Any Tricks to Using Nasal Pillows?

This is my first try at now nasal pillows, (Swift FX pillows). I know that Pugsy said if you tighten the strap behind your head and your nose looks like "Miss Piggy" then it is too tight. So I tightened them not too loose, not too tight.
I do ok with leaks going to bed, but once asleep and the air pressure comes in strong (12. I feel like a cyclone is blowing the nasal pillows off my nares and hence, leaks and it's difficult for me to get it straightened out again so it does not leak at higher pressures than 8.7 (ramp) and up to 10 which is what I start with. Are there any tricks for these pillows not to leak and not to look like Miss Piggy? Thank you somuch.

I'd suggest making your final adjustments on it when lying in bed with your head on your pillow. It may also be that you're using the wrong size pillow, I'd suggest trying the smaller and larger ones, just to see...in my case, I'm in between sizes, so have to have the thing a little tighter than I'd like. However, my leaks are low when it is adjusted as loose as I can have it, and I don't notice it being a little tighter after about 15 seconds in bed *smile*.

You could also try the AirFit P10, another nasal pillow mask that a lot of people like. However, the idea of making adjustments when you have your head on your pillow is always a good one though, then you're closer to adjusting for the real leaks that you'll get when you're sleeping.

I use the fx as well. Even during the mask test with max pressure, I don't get much leakage. I followed the lay down and adjust theory, and it find it's pretty well fit. I tweak when I get antsy, hoping for a "perfect" fit, but so far so good. Have you adjusted BOTH straps? possible one is too lose/tight and cocking the mask a bit.

Using a too small pillow made me fight for air...I checked the large size, too big. I suppose those would leak like crazy. Have you looked at the sizing part of the fx video? It may help. Also check the inner membrane isn't poked the wrong way, it should face the same as the outer one that rests just in the nose.

Then again, maybe the mask isn't a good fit. But hopefully you figure it out!

Thank you both:

Tattooed lady: What does your comment mean:
Also check the inner membrane isn't poked the wrong way, it should face the same as the outer one that rests just in the nose."Since I am new to this, I don't know what inner membrane the wrong way means? I hope I attached it to its hose correctly. Can you tell me what that means?

Check out my fitting tips in my blog called "Swift FX fitting tips".

As for the inner membrane, note that there are TWO layers of the nasal pillow, the cone shaped outside pillow and inside there is another cone shaped inner layer. Sometimes the inner layer gets squished and turns inside out. You can just squeeze the nasal pillow and it will pop back into the right position. When pressure goes high and you tighten the mask to deal with it, the inner pillow can invert. This happens when you wash it, too. And when your pillows "age"--sometimes in the matter of just a few weeks, they get soft and the inner pillow inverts more easily.

There are a couple of fixes for this noted on my blog. Medicare will pay for up to 2 sets of nasal pillows PER MONTH, and most private insurers follow the Medicare replacement schedule.

Yep, what Janknitz said.

I found that an additional strap was required with the swift FX through the lower two slots in the frame and around my neck adjustable with Velcro enabled me to balance the mask as the top strap used to work its way up my head without it. That may just be me with my large head, but it does allow you to have the mask a little looser without it moving and leaking which for me improved the comfort.

Some wise one on this forum told me to use O rings, & they work like a charm. You can get them in the plumbing supply at any Home Depot, Lowes or other hardware store. I use I think a size 9. Just put the O ring over the pillow, it helps keep it in the right position. I had no luck with nasal pillows until I got this tip. I love the P10 I'm using now.

Jen

Are you just getting started with it? It took me a few nights together comfortable with it. Not sure why, but I wondered if the pillows broke in a little. Maybe the straps loosened up a little too. Hang in there for a week or so.
Jim

You can get the mask assembled wrong. Be sure the wide part of the nipples is towards the bottom. Also, the cloth strap goes behind your head and the plastic strap over the top of the head.

If your pressure goes up a lot from the starting pressure, you might want to raise your minimum pressure.

For me, the trick is to get the nipples to sort of inflate and melt to your nose and stick. Sometimes running some warm water over the nipples will soften them up and make them mold themselves to your nose better. Once it's settled in the right way, I don't need any tightness on the mask, the pressure holds it in place.

The right size probably makes a big difference.