Mask vs. Nasal Pillows? How do you know what to use?

[A C Hunter]

antcyd,
I second Paula's comment - don't settle.

My provider was very helpful, letting me take up to 3 face devices at a time until we found the sweet spot.

As you see, I've decided to keep 2. Pillows for everyday comfort, and full mask when I must mouth breathe.

AC

[antcyd]

Someone told me they use vaseline for the nasal irritation, I thought I read somewhere NOT to use vaseline. thoughts???

[b360155]

Vaseline is a petroleum based product and petroleum based products will degrade the silicone cushion faster so Vaseline should not be used when wearing a mask. Lansinoh is pure lanolin and will not degrade the silicone cushion.

[PaulaO2]

check the mask manual to see if you can use petroleum products. Some you cannot.

If I have a sore nose, I use Ayr nasal gel stuff thing.

[zonk]

Someone told me they use vaseline for the nasal irritation, I thought I read somewhere NOT to use vaseline. thoughts???

I've read that Vaseline (petroleum jelly) is not good for mask as it cause deterioration but if not touching the mask then it would fine.

[antcyd]

I know I am being impatient but I am so frustrated. I cant sleep more than 2 hours before I am taking my mask off for the night. Its only been 3 nights but I thought it would get better. I have tried using my CPAP for a while before going to sleep and I definitly get used to it pretty quickly but the minute I shut off the TV I become totally focused on my breathing, the mask etc. I dread going to bed!!! I am thinking of taking something to help me sleep tonight but thinking thats sort of defeating the purpose? Once I take the mask off I fall asleep immediatly so its not that I am not tired. Advice???

[PollCat]

antcyd,

Have you tried using the ramp feature with a long ramp up time? I believe the default start pressure is 4 and you should be able to extend the time to 45 minutes. This may allow you to adjust to the pressure more easily.

[b360155]

Not quite clear if you're saying you can't fall asleep at all or that you fall asleep but then wake up after 2 hours.

If you can't fall asleep at all, do you have a sleep timer on your TV? Some people need to have some background noise to help them quiet their thoughts and fall asleep. Maybe setting the sleep timer on your TV, if you have one, would help you not be as focused on your breathing and allow you to fall asleep? Or, maybe try one of those white noise machines?

If you're waking up after 2 hours, that's not all that uncommon when first starting therapy. I started mine in 9/2011 and still wake up sometimes, but usually I'm able to go right back to sleep. If you use the software that's available for free and review your data, it might provide you with some clues as to why you're waking up. For instance, your mask might be coming loose causing leaks and that could be something that is waking you up.

It could be any number of things. I know how aggravating it can be, but 3 nights is not much time and if you keep working at it and find the setup that works for you, the rewards will be well worth it.

[PaulaO2]

Tsk tsk. Bad sleep hygiene to watch TV in bed.

If you find you are hearing and noticing yourself breathe so much (which is quite common), there's a few things you can do.

You can get a white noise machine to listen to instead. If you have an iPhone or iPod Touch, there's several white noise apps. I use the one called White Noise.

You can play some sort of quiet, relaxing music.

You can actually focus more on the breathing and turn it into a kind of meditation thing (which is what I do most quite often). This means you aren't fighting the noise and thoughts.

[Sleepster]

If I call are they going to take my nasal pillows away? I sleep on my stomach, not sure which would be best for that?

You should be able to keep the old one while you try the new one. I highly recommend HPA lanolin for the nasal irritation. You can find it in the baby care section of any drug store. It's marketed as a salve for nursing mothers. Just put a small dab on a q-tip and apply it to the inside of your nostrils. It prevents irritation and helps you get a snug comfortable fit.

Some DME's feel nasal pillows are more likely to be tolerated well by their patients. Others prefer nasal masks. It all depends on their experience with their patients and what works best for them.

Some patients complain about the pressure generated inside the nose by the nasal pillows. Others complain about the nasal mask pushing against their pillow.

Things that bother us when we first try them tend to not bother us so much after we get used to them.

I started out with nasal masks. Tried a couple different kinds. Like you, I am also a stomach sleeper. I got a papillow (google it) which helped. I finally settled on nasal pillows, which I now like very much.