Jones Tubes and CPAP compatibility

[mclnjam]

I have advanced prostate cancer and the effects of long-term chemo have "fried" my tear ducts closed. Four weeks ago I had Jones tubes implanted. These are pyrex glass tubes that replace the original equipment. When I try to use my CPAP (nasal pillow type, pressure @15), air shoots out of the left tube. I must hold my eyes _tightly_ closed and, even then, some pressure builds up under the eyelid resulting in a "popping" effect. This is very frustrating and I can't see how this can ever work. The surgeon says he's never heard this complaint before (big help). Anyone familiar with this issue or have any suggestions?? BTW, I've experimented with ramping and still the problem exists.

[rippersmom]

Hi,

I'm a newbie to the CPAP world, but I would think using a full face mask might alleviate the problem. If the pressure of the air in your nose is causing the leak from the tear duct tube, you could breathe through your mouth with a full face mask and reduce the pressure going in your nose. I could be way off base on this, but it makes sense to me.

I wish you all the best in your battle with the big c, keep fighting.

Nancy in AZ

[jules]

would this mask help? I really don't know but - total face mask made by Respironics - there are a couple other images at cpap.com

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/total- ... onics.html

[rippersmom]

I have advanced prostate cancer and the effects of long-term chemo have "fried" my tear ducts closed. Four weeks ago I had Jones tubes implanted. These are pyrex glass tubes that replace the original equipment. When I try to use my CPAP (nasal pillow type, pressure @15), air shoots out of the left tube. I must hold my eyes _tightly_ closed and, even then, some pressure builds up under the eyelid resulting in a "popping" effect. This is very frustrating and I can't see how this can ever work. The surgeon says he's never heard this complaint before (big help). Anyone familiar with this issue or have any suggestions?? BTW, I've experimented with ramping and still the problem exists.

I'm bumping this because there wasn't much response to his question.

[JeffH]

macinjam, I feel for you. I understand the pain of air in your eyes. Here's the solution I found

viewtopic/t37649/For-1st-time-my-nose-i ... opped.html

Hope this helps,

JeffH

[Guest]

Thanks for your responses. I'm going to try the full-face mask and see if that'll solve the problem.

[hcforj]

Did switching to a full face mask eliminate the air pressure problem on your eyes?

[hcforj]

Did switching to a full face mask eliminate the air pressure problem on your eyes?

[janetsaunders]

i have the same problem. find a reconstructive eye surgeon and ask them to contact Robert B Scott Ocularists Ltd. after 7 years of dealing with this, a new dr i went to found a solution. a plug that you insert at night and remove in the morning. amazing! good luck

[chunkyfrog]

This thread was started in 2009.
The total face mask is likely the best and cheapest solution.
P/R now has 2 styles.

[jencat824]

Not to add a lot to an old thread, but if anyone is trying to solve this, I think nasal pillows should be the answer, since they won't blow anything in the eyes.
Jen

[chunkyfrog]

Jen, I believe the tubes are a substitute for damaged nasolachrymal ducts, and appear to be providing a conduit for nasal air
to go under closed eyelids, Nasal pillows may not help, unless the air is NOT going through the Jones tubes.
I would question the accuracy/quality of the procedure, and hope medicine has come a ways in the 4 years since this thread was born.
If not, the total face mask has been suggested before for the rare instances when air passes backward through the duct,
exiting the puncta, and thence under the lid. (just my guess--I'm not a doctor, and I couldn't find that motel to save my life)
Equal air pressure on the entire face would stop this, much like a full face mask stops "chipmunk cheeks".

[archangle]

Not to add a lot to an old thread, but if anyone is trying to solve this, I think nasal pillows should be the answer, since they won't blow anything in the eyes.
Jen

I hate to post to an old thread, too, but a nasal pillow mask won't help because the pressure is leaking from the nasal passages directly into the eye through the nasolacrimal duct that runs from your eye socket to your nose to drain out tears.

A FFM, nasal mask, or nasal pillow mask won't help.

A total face mask might help because it pressurizes both the eyes and the nasal passages to the same pressure.

The Oracle oral mask might help because, once you learn to use it right, your nasal passages aren't pressurized at all. They can be uncomfortable to use. I never could get used to the dryness and feeling of not nose breathing.

[williemyers]

if there's anyone out there still reading this thread, I'm having the exact problems described above. I've ordered a F&P Oracle Oral to give that a try, as my full-face F&P Simplex is keeping me up all night! But here's a question, while I wait on arrival of the Oracle Oral.....using the full-face last night, I thought, " well, if I block the nasal passages with a tissue, and just continue to breath through my mouth, perhaps that'll solve it...". It didn't. ..... I still got air blowing pu through the Jones tube. anyw thoughts?

[archangle]

if there's anyone out there still reading this thread, I'm having the exact problems described above. I've ordered a F&P Oracle Oral to give that a try, as my full-face F&P Simplex is keeping me up all night! But here's a question, while I wait on arrival of the Oracle Oral.....using the full-face last night, I thought, " well, if I block the nasal passages with a tissue, and just continue to breath through my mouth, perhaps that'll solve it...". It didn't. ..... I still got air blowing pu through the Jones tube. anyw thoughts?

Unless your nostrils are uncovered and unplugged, air pressure in your mouth and lungs will go up your nose, inflate your nasal cavity and leak out of your Jones tube.

With the Oracle mask, you do have to train yourself to use it without the nose plugs or a nose clip in order to get the benefit for nasolacrimal duct/Jones tube problems. I could do it, but I'm not sure everyone can learn.