberty and found out you can't breath. Had to just use the default setting of 9 which still made it hard to breath. I have just cleaned out my sinuses with a neti port and used some Veramyst so I will give it another try tonight.