Nasal Pillows versus Face mask, why choose a mask?

[sleepy1235]

I read complaints and problems about face masks all the time in this forum and I am not even interested in the topic.

I find the Nasal pillows very comfortable and the face masks don't look comfortable at all. Also, the sizing of face masks is something like S,M,L. Imagine what life would be like is they had shoe sizing like they have face sizing.

Is the issue some people naturally open their mouth when sleeping? Do doctors have some reason to favor them?

I suppose everyone with a complaint about face masks has looked at the option of nasal pillows, but I don't know if this is true.

I would use duct tape for my mouth before considering a face mask. Just curious.

[herefishy]

I have tried nasal pillows over and over, they irritate my nose and leak. I love my nasal mask.

[Stormynights]

I don't like a full face mask but I keep one. If I catch a cold and can't breathe through my nose I can still use my machine. I really wish I could use the pillows full time but for some reason the inside of my nose gets irritated. I do know that the pillows don't go inside the nose so that isn't the issue. I think it is just the air blowing straight in that is the problem. Most nasal masks put pressure on the sides of my nose and for me that stops up my nose just like I was pinching it closed. I think I finally found one mask that I can use full time and get rid of all my masks except for my FF if I get a cold mask.

[Jay Aitchsee]

http://www.resmed.com/us/clinicians/com ... 9543F6C1F8

[tempest]

I wear a full face because I wear an occlusal guard for my mouth. It keeps my mouth slightly ajar at night. Since I can't close my mouth, not much option there. I could not wear the guard, but with TMJ it helps tremendously there.

1 of this for 1 of that so to speak.

I was sampled on everything. We opted for the best fit for my needs.

Of course, to each their own.

[tooter]

I've used a ff mask for almost as long as I've used CPAP. I often wonder why anyone would want pillows. I found them very uncomfortable.

[mgaggie]

I read complaints and problems about face masks all the time in this forum and I am not even interested in the topic.

If you aren't interested in FFM as a topic, why start one

I find the Nasal pillows very comfortable and the face masks don't look comfortable at all. Also, the sizing of face masks is something like S,M,L. Imagine what life would be like is they had shoe sizing like they have face sizing.

Pillows are sized the same as the FFM's. Also have you even tried a FFM? Until you have I don't think you can make a determination about comfort.

Is the issue some people naturally open their mouth when sleeping? Do doctors have some reason to favor them?

Why would doctors favor them? Yes the issue is some people do naturally open their mouth when sleeping, I do.

I suppose everyone with a complaint about face masks has looked at the option of nasal pillows, but I don't know if this is true.

Are you deliberately acting like a twit? What stupid questions

I would use duct tape for my mouth before considering a face mask. Just curious.

I personally want to keep my lips where they belong... on my face. But if you want to use duct tape on your face by all means go ahead, I can think of far more gentle options

[zoocrewphoto]

I read complaints and problems about face masks all the time in this forum and I am not even interested in the topic.

I find the Nasal pillows very comfortable and the face masks don't look comfortable at all. Also, the sizing of face masks is something like S,M,L. Imagine what life would be like is they had shoe sizing like they have face sizing.

Is the issue some people naturally open their mouth when sleeping? Do doctors have some reason to favor them?

I suppose everyone with a complaint about face masks has looked at the option of nasal pillows, but I don't know if this is true.

I would use duct tape for my mouth before considering a face mask. Just curious.

Well, If I were required to tape my mouth shut and then lie down to go to sleep, I would need emergency care before the night was over, long before sleep apnea hurt me. I can't breathe through my nose very well during the day, let alone when lying down. My airways are narrow, even when I am not congested. Even sitting here at the computer, I have to open my mouth at least every minute or two, so that I can get a deeper breath in. I have used the oral mask a few times, and even without plugs, I can hold my hand in front of my nose and feel no air escaping. There really is no airflow through my nose when I am lying down. I need my mouth open to breathe.

[DoriC]

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=91110&st=0&sk=t&sd=a

This should tell us where we're going with this thread!

