Help! New to CPAP W/IRRITATED NOSE

[birdshell]

I used the ComfortLite 2 for over a year. The difference for me was using the direct seal instead of the nasal pillows. Here are some things that helped me, in case:

1. I found that the very edges of the seal tickled the inside of my nose. I ended up trimming the edge with cuticle scissors--but if you do so, take off ONLY the very, very edge. It is easy to cut too much.

I also found a few nasal hairs that were long, and trimming them helped. Please note that these were VERY fine and hard to see, but they seem to have caused a fair bit of itching.

2. I tied a real pantyhose leg (not a tights leg) around the adjustment tube and then around my head. It just added a little stability without interfering with the adjustability.

3. I used a small bit of lanolin (found in the breastfeeding mothers' section of the stores) on the Direct Seal nasal contact to seal those 'microleaks'.

4. I had been doing a nasal wash previous to starting the CPAP therapy, and continued that. I found the humidity to be a plus; but we are all different. Here is some information on the nasal wash or nasal lavage procedure, also done with a neti pot: Using Saline Solution in the Nose

5. I put on a fleece hose cover over my small CL2 tube. It was a special request item made for me by padacheek--Karen at http://www.padacheek.com (She has a very nice first name, btw. )

6. I had already (for the winter and colder months) a hose cover for the long hose. We used to have a member, Offerocker, who made ComfortSleeves--I searched and found this, so am not sure if it will work or not: ComfortSleeve Link

7. I almost forgot: there are a number of ways to fix the adjustability of the metal "T" on the nosepieces. Here you go: The following is from the larger posting on all mask fixes:
LINKS to Lab Rat Trophy awards
viewtopic.php?t=15104[/quote]

Several of the CL 2 fixes are addressed to the interfaces that have the metal support clips...

LINKS to Lab Rat Trophy awards.
<snip>

ComfortLite 2

BadBreath
baseball cap as "headgear"
Jul 05, 2007 subject: Giant Duckbilled Hosehead to Denny for ball cap modification as headgear
viewtopic.php?t=21772

NightHawkeye
fishing line fix for CL2
Apr 30, 2006 subject: Fix Turns ComfortLite 2 to Perfection to NightHawkeye for description and pictures - using fishing line to bring CL2's nasal assembly in closer to the nostrils.
viewtopic.php?t=8884

oldgearhead
twist tie fix for CL2
Oct 15, 2006 subject: CL2- creative modification help please to oldgearhead for directions and picture - twist ties to bring ComfortLite 2 nasal assembly closer to nostrils
viewtopic.php?t=14379

Another oldgearhead modification using chinstrap and twist tie for the "simple cushion" attachment - with pictures:
viewtopic.php?t=15175

sleepyWI
fishing line fix for CL2
Feb 02, 2007 subject: My CL2 fishing tackle fix to sleepyWI for description and pictures - using snap swivels and braided fishing line to bring CL2's nasal assembly in closer to the nostrils.
viewtopic.php?p=161903

kteague
Breeze nosegear used on CL2
Feb 14, 2007 So this is what a good fit feels like to kteague for modification using Breeze nosegear with CL2 headgear.
viewtopic.php?t=17411

linda b
fleece/velcro half strap to steady ComfortLite 2 simple cushion
Sep 07, 2006 subject: New mask to linda b for directions on making a fleece/velcro half strap to steady the ComfortLite 2 "simple cushion" nasal piece.
viewtopic.php?t=13347

Another linda b modification described here:
viewtopic.php?t=15175

flygal6
several fixes from top to bottom on CL2
Feb 28, 2007 subject: New CL2 Modifications to flygal6 for several modifications to CL2 - exhaust, swivel, pillows angle.
viewtopic.php?t=17794

rested gal
removal of swivel elbow on the CL2
Apr 14, 2006 subject: ComfortLite 2 without the elbow drawings and description of removal of swivel elbow on top of headgear by rested gal
viewtopic.php?t=8493

<snip>

I hope that you are not overwhelmed! And even more, I hope that there is something here that helps.

Karen,
Who liked that CL2!

P.S. I developed a sensitivity to many forms of silicone, which means that I can no longer use the CL2. I hope that is not a possibility for you.

[gsbuck]

Glad to know I helped a little, Sleepy Boy. I've come down with a bad head cold so not even sure I will use my cpap tonight. I know I'll need to breathe thru my mouth at some point, and the taped mouth is out of the question, so it would be pointless to use it since I don't have a FFM to use. I forgot to turn my humidifer up to 2 last night like I had planned, and even forgot to add more distilled water to it! So it got that 'cold' air feeling early a.m. and it woke me with burning nasal passages. Since my throat is also sore I know it's a cold and not just the cpap thing. But glad to know the 2 setting worked for you, I will try it too as soon as I can. Best of luck!
Gayle

[Sleepy Boy]

Gayle: What is the mouth tape? I never heard of it till on here. I wear a chin strap, but its not always effective. What do they call the mouth tape?? My wife will have me wearing it all day too..
Larry..

