Growing Noses

This thread was diverted from a more general discussion. Preparing for Serious Illness

Masks depend on the topography and structure of our faces to function properly, especially our noses but as we get older things change.

My mask is not working and, unfortunately, this discussion is relevant to the search for a new mask but it's not something I'm comfortable talking about.

Why is it not working now?

The answer was foreshadowed in this thread from a year or so back.

Size Matters

For the past six years I have been using the Nuance Nasal Pillows Mask with the largest cushions they provide. It's been a great mask and has worked well for me ....... until now.

Although I obviously anticipated mask failure 4 months back, when I started the Preparing for Serious Illness thread, it never occurred to me that my nose would eventually outgrow those large cushions, but now they fall in, which wouldn't matter a great deal if they fell in totally but only one side of each cushion falls in, which twists them sideways inside the nasal passage and, you guessed it, blocks both the hoses and the noses!

Feel free to laugh. I've turned the sound off! :P

Google, which usually has an answer for even the most difficult problems, was no comfort at all.

How Age Changes Our Appearance

So now, not only do I have to find a new mask, but it has to be adaptive enough to work for a not so tiny nose.

Am I the only one who has this problem?

Any suggestions or experiences would be appreciated.

It is always very difficult recommending a mask for someone else. The expectations and fit can vary widely. Your best bet is to find a place that will allow returns. CPAP.com in the US does that, but not so sure about Australia.

One possible solution is to go to a nasal mask instead of a nasal pillow. My wife used a ResMed Mirage FX mask for some time before she switched to a nasal pillow type. The only issue is that she had to keep it tight to prevent leaks, and it left marks on her face from the straps. You do still have to get one that is big enough to fully enclose your nose though. I tried her mask and it irritated me because my nose was too big for the mask size she had, and kept touching the mask. Like having an itch on your nose with no sway to scratch it.

Another possibility is the newer under the nose mask. I believe the Phillips DreamWear Under the Nose mask of this type has one insert that is more of a slot that goes across the bottom of your nose instead of into the nostrils. It may be more adaptive to different nose sizes. Don't know, as I have never tried it. Also this mask type has different insert options to try without replacing the whole mask.

What pressure are you going up to? More pressure always makes it more difficult to get a mask that seals without being too tight.

I can't see the local companies accepting returns under the present circumstances and even if they did the cost is often double what it would be to purchase the same item direct from the USA.

The machine is usually set for around 12 so the pressure is not that difficult to manage and I am pretty good at ignoring minor leaks.

There was some urgency because the Nuance was effectively smothering me in my sleep but I have made a few adaptations that might keep it functional for a bit longer. This was a really good mask which is why I stuck with it for so many years and why it's going to be hard to find an equivalent replacement.

For the moment I have wound some soft garden wire around the base of the pillows to prevent distortion and reduce flexibility. It makes it a bit clumsy but at least I can breathe.

Yes a nasal mask might have been an option but I doubt that it would work for me, not only because of nose size, but because of topography and the state of my skin and also because of persistent itchiness some of which I still blame on static.

I think I would need to try the under the nose slot type masks before I could have any confidence in them.

I had wondered about the Aloha because it looks impressive in the picture but there is no way to know how big it really is.

The one that I am tempted to buy is the P10 because it is essentially what my latest adaptations have turned the Nuance into. Once again it is difficult to determine it's relative size and the strap mounts could be problematic. Another concern is that the straps look rather flimsy and I can't afford to be buying parts on a regular basis.

Have you thought to try this Phillips Respironics Dreamwear CPAP Nasal Mask

It is what I use - and replacement parts can be bought on Amazon easily.
I have a big head but found that the Medium worked for me.

Thanks for that suggestion MarkHanson,

Somewhere, way back in the annals of history, I tried one of those mask types but I didn't like it because it failed to adequately connect with the nostrils.

They may have improved since then but their online images are hard to see because they are opaque white on white and my monitor doesn't know how to delineate between the mask and the background. (blame the tools!)

I notice that they have a gel pillows version which might work for me if the stems are not too flexible. (and it has a hint of blue so I can see it online) Dreamwear Gel Pillow Mask

Another issue for online purchases it that the head size would be critical with that particular style of mask.

Presumably there are ranges and measurements somewhere.

I wish it were possible to go down to the local sleep clinic and try one on.

Isn't it time someone found or created an encyclopedia of masks with all attributes and statistics listed and compared?

I'm pretty sure that Sierra has already done the work. He just needs to spend a few seconds assembling it! :)

I did find a comparison list so who thinks they got it right and what would you change?

Comparing Best CPAP Masks

Is there any way to tell which is the widest between the Dreamwear Silicone Pillows mask and Dreamwear Gel Pillows mask?

Or, more to the point, which one would be more suitable for a large nose?