[mgaggie]

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=91110&st=0&sk=t&sd=a

This should tell us where we're going with this thread!

Want some popcorn Dori?

[Wulfman...]

I read complaints and problems about face masks all the time in this forum and I am not even interested in the topic.

I find the Nasal pillows very comfortable and the face masks don't look comfortable at all. Also, the sizing of face masks is something like S,M,L. Imagine what life would be like is they had shoe sizing like they have face sizing.

Is the issue some people naturally open their mouth when sleeping? Do doctors have some reason to favor them?

I suppose everyone with a complaint about face masks has looked at the option of nasal pillows, but I don't know if this is true.

I would use duct tape for my mouth before considering a face mask. Just curious.

I've been here for nearly nine years and haven't read many "complaints and problems" concerning full face masks. I don't know where you're coming up with that conclusion.
For me, I picked the right one when I started (the ResMed Ultra Mirage Full Face - UMFF) and it was very comfortable and THE ONE FOR ME. I've briefly tried a couple other full face masks in subsequent years that didn't work well and I went back to my UMFF.

Consequently, I wouldn't even consider a nasal mask. If I would have to tape my mouth, what would be the benefit of using a nasal mask?

I don't think the doctors prefer or recommend them, I think the DMEs prefer them because they can make more profit off of them.......they're cheaper.

From my point of view, I've seen a very large number of XPAP users come to this forum who have lousy therapy BECAUSE they are using a nasal mask......and come here to complain about not feeling the benefit of the therapy and they wake up with a dry mouth. THAT is caused by mouth-breathing or mouth-leaking. Dry mouth can also occur with a full face mask......from mouth-breathing, but at least they're not losing their therapy air out into the room.

Many of the problems users encounter can be traced back to their bed pillows. Their head falls into a soft pillow and it pushes the mask out alignment. Quite a few bed pillows have been designed for this therapy and some others work better even though they weren't necessarily designed for it.

One cause of mouth-breathing is nasal congestion. Too many users don't do nasal cleansing before bedtime to be able to breathe through their nose before they mask up. Also, too much warm, heated humidity can also cause nasal congestion......and subsequently mouth-breathing.

Some of us don't take too kindly to having people "bad-mouth" OUR therapy choices. If YOU don't want to use a full face mask.......fine. But I'm going to continue to use my UMFF. I just seriously doubt that I could sleep with rubber things shoved up my nostrils or leaking around my upper lip with a nasal mask (I have a mustache).


Den

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[Kiralynx]

I read complaints and problems about face masks all the time in this forum and I am not even interested in the topic.

The answer is -- one person's "best" mask is another person's worst nightmare.

We are all different, and what works well for one may not for another.

For instance, in nasal pillow masks, the Swift FX is very popular. I can't stand it, and think it's one of the worst pieces of garbage ever foisted on the public. Yet for many people, it is THE mask, the one they find works best of all.

My sister and brother-in-law both use full-face, wouldn't hear of anything else. I on the other hand, will only use a full face mask when I have a cold and can't breathe through my nose.

So, there are lots of types of masks because there are plenty of different people. And even then, it can be tough finding your "best" mask.

[bavinck]

Are you deliberately acting like a twit? What stupid questions

As I read it, the OP is presenting FFM as they see them and asking us why we like them. The poster themself indicates they are merely curious, sort of a "what am I missing with ffm that everyone seems to know" kind of question.

OP: asking questions is good, I benefited from this thread - thanks:)

[Wulfman...]

Are you deliberately acting like a twit? What stupid questions

As I read it, the OP is presenting FFM as they see them and asking us why we like them. The poster themself indicates they are merely curious, sort of a "what am I missing with ffm that everyone seems to know" kind of question.

OP: asking questions is good, I benefited from this thread - thanks:)

I disagree. I think the first sentence in the post and the way it was worded set the "tone" for the responses. It came across as snarky and condescending.

I think this response hit the nail on the head.

If you aren't interested in FFM as a topic, why start one

Den

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[bavinck]

Well, sleepy1235: which one of us correctly understood your intent?