P30i as a replacement for P10

[edfreeman]

I am doing this backwards, but can speak to the P30i.  

I found the P30i is noisier inside your head.  The bones in your face conduct sound, and so the mask will be immediately more noisy than any mask not blowing air through a tube snugly pulled taut against your face, cheek, and skull bones.  If you are sensitive to noise, these over the head connection points will be noisier than their counterparts.  (IMHO)

Also, the P30i has one size headgear (which is also the functional tubing).  I was hoping for something a teensy bit larger than standard, or at least an option to order for those of us with big heads, because the standard frame cannot be worn on large heads without serious nasal irritation.  Again, this is just my experience, my big head, my face.  

Has anyone who has used the P30i (or other top of head masks, e.g. dreamwear) found that when side sleeping, the re-routed airflow feels weird?  In other words, if my body is used to splitting my 6cm of pressure equally between left and right nostril, won't a user feel it when the left half of the tube is blocked, sending 100% of the air down only the right side pipe to get to both nostrils?  I felt like my blocked side was always competing for air with my right!  Probably imaginary or easily overcome with time, but that was how I felt.

I just ordered the P10, and will report back on my thoughts on how it compares after a night or two!

No, the "chamber" of the nasal pillow is open, air goes in both nostrils/sides no matter what side you're sleeping on.

[ragtopcircus]

I noticed a slight reduction in airflow on my side with one pipe compressed, but there's no imbalance between nostrils since they both get air from the same center chamber.

[ppca]

I haven't noticed any reduction in airflow. It may very well be that the side you sleep on is partially blocked, but as many have said, that shouldn't affect air distribution to the pillows, as the other side takes care of it.

I am however still struggling with removing pillows for cleaning. Following the tips from this thread, pressing and turning, and yet it always comes to having to pull to the point where everything seems to be stretching. I'm not applying a lot of force, but I am really concerned that something will tear.

Also, something I have never experienced with P10. Painful nostrils in the morning (usually just one), and it takes good few hours, maybe even more, for the pain to subside. I have been using P10 for several years, and never had this problem. Since the P30i pillows are pretty much the same, it must be something with the way they sit. At first I thought that my headgear was too tight, as I may have done it deliberately, after experiencing all those well known problems with P10 headgear. So, I loosened it, but I'm still experiencing nostril pain in the morning. I may have to switch between P10 and P30i, a few nights each, and see what happens, unless I can figure out what creates this problem with P30i.

[captainsteubing]

Also, something I have never experienced with P10. Painful nostrils in the morning (usually just one), and it takes good few hours, maybe even more, for the pain to subside. I have been using P10 for several years, and never had this problem. Since the P30i pillows are pretty much the same, it must be something with the way they sit. At first I thought that my headgear was too tight, as I may have done it deliberately, after experiencing all those well known problems with P10 headgear. So, I loosened it, but I'm still experiencing nostril pain in the morning. I may have to switch between P10 and P30i, a few nights each, and see what happens, unless I can figure out what creates this problem with P30i.

One of the things that I've found with the P30i that I have to do when I get nostril pain, is to, for lack of a better word, flick the nostril piece that is hurting a few times. This typically will help it to reseat in a more comfortable spot and it stops hurting.

[theoak]

Also, something I have never experienced with P10. Painful nostrils in the morning (usually just one), and it takes good few hours, maybe even more, for the pain to subside. I have been using P10 for several years, and never had this problem. Since the P30i pillows are pretty much the same, it must be something with the way they sit. At first I thought that my headgear was too tight, as I may have done it deliberately, after experiencing all those well known problems with P10 headgear. So, I loosened it, but I'm still experiencing nostril pain in the morning. I may have to switch between P10 and P30i, a few nights each, and see what happens, unless I can figure out what creates this problem with P30i.

One of the things that I've found with the P30i that I have to do when I get nostril pain, is to, for lack of a better word, flick the nostril piece that is hurting a few times. This typically will help it to reseat in a more comfortable spot and it stops hurting.

Yes to the above for me also.  

I have also found for me, is that I had it too tight.  I loosened the straps and moved the frame forward a bit.  That helped a lot.  Even though it may feel loose in the nostrils, I am not sure how it does it, but it still seals.

I also had to up the humidity a notch.

[captainsteubing]

Yes to the above for me also.  

I have also found for me, is that I had it too tight.  I loosened the straps and moved the frame forward a bit.  That helped a lot.  Even though it may feel loose in the nostrils, I am not sure how it does it, but it still seals.

I also had to up the humidity a notch.

Totally agree on being able to wear the N30i relatively loosely. I'm very surprised at the way it performs with not having to have it very tight.

[ppca]

Thanks, guys. I guess I'll have to try loosening it a bit more. I tried repositioning the pillows, it seems to help a bit, but my nostrils still hurt in the morning. What still baffles me is what's so different between P10 and P30i? The pillows are pretty much the same, and yet I've never had this problem with P10. It's just that this improved P30i headgear, and the way it sits, creates  more pressure on nostrils.

[captainsteubing]

Thanks, guys. I guess I'll have to try loosening it a bit more. I tried repositioning the pillows, it seems to help a bit, but my nostrils still hurt in the morning. What still baffles me is what's so different between P10 and P30i? The pillows are pretty much the same, and yet I've never had this problem with P10. It's just that this improved P30i headgear, and the way it sits, creates  more pressure on nostrils.

Now that I think of it. Have a look at the pillows that enter your nose, there are 2 layers of silicone. The outer is much softer more pliable, an the inner is a bit stronger. Sometimes when the outer is compressed on the outside of your nostrils, the inner will make contact with the inside and cause irritation.

Also make sure that the inner layer hasn't collapsed inwards and become inverted.

You can somewhat see what I'm talking about the two layers in the below image:

[edfreeman]

I haven't noticed any reduction in airflow. It may very well be that the side you sleep on is partially blocked, but as many have said, that shouldn't affect air distribution to the pillows, as the other side takes care of it.

I am however still struggling with removing pillows for cleaning. Following the tips from this thread, pressing and turning, and yet it always comes to having to pull to the point where everything seems to be stretching. I'm not applying a lot of force, but I am really concerned that something will tear.

Also, something I have never experienced with P10. Painful nostrils in the morning (usually just one), and it takes good few hours, maybe even more, for the pain to subside. I have been using P10 for several years, and never had this problem. Since the P30i pillows are pretty much the same, it must be something with the way they sit. At first I thought that my headgear was too tight, as I may have done it deliberately, after experiencing all those well known problems with P10 headgear. So, I loosened it, but I'm still experiencing nostril pain in the morning. I may have to switch between P10 and P30i, a few nights each, and see what happens, unless I can figure out what creates this problem with P30i.

To remove the pillows, don't "press and turn" them.  Do this:

http://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Thread-...#pid308631

[ppca]

To remove the pillows, don't "press and turn" them.  Do this:

http://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Thread-...#pid308631

I tried that too, but it still requires a pull to detach the pillows, unless I'm doing it completely wrong. I guess I'm supposed to press just as the image shows, in the direction of those arrows, right?