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+--- Thread: Nasal Pillows and high pressure (/Thread-Nasal-Pillows-and-high-pressure)
Nasal Pillows and high pressure - PaulaO2 - 11-09-2012
My current pressure is 12. I use the Breeze nasal pillow mask and love it lots.
However, I have a feeling my pressure needs to be increased. Previously, the doc has gone up 2cmH2O each time. With the Autoset, I plan on putting it on 10 and 16. But I know the limit for nasal pillows is 15.
So if I have to go higher than 15, what happens? Is it that the pressure is too much being directed directly into the nose vs being buffered by the face? Or is it that the pillows lift away from the face?
The Breeze has a rigid headgear. There's a tightening nut on the nose piece. If I tightened this way tight, then it wouldn't lift off so I wouldn't have a problem. But if it is the other, I'm in trouble.
I cannot wear nasal masks. I've tried a lot of different kinds and they all leak at my eyes.
I tried a hybrid mask (The Liberty, I think) and it shredded my lips. I was like a skydiver with my mouth wide open, lips flapping in the breeze. My face was actually wind burned.
I really don't want to start trying new masks again. (insert sounds of me whining)
RE: Nasal Pillows and high pressure - soferet - 11-10-2012
Hi Paula, I use nasal pillows and have gone as high as 18cmH20. I don't use the same pillow system--mine is the ResMed Swift FX (For Her), but I've never had a problem with the pillows trying to blast off from my face or anything. And the clinic didn't see any problem with using nasal pillows at that pressure.
Just last week I asked that my upper (auto) pressure be adjusted from 18 (where it's been for six months) down to 17, only because at 18, there's an increased chance of the pressure causing my mouth to fall open during sleep. At 17, that doesn't happen.
The Swift FX has a completely flexible headgear that I really like. I've never tried the Breeze so I can't speak to that one. But I can't wear nasal masks either and this nasal pillow system feels like I don't have any mask on at all. :-)
RE: Nasal Pillows and high pressure - 2Tim215 - 11-10-2012
I agree with the Swift FX, to me it is like not having a mask on. My pressure is currently only eight though. The adjustment is very simple without having to remove the pillows. I'm not sure I could tolerate a Mask although I would try whatever it takes for effective therapy.
RE: Nasal Pillows and high pressure - PaulaO2 - 11-10-2012
I looked at the pics of the Swift FX and I don't think that's one I have used.
I've used:
Mirage Swift
Swift LT
Comfort Lite
And I think there was another one or two but I didn't see it on the site I visited.
Glad to hear I don't have to change masks!
RE: Nasal Pillows and high pressure - zonk - 11-10-2012
(11-09-2012, 10:35 PM)PaulaO2 Wrote: My current pressure is 12. I use the Breeze nasal pillow mask and love it lots.This is only my opinion ... of course you and others might differ ... but at the end "all roads lead to Rome"
However, I have a feeling my pressure needs to be increased. Previously, the doc has gone up 2cmH2O each time. With the Autoset, I plan on putting it on 10 and 16. But I know the limit for nasal pillows is 15.
I would set the minimum 8 or 9 and keep the maximum pressure at 12 (for now) also turn off Ramp and EPR if using any.
You can always see what ResScan graph look like, for example if pressure stayed at the upper pressure all night long and tons of obstructive apnea recorded ... than you know it has to a bit higher. I prefer to be at the lowest pressure possible without compromising the treatment
Its going take some timmmme finding that sweet spot in terms of comfort, sleep quality and numbers crunching (give and take sort of thing)
RE: Nasal Pillows and high pressure - PaulaO2 - 11-10-2012
Yes, that's why I thought to go to 16. Not too high but high enough that I will have usable data in a few weeks. And I don't think I would feel like I am getting enough air less than 10. It's why I turned off the ramp.
It gets here Wednesday.
RE: Nasal Pillows and high pressure - archangle - 11-10-2012
(11-09-2012, 10:35 PM)PaulaO2 Wrote: I really don't want to start trying new masks again. (insert sounds of me whining)
The 15 cm limit for nasal pillows seems to be a bit of a myth, but any kind of mask tends to have more problems at higher pressure. Try it and see if it works for you.
RE: Nasal Pillows and high pressure - PaulaO2 - 11-10-2012
Yep, that'd be me!
I feel good knowing I most likely won't have to change masks.