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Pillow Type Head Gear
The first apnea head gear I received three weeks ago was the ResMed Swift FX. Used it for almost a week and decided I didn't like it. The Company I use gave me a Resperonics Comfort Gel Mask. Used it two nights and I hate it. Made my skin itch under the mask, especially around the nose area. Went back to using the Swift FX pillows. Decided I liked them better than I first thought. Can someone tell me what pillow type gear they use and how do they like them? Also, how often do you clean the pillows and what do you use to do the cleaning.
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by K. S. on
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I use the Swift FX pillows, but found that I needed to use a dab of lanolin (buy Lansinoh brand as the others are gummier) to prevent nostril irritation. Also, the lanolin helps with the pillow seal. Avoid petroleum products as this will breakdown the silicone. Some use Ayr, a nasal saline ointment, but I needed something more lubricating. Most pillow users have a little nostril irritation, so that's why I'm addressing this first. When you have a good seal with the Lansinoh (in the breast nursing section at your grocery store), don't overtighten your straps---the pillow should blow-up outside the nostril.
Every morning I rinse off the pillow with warm water and suds up with a fragrence-free mild dish soap. I use Seventh Generation's free and clear, just a few drops. Then I air dry with the emptied humidifier. This routine only takes less than a minute. Only every 1-2 weeks to I clean the hoses with the same procedure. Since I only use distilled water in the humidifier, I just empty daily and dry without ever using soap.
ResMed has released a new headgear, called Bella loops, ear loops to hold the pillows in place, instead the the headgear that moves up and catches on your hair. Last week I ordered the Bellas and will report how they work after I receive them and use them a few nights. Apria has not even heard of this product yet. A friend likes to use a CPAP cap with chin strap to hold his headgear in the same position every night. My hair alters the headgear fit, some nights creating leaks, but I'm hoping the Bella ear loops solves this issue. Otherwise, I'll have to flatten my hair with the nightly cap.
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Permalink Reply by Ginny Edmundson on
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Can't wait to see how you like the Bella Loops. I see the loops can be ordered by themselves with no head gear if wanted. I am wondering if it will make the back of one's ears tender?
K. S. said:I use the Swift FX pillows, but found that I needed to use a dab of lanolin (buy Lansinoh brand as the others are gummier) to prevent nostril irritation. Also, the lanolin helps with the pillow seal. Avoid petroleum products as this will breakdown the silicone. Some use Ayr, a nasal saline ointment, but I needed something more lubricating. Most pillow users have a little nostril irritation, so that's why I'm addressing this first. When you have a good seal with the Lansinoh (in the breast nursing section at your grocery store), don't overtighten your straps---the pillow should blow-up outside the nostril.
Every morning I rinse off the pillow with warm water and suds up with a fragrence-free mild dish soap. I use Seventh Generation's free and clear, just a few drops. Then I air dry with the emptied humidifier. This routine only takes less than a minute. Only every 1-2 weeks to I clean the hoses with the same procedure. Since I only use distilled water in the humidifier, I just empty daily and dry without ever using soap.
ResMed has released a new headgear, called Bella loops, ear loops to hold the pillows in place, instead the the headgear that moves up and catches on your hair. Last week I ordered the Bellas and will report how they work after I receive them and use them a few nights. Apria has not even heard of this product yet. A friend likes to use a CPAP cap with chin strap to hold his headgear in the same position every night. My hair alters the headgear fit, some nights creating leaks, but I'm hoping the Bella ear loops solves this issue. Otherwise, I'll have to flatten my hair with the nightly cap.
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Thanks Kay and K.C. for your replies. I used the Swift pillows headgear last night but it drove me crazy. It's the air hissing out of the air vent that kept waking me up. I know I'm new to using the masks and pillows but around 5:30 this morning I took the pillows off and put on the Comfort Gel mask and went back to sleep real fast.
My problem is I think too much when it's time to put the gear on when I'm ready to go to sleep. Will I sleep tonight? Will it stay on? etc., etc. I guess what everyone goes through at the beginning of their therapy.
This morning the tech from my medical company came and bought me the Swift LT for me to try. I think Kay said her husband uses this one. It's much sturdier than the SwiftFX and has the thingy to attach to the head strap that keeps the hose away from my face, thus stopping the hissing and blowing air on my face. The Swift pillow type head gear has sort of a large air vent.
I took a non-sleep nap in bed this afternoon to see how it worked. Even though I use the small pillows the straps moved around my head and displaced the pillows. Back to where I was with the Swift FX. They are sending me the chin strap because I forgot to ask the tech to bring me one. I'll call again tomorrow to ask about the Bella loops. If they don't have them I'll wait until K.C. uses hers and see what she thinks of them and order them online.