[birdshell]

Here is a collection by our own Rested Gal, Laura:

Links to: Mouth leaks - Air Leaks - Tape - DIY Guard

AND, my favorite mouth taping post by my distant relative (due to screen names) rooster:

Just One Man's Very Successful Mouth Taping Procedure

Lately, some folks have been using painter's masking tape, with apparently good results. Here is a posting by Rested Gal on that issue:

RG's Masking Tape Mouth Taping Procedure

I hope that is more than you have EVER wanted to know about mouth taping, you fellow Michigander, Sleepy Boy. Oh yes, and any of you other Forum Folk who may be motivated to follow links.

Karen

[LoQ]

Gayle: What is the mouth tape? I never heard of it till on here. I wear a chin strap, but its not always effective. What do they call the mouth tape?? My wife will have me wearing it all day too..
Larry..

Larry, birdshell gave some great links for learning about mouth taping. Many of us have discovered that we feel more rested if we tape our mouths shut at night. It was a breakstone event for me. I tape my mouth completely closed, then I try to blow out of my mouth to make sure there are no leaks. If there are leaks, I can usually add another piece of tape at the leak point. Occasionally I have to rip it off and start again.

I have to alternate between different kinds of tape. I find that if I use one brand too many nights in a row, I eventually end up with my skin getting extremely wet under the tape for some reason. That is very unpleasant. As soon as I switch to another type of tape, I'm back to fairly dry skin. Right now I am switching every couple of nights between painter's tape and tegaderm.

[birdshell]

Another tip, which is probably buried in the links: smear some milk of magnesia on your skin, allow it to dry, and then tape over it. This old RN's trick helps to protect the skin while maintaining enough tack to do the job. Skim milk reportedly works well, too.

Karen,
Whose lips are sealed

[gsbuck]

Hi Larry, looks like some of the other forum members have given a lot of info on mouth taping! There's good info there that is more than I could tell you. Of course if you don't have mouth leaks then you won't need to use the tape. But if you wake up to a hissing sound that stops when you close your lips, and/or a dry mouth and throat, you'll know you have a problem.

[Shez]

Hey I just wanted to add that I had no end of problems with the Rhinocort spray and had very similar allergy symptoms but only when using the spray.....maybe as suggested try a different spray. Good luck with it I hope you iron out the kinks....
Shez

[Sleepy Boy]

"IF" I have to tape?? Does that mean the beard goes? Kinda "rough" here in the North during winter without it. Thanks. PS Gayle, Hope your feeling better..

[gsbuck]

Not sure about the beard, maybe some other bearded forum members have suggestions on mouth sealing with a beard. But the other alternative is using Polident denture strips. I know, I thought that was weird, too. But I tried them and they work OK. Have to peel them off in the morning from between your lips and it gets kind of sticky, but come off with water and rag. That way your beard isn't a problem. Sometimes I use the tape and sometimes the strips, depends my mood that night. I have to cut the little strips into smaller lengths to get them to fit properly, but all you do is wet them under the faucet and place on your bottom lip then press lips together and you've got it. The seal will get more solid after a little while. I've even had to cough or speak after having it on a while, then they sealed back together when I re-pressed my lips. Try it! And, it's not as strange looking....

[Sleepy Boy]

Well, the beard went this morning, I need my sleep more than the beard. Will try the denture things. Thanks for all the tips from everyone..I wrote down the 3M tape thing, and masking tape. Will get to the hardware Mon. and the drug store for the denture strips..Thanks, Larry.... When I click the smiles, I get a D with some other things???

[birdshell]

I'm not Larry, but...

When you go for the smile and type "colon D" or choose the smiley face, it shows as a plain typing emoticon. Go to the "Preview" button and view the posting and you will see the familiar yellow circle with a face.

[Sleepy Boy]

Hey I just wanted to add that I had no end of problems with the Rhinocort spray and had very similar allergy symptoms but only when using the spray.....maybe as suggested try a different spray. Good luck with it I hope you iron out the kinks....
Shez

Shez: What type of problems did you have with the Rhinocourt?? I've been using it a couple times a day, and it doesn't seem to bother...

[neifactnaft]

Hi!
Help to find, where you can buy antiallergic drugs online.

[mrs. sandman]

It's really bad today, can't even leave the house due to the sneezing constantly and my poor nose is getting raw! I did use the humidifier last night. Can't say it's worse with or without...

I'm new at this this, but after talking to my brother, a 20 yr. user, he suggested I take all rugs out of the bedroom, wash curtains and wipe down walls just in case there is any dust residue in order to keep bedroom ultra clean (dust/pollen free). i live in the city, so difficult to accomplish.

it feels like a whole new world of crap to do opens up now. i guess it's just reprioritizing on the upside.