Question about nasal pillows

Friday will mark my 1 month on CPAP and I am still trying to find the right mask setup for me. Being moderate to severe claustrophobic...they put me in a FF mask - huge failure! I begged for a nasal mask of which they gave me 1 to try...wouldn't let me try on any demos in the office! The nasal mask was a huge improvement! Wanting now to try a nasal pillow...they let me try an F&P Pilairo last night...no can do...I felt I was not getting enough air to breath and it was difficult to exhale. I asked at the office if they had something with bigger holes to allow more air in and was told no...they are all one size only.

So...I come to you and ask...are there nasal pillows out there that have larger holes that gift afford me better breathing ability?

Do you have a machine that uses pressure relief to breath out? C-Flex or Easy Breathe?

What pressure are you using?
The Pilairo is a one size fits all nasal pillow..
The other brands have different sizes of nasal pillows and they do have different sizes of holes for breathing but none are hugely higher than the holes on the Pilairo.
Mostly the exchange of air feeling suffocating as to do with the pressure used than it has to do with the holes on the nasal pillows.

Not that I am aware of...but I am supposed to get a decision today as to whether or not my DME will switch me out to a Resmed S9 Autoset...

Pugsy,

The only pressure I could find was 5. I don't know how to find the top end. My average 90% or below has been around 8.

Okay....starting pressure is 5 cm and if in Auto mode....you still have 5 cm until events drive the pressure up and I am not surprised that 5 cm with the Plairo was rather suffocating feeling. That particular nasal pillow needs to be inflated better to work better.
We won't suffocate at lower pressures but it sure can feel like it.

Your overall 90% pressure of 8 cm....this tells me that your pressure needs are relatively low most of the night.
The Pilairo seems to need 6 cm or more likely 7 cm at least for optimal inflation. Its balloon needs more pressure to keep it inflated.

5 cm....with any nasal pillow is likely to feel rather stifling...Most people need at least 6 cm.

So I wouldn't give up on nasal pillows...I would maybe increase the minimum pressure just a little bit so that there is more air moving. It will feel better. It isn't the size of the nasal pillow opening so much....it's the amount of air moving.

If you have ramp capability on your machine, & you are using the ramp, that could also explain the suffocation feeling. See if you have a ramp setting and ask the DME to turn it off for you, or somebody here can probably explain to you how to shut the ramp off if there is one on your machine and if it is enabled. I had to do that when I started CPAP.
Also, try the Swift FX mask- is very small and light, & has nasal pillows in 3 sizes come with the mask, save the sizes you don't need after you find the one that works for you, and you can trade the extras on the Great Pillow Exchange thread for sizes you need, so you can stockpile pillows for your mask.
I just know enough about my machine to get me by, but my CPAP has made me feel alive again! Keep at it!

A lot of people report that they are more comfortable in a larger than expected size of Swift FX or LT pillow because the holes ARE larger and they feel it's easier to breathe. These pillows range from XS to Large, and you should get at least three sizes of pillows with these masks so you can try to see what works best for you. (Beware that some DME's "fit" you for a particular size pillow and remove the others! They are not supposed to do that).

And with nasal pillows, it's VERY important NOT to cram the pillow up your nose. It should rest lightly against the outside rim of your nostril. That will ensure maximum airflow. See my fitting tips for the Swift FX (which may work for Pilaro as well).