[Equipment] Nasal pillow masks and nose ring?

[astrasleep]

Hello all! 

Do nasal pillow-style masks work well with a nose ring? I wear a simple small, fine nostril ring. It closely hugs my nostril, and it's in the standard spot (and it looks a lot like the one in the attached photo (not of me)). I also have the option of wearing a stud that has a flat backing, if that's better or worse. I wonder if the mask would push on the ring, which could be uncomfortable, or if the ring might interfere with a seal. 

I'm considering the usual suspects -- ResMed Airfit P10, ResMed Swift FX, Philips Dreamwear Gel Nasal Pillow, and the ResMed N30i, roughly in that order -- but I'm also open to other suggestions. My DME is useless, so I'm on my own with this one. 

Has anyone with a nostril ring/stud tried this style, or if you use this sort of mask, do you think it would cause a problem? Thanks for your insight! 

   

[JCinPA]

Hi there! I sure don't know if it would cause a problem, but I could see how it might cause a leak problem. Then again, it might not, the nasal pillow part of it is pretty pliable. At best, I think it may work but introduce a slight fitment problem that could cause leaks as you change sleep position. Unless someone else on the board has a nosering and can answer your question from personal experience, you'll just have to try it and see.

I realize CPAP masks are not cheap, however, and if you don't want to risk finding out it does not work, necessitating buying a second mask, you might consider a nasal mask that covers the nose, like the ResMed AirFit N20 (for example, there are other brands).

https://www.resmed.com/en-us/sleep-apnea...irfit-n20/



Sorry I cannot definitively answer your question, maybe someone else will be able to, but if it does pose a problem, you'll be able to easily address it with another mask. Good luck! Let us know what you find out!

[astrasleep]

Thanks for your insight and encouragement!

I currently use an AirTouch N20, and I like it a lot… except for persistent rainout that I’ve tried everything to solve and haven’t yet. (But that’s a topic for another thread.) My plan is to order a few pillow-style masks from a place with a generous return policy and just dive into the trial-and-error of it all. I’ll report back when I do — fingers crossed!

[JCinPA]

The mask is not causing your rainout problem. If you do not have it, you may consider getting the ClimateLineAir tubing (heated tubing). When plugged in to your AirSense 11, it will automate your tubing and humidity settings and should clear up the rainout issue, unless your room is excessively cold.

If you don't want to invest in heated tubing, you can get a CPAP tubing cover on Amazon. Turn your humidity setting down a bit (use 3-4) and cover the slimline tubing with the cozy, and you should find the rainout problem solved.

[astrasleep]

I’ve done all of those things, and the rainout persists. I don’t think the mask is causing the rainout, but it’s one of a few challenges I’m working on.

[sauerkraut]

astrasleep;
Have You tried putting the tube cover over the mask extension hose ??
leaving the first part of thr heated climiteline at the machine uncovered ..
Best of Luck ..
Steve

[astrasleep]

Yes, I have, but no luck.

[JCinPA]

Wow! I've never experienced rain out with a ClimateLine tube and I don't use the cover. That's a tough one!

[astrasleep]

Yeah, it’s tough. Curious to see how it changes as I continue to dial in other variables, like perfecting/exploring mask fit, and as the temperatures rise. In the meantime, I’ve gotten it down to one or two waterboardings a night, so I’ll take the W and keep going!

[Deborah K.]

You would probably solve this if you used something to lift your hose a good bit higher than your machine.  

I use this one:  https://www.amazon.com/North-American-He...rican+cpap

and it works quite well.