Tonight I'm going to use the Respironics Comfort Gel mask and try not to think about if it will stay on right or not. The one thing I have learned through all of this so far is that I sleep with my mouth open when I have the pillow headgear on. I can't remember if I did the same thing with the gel mask or not. I guess the chin strap will stop that. In the meantime I'll get the Lansinoh brand of lanolin and give that a try. I've never heard of it or seen it on the shelves but then again being I'm 76 years old (I'm really only still 25) that isn't the first thing on my grocery list. ;-)
Rita
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Rita, Do you have the hose coming from above your head either on a stand or from your bedhead? It helps with the gravity and saves you getting tangled.
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Rita, I'm only 5 months in, and still go thru the sleep dilemma every night...that's why I reach out to this support group. My friends liken the CPAP to wearing a mouth retainer, no clue...
I agree with Terry, the hose hanger really helped take off the pull on my nasal mask and even a bit off the pillows. Until you get your chin strap, even propping your chin up with the covers helps. For me, I'm better able to keep my mouth closed with the pillows and when I wake up, I sometimes forget about having the CPAP on as the pillows doesn't obstruct my vision like the standard size mask that I have. The mask you have I think is better sized to your face.
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Rita,
The chin strap may or may not keep your mouth shut depending upon its design and the shape of your face and head. I tried at least 10 chin straps, none of which worked. I bought the Ultimate Chin Strap, and I've had great success with it after the initial week of adjusting and readjusting, which is typical of any mask I use, too. Keep trying with the masks you use. It does take a while to learn how to adjust any mask to your face and the headgear to your head. I've been on CPAP for 12 years, and each time I get a new mask design, it takes me a good week to get it adjusted just right. I find it helps to stand in front of a mirror with the mask instructions for putting on the mask and fitting the headgear where I can see it as I'm working with the adjustments.
My husband wears the Swift LT and loves it. I find the air vents very noisy, and the headgear doesn't fit me well, no matter what size I have. I've even taken the headgear apart and had my husband fit it to my head, sewn it back together, and it still didn't fit right.
My husband cut the Velcro ends off an old headgear. He wears the Swift LT with the short hose attached to the side of the headgear with the Velcro ends wrapped around the hose and the headgear in two places; one just below and one just above where the strap that goes across the back of the head is attached to the strap that goes over the top of the head. And he has the hose from the CPAP draped over a lamp arm that is just the right height over his head that the hose doesn't pull on his mask.
I prefer to sleep with the hose extending down from the pillows of the Swift FX onto the bed and looped around to go up over the lamp arm that's just above my head. That way I don't get the tubing pulling the mask out of position.
I suspect that's what's happening with your mask(s). A hose support really helps. At times we've used the screw-into-the-wall coat hooks behind the bed to support our hoses. The lamps that we have on either side of the bed are very sturdy and the lamp arms are perfect as hose supports.
Don't give up. Anybody on this forum will tell you there's a break-in period with any mask, any headgear, and any chin strap. Well, I take that back. There are some lucky people with the perfect head size and face shape that they can put on a mask and they're good to go from the first night. I've never been that lucky.
Is there a support group near you? If so, get yourself there. If there isn't, just keep writing and describing the problems you're having, and we'll see if we can help you via this forum.
Good luck!
Rita Butler said:Thanks Kay and K.C. for your replies. I used the Swift pillows headgear last night but it drove me crazy. It's the air hissing out of the air vent that kept waking me up. I know I'm new to using the masks and pillows but around 5:30 this morning I took the pillows off and put on the Comfort Gel mask and went back to sleep real fast.
My problem is I think too much when it's time to put the gear on when I'm ready to go to sleep. Will I sleep tonight? Will it stay on? etc., etc. I guess what everyone goes through at the beginning of their therapy.
This morning the tech from my medical company came and bought me the Swift LT for me to try. I think Kay said her husband uses this one. It's much sturdier than the SwiftFX and has the thingy to attach to the head strap that keeps the hose away from my face, thus stopping the hissing and blowing air on my face. The Swift pillow type head gear has sort of a large air vent.
I took a non-sleep nap in bed this afternoon to see how it worked. Even though I use the small pillows the straps moved around my head and displaced the pillows. Back to where I was with the Swift FX. They are sending me the chin strap because I forgot to ask the tech to bring me one. I'll call again tomorrow to ask about the Bella loops. If they don't have them I'll wait until K.C. uses hers and see what she thinks of them and order them online.
Tonight I'm going to use the Respironics Comfort Gel mask and try not to think about if it will stay on right or not. The one thing I have learned through all of this so far is that I sleep with my mouth open when I have the pillow headgear on. I can't remember if I did the same thing with the gel mask or not. I guess the chin strap will stop that. In the meantime I'll get the Lansinoh brand of lanolin and give that a try. I've never heard of it or seen it on the shelves but then again being I'm 76 years old (I'm really only still 25) that isn't the first thing on my grocery list. ;-)
Rita
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Rita,
I just reread your posts.
"I used the Swift pillows headgear last night but it drove me crazy. It's the air hissing out of the air vent that kept waking me up."
My experience with the Swift FX pillows is that the air vent is very quiet compared to some other masks. I heard hissing the first night I used the pillows and I thought it was the air vents, too. However, I didn't have the pillows seated correctly, and that was producing the hissing. Also, if the pillows are not the correct size for your nostrils, the mask will hiss.
