I'm a mouth breather, and I started out on a ResMed Mirage Quattro - but that caused terrible nasal bridge problems, so after a few weeks I ditched it for a ResMed Liberty, which solved the nose problems, but has turned out to be just as annoying.  I find it much harder to get a good seal, and if I move much at night the nasal pillows invariably get dislodged.  (And the whistling sound of the air escaping wakes my wife.)  So on the advice of both my doctor and my CPAP consultant I'm trying a Respironics Comfort Gel full face mask.  This gives a much better seal - but after only two nights my nose is already showing problems.  I've put a bandaid across the bridge both nights, but I've still got a sore red mark where the mask presses.  I tried to adjust it last night to press on the nose as little as possible, but the trouble is I have a very high bridge, and if I lessen the pressure on my nose, I lose the seal.

Any advice - on masks, noses, and comfort?

Thanks,
-A.

Aussie,
Interesting.  I have the same problem.  I ditched the Mirage Quattro for the Liberty, too.  Got rid of the bruising on the bridge of my nose, but am finding that for whatever reason the Liberty is less effective.  I'm almost ready to say give me the bruising and swollen eyes again, anything for that wide awake, alert and refreshed feeling again...  I joined this site tonight hoping to find useful info on other masks.  I was thinking of talking to the doc again and trying one of the gel masks that you have, but I read a review on a site that sells them talking about bruising and blistering on the nose bridge because of it, so here I am.  I didn't really want to try a different mask, the Quatro made me feel so good, but my doctor insisted.  He said that long term the swelling and bruising I was getting would be a problem.

I noticed that you can't post products on this site, but you might want to look into head pillows for cpap mask users.  I bought both of the most expensive pillows trying to cure the problems with the Quattro mask.  They did help, but just not enough with my situation.  You may want to look into them.  Feel free to pm me if you want to know the brands I bought.
Take care,
Mary.

I'm only six nights in with my Mirage Quattro, and after night 2 I noticed the mark, too, and a good bruise and abrasion coming on.  But since I read on here of many people having similar problems with other masks, I decided to try futzing with it a few nights before throwing in the towel.

The first thing I did was play around with it for almost an hour understanding how it rests on the nose.  (I'm an engineer, what can I say?)  On night 3, I did two things - (1) put the mask to my face "chin first" as high up as I could without interfering with my lips, and (2) loosened up the top straps of the headgear and the forehead adjustment as much as possible without causing a leak.  This seems to minimize the tension in the silicone across my nose cartilage.  

I have a very thin, and, um, prominent nose, so the tension to come across that beak was pretty significant, and the mark was actually below my bridge.

Since then, I also started washing my mask at night and putting it on somewhat damp, which gives better compliance between the mask and my face.  It also seems that stretching my mouth open slowly (jaw open) after the mask has pretty good compliance pulls out any wrinkles that have formed over my nose.

Last 3 nights, no mark, bruise, or abrasion.  It's still a bit tender there so it may not work in the long run, but a heck of a lot better.


_________________
Marie
Newbie with Severe OSA
ResMed S8 Elite II CPAP with EPR and H4i humidifier
ResMed Mirage Quattro full face mask
Contec CMS 50-E Pulse Oximeter

Good to hear.  We'll see.  The doc pulled the plug on mine because additional leaking was causing swelling of my upper and lower eyelids.  I'm not sure if he would have made that decision based on the bruising alone.  I am using an a-pap machine so it starts out low, mask fits great, but with the increased pressure during the night all sorts of stuff was happening and air leakage at my eyes.  But I was sleeping so well that by the time I'd wake up the damage was done...  :)  I'm only on the second week with this mask.  I'm hoping that maybe with time it will be just as affective as the Quattro.  Crossing fingers...  I don't want to have to try the gel type after reading of the similar problems with bruising and abrasions.
Take care,
Mary.

