I'm definitely a "be prepared" kind of girl, and in this respect, it will really pay off . . .

I usually use a Swift nasal pillow system (ever since I got it a month or so ago), and the past few mornings I have woken up with a very sore spot on one of my nostrils (right at the base) . . . I think it started off as a little pimple, and just was being aggravated by the nasal pillows. I stubbornly kept using the Swift, and this morning my stubbornness bit me back -- I woke up with the sore spot all bloody and REALLY painful!  Not to mention that the pillow on that side kept leaking all night -- probably because of distortion due to the booboo.

Luckily, I also have a nasal mask that I can use while my poor nostril heals (should have done this a couple days ago!).  It's not my favorite interface, but it will be more comfortable while my poor nostril heals!

Moral of the story?  If your insurance will pay for it (and even if it won't), it really makes a lot of sense to keep more than one type of mask or interface, "just in case"!

Also in the "comfort" category . . . if you are like me and you tie your hair back while you put on and adjust your mask, it helps to take out the hair tie before you go to bed . . . otherwise you may end up with a nasty sore neck from sleeping on it all night!  Not that I would do something dumb like that, nooooo . . .

skitter wrote:

I'm definitely a "be prepared" kind of girl, and in this respect, it will really pay off . . .

I usually use a Swift nasal pillow system (ever since I got it a month or so ago), and the past few mornings I have woken up with a very sore spot on one of my nostrils (right at the base) . . . I think it started off as a little pimple, and just was being aggravated by the nasal pillows. I stubbornly kept using the Swift, and this morning my stubbornness bit me back -- I woke up with the sore spot all bloody and REALLY painful!  Not to mention that the pillow on that side kept leaking all night -- probably because of distortion due to the booboo.

Luckily, I also have a nasal mask that I can use while my poor nostril heals (should have done this a couple days ago!).  It's not my favorite interface, but it will be more comfortable while my poor nostril heals!

Moral of the story?  If your insurance will pay for it (and even if it won't), it really makes a lot of sense to keep more than one type of mask or interface, "just in case"!

Also in the "comfort" category . . . if you are like me and you tie your hair back while you put on and adjust your mask, it helps to take out the hair tie before you go to bed . . . otherwise you may end up with a nasty sore neck from sleeping on it all night!  Not that I would do something dumb like that, nooooo . . .

Hi Skitter,

I fully agree with you there.

I use the Ultra Mirage Mask with a Flexifit as backup. Both nasal masks.

It's nice to have a change once in a while.

Daniel.


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

(Anon)

skitter wrote:

If your insurance will pay for it (and even if it won't), it really makes a lot of sense to keep more than one type of mask or interface, "just in case"!

Excellent advice, skitter.  It definitely helps to have a different mask to use on nights when the usual favorite just doesn't feel good or is springing unusual leaks.  Having the same interface on the same pressure points night after night can get aggravating.  Taking a break and using another mask from time to time sure can help.

Right now, with Christmas a'comin'... now's a good time for a person to add to their Christmas wish list a mask that they'd always been thinking about trying.  Make it easy for a few relatives to chip in together and order a gift that keeps on givin' for you.  Give them the URL to an online store that has the mask you want and jot down the complete name of the mask and the size.  There's plenty of time for it to be shipped before Christmas.  No prescription needed at all for anyone to buy a cpap mask online.

Can you imagine the shocked looks (from those who weren't in on the gift suggestion) on Christmas morning when you hold THAT up for all to see and say, "WOW!!! Just what I wanted!!!"  The expressions on their faces!  Priceless!!  

Quote:

Can you imagine the shocked looks (from those who weren't in on the gift suggestion) on Christmas morning when you hold THAT up for all to see and say, "WOW!!! Just what I wanted!!!"  The expressions on their faces!  Priceless!!  

LOL!

That's not a bad idea.  

My Mirage Swift came with three sets of "pillows."  I use the large and medium on an irregular rotation just so that I don't develop "pressure" sores.  Also for giggles.