I had to put the mask on while looking in the mirror and looking at the instruction sheet for a few days in order to get the pillows seated correctly. I don't hear any hissing at all and the mask is very quiet. I have noticed that if the sheet or blanket is very close to the air vent, the mask is much noisier.
Try putting the mask on during the day and adjusting the headgear so that it's not too tight or too loose. Use a mirror while you're lying down to check the fit of the pillows. Change positions and roll your head around on the pillow. The headgear may be slipping when you move your head on the pillow, loosening the pillows, and producing the hissing. Put your sheet or blanket near the vents and see is the hissing increases.
Hang in there and keep trying. Yes, I know it's hard to do when we're so sleep deprived. Keep writing to the forum. We're here to support you.
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Thank you everyone for all your replies and suggestions. The Swift FX had a clip you can put on that holds the mask over your head towards the back. Works pretty good but the tech who brought the equipment had no idea how to adjust the mask or put it on right. I'm the one who figured out what the loop clip was for after he left. He had no idea how to adjust the clip in front of the Comfort Gel mask. The chin strap he brought was useless...flimsy material that was useless. So I'll be calling them tomorrow ASAP.
I was looking online at some cpap equipment sites and I came across one that had exactly what I needed. It's called Optilife Nasal Mask and Headgear with chin strap. It's a pillow-type mask. Since it's made by Respironics I hope my supplier has it. I found it on http://www.completecpapsupply.com/products.php under Pillow Type Head Gear. When I clicked on the picture I was pleasently surprised to see how sturdy the chin strap was.
Has anyone used this mask and if so, what did you think of it? It also comes with petite pillows which I think I need. I personally believe the small pillows on the Swift FX are a little too big for me.
Thanks,
Rita
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Swift FX comes with XS pillows too. Have you tried them? I also have wondered about the Optilife. I guess it depends if it really fits the size of your face. Most masks are just too big for me. Wonder if Cpaplibrary.com has them to try? Sounds like many of us have the same problems with suppliers.
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Ginny Edmundson said:Swift FX comes with XS pillows too. Have you tried them? I also have wondered about the Optilife. I guess it depends if it really fits the size of your face. Most masks are just too big for me. Wonder if Cpaplibrary.com has them to try? Sounds like many of us have the same problems
Ginny, I forgot that I gave back the Swift FX and got the Swift Lt instead. But the pillows are too big on this one too, so I'll ask about them tomorrow. Not a bad mask except for the pillows and the fact that I need a chin strap. And BTW, this is the mask that comes with the clip that allows you to put the tube over your head and out of your way. It came with three pillows - small, medium, and large but I'll ask about a petite size or xsmall.
Looking at all the products I see that mine started out with the cheapest masks first and every time they give me a different one it's a higher priced product. I blame the insurance company for that. But my company should have the OptiLife mask because all the masks they've given me are from Respironics.
Sorry I got the names of my masks mixed up. I now have two from the company, the Swift Lt (which I wonder is for a man) and the Comfort Gel one. My problem is my face is small and short.
I'll let you know tomorrow what the outcome is after I talk to the Company.
Rita
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Can't wait to hear. One time I asked the T at my DOCTOR"S office what would I do if I could not find a mask to fit and he shrugged, "guess you will just have to stop CPAP". I feel like since March 17th I have been on a one woman crusade!
Rita Butler said:
Ginny Edmundson said:Swift FX comes with XS pillows too. Have you tried them? I also have wondered about the Optilife. I guess it depends if it really fits the size of your face. Most masks are just too big for me. Wonder if Cpaplibrary.com has them to try? Sounds like many of us have the same problems
Ginny, I forgot that I gave back the Swift FX and got the Swift Lt instead. But the pillows are too big on this one too, so I'll ask about them tomorrow. Not a bad mask except for the pillows and the fact that I need a chin strap. And BTW, this is the mask that comes with the clip that allows you to put the tube over your head and out of your way. It came with three pillows - small, medium, and large but I'll ask about a petite size or xsmall.
Looking at all the products I see that mine started out with the cheapest masks first and every time they give me a different one it's a higher priced product. I blame the insurance company for that. But my company should have the OptiLife mask because all the masks they've given me are from Respironics.
Sorry I got the names of my masks mixed up. I now have two from the company, the Swift Lt (which I wonder is for a man) and the Comfort Gel one. My problem is my face is small and short.
I'll let you know tomorrow what the outcome is after I talk to the Company.
Rita
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What I find is the XS pillows probably go to far into my nostrils.Although after changing from the small to the XS, I have fewer small leaks, and hence fewer wake-ups which is so critical for overall good sleep quality.
So I'm still in the process of experimenting between the sizes and hopefully, next week the Bella ear loops. I have the same problem of the nasal masks seem to be too large for my face, so I'm hoping to stick to the FX pillows.
Even in a town of 100k, no ongoing OSA support group within an hour. Thanks so much for forums!
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