Newbie with nose pillows

[BryanBowse]

My questions have probably been asked and answered here on this board so I apologize ahead of time for not finding them. I was probably using the wrong search terms.

I'm new to this and haven't really had any success.
I bought a Respironics Dream Station and a Resmed Nasal mask which I tried for a few nights.
It froze the inside of my nose so I then ordered  nasal pillows and adjusted the pressure all the way down to 4.5.
I lie there with all this air going into my nose and out my mouth. I see discussions about using chin straps but there's really no way for air to be exhaled.
I avoided buying the CPAP machine through the clinic that tested me since they quoted double the price of Amazon (respirologists are slapping their heads now).
Should I:
Go see a pro?
Try a full face mask?
Stick with what I've got and get used to it?
Lose 20 pounds, do neck exercises and re-purpose my machine to inflate ballons?

Thanks,

[harrywr2]

If you are inhaling through your nose then you exhale through your nose as well.
I was a lifelong mouth breather..practicing breathing with nasal pillows while sitting up awake watching TV a few evenings helped a lot with keeping my mouth shut while sleeping.

Hint - there is a flap in the back of your throat that should open and close when you are breathing through your nose..pressing your tongue flat against the roof of your mouth 10 times will exercise the flap.

[BryanBowse]

If you are inhaling through your nose then you exhale through your nose as well.

Thanks for your reply.

I can't exhale through the nasal thing. It only has tiny holes.

[harrywr2]

WHat model of Nasal pillow are you using?

I've used both the P10 and P30i. If the straps are too tight then inhaling and exhaling is a problem.
With the machine off the pillows should just rest against your nostrils. Once there is pressure they blow up a bit like a balloon and form a seal.

[OpalRose]

I assume you mean nasal pillows?  Try a larger size nasal pillow.  The pillows should not be inserted into your nostrils, but just sit outside of them.  

If you feel you are unable to use nasal pillows properly, then the next best thing to try is a full face mask.  

The air needs to go down your throat, not out your mouth.

[Sleeprider]

The critical prerequisite to using nasal therapy is not letting air escape from your mouth. The facts are, you can exhale through your nose, even with the machine providing pressure and through small exhale vents, it's actually effortless once you stop the airflow through your mouth. You can use a nasal pillows mask and control the air enough to talk, drink, and inhale or exhale orally without a leak, but that takes some practice. Considering the problem so far, I think you might be happier with a full face mask so that the pressure is the same at your mouth and nose.

[BryanBowse]

I 'm using an Airfit P30i
I can exhale enough air to allow another breath in, or so it feels like.

[OpalRose]

Im going to suggest that you raise your minimum pressure to 6cm with a Flex setting at 1.
A minimum setting of 4 can cause you to feel air starved.

This change should give you more air and probably feel more comfortable breathing.

[BryanBowse]

Oops, typo. I meant to say 'can't ' above.
I feel like I'm getting too much air even with the machine set at 4.5 and can't exhale enough of it before it's time to take another breath.

[Sleeprider]

Bryan, any COPD or other health issues?