Living with a CPAP device since 2008, I have been stuck in the mud with using a nasal mask, avoiding the full-face mask at all costs. Just the thought of wearing the full-face mask is a reminder of when I took the sleep study. I have tried on several types of masks and found the full-face mask to be very annoying because of how it restricts my vision and causes a slight sensation of claustrophobia.
A very active sleeper, I toss and twist more often every hour in my sleep than I exercise during the day. Wearing a nasal mask has often brought me to a rude awakening during the night to untangle the hose around my neck or re-adjust the mask as I use my double stacked pillows to get some deep sleep.
Finding the right accommodation to sleep was very important to me and I searched and researched until I finally found a small but powerful nasal pillow that fit me just right. Having the unique opportunity to try on this smaller, more compact nasal pillow, I jumped at the chance to break the routine and wear something new to bed. I immediately felt the difference on my face.
Perhaps I had complicated matters with my newly grown thicker beard and mustache. This caused the older nasal mask to leak. The ResMed AirFit P10 had a smaller, much more flexible nasal pillow. It was a perfect fit no matter how rough or thick the facial hair. I felt relaxed to hear how quiet the small device really was.
Donning the small yet firmly constructed apparatus on my face and inserting the nozzles in my nose, it became evident that I was not quite sleepy yet, so I decided to sit up a little to watch television as the view was no longer obstructed as it was before. A much clearer view of the television screen without the mask interference made me even more relaxed and satisfied that I had found the right apparatus for my sleep therapy.
Surprisingly, the wife, who hated the formerly donned nasal mask with passion, smiled at me and complimented me on the smaller nasal pillow and how quiet it was as well as how it didn’t cover my face and scare the hell out of the grandkids who come into the room to watch TV with us at times.
At one time, I had to explain the mask to my 8-year-old grandson who thought I was suffering from breathing problems and I was taking on oxygen to breathe. You would be surprised how in-tune kids are with what you have or wear on your face.
Waking up the next morning, I felt rested and clear headed. I removed the small pillow from my nose and noticed a little soreness inside my nostrils but no strap marks on my face. Since I use a dehumidifier, the nose was clear and not stuffy even with the small nozzles nestled inside the nose. The first thing I noticed was an uninterrupted sleep because the nasal pillow remained in the same position all night long.
The next three nights were uneventful just like I wanted it to be. No drama and no shifting of masks as the smaller and more flexible nasal pillow did its job with exemplary features and dependability. No straps to move, no leaks and no obstructed views or bulky dents in my pillow as it fits nicely into the softness of my own pillow and allowed me to sleep in every or any position I wanted to sleep in.
My new accommodation was a positive change for me and my family. My mood was much better when waking up and my energy level had gained some boosts from what appeared to be better sleep during the night. Normally, I am an on-my-side sleeper as the use of the old nasal mask kept me from putting my face down into the pillow. However, now I can sleep on my belly if I want to or turned one way or another with my head into the pillow and not straight forward or up. Truthfully, it was even good to sleep on my back as I didn’t feel claustrophobic looking at the ceiling through the plastic of the old mask. It was a relief that you can only imagine if you experienced it.
