nasal pillows....

Hi,
I was wondering what I am doing wrong if the pillows make my nose look like a pig nose?????

I'm sure others who are much more experienced that me will chime in here, but in my week of using my cpap with nasal pillows I have found that the only way I can minimize leaks is to cinch up the pillows on my face tight enough that they give me somewhat of a pig nose. If I try to loosen them up so I don't have the pig nose I get pretty significant leakage.

I do need to put the disclaimer on my above statement that I don't have a data-capable machine (yet) so I can only say that I THINK I get less leakage because I wake up to the leakage less when it is cinched down. Won't know for sure until my S9 Autoset comes in (hopefully soon).

I don't have the same mask you do, but mine is too tight if I have the pig nose look. I am not sure about the fit on your mask.
Experiment incrementally loosening and see if you can still make a good seal without the pig nose.

I have used nothing but nasal pillow mask since May 2009.

My nostrils are NOT any larger and I do NOT have piggy nose. My nostrils and nose look exactly the same as they did when I started. Piggy nose with mask on usually means top strap a little too tight.

Pig nose with a nasal pillows mask means the top strap in particular is way too tight. You need to loosen that top strap up to prevent pig nose. The mask will be more comfortable too. It may also be that you need to loosen the back strap as well. Neither strap should be pulling the nasal pillows into your nostrils.

If you get leaks around the pillows when you loosen that top strap of the mask it most likely means the pillows are the wrong size for your nostrils. It's more likely that the current pair is too small than too large. So try going up a size in the pillows.

It is also extremely important to remember that the cone part of the pillows is NOT supposed to be shoved into your nostrils: Only the tippy top of the cone goes into the nostril. The vast majority of the cone rests gently against the outside of the nostril. The base of the cone should have a bit of an overlap beyond the edge of the nostrils: If the base of the cone does not extend just beyond the edge of your nostrils, the pillows are likely too small and will not be able to seal against your nostril with appropriate looseness in your headgear.

Finally, a bit of Lanisoh cream spread around the base of your nostrils may help you get a better seal with the pillows.