Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Judy Sharp on April 12, 2009 at 11:36pm

I don't think they would, this same topic was on one of my other groups, Do you use anything on your naras before
putting your nasal pillow in? Right now I'm using the Ary-Gel, It helps with sores and helping them stay in, Or the
lanolin works great also, you find that in the baby section of breast feeding moms,
Judy S.

Permalink Reply by Mike on April 12, 2009 at 11:45pm

I wouldn't think they would either. If you're getting less leak and better fit with the large pillows, by all means use those.

Permalink Reply by sleepycarol on April 13, 2009 at 10:11am

I would tend to think that as many forum members there are (between all the sleep apnea forums) that it would have been reported by now in far greater numbers.

I have read where a few forum members have reported what they think is increase in size. Very few have reported this and in my opinion I wouldn't worry about it.

I have used the nasal pillows and will continue to do so and my nares have not increased in size. I have been using them for well over a year now.

Permalink Reply by Rock Conner RRT on April 13, 2009 at 10:46am

I've been using PB nasal pillows for dang near 18 years & have noticed no enlargement except my waistline & my forehead, both of which seem to be unrelated. It's a reasonable question & I get it alot. My theory is that the nasal pillows construction & materials provide too little structural strength to push hard enough to enlarge the nares.

Permalink Reply by Melodie on April 19, 2009 at 12:42pm

Joannie,
Hi, I'm Melodie (Mel) and I first started out using the nasal pillows. I varied from the small, medium, and large until I found the size that gave me the best fit with the least amount of leakage. I have an excellent DME (Durable Medical Equipment) supplier, and they gave me a set of each of the 3 sizes. I found that for me, the medium size worked best.

To answer your question about whether the large ones will enlarge your nostrils - NO, they won't. Just use whatever size gives you the best fit and you are the most comfortable with.

I now vary back and forth from the nasal pillows to a nasal gel mask. Some nights I use the nasal pillows, and other nights I use the nasal gel mask. Both are comfortable to me and I like the fact that I have options on which ones to use on a given night. Whenever I am having a sinus attack, I use the nasal gel mask because it doesn't dry my nose out as much as the nasal pillows tend to do.

You may also want to try the Ayr nasal gel, it will help with keeping your nostrils moist and prevent sores from forming up in the nostrils.

Does your machine have a heated humidifier? If so, you can always adjust the heat setting on it to give you more or less humidity. That will also help keep you from getting dried out. I sleep alot better when I have MORE moisture from the heated humidifier.

I do love the nasal pillows, but I also like the nasal gel mask. It is completely up to you as to what mask works best for you. The real subject at hand is using what is most comfortable for you so that you can get a good night's sleep. Don't worry about the large nasal pillows enlarging your nostrils. If they work best for you, then that's what you should use. The nasal pillows will not enlarge your nostrils.

Hope I have been helpful to you in some way. Feel free to reply back and ask me any questions you may have.
Melodie (Mel)