Question:
What are nose pillows? My mask is terribly uncomfortable.

   — Elizabeth R. (posted on August 18, 2001)

August 18, 2001
What kind of mask do you currently have? My husband tried nose pillows, but that didn't look comfy to me at all. He ended up with one they call "the bubble", and that seemed to work for most of the guys with a moustache. I used the regular triangular type, but it comes in 3 or 4 sizes, and it took awhile to get it adj right for my face.
   — vitalady

August 19, 2001
<b><font color=red>Nose pillows - I happened to think they are much more comfortable than the mask. If you have a tendency to be claustrophobic (like I do) then they make you feel less confined. Basically, mine are a tube that comes down the center of your face with 2nostrils comming out of it. They fit just inside your own nostrils. The part that fits inside your nostrils are the nose pillows and they come in small, med. and large. You have head gear that holds the tube on. It fits on over your head and has a strap that comes across each side of your nose to your ear where they stick together with velcro. Looks just as funny as the mask - but a lot less restricting.<b></font>
   — K T.

August 19, 2001
If all else fails your doctor can put you on oxygen. Its much more comfortable but costs more. My bipap pressure was 17 so the surgeon used oxygen post op. I never did tolerate the bipap or cpap. My wife tells me I snoar much less, since I have lost 41 pounds since surgery july 23rd.
   — bob-haller

August 19, 2001
I have gone through several types of masks inthe last five yrs. I started with the pillows- then went on to the so called bubble type- I would use the pillows maybe one night and switch to a different one the next night. I have been on 2 ltrs of oxygen. now 1 ltr. and did not have the added oxygen when I lost weight and exercised.NOW I use a Gel type bubble- make sure you get the correct size- and you can heat the "gel" and form fit it to your face for a snug fit- but I hear most people don't have to- I did not either. Second choice for me would be a bubble type- but those tend to leak on me unless I tighten it up a lot. If one medical supply does not have what you want- check out others - or talk to appropriate medical person. I hope to get off c-pap after my surgery- maybe not completely because I really appreciate it! I travel with it- otherwise feel like I have been "pulled through a knot hole" the next day. (tired)
   — charlene M.

August 24, 2001
i recently changed the medical supply co i use for my cpap machine & supplies. i told them that when i had my most recent sleep study they used a gel mask & i didnt feel like i had anything on my face. they didnt have any in stock so they provided a bubble mask & ordered the gel mask. the gel mask arrived yesterday & i slept with it last night. WHAT A DIFFERENCE!!! u barely feel it & the best part was i woke up this am WITHOUT mask impressions around my nose. YAY!
   — sheryl titone