Nasal Pillows and Pressure

My cpap is set to 14 and I use a nasal mask. However, it is a pain! I was told that my high setting makes it unlikely that I would do well with nasal pillows. What have you found in this regards for those that use or have tried the nasal pilllows. Are you on a high pressure?
If I were to try one, I'd have to buy it myself as medicaid will only pay for 2 mask tries and I'm on my second one already.
jl

I'm at 16 and have done well with Swift, NasalAire, and Headrest.
Shari

Janet, if you were going to buy a nasal pillow mask which one would you want to try? Guess the right one and I might be able to help you. I have one that is unused. I just got it to get a large pillow out of it and ended up not even using that large pillow. I will give you a hint. I use the Swift LT so it isn't that one.

Pugsy wrote:Janet, if you were going to buy a nasal pillow mask which one would you want to try? Guess the right one and I might be able to help you. I have one that is unused. I just got it to get a large pillow out of it and ended up not even using that large pillow. I will give you a hint. I use the Swift LT so it isn't that one.

Pugsy,
I'm afraid that you've totally lost me!!!
janetlee

janetlee wrote:I'm afraid that you've totally lost me!!!

So sorry. If you were to purchase a nasal pillow mask system on your own. Which one interests you? Which one would you want?

Pugsy wrote:

janetlee wrote:I'm afraid that you've totally lost me!!!

So sorry. If you were to purchase a nasal pillow mask system on your own. Which one interests you? Which one would you want?

I'm afraid that I have no idea which one would be the best to try...I've never even seen one in person!
I know y'all talk about the different kinds available, but I just don't know! I hated the full-face mask and the nasal mask is better, but still not great. Sigh.
I guess I'm fried.
jl

My APAP is set 12 - 16. With the Swift, I find I have to adjust it a few times during the night d/t leaks (and yes, it's often when the pressure has gone up). However, I'm so much more rested even with these adjustments than I was before that I consider it an annoyance and not a major problem.

janetlee wrote:My cpap is set to 14 and I use a nasal mask. However, it is a pain! I was told that my high setting makes it unlikely that I would do well with nasal pillows. What have you found in this regards for those that use or have tried the nasal pilllows. Are you on a high pressure?
If I were to try one, I'd have to buy it myself as medicaid will only pay for 2 mask tries and I'm on my second one already.
jl

I was told anything over 10cm was too high for pillows.

I have been using Aeoimed's Headrest XL pillows with my bipap 18/15cm for well over a year now. No way I would go back to a FFM.

Step out of the box for a look around.

Good Luck

I started with the Comfortlite 2 (CL2), which has a nasal mask, and your choice of regular pillows or direct seal pillows. This allowed me to switch back and forth as indicated. (I did need a chin strap.)

I've found that the CL2 strap works for me with my CL2, with my Zzz-mask full face, and with the Headrest, which could just be edging my beloved CL2 out as a favorite. (I lopped the Headrest straps off and substituted CL2 straps.)

The Headrest is really nice -- it has the comfort of the CL2 with a smaller head piece, plus it vents straight up so you don't jet yourself or your partner with mask-exhalation. I think it may be the most lab-ratted mask in existence.

JL, I started with the Respironics OptiLife pillow mask and loved it, very minimal; wore it 17-18 months, then started mouth leaking (losing therapy air). Graduated to the RespCare Hybrid which covers the mouth and has pillows -- this one's good too! Both hybrid style masks are considered FFMs, but they do not cover the nose or touch the forehead.

Types of masks:
FFM
Hybrid style (RespCare Hybrid & ResMed Liberty)
Nasal (covers nose)
Pillow (nasal pillows that sit at the very end of the nose)
Nasal Aire II (sorta like the nasal prongs that deliver oxygen, gotta ck out Babette's posts on it, some really like it...a lot...tho I understand it's pretty noisy)
Oral masks

One of these styles should be good; then, ya gotta find the best of that style for your particular face. No one said this xPAP adventure was gonna be easy

Muse-Inc wrote:JL, I started with the Respironics OptiLife pillow mask and loved it, very minimal; wore it 17-18 months, then started mouth leaking (losing therapy air). Graduated to the RespCare Hybrid which covers the mouth and has pillows -- this one's good too! Both hybrid style masks are considered FFMs, but they do not cover the nose or touch the forehead.

Types of masks:
FFM
Hybrid style (RespCare Hybrid & ResMed Liberty)
Nasal (covers nose)
Pillow (nasal pillows that sit at the very end of the nose)
Nasal Aire II (sorta like the nasal prongs that deliver oxygen, gotta ck out Babette's posts on it, some really like it...a lot...tho I understand it's pretty noisy)
Oral masks

One of these styles should be good; then, ya gotta find the best of that style for your particular face. No one said this xPAP adventure was gonna be easy

Muse,
what kind of prices are these sort of masks? I'd have to pay for it myself and it's a tough time.
thanx!
jl

I have found the Headrest for as little as $59

I was told anything over 10cm was too high for pillows.

I don't know where that myth got started. I think if you had a constant pressure need of 15-20, nasal pillows might have some leak or discomfort issues. Many folks use nasal pillows in the 10-15 range quite comfortably. My autopap is set at 8-14, and I have absolutely NO problems whatsoever with nasal pillow masks. Also, the machine response is quite fast and catches events with no problems--software and online checks show it is doing its job. Where did that fairy tale get started? Was it the same person who said it is illegal to change your own pressure?

I use a Hybrid at 17cm. The very few leaks I get are around the mouth seal. Never the pillows.

JL, the RespCare Hybrid I wear that I got from our host costs $119 https://www.cpap.com/productpage/RespCa ... -Mask.html. BUT, you can find them offered privately here on this site now and then which is how I got my backup (maybe on also on cpapauction?). I like the Hybrid more than the ResMed Liberty, which I also have, because the Hybrid fits my face better and I get a better pillow seal -- fit is everything with masks. I know that you can get replacement masks every few months, so check your mask replacement schedule and get one of the hybrid-style masks next. The more I wear mine, the better I like it. Now that I have a data-capable machine, it's mask fit feature evaluates the fit (how little leak) every night when I maskup (always excellent thank goodness) and my AHIs are consistently under 3 with AI mostly 0...all good for me. I hope you have the same good results. There are 2 oxygen ports on the RespCare Hybrid. Here's a link for the Hybrid for $98; our host will price match if you call and tell them where the less expensive webpage is...just a thought.

I bought a backup Respironics OptiLife from a seller on Amazon for $40 which was less expensive than my co-pay from my sleep lab.