Air pressure

[Vincent Coggin]

I am using a Res Med quatro and have been given a same make nasal pillow version (sorry but I don't have the full name at hand) to try out. I had tried to use it but the air pressure that has been set for me is way too much to even keep the mask on for more than a couple of seconds. As its a month until my next clinic appointment I wondered if anybody had tried the nasal pillows, and what they thought of them. My thought that it would be lighter for travelling but I have doubts on how they can stop snoring. Does anyone have an experience of these?

[Grumpy]

Resmed Swift?

Don't work for me; too much of a mouth breather.
You could turn down the pressure to try them but the Clinic might get upset...

[midlife]

I switched to nasal pillows two months ago after starting therapy July last year with the same full face mask. Pre CPAP I was a heavy snorer and mouth breather so it was recommended I use a full face mask. I had good results with the Quattro FX, no longer snoring and with an AHI below 5 but suffered from the normal leaks and rasping noises disturbing our beauty sleep. I bought a Swift FX nasal pillows mask and it is less intrusive than a full face mask, doesn't leak as much due to the small area to seal and my AHI is < 1 most nights. It also requires less cleaning than the full face mask. A winner all round!

To answer your question, I do not breathe through my mouth or snore with the nasal pillows although I half expected too and was prepared to wear a chin strap if necessary. Although I breathed through my nose in the full face mask I assumed that the bottom part of the mask kept my mouth closed. My experience is that my tongue sits close to the roof of my mouth channeling the air down the throat when I breathe with nasal pillows and this keeps the mouth closed. In fact I cannot speak with the mask pressurised as the air reverberates down my throat as my tongue moves down in unison with the bottom jaw.

This is only my experience but I wish you good luck once you sort out the pressure on your machine. I presume that you have a fixed pressure CPAP rather than APAP? Do you know what the pressure is set to as the Swift FX literature suggests a range between 4 - 20 cm is possible. The Resmed S9 APAP has a mask setting for "pillows".

Alan

[symmit]

Swift FX is my next intended purchase on the list of "CPAP things to try" as I'm wanting a lightweight alternative to the sleepweaver, which is so nearly perfect but the new headgear leaves me with strap marks.

[Grumpy]

free Swift FX

I have a barely used Swift FX mask (NHS supplied) if anyone wants it, Symmitt gets first dabs obviously. You pay the P&P and I'll send it.

[Barely Awake]

Swift FX seems a good bit of kit to me except I can't use it because of a displaced septum, it just wouldn't stay in place sadly.

I got on reasonably well with a nasal cushion (bit like a lozenge with a wide slot) but the pillows never fit me as above.

[Vincent Coggin]

So many different experiences

Just goes to show you can't take anything for granted with so many differing experiences from everybody. I do hope I can get to try the pillows but as I cannot adjust the machine pressure myself I will have to wait a bit longer. I don't think the clinic knew themselves when they gave them to me that I needed to adjust the pressure to suit.

[acebass]

I bought swift fx in october 2010, didn't get on with it at first as I found the pressure was too direct from my Resmed S6...the machine was playing up in september last year so the Hospital Replaced it with a fixed pressure S9....

With the new machine I thought I would give the Swift Fx another try, and it took a couple of weeks to get properly used to it and adjusting the position to allow the pillows to seal properly. It is fairly easy to tell when it is sealed or not as you can hear the difference in airflow..

I have been using these ever since, very light to wear and easy to clean.

Downside...there is always one and with this it is the venting. The venting is more forward than down so your partner (should you have one) gets blasted a bit, I find that just curling myself up a bit the flow is directed more towards my feet than the wife, so we're both happy.

Hope this helps...(sometimes you just cannot get a seal so can just switch back to the nasal mask for a night, but this is so rare, I think maybe twice is six months).

[Vincent Coggin]

Pressure

Sorry Alan I didn't answer your question directly, my Res Med is adjustable but not by me. I think that the clinic would be a bit put out if I interfered with it, at least at the present time, and I don't even know how to do it such is the interest I have shown. I guess that once the clinic decides I'm on my own I can then fiddle with it.

[ElleCee]

I have a Swift FX and I could't get on with it at all. That was unril I used a different size nazal bit and now it is great!
Sleepwearer was good to start but now it is older it doesn't work any more and I don't want to buy another because I already have 8 masks.
Lorraine x

[Darren @ Intus]

Hi Vincent,

The nasal pillows masks are a nice option to try for some people who want to experience a mask that is much lighter and less invasive than a full face or nasal cushion.

However, whether they work for you will depend on a few things. As grumpy rightly mentioned, if you are quite the oral breather at night then they aren't a route you should be taking. Also if you prescribed pressure is about 11cmH20 then the nasal pillow masks are something you should avoid. They have great difficulty maintain a good seal at higher pressures you will not be getting the desired supply of air you need should your pressure be on the high end.

Have a chat about these types of masks with the health care workers at your clinic next time you go for a visit and see what they say.

[mart9012]

I couldn't get on with the Liberty mask and as a mouth breather nasal pillows are a no-no.

I was told I could make adjustments to the pressure on my S9 and to try increasing or decreasing 2 points at a time. I don't imagine the sleep techs will have issues with you experimenting. Instructions for individual machines are available on various web sites.

Ultimately the aim is to get good compliance and then adjust for effect. I'm sure the clinic will happily work with you so that you can get the best benefit.

[dravidio]

Sleepweaver. It's the way to go...

[Vincent Coggin]

...way to go...

I've just watched the latest episode of 2012 too😄. Would you like to elaborate on that profound statement Dravidio?

[dravidio]

The Sleepweaver mask! I have bought and tried (and wasted money on) about half a dozen masks - before the Sleepweaver finally worked for me. I thought I was a mouth breather but taught myself how not to do it. Don't think this was an easy process. I got my first mask and machine three years ago - and it is only in the last four months am I now at the stage where I use it every night for seven hours and feel I could not sleep now without it.

Losing weight, cutting down alcohol, more exercise - played a part but were not the whole story. I thought I had cracked it with the small mirage mask but leaks were a problem when I tried the sleep weaver again. First of all with a chin strap, but I found that irksome and then I tried it without - and just kept my mouth shut while trying to get off to sleep - result I dropped off and woke up seven hours later with the mask still on and working. (Before I would take masks off in my sleep) My average AHI per hour is now 3 and I achieve this with an average pressure of 7.5 and about one exhale puff per hour (i.e. one breath in through the nose and out through the mouth.) Am I full of the joys of spring, boundless energy - no - but I do feel rested in the mornings and I am sure there are further long term benefits to be had.