Nasal Pillows - Love them or Hate them?

I'm considering switching from a nasal mask to nasal pillows (probably Swift FX for Her) Can anyone give me pros/cons about using nasal pillows? Were they hard to get used to? Does it feel like you have something stuck up your nose? How about leaks? Are they worth trying?

Any and all feedback appreciated!

Yep. I use them and definitely worth a try. If you feel they're "up your nose" then you're using them wrong!

I have used nothing but nasal pillow mask ever since I started in May 2009.
I don't "feel" them in my nose. I mostly noticed the air at first. A bit weird but even my titration study was done with nasal pillows as I couldn't stand the over the nose mask (pressure from it on my nose caused immediate and complete nasal congestion). Leaks? Most of the time minimal and easy to control.

As with any mask.. People love them and people hate them. A person just has to try something to make their own
opinion as to how it suits them.

Love them...although I've only ever used anything else one night - for my titration study. And of course it's just my opinion, you may find them uncomfortable. But for me, they eliminated sleeping with my neck at one uncomfortable angle all night and feeling "trapped" in place by the forehead bar of the nasal mask I tried. I can also sleep on my side easily, although there's a learning curve for preventing leaks on one's side...lately I seem to be having more issues with leaks, but I think maybe it's just time to replace the pillows...been using the same one since I got the machine at the beginning of August...? Anyhow, very comfortable, give it a go!

how often do pillows need to be replaced?

thanks for the info - and yes, it does bother me to have to keep my head at certain angles to keep the nasal masks from leaking. I also invariably end up with my nose itching no matter what mask I use or what setting. I really hate the nose itching

EO_123 wrote:how often do pillows need to be replaced?

Again.. YMMV. Some people do good to get 2 weeks out of one set of pillows. I always get months and months out of one set. I did it with the Swift LT and now with the Swift FX. I just recently retired one that I started using in December. What I usually do is rotate with another once a week. That is when I wash them. So 2 sets have lasted me 8 months (so that is 4 months of use each).

How do you know when it's time to retire a set?

I rotate 2 Hybrid masks so 1 is always clean and ready for sleep. Switched to new pillows in both masks last December and still getting a good seal with leak = 0 most nights. When I was using my beloved OptiLife, I had to replace the pillows every 4-5 months to get a good seal.

Ivan101 wrote:How do you know when it's time to retire a set

Hard to say... some people say that the pillows "feel" different.. I will be honest, I have held brand new in one hand and 6 month old in another and I can't feel any difference. I will retire a set when I start seeing more leaks than I normally do on a consistent basis. I don't just see one night with bad leak and think they are worn out. I do a lot of tossing and turning so on some nights I don't know if it is me or the pillows. Often it is me because the next night I might have minimal leaks again.

EO_123 wrote:I'm considering switching from a nasal mask to nasal pillows (probably Swift FX for Her) Can anyone give me pros/cons about using nasal pillows? Were they hard to get used to? Does it feel like you have something stuck up your nose? How about leaks? Are they worth trying?

Any and all feedback appreciated!

The nasal pillows feel a heck of a lot better than a mask (to me). I tried a mask and couldn't get it off fast enough. Much less on your face and so much easier to use. Definitely worth trying!

I use Swift II nasal pillows. I have tried just about everything else, but nothing works as well for me. I find nasal pillows a lot less invasive/claustrophobic that a nasal or full-face mask. Definitely worth a try.

I replace pillows at infrequent intervals--2 to 6 months, I would say. If I think leaks are increasing with the same strap pressure, I throw them out. I do try to remember to wipe them in the morning with Citrus II, and sometimes wash them in soapy water to remove oils, which I think prolongs life. My main gripe with the Swift II is that the straps on the headgear are not too sturdy and often need to be tightened to bring them back to where they were. I would prefer a more rugged strap arrangement; but, I've noticed most people prefer even dinkier straps.

Love, love, love nasal pillows. I replace the pillows when I can no longer get a good seal even after a good cleaning(about once a year, sometimes longer). To clean the pillows I wash with Dawn dishwashing liquid then soak with 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water for 5 minutes, rinsing very well. This seems to help improve the seal. DO get a tube of AYR GEL to keep on hand. I use a bit every night, just on the nares. Helps with any irritation from the pillows. A tube lasts a very long time!

Brenda

I had started out with a nasal mask when I first started CPAP in 2005. When my machine died and I got a new one this February my DME offered my either a nasal mask or pillows; I decided to try the pillows, since I was told I could switch back within 30 days if I didn't like them. I found them much more comfortable than the mask, and I didn't have the problem I'd had with the straps slipping like I'd had with the mask.

This reminds me, though, that I need to check with my DME about replacements. I seem to remember being told that BCBS allowed for replacements every six months, and setting up an automatic replacement program, but I haven't heard anything from them yet.

I so wanted to love Nasal pillows versus the dreaded masks as pillows are compact and right on target in the nose. The truth is that I couldn't tolerate them despite many attempts at different brands.
I felt like my nostrils were under attack almost like a personal tornado. During the following day my nose was still whistling from the invasion. I changed brands but experienced leaking however tightly I fastened it. I guess I have pillow-envy when I hear that others managed even though I tried so hard. They look deceptively small and the pictures make you believe that they would be comfortable for all but I eventually gave up on them. I moved onto masks, then oral appliance, then Provent and finally surgery. I live to tell the story so that others can have similar success. Good luck.

I use the Swift LT for Her and really love how light and unobtrusive it is. The exhalation port is quiet, too. I can't find a ffm that is as comfortable or quiet.

Only caveat is if your are a mouth-breather, you may have problems.