Nasal pillows inner liner sticking to outer shell?

[Tibbons]

Hi all,

I've never posted before but have benefited immensely from all the wisdom shared and hoping someone can assist.

I'm one who tries to replace supplies as infrequently as possible, but who cleans them regularly. I clean my nasal pillows and mask tubing once a week for example. As a result I've been able to make my masks last a long time. 

However, I'm wondering if one of the natural limits to reuse of nasal pillows might be something to do with the inner liner of the part that goes into the nostril? Out of the blue I'm suddenly having a ton of obstructive apneas registering in my OSCAR data and seemingly limited airflow through the pillows. Looking at them I'm starting to wonder if the inner liner is sticking to the outer shell of the part that juts into the nostrils. Has anyone else experienced this? Is this something that happens with silicone over time? 

Relatedly, I'm not entirely clear on what the purpose of the inner liner is and would love to know. Is it that the incoming air travels between the inner liner and outer shell and the exhaled air travels inside the inner liner?

In any event, thanks in advance for any insights any of you have on this. So grateful for this forum!

[super7pilot]

I use the P-10 and your question had me looking under a work light with a magnifier. The inner liner is quite a bit stiffer than the outer liner. I would think this is so the outer liner can conform to our nostrils. And the stiffer inner liner to prevent the collapse of that liner with the reversed airflow from an exhale. I probed the area between with a tooth pick and they are connected at the base. So air only moves via the inner liner.

[Tibbons]

Thanks for your reply and for looking into it so thoroughly! ? I'm bummed to hear of your findings in a way though, because now I'm even more perplexed. ? My new theory: Perhaps what's happening is the inner liner has softened to the point where it collapses in upon insertion now, since I believe that's what happens as silicone ages. In the past what's told me it's time to replace my nasal pillows has been when one of the holes pops from being oblong into being a full circle. So, whatever is going on now has really thrown me. Anyway, thanks again so much! ??

[super7pilot]

Those darn pesky masks!! Pap therapy would be so much easier if the masks weren't so troublesome.

I switch between the P10 and an N20 nasal mask and the N30 every once in a while.

[Deborah K.]

My very favorite mask is the Bleep DreamPorts Solution.  These attach to the outside of your nose with tape.  Then you attach the mask by clicking the DreamPorts into the mask attachment.  They're a little fiddly to attach, but once on, the mask is wonderful!  Nothing goes into your nose except the air.  If your insurance covers them, they are well worth it.  If you pay out of pocket, they are quite expensive.

I have wildly sensitive skin, so I can't use my beloved Bleep all the time.  The mask I presently use is the F&P Nova Micro pillows mask.  I like it a lot better than the ResMed AirSense P30i I had before.  The P30i appears to use the same pillow as the P10 that so many use.

[Tibbons]

Thanks again all. I ended up realizing that my second theory was correct. That is, the inner liner had softened to the point where it was collapsing in upon insertion, or at least when at certain angles during the night. Replaced the pillows last night and worked like a charm. Yay! I had apparently kept using them for just a bit too long. Anyway, thanks again for all of your help! And sorry for the funny punctuation in my last reply. For some reason question marks showed up instead of the Windows emotes I had. So going without emotes this time. Take care and sweet dreams until next time!