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Permalink Reply by Mike on January 27, 2010 at 11:50pm

If you got a new mask, it should have come with all the different size nasal pillows -- small, medium and large. why not try the smaller size tonight? also, have you read this guide to fitting a CPAP mask ? It was written by some very knowledgeable members of the forum and is an excellent resource.

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Permalink Reply by Deanna Johns Nichols on January 28, 2010 at 12:32am

Thanks, Mike! The DME guy didn't mention or show me the other nasal pillows; I'll have to check in the bag to see if there are more inside. I read the article you mentioned. I've been using the over-the-nose mask for 18 months or so, and I was doing well except for a lot of skin irritation around the outside perimeter of the mask head straps. I guess I just need to tweak it some more.

Mike said:

If you got a new mask, it should have come with all the different size nasal pillows -- small, medium and large. why not try the smaller size tonight? also, have you read this guide to fitting a CPAP mask ? It was written by some very knowledgeable members of the forum and is an excellent resource.

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Permalink Reply by Mike on January 28, 2010 at 12:37am

it's a well-worn dirty trick of the DME companies NOT to give you all the different size nasal pillows you paid for -- that way they can unbundle and resell them. You should insist on getting a smaller size cushion -- for free. All the masks are supposed to come with all the size cushions.

By the way, please consider writing a review of your DME at www.SleepSearch.com; if your DME is not on there, simply add it at http://sleepsearch.com/providers/new and then review it.

Deanna Johns Nichols said:

Thanks, Mike! The DME guy didn't mention or show me the other nasal pillows; I'll have to check in the bag to see if there are more inside. I read the article you mentioned. I've been using the over-the-nose mask for 18 months or so, and I was doing well except for a lot of skin irritation around the outside perimeter of the mask head straps. I guess I just need to tweak it some more.

Mike said:

If you got a new mask, it should have come with all the different size nasal pillows -- small, medium and large. why not try the smaller size tonight? also, have you read this guide to fitting a CPAP mask ? It was written by some very knowledgeable members of the forum and is an excellent resource.

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Permalink Reply by sleepycarol on January 28, 2010 at 8:02am

Which mask are you using?

I switched about 5 or 6 months into my therapy from a full face mask to a nasal pillow mask. Like full face masks, it is not a one fit all approach. One mask that works for some may not work for others.

I had to go through several before finding the one I settled on. So with that being said have you thought about trying a different brand? I know for me I couldn't get a good seal on the Swift II, although many swear by it. There is the Swift LT that I haven't tried. I tried a Hybrid and it was a bust as well.

I agree that nasal pillow masks are more comfortable than full face masks and cause less irritation to my skin.

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Permalink Reply by Deanna Johns Nichols on January 28, 2010 at 12:30pm

Hi, Mike! After your comment, I checked the bag the mask came in, and there was also a Large and Small nasal pillow in there. I just didn't know to look for it until you and another person told me they come with 3 sizes. I tried the Small, and it was amazing how much better it fit! Immediately I knew that this was the problem and also understood how the nasal pillow was meant to fit. Thanks for alerting me to that simple fix.

Mike said:

it's a well-worn dirty trick of the DME companies NOT to give you all the different size nasal pillows you paid for -- that way they can unbundle and resell them. You should insist on getting a smaller size cushion -- for free. All the masks are supposed to come with all the size cushions.

By the way, please consider writing a review of your DME at www.SleepSearch.com; if your DME is not on there, simply add it at http://sleepsearch.com/providers/new and then review it.

Deanna Johns Nichols said:

Thanks, Mike! The DME guy didn't mention or show me the other nasal pillows; I'll have to check in the bag to see if there are more inside. I read the article you mentioned. I've been using the over-the-nose mask for 18 months or so, and I was doing well except for a lot of skin irritation around the outside perimeter of the mask head straps. I guess I just need to tweak it some more.

Mike said:

If you got a new mask, it should have come with all the different size nasal pillows -- small, medium and large. why not try the smaller size tonight? also, have you read this guide to fitting a CPAP mask ? It was written by some very knowledgeable members of the forum and is an excellent resource.

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Permalink Reply by Deanna Johns Nichols on January 28, 2010 at 12:32pm

Sleepycarol,

I'm using a ResMed nasal pillow mask. I simply had the wrong size nasal pillow and had no idea my mask had come with 3 sizes. The small worked perfectly; I just wish my resp therapist had mentioned it or that I'd noticed the other nasal pillows earlier. It would have saved me from several nights of lost sleep!

sleepycarol said:

Which mask are you using?

I switched about 5 or 6 months into my therapy from a full face mask to a nasal pillow mask. Like full face masks, it is not a one fit all approach. One mask that works for some may not work for others.

I had to go through several before finding the one I settled on. So with that being said have you thought about trying a different brand? I know for me I couldn't get a good seal on the Swift II, although many swear by it. There is the Swift LT that I haven't tried. I tried a Hybrid and it was a bust as well.

I agree that nasal pillow masks are more comfortable than full face masks and cause less irritation to my skin.

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