Hi everyone,

A couple of people have PM'd me asking how I am doing with the CPAP so here is my update.  Thanks for everyones concern and for asking how I've been:

I was using the Swift nasal pillows but they were making my nose sore so I am now trying the Respironics Profile Lite mask - Petite.  Compared to the nasal pillows it is a DREAM!  I have been using it for 4 nights now for the first 3 I slept all night waking up once.  Last night I slept all night, from 9:15 until 5:15am.  It's the first time ever.  With the nasal pillows I was waking every couple of hours and had leaks and didn't like the pressure up my nose.  I tried to get used to them because I have heard from on here that they are the "best" and the both the people from the DME said they are the best.  So what all this goes to show is that what works for one person doesn't work for another.  I now see why the mask is the most important thing.  Also with the nasal pillows I seemed to have problems sleeping on my side because the pillow kept knocking my nose and waking me up, however, with the nose mask I can sleep on my side fine all night.  With the nasal pillows I got some relief after the first few night and felt great and energized but then I slipped back to waking every few hours.  I did have a few problems, there was a tear in the pillows apparently which caused a whistling noise for 2 night which annoyed me and kept me awake so I tried a new pair and they bothered my nose.  I also stopped my sleeping tablets after 1 week on the APAP and I had horrific dreams for 2 nights and as of the 3rd night off them and starting with this nose mask I am a different person.  I am hoping I continue the way I am going.

Having said all that, the mask doesn't bother me at night BUT I have the worst red sore across the bridge of my nose during the day.  The first night after I woke up it was slightly red but it is getting worse each morning.  I am even going to have to put makeup on it today because it is that bad.  Different creams haven't worked.  I will have to call the DME tomorrow and see what they say.  Anyone have any suggestions?  Maybe it is too small.  I can't believe it is rubbing because it is a soft gel and I have done the boiling to fit it to my face but that doesn't work.  So that's my only problem now but to be honest if I have to live with it it's nothing compared to before.  

Thank you so much for this forum.  I read the posts everyday and if it wasn't for this place I wouldn't know half as much as I do.  It's the best resource and everyone is so helpful.  

Finally, my thoughts to everyone starting out is try as many different masks as you can and if one doesn't work make sure your DME works with you to find another.  If the DME is of no help, find another one.  I can't begin to tell you the different the last 4 nights have been on the nose mask compared to the nasal pillows.  I hope it's not a fluke.  Thanks for all your help.

Wendy

Wendy, that's great news that you found a mask that works for you, and that you're sleeping so much better!

I also have been using a mask (respironics comfort gel, petite) because the breeze nasal pillows were uncomfortable.  I havent' had a big problem with pressure sores (that's what yours sounds like), but I do have an issue with very dry skin when I wake up (I find that the mask seals best if my face is very clean and no lotion).  

Looking forward to what suggestions others have for you!

Hi Wendy,

Great to hear you are doing so well!  I can't stand the feel of pillows and so I've always been a mask person.  Yes, it is very individual.  If your mask is adjustable between the forehead and mask part, tilt the mask down a notch.  That will put more pressure on the under-the-nose part of the mask and take pressure off of the bridge of your nose.

If you can't get your mask to work, a mask I would highly recommend is the ResMed Ultra Mirage.  When worn properly, it doesn't put pressure on the face.  The point of contact of the Mirage is much less than with a gel mask and the Mirage seals by filling a silicone "bellows" up with air when the CPAP is on thus sealing the mask with the face.

Vicki


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That which does not kill you makes you stronger-Friedrich Nietzsche
Friedrich must of had apnea.

That's the exact type/size of mask I had, it is very comfortable.  I had two of them, the last one didn't last very long though, the piece that goes to the forehead spacer broke.  I had the red nose bridge problem too and never got a quality solution, from loosening it to trying a protective tape on it, I just dealt with it because it worked so well.  But now I have the new comfort curve, it isn't pillows (never could stand them) and only goes over the bottom of the nose so no red mark on the bridge of my nose or forehead and I wake up in the morning with it on!!
Good luck in your mask search.


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~~~Tammy~~~

Well my update is that I called the DME and she said to stop using the nose mask because of the pressure sore which she said is very common.  It actually got a bit infected so I have been using neosporin on it and it is clearing up fast.  I have been using the nasal pillows in the meantime which I hate and I am back to waking every couple of hours and tossing and turning.  I hate them being up my nose.  The lady at the DME said to wait until it clears up and try the mask again and if it starts to do it again she will send someone out to fit me with another mask (the one that uses the air from the CPAP to seal).  So, I don't know what else to do.  I am just upset that it has worked so well and I can't use it because of it causing the pressure sore.  

Skitter, I'm glad I'm not the only one that finds the nasal pillows uncomfortable.  From reading on here it seems like they are the most popular.  I am glad you like the mask.  I love it and hate going back to the nasal pillows.  

Vicki, I tried to adjust the mask but it appears that you can't.  There are like 2 clips at each end that slot in the opening and it doesn't look like I can change it unless I am doing it wrong.  The 2 clips have to be lined up and then you just slot it in.  Like I said above, if this doesn't work I will be fitted with the Ultra Mirage.  Thanks for the suggestion.

Droopy eyes, I tried tighening the mask and even loosening it but it didn't help.  I tried to deal with it for a few nights because it was working so well but the sore got too bad.  How does the Comfort Curve work if it just goes over the bottom of your nose?  If it isn't like the nasal pillows how does it stay on?

Thanks for your help everyone.  I am praying that my nose will be ok when I try it again but I don't know.

Wendy