Good to see I'm not alone!  In fact with a bandaid and some cream under it (I'm using Bepanthen, which is what I used to use on my kids for nappy rash), the nose is still a bit sore, but none of the ulcerated break-downs I was getting with the Mirage Quattro.  So I'll persist and keep fiddlin' with it.  I'll keep the Liberty for emergencies - I tried it for some months, but it just wasn't working for me well enough.  I'm told it's no bad thing to have two masks, and switch if for any reason one is not doing its job properly.

I'll keep y'all posted.

cheers,
Al

I have had the exact same problems with the Quattro mask and switched to the Full life one and was beginning to get the bruising and abrasions again even though it took longer for it to happen.  I played around with different types of things to cushion my nose and came up with a winning combination.  First I use BD Skin-prep on my nose and let it dry.  Then I cut a silicone gel self-adhesive pad approx 1.5" X .5".  I apply the pad across the bridge of my nose.  The gel is approx 1/16-1/8" thick but is very flexible.  It takes a little manipulation of the mask to find the right position to seal and I don't know if it would work with a stiffer mask than the Full Life.  In just two nights, my nose was fine.  Actually I use it for a few days, then go for a week or so without it.  Hope this helps.  The gel pad I use is actually a scar removal pad called Cica-Care.

I also use the Quatro mask and find it very uncomfortale,Ive been trying to get a Resperonics FIT LIFE mask,but my supplier keeps jerking me around.They tried to pawn off a Liberty mask on me.After trying it for two mins I took it off and threw it in the trash.Thier supposed to order me a FitLife but it remains to be seen.You should not have to settle for what they have in stock,if your current mask isn't working for you make them get you adifferent one.

mduros wrote:

I noticed that you can't post products on this site, but you might want to look into head pillows for cpap mask users.  I bought both of the most expensive pillows trying to cure the problems with the Quattro mask.  They did help, but just not enough with my situation.  You may want to look into them.  Feel free to pm me if you want to know the brands I bought.
.

Actually, you can post product names on this sight, and I'm told, you can actually post manufacturer links, as long as the website does  not also sell things.


_________________
Diagnosed September 2009
cpap machine: resmed compact S8
pressure: 9
sleep study results: AHI 4.2 (nl=<5); REM AHI 9.4 (nl=<5); REM 15.7% (nl=25-35%)

respironics comfort fusion nasal - leaks drove me crazy
LT Swift nasal pillows - works great

Check out the Full Life mask by Respironics.   I have one ordered, but it hasn't arrived yet.  It has nothing touching your nose or mouth.  The Fit Life was totally worthless...... like trying to strap a tupperware bowl on your face, with all the pressure being place on the bridge of your nose.

I'm using the Liberty right now, and having good success with keeping it in place-  Remember, the cushion for the mouth comes in small or large, and the nasal cushions come in S, M, and L- so is it possible you have a sizing problem

The only issue I have is that my AHI stats are substantially up from normal with the Liberty.  I don't know if it's just getting used to it or not, but I am anxious to see that the Full Life does.


_________________
ResMed Auto Set II w/hi4 Pressure 9 - 20 EPR at 3 SleepWeaver, Mirage Micro, Liberty, FitLlife
Orig AHI 30.4 RDI 36 & RLS/PLMB

TXLadyBug,

Is it possible that you have the FitLife and FullLife masks confused?  I believe that the FullLife can put pressure on the bridge of your nose while the FitLife has nothing touching your nose or mouth.  Am I mistaken?

You are correct.


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ResMed Auto Set II w/hi4 Pressure 9 - 20 EPR at 3 SleepWeaver, Mirage Micro, Liberty, FitLlife
Orig AHI 30.4 RDI 36 & RLS/PLMB

I would love to try the FitLife, but it is not released in Australia.  So what I'm doing is alternating two masks: the Respironics Comfort Gel, and the Resmed one.  So far this seems to be working fine,  I'll keep y'all posted!

-A.