Ear soreness from Swift FX Bella Nasal Pillows headgear

[EmilySleeps]

I was recently diagnosed with sleep apnea, and have been using an AirSense 10 CPAP machine for 2 1/2 weeks. I was given a ResMed Swift FX Bella Nasal Pillow mask. (I had tried on a larger mask that went over the nose and had straps that went around the head, but I thought this would be more comfortable and less claustrophobic.) It seems to work well but I have two problems. The most important problem is that the plastic straps that go around the ears dig into my ear lobes and the skin behind my ears - this was so painful last night that I had to remove the mask. I've tried loosening the straps so there's less pressure exerted on my ears, but then the nasal pillow slips and doesn't keep a tight seal. Secondly, the straps leave indented marks on my cheeks. Pink "cushions" came with the mask, but they don't prevent the indentations. I tried putting gauze pads underneath the straps, but they just made the straps slip and the mask come loose. Any suggestions as to how I can alleviate these problems would be greatly appreciated!!!

[Pugsy]

Padacheek makes some nice comfort accessories you might like. There are side strap covers as well as ear loop covers.
http://www.padacheek.com/PAC_SwiftFX.html
Did you also get the traditional headgear in your mask package? If so, maybe switch to it and give the ears a rest.
The Bella Loops have a fine line between tight enough to keep the nasal pillows stable and not so tight to where it digs into the ears.
Also, some people's ears don't have much of a groove on top where the loop sits and it simply digs in too much...did you watch the fitting video and pay attention to the "detached" vs "attached" ear lobes.
I have use the Bella Loops but it took me 4 nights to get the tension just right by doing tiny adjustments.
I bought the Bella Loops strap covers because those little pink things left dents in my cheeks also. Just leave the pink thing on and slide Padacheek's cover over them.

Oh...are you aware that the AirSense 10 CPAP machine offers minimal data compared to the Elite or AutoSet?

[EmilySleeps]

Thanks SO much for your response, Pugsy!! I will definitely check the padacheek website right now; I wasn't aware of it. I also didn't know there was a video for fitting of the ear loops - do you know where I can access it? I did get a set of optional straps that go over and behind the head and have tried them twice - however, the nasal pillow didn't stay in place, and kept moving away from my nose. I wasn't given any choice regarding the type of CPAP machine I got - my doctor had a company contact me, and they just gave me this one. I looked at the name again, and it's called ResMed AirSense 10 Autoset.

Best regards, Emily

[Sheriff Buford]

I also didn't know there was a video for fitting of the ear loops - do you know where I can access it?

If you go to the masks' website and look up the mask, they normally have videos that will show how the mask should fit.

Sheriff

[palerider]

I also didn't know there was a video for fitting of the ear loops - do you know where I can access it?

If you go to the masks' website and look up the mask, they normally have videos that will show how the mask should fit.

or youtube.

an surprising amount of cpap info on youtube for anybody that looks for it.

[Pugsy]

cpap.com has fitting videos for pretty much all masks at the product info page
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... -cpap.html

The AirSense 10 AutoSet is a full data machine ...the AirSense 10 CPAP is not a full data machine.
I missed the icon in your profile and was just going on your first statement...so never mind what I said about your machine..the AutoSet doesn't lack anything.

[chunkyfrog]

A few of us are cursed with sensitive ears, and are simply unable to tolerate ear loops for more than an hour or so.
No amount of padding would help.
My ears are cute, but not tough enough for that job.

[EmilySleeps]

Thanks, all, for your responses! I'm going to look for mask fitting videos right now. Also, as recommended, I went to padacheek.com and ordered some pads for the earloops!

Emily

[Demerit]

Try the airfit p10. No ear loops, but it doesn't leave marks on the face. Call the dme prior to 30 days for the mask guarantee program.

[EmilySleeps]

Thanks, Demerit. My Bella Nasal Pillow mask came with two types of headgear - the ear loops and an over-the-head style. The tech who fitted me recommended the ear loops, so I tried those first. After the issue with ear pain, I switched to the headgear with straps on the top and back of head. While somewhat claustrophobic feeling, it doesn't hurt my ears! However, I still get marks on my cheeks. I tried loosening the tightness of the straps but then the nasal pillow didn't stay put. I just looked up the ResMed Airfit P10 that you recommended, and it appears to have a cloth strap that goes over the cheeks rather than plastic. I'm going to ask the tech company if they can get it for me.

[Pugsy]

Padacheek makes some nice side strap covers to help with the strap marks.
http://www.padacheek.com/PAC_SwiftFX.html
Did your mask come with the little pink side strap covers? They are better than nothing but Padacheek fleece covers do a better job.

[EmilySleeps]

Pugsy, Yes it came with the pink strap covers. They are actually somewhat thicker on the over the head straps vs. the ear loops, but I still have indented marks on my cheeks in the morning. Maybe because I sleep on my side. I ordered the Padacheek covers for the ear loops, but haven't received them yet. Maybe I'll do so for the head straps, as well.

[Pugsy]

I used the Swift FX nasal pillow mask for a couple of years I guess. It's a great mask but I also would have cheek marks from the side straps even with the next to useless pink side strap covers. I bought the Padacheek side strap covers for it and never looked back.
Huge difference.
I also tend to get cheek marks rather easily..I also mainly sleep on my side so the cheek that's down most of the time gets the dents.
Like you know when you wake up and there's a weird little line on your face from a wrinkle in the pillow case? I get those easily.
I made my own fleece covers after seeing Karen's at Padacheeks just to see if they helped...it wasn't pretty but all I did was go to WalMart and get a tiny remnant of fleece and cut a strip so it would wrap around the strap. I don't sew anymore so closing it was a bit difficult and I didn't want a thick seam so what I did was use iron on hemming tape to close the sides..then I just slipped the cover over the strap. Cheap easy fix. Not the prettiest but it let me know if it would at least help with the indentations.
I already had the iron on hemming tape.

Eventually the hemming tape no longer would keep the seam closed and I was tired of my homemade strap covers so I decided to just buy the strap covers from Padacheek and at the same time I bought the barrel cozy for the Swift FX nasal pillow. Probably one of the best comfort purchases I have ever made. Her strap covers have such a tiny seam you can barely find it when looking and you never can feel it. The barrel cozy I bought to help with rain out in the nasal pillows (this was long before heated hoses) and I found that not only did it help with the rain out ...it was super nice to have the material the cozy is made out of touching my nostrils. It feels like silk...I know it isn't silk but it feels like silk. I used the barrel cozy year round even when it wasn't needed for rain out control...and I have now modified that old barrel cozy so that it fits on my current P10 nasal pillows. I just like the way it feels next to my skin.