After six weeks with a mask, I switched to Mirage Swift Nasal Pillow.  I'm much better able to move than with the mask, and sleep well, but wake up with one side of my nose hurting inside- which must be the side I'm pressing on as I sleep.  I have the small size nasal pillow.  Is this just something I have to learn to live with?

I, too, use the Mirage Swift, and have noticed the same thing.  I think it's very much related to the angle at which I sleep on my side (am I really 90 degree from vertical, or is 85 degrees better) and the interaction of the Swift apparatus with my pillow.  I'm considering switching to a pillow designed to work better with CPAP (I'm using a memory foam pillow now).  

After five months of use, I find my nose a little sore about one morning a week.  During the breaking in period (the first week in particular), I was much more sore.  Changing my sleeping angle helped a lot.  I also moved the hose so that it's "up" when I'm sleeping on my preferred side; that seemed to help, too.

My DME recommended switching to larger nasal pillows if I'm not getting a good fit.  While that referred to leaks, you might consider trying the medium size nasal pillows and see how that works.

Good luck!

This link discussing side sleeping with various pillows and might be helpful for the problems you describe:

http://www.apneasupport.org/viewtopic.php?t=1310

sydneylou wrote:

After six weeks with a mask, I switched to Mirage Swift Nasal Pillow.  I'm much better able to move than with the mask, and sleep well, but wake up with one side of my nose hurting inside- which must be the side I'm pressing on as I sleep.  I have the small size nasal pillow.  Is this just something I have to learn to live with?

There have been a number of posts concerning this.

A small size pillow appears to cause this soreness and it is recommended that you should always try a larger size.

Personally, I don't use the nasal pillows but the larger sized pillow appears to sort out the problem. Sometimes a nasal spray may be required. I suggest that you try the larger pillow first.

Daniel


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The untreated Sleep Apnoea sufferer died quietly in his sleep.......
Unlike his three passengers who died screaming !!!!!!

(Anon)

I also have soreness just on one side, the left side.  I use the medium size pillows as it looks like the large one wouldn't even fit.  I will try the suggestions though...I would like some relief as well  


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Dave

KurryKid wrote:

I also have soreness just on one side, the left side.  I use the medium size pillows as it looks like the large one wouldn't even fit.  I will try the suggestions though...I would like some relief as well  

Hi Kurry Kid,

I have heard a few people saying that the larger pillow can look too big, but once used they find it the ideal fit.

Daniel.


_________________
The untreated Sleep Apnoea sufferer died quietly in his sleep.......
Unlike his three passengers who died screaming !!!!!!

(Anon)

Thanks to everyone who gave me advice on my sore nose problem!  I switched from the small size nasal pillow to medium, and ordered a PAPillow which arrived yesterday.  The medium size doesn't hurt like the small did, and the PAPillow is awesome.  I had a wonderful night's sleep.

sydneylou,
  So wonderful to hear you have things working better for you.  Going up one size almost always works for nasal pillows, breeze and swift.(not prongs like nasal-aire, infinity, snapp, etc). Undersized pillows seem to seal, but ride too high in the nostril, causing soreness.  Prongs by design ride high regarless of fit.  Abrasive soreness can be helped by applying a dab of KY or Ayr gel just before putting them on also.
  So glad you like you PAPillow.  So often, people keep buying different masks, with the same pressure/leak problem, because their bed pillow is actually the cause of the pressure and leaks.

I did "ok" with the gel mask after two weeks but woke up routinely after 4 hours and really felt I had to take it off.  I am trying the pillows - Breeze Sleepwear.  Am concerned with the air going right up the nostrils as I have felt sinus problems with the gel mask.  Will the nose pillows make it worse?  Any advice is greatly appreciated.


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Janice