When i first started using the nasal pillows, a couple of things bothered me.  1st my nose got so cold all the time and sinus was irritated.  Sleep doc changed the hose to a heated hose and told me to up the humidity, that did the trick and helped a lot.  also, my nose got a bit raw on outside, but some lotion helped that.  Recently i found about about bella loops, its loops that attach to the nasal pillow and wrap around your ears instead of the typical head gear.  they working ok for me.

I know what you mean about drowning on air. I was recently hospitalized for Sepsis. In the ambulance, they tried putting a huge heavy mask on my face that pushed air in as well as sucked it back out. One minute I was drowning in air and the next minute it is being sucked out of my lungs and I felt like I was suffocating. I was litterally fighting the doctor's hands off my arms so I could pull the mask off my face. They eventually had to sedate me.

Have you tried talking to your doctor about the nasal pillows? Some people talk about nasal pillows further down on this board, and they say the nasal pillows can irritate the nostrils. I think I would rather have that than the mask. I think the mask would just bring horrible flash backs of me fighting the doc, plus I just can't stand the mask and absolutely refuse to wear it!

I hope things work out well for you. If you do test positive for sleep apnea, keep diligent on the nasal pillows. That's what I am going to do. Good luck.  

I just had a sleep study to determine the level of airflow for the CPAP and it was horrible! I felt like I was drowning on air! A horrible horrible feeling. They used the full face mask and when I said I wanted the nasal pillows they said the doctor will only allow the face mask because that's what the testing was done with. I really don't think I will use the full face one. It cause me so much anxiety and I woke the next morning with a splitting headache that lasted almost all day long. 

Does anyone know if there's any hope that I can use the nasal pillows? Any suggestions on how to proceed? I just had the study Saturday night and now I'm waiting for the home health company to call and make appointment to get me set up. I feel like this is some sort of nightmare I am in - I never saw this coming! I don't feel like I have any of the symptoms of sleep apnea.

Anyway, sorry to ride along on your post, Miss Kitty. I'm looking forward to responses to your question.

Sheryl

My doc also thinks I have sleep apnea. They were supposed to try nasal pillows on me when I was hospitalized with Sepsis, but they didn't have the right size nasal pillows for my nostrils and it took too long for an order to come in.

Nasal pillows are allot like the oxigen tube they put across your face when in the hospital, except the nasal part is bigger and is supposed to fit snuggly in your nostrils.

My doc wanted me to try this because I refuse to wear the mask.

Has anyone tried this or know of anyone who has? Thanks.