Newbie - Nasal Pillow is trying to crush my nose!

Well, not really crush it...

I have been using CPAP for 5 nights with a nasal pillow (and chin/jaw restraint), three of those nights with the headgear on backwards (don't ask).

Now that I have it configured correctly, even with adjusting the straps endlessly and trying all three pillow sizes, it CRAMS my nose! By cramming I mean that is pushes (pulls) against the nose making the skin crinkle up and putting a lot of pressure on the septum (or where the top lip becomes the nose). Eventually is gets so sore I have to take it off.

At first I thought that I had the top strap too tight, but even when it is almost loose, I still get this. But when I then loosen the back strap, it gets too loose and I lose the seal.

I am a mouth-breather and a side sleeper. (I am using a jaw restraint, but I hate it because it does not breath and it gets sweaty underneath it). I have been considering switching to a full face mask because of the uncomfortable jaw restraint and nose discomfort/pain.

I know it only has been two days of using it as I should, but I don't think the soreness will go away if I don't do something. Any suggestions on how to adjust the straps so it doesn't feel like my nose is being pushed up into my brain?

Should I try the full face mask? If so, what drawbacks are there? (I do not have claustrophobia and do not read or watch TV in bed). What material is the most comfortable against the face?

Thanks in advance.

I'm sorry I don't have any wisdom to share. I'm a newbie too. Just about to complete 2 weeks on the hose. I wake up feeling like my Swift FX is trying to suck my nose off. So obviously I have some problems too...

You may want to try a nasal mask (not pillows). I was a mouth breather too, but believe my mouth is staying closed more and more as I go. Many people say that your mouth can be trained to stay closed. I personally have no desire to try the nasal pillows at this time. I tried them briefly at the DME's showroom and had to quick take them off as the air pressure was too strong. The DME said I'm probably too new for them anyway, although a lot of people do use them right at the beginning. From what I've heard, people have more trouble with leaks with full face masks. If you're strickly a back sleeper, they're probably great, but if you're a side sleeper who turns over a lot, probably not. I have a full face mask for backup if I get a cold and can't breathe through my nose. I also have a Mirage Micro nasal mask, but have since gone to the SleepWeaver Advanced cloth mask. No pressure spots, light as a feather. I love it. But, masks are a personal preference. Everyone has to find the one(s) that work for their face and comfort.

No one fits every mask......if you are a mouth breather you most likely will need a full face mask. Take a look a all of the choices a cpap.com and read the reviews and pick the one you want. Then go to your supplier and ask for it, suppliers are supposed to trade out masks for you within the first 30 days of therapy...the manufacturer pays for this..not the supplier or YOU. It takes a while to find the right mask that you are comfortable with and gives you the best therapy. No mask should be so uncomfortable that it gives you "piggy nose"....keep trying you will get the right one for you.
And by the way WELCOME!!!!!
Cheers
Nan

Can you post a photo? If it's not too personal. Of the mask fitting around the head & nose

With nasal pillows you have to find the right one, where it will seal in your nose without you having to tighten it much. It doesn't mean you can't use nasal pillows, just means that maybe that one isn't the right size. I've tried a few which simply will not seal, whereas the LT and Aloha seal pretty well.

For what it's worth, I alternate between pillows & nasal masks.
When I use the nasal, I have the hose going over my head.
When I first started using the pillows, I tried doing the same thing, and I was crushing my nose!!!

In the light of day, I saw the problem. With the hose over my head, it pushed the hard part of the mask towards my nose. My simple solution was to have the hose go down towards my chest. It worked, no more crushed nose!

I use a Swift FX (similar to yours but without a lot of the straps).

One thing I have found out is that the nasal pillow masks like to be comfortable loose. With mine I can slide a couple of fingers beneath either the side or back strap. The pillow rests just inside my nostrils and when I put them on i gently pull back on the front of the pillow while the machine is on and let them find their center.

Also, many people on here have extolled the amazing properties of Lansinoh (lanolin formulad ointment for breast feeding mothers). It WORKS!!!! Use very little (I let the stuff appear at the top of the tube about 1/16" and using my fingertip apply it to the bottom and just inside my nostrils. It kinda glues the pillows to your nose. As a side benefit, it promotes healing from having that alien on your face

Just my thoughts, your millage may vary.
-tino

Thanks for all of the replies.

As Tino2You said, the pillows like to be comfortable loose. I finally figured this out by starting over with the straps.

Once I got the straps reasonably loose (the back strap was way too tight), I also changed the angle of the pillow (downward) so it is more even top to bottom. However, with the way the hose comes out, it wants to keep pulling up. But given it is now looser to begin with, this is not really a problem.

I finally kept the mask on the whole night and felt no discomfort (other than having the damned thing on to begin with). I'm not yet sleeping through the night, but that should come.

I also talked to some relatives who use CPAP machines. They suggested I try both a nasal mask AND a full mask to see if they are any better. So I'll wait a few days and then contact my DME to do just that.

Again, Thanks!

Use your DME to try as many masks as you need to find a good fit.
If insurance will only cover one, get the less expensive one online.

I use a 3 inch non-adhesive Ace bandage wrapped 3 times around my head and pinned into a loop with safety pins. It breathes somewhat and works for me. If it doesn't work for you, at least it's cheap.

I suggest your consider a full face mask (FFM) a last resort, but quite a few people do end up using them successfully if they can't make another mask type work.

The best mask is the one which fits YOU. We're all unique shapes.

Since there's usually a trade-in period with masks when you get it, use that to find one which works well for you. Nothing makes the whole CPAP journey more difficult than masks which aren't fitting right.

If it feels like the current one may work, then keep trying it, give it a week or a few days or whatever. It's an adjustment to begin with, finding the right mask is the hardest part.