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Permalink Reply by Julia on July 23, 2009 at 11:58am

Forgot to mention I am using Fisher & Paykel Opus 360 medium pillows. I tried the small but there was way too much leakage.

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Permalink Reply by Mike on July 23, 2009 at 12:49pm

sounds like you have the wrong size mask. for nasal pillows, i hear that the swift LT for Her by ResMed is one of the best, and most comfortable. DMEs often switch out masks at the beginning for free if you complain it's uncomfortable. there are so many cpap masks out there -- the key is finding the right one for you.

there's a fine line between a little discomfort at the beginning that will go away and unacceptable pain/soreness. sounds like your case is more the latter.

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Permalink Reply by James Skinner on July 23, 2009 at 2:14pm

Often goes away over time as your nose gets used to the pillows. I'd give it a few more nights if you can bare it.

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Permalink Reply by Moe-jo on July 23, 2009 at 2:49pm

HI Julia,

I am a new user as well, I've had some soreness at the tip of my nose, I use the "Swift LT For Her". When that happens, it's usually because I have my mask just a little bit too tight.

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Permalink Reply by BeeAsleep on July 23, 2009 at 2:54pm

I agree with Moe-jo, I use the Swift LT for Her, medium pillows, and if my nose hurts it is because I have the straps too tight. The pillows should just rest lightly on your nose.

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Permalink Reply by The Dreamer on July 23, 2009 at 11:34pm

I experienced this...and it was happening with both the OptiLife mask and the Opus 360 mask. I used Ayr Nasal Saline Gel to ease the discomfort, though it didn't stop it. I was going back and forth between medium and large pillows in the beginning. At the DME fitting, they worked up to medium and said that looked like the right size. But, now I use large pillows, and the Comfort Lite 2 mask. And, I haven't experienced this problem since.

Though don't know if I've just adjusted to the pillows or moving up in size was the key...or dozen other things I've changed....

I read some place that for nasal pillow sizing, you go with the largest pillow that fits/seals...not the smallest....

I do also go back and forth between having the pillows too tight....but that results in a different kind of soreness.

The Dreamer.

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Permalink Reply by sherry on July 24, 2009 at 9:26am

First let me say I too had sore nostrils, even though the pillows are soft, the edges can dig in..I found it was due to a) using the wrong size pillow and b) having the strapping too tight, to try to get the leaks out.

I used the Swift LT for Her during my sleep studies and it worked well. Unfortunately, my DME did not have one so gave me the Opus mask, which I found very uncomfortable! I was able to trade for a Swift LT, which was much better as it has a little rachet deal where you can rotate the nosepiece, and fit it to the angle between your nose and lip.
However, I found the regular one was much too wide across my cheeks, it worked OK if I stuck my hand in it, to take up the slop, but it is hard to remember that all night long....so I bought the Swift LT for Her headgear, which fit the nosepiece from the regular Swift, so I didn't have to buy the whole thing out of pocket.

It still is a little wide, but MUCH IMPROVED over anything else, especially after I loosened the crown strap a little, I had it too tight.
I also find I have much less trouble if I sleep on my back..I usually sleep on my side. I now use a neck pillow, and that eliminates the mask rubbing on the pillow and moving around at night..

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Permalink Reply by Julia on July 24, 2009 at 10:22am

Thanks for the suggestions about loosening the straps. I did that last night and it was much more comfortable. I think I had the straps way too tight to stop the leaks. I am going to give it a few more nights and see if all the soreness goes away from the first two nights. I think it will since it is so much better this morning.

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