Free at last--my hair is free at last thanks to Bella Loops

I thought I'd report on my experience with the bella loops. I got them (with a Swift FX mask) a couple of days ago and tried them on. The nasal pillows aren't as comfortable in my nose as my Aloha pillows are but I was willing to give them a try -- but the hose pulled the pillows right out of my nose, even lying down. I set it aside figuring I'd use my return insurance to send it back. Then last night I opened up the size large pillows I had ordered (you have to order the large pillows separately since they don't come with the mask). They looked way too big, but to my surprise they worked. I think because they're larger they filled out the inside of my nostrils snugly, and the hose no longer pulled them out. So I slept with them last night and never lost the seal. The loops stayed nicely behind my ears with the pad a cheek covers, no soreness there. I did have some irritation on my upper lip and underside of my nose where the pillows make contact, I think because I had the loops pulled a little too tight.

So it's just one night but I'll probably keep the bellas. There was a forum discussion recently about people using pillow sizes that are actually too small, I do think a lot of us probably underestimate the size we need. I was surprised since I don't have an especially large nose. But I also recently bumped up to size large on my Aloha pillows and find they work better than the mediums for me.

I ordered some Bella Loops from our hosts - can't wait to try them! Thanks for the awesome review robysue!

Cheers,
xena

I would like to give the loops a try Does anyone use them with a nasal mask vs nasal pillows? I have a mirage fx nasal mask and wonder if the loops would work with them?

rimp wrote:I would like to give the loops a try Does anyone use them with a nasal mask vs nasal pillows? I have a mirage fx nasal mask and wonder if the loops would work with them?

Someone did modify the Bella Loops to try with the Pilairo nasal pillow mask. I haven't heard of anyone trying to attach a nasal mask to the Loops. I don't have any nasal mask to try to see if it could be done. One would need to have a way to attach it to the nasal mask at enough points to keep a seal...which might be a problem and the weight of the nasal mask pulling on the loops might also be a problem. Snug enough to seal might hurt the ears for sure.

Thanks pugsy

Now if only some ingenious person could figure out how to attach the Aloha nasal pillows to the bella loops...

Last night was not as successful as night one with the bella loops. I thought I had pulled them too tight on night one because I had irritation and pressure marks where the base of the pillows rests under my nose, so loosened the loops a bit last night, but then couldn't get a good seal. I tightened them back like night one but immediately felt the irritation and pressure again. I abandoned the bellas and went back to old faithful mask for the rest of the night.

I have a nasty prolonged case of contact dermatitis from mask straps on my scalp that can't heal as long as I keep using a mask with headgear, so I really need these bellas to work. I'm hopeful I can figure this out and I'm not giving up yet, tonight I'll keep the loops a little tighter again and place a small strip of cotton flannel on my upper lip (maybe help it stick on with a tiny bit of lansinoh?) where the pillow base sits and irritates under my nose. Try, try again.

kaiasgram wrote:Now if only some ingenious person could figure out how to attach the Aloha nasal pillows to the bella loops...

Now that is going to take some thinking. I briefly looked...there just isn't anything to attach to. I tried slipping the notched hole over the side of the pillow and it just won't hold.
I have a couple of ideas but I need some stuff I don't have handy right now. Wondering if we could crisscross something around the Aloha and then thread it through the notches?
I left it sitting out so it will remind me to experiment later after my husband goes back to work tomorrow.
I will let you know if I have any semblance of success.

Pugsy wrote:

kaiasgram wrote:Now if only some ingenious person could figure out how to attach the Aloha nasal pillows to the bella loops...

Now that is going to take some thinking. I briefly looked...there just isn't anything to attach to. I tried slipping the notched hole over the side of the pillow and it just won't hold.
I have a couple of ideas but I need some stuff I don't have handy right now. Wondering if we could crisscross something around the Aloha and then thread it through the notches?
I left it sitting out so it will remind me to experiment later after my husband goes back to work tomorrow.
I will let you know if I have any semblance of success.

Well you're not only ingenious, you're very sweet. Plus I bet this experiment appeals to your maverick side. You will not be defeated! Thanks Pugsy!

kaiasgram wrote:Well you're not only ingenious, you're very sweet. Plus I bet this experiment appeals to your maverick side. You will not be defeated! Thanks Pugsy!

Well, first idea was a flop but then I really didn't expect it too work. I even enlisted my husband to get a mechanical side of things input. It isn't going to be easy but I have another idea but that means I need to go to the store.
It is going to be difficult because there is nothing to attach anything to on the Aloha nasal pillow and I can't mess with the cone area. It would be a nice compromise though for those that prefer the Aloha nasal pillow and less headgear.
I am thinking I might be able to secure something to the short hose right above the vent holes. Needs to be tiny and sturdy and not move. Not an easy list to fill.

Im not a girl or have long hair but whats a bella loop.?

tlohse36 wrote:Im not a girl or have long hair but whats a bella loop.?

Headgear for the Resmed Swift FX nasal pillows that goes around the ears instead of over the head
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... -cpap.html

I tried them, but they hurt my ears.

I am anxious to try the Bella Loops! I googled cpap and hair and found them! Then came here to find reviews! Before cpap, I normally didn't have problems with my hair in the mornings but after cpap, most mornings are bad hair days! I already have the Swift FX nasal pillow and just needed to order the Loops to go with it. Found out insurance doesn't cover that part anyway, so I went ahead and ordered the Loops for $25, rather than having to wait until my 3 month period is up. I should have them this week. I hope it works for me. If so, I will be so glad to have a cpap mask that works with my hair!