DO NASAL PILLOWS CAUSE MORE SINUS PROBLEMS THAN NASAL MASKS?

I WANT TO TRY NASAL PILLOWS BUT THE MEDICAL SUPPLY WHERE I GOT MY CPAP TOLD ME I WOULD HAVE MORE NASAL DRYNESS DUE TO AIR BLOWING STRAIGHT INTO MY NOSE WITH NASAL PILLOWS. I HAVE SINUS CONGESTION AND NASAL DRYNESS WITH A NASAL MASK AND DON'T WANT TO MAKE IT WORSE?

Lots of people use the nasal pillows without any problems. I have used them for well over 3 years now.
I find that I actually breathe better at night when compared to daytime breathing. The humidified air actually seems to open things up better. Often go to bed slightly congested and within 5 minutes totally open nasal passages.

If you are having dryness issues....that is why we have a humidifier to add moisture to the air. Increase the humidifier setting.
You might also use some simple saline spray at night before bedtime...adding more moisture.

Oh, all caps really makes it hard to read what you are saying.
If you are visually impaired there is a way to make all the fonts larger....look in the light blue banner under the big blue banner for "Bigger Font"...click on it till you get a size that is suitable for you.

CLELMA wrote:I WANT TO TRY NASAL PILLOWS BUT THE MEDICAL SUPPLY WHERE I GOT MY CPAP TOLD ME I WOULD HAVE MORE NASAL DRYNESS DUE TO AIR BLOWING STRAIGHT INTO MY NOSE WITH NASAL PILLOWS. I HAVE SINUS CONGESTION AND NASAL DRYNESS WITH A NASAL MASK AND DON'T WANT TO MAKE IT WORSE?

Why are you yelling??

A few people may have this problem. Very few--most find it the opposite way.
My suspicion is that the supplier makes less money on them.

(ooh! caps lock gives me a headache)

Can't really compare the pillows to a nasal mask as except for a few nights trying the nasal mask, I've exclusively used nasal pillows for 6 years. Only time my nose got dried out was when using my travel machine without humidification for an extended time.

My allergies have been a lot less severe and just not at all on some days since getting nights full of filtered air from the CPAP machine.

I don't feel the nasal pillows I used and still do as a backup to the sleepweaver Elan caused me any sinus problems. I think the issue comes down more to finding that right mask for YOU that gives the best comfort and lowest leaks.

Well said, Lazer! Comfort is EVERYTHING. Without comfort, fit is unlikely, also effective therapy.
It is an outrage when a supplier allows their prejudices to interfere with treatment of a dangerous health condition.
Unfortunately, the current system allows these abuses to continue unchecked and unpunished.
(--am I ranting yet?)

chunkyfrog wrote:Well said, Lazer! Comfort is EVERYTHING. Without comfort, fit is unlikely, also effective therapy.
It is an outrage when a supplier allows their prejudices to interfere with treatment of a dangerous health condition.
Unfortunately, the current system allows these abuses to continue unchecked and unpunished.
(--am I ranting yet?)

To Frog... your getting close!

I started my therapy using full face mask (always breathed through my mouth), and have had a hard time finding one that didn't hurt my nose...etc. I switched to a total face mask, liked it except it stayed a little to warm inside the mask, I have sinus problems and the warmer it got in the mask, the more I had to breath through my mouth. I decided to give the pillows a try, and started with the Swift FX. I thought I would have leaks out of this world. I do have some minor leaks, but not real bad! Every night when I lay down, that is when my sinuses really start acting up. I have found with the pillows and a little humidity, the pillows have actually helped open up my sinuses. My respiration numbers are starting to improve also. Another benefit, what a great feeling not to have that mask on my face!
I would suggest to anyone that is a mouth breather, to at least give the pillows a try. You never know, you may be able to use them, even though you thought you couldn't. I haven't even used a chip strap to this point and the leaks for me are manageable, but could stand some improvement. It's such a great feeling not to have that mask on your face all night! I am ordering one of the mouth guards to use with the pillows to help cut down on the leaks.

woodworkerjunkie wrote:To Frog... your getting close!

I started my therapy using full face mask (always breathed through my mouth), and have had a hard time finding one that didn't hurt my nose...etc. I switched to a total face mask, liked it except it stayed a little to warm inside the mask, I have sinus problems and the warmer it got in the mask, the more I had to breath through my mouth. I decided to give the pillows a try, and started with the Swift FX. I thought I would have leaks out of this world. I do have some minor leaks, but not real bad! Every night when I lay down, that is when my sinuses really start acting up. I have found with the pillows and a little humidity, the pillows have actually helped open up my sinuses. My respiration numbers are starting to improve also. Another benefit, what a great feeling not to have that mask on my face!
I would suggest to anyone that is a mouth breather, to at least give the pillows a try. You never know, you may be able to use them, even though you thought you couldn't. I haven't even used a chip strap to this point and the leaks for me are manageable, but could stand some improvement. It's such a great feeling not to have that mask on your face all night! I am ordering one of the mouth guards to use with the pillows to help cut down on the leaks.

I too started with a FFM and it hurt my noise and leaked and my sinus were a mess. I changed after trying 6 different FFM to the Liberty, a FFM with pillows. Now no leaks and sinus are great day and night. I would like to try the Swift FX but I am a mouth breather so I don't know. I really like the idea of less mask on my face.

lilly747 wrote:

woodworkerjunkie wrote:To Frog... your getting close!

I started my therapy using full face mask (always breathed through my mouth), and have had a hard time finding one that didn't hurt my nose...etc. I switched to a total face mask, liked it except it stayed a little to warm inside the mask, I have sinus problems and the warmer it got in the mask, the more I had to breath through my mouth. I decided to give the pillows a try, and started with the Swift FX. I thought I would have leaks out of this world. I do have some minor leaks, but not real bad! Every night when I lay down, that is when my sinuses really start acting up. I have found with the pillows and a little humidity, the pillows have actually helped open up my sinuses. My respiration numbers are starting to improve also. Another benefit, what a great feeling not to have that mask on my face!
I would suggest to anyone that is a mouth breather, to at least give the pillows a try. You never know, you may be able to use them, even though you thought you couldn't. I haven't even used a chip strap to this point and the leaks for me are manageable, but could stand some improvement. It's such a great feeling not to have that mask on your face all night! I am ordering one of the mouth guards to use with the pillows to help cut down on the leaks.

I too started with a FFM and it hurt my noise and leaked and my sinus were a mess. I changed after trying 6 different FFM to the Liberty, a FFM with pillows. Now no leaks and sinus are great day and night. I would like to try the Swift FX but I am a mouth breather so I don't know. I really like the idea of less mask on my face.

I used the innomed hybrid (same as Liberty) mask for a while, started having leaks around the mouth cushion and my DME wasn't sending any new supplies, so i gave up and ordered the Total face mask and paid for that out of my own pocket. I was the same as you a mouth breather and was sure that the pillows was not going to work. I went to the DME to find out why they were not following up and not sending supplies and left there with the Swift FX. They gave it to me to try it, if not happy return it and find something else. I went in to see about a quattro FX and they told me that my perscription had to state specifically for the "Quattro FX" or they couldn't sell it to me! I'm glad I decided to give the Swift FX a try. I almost went with the Opus 360, but the Swift looked more comfortable. This will be the last time I use this DME. If you have insurance and not close to time for a replacement maybe you could find someone with a used frame and headgear with a new pillow and maybe give it a try, before you buy a new one. At least you could test it out to see if it will work for you.
I tried the chinstrap the first night and that lasted about an hour, my jaw and teeth were hurting so bad, I had to get up and take some Ibuprofen. So I took it off and slept the rest of the night with just the FX mask and was surprised to find I didn't have leaks much worse than with my other mask, just a few more of them. So, I'm ordering the mouth guard to help hold my jaw forward and help eliminate leaks. Believe me, if you can use the pillows, it is a blessing to get out from under that FF mask.

I have used the pillows for 3 years...and have had nothing but sinus problems...I know it is caused by the pillows because I never had sinus problems this bad....I just got a Quattro FX...and anxious to get a good night sleep and ward off this impending sinus infection..I was getting them every 3 to 4 months when I started CPAP with pillows, then it went to every 2 to 3 months, then every 1 to 2 months. I have had allergy tests, no allergies...I cant get over the sinus problem once they start...and I attribute this directly to the constant 12 to 15 PSI blowing in my nasal and sinus cavities all night long...logic dictates...our upper respiratory system was made for that kind of air supply...I do use humidifier...no difference...Listen to your DME, he sees what all the masks are doing and can do...they suggested a FF for me to but NO, I wanted the pillows, after 3 years of constant sinus infections, antibiotics and prednisone...I am hoping the FF resolves it...or I am seriously considering giving up CPAP therapy altogether until it becomes an exact science with out us as Genea Pigs! Good luck!!