Infection from mask...plz help?

[debstieb]

Hello,

Thank you for all your help with the many questions I have asked. I have a dilemma. I have to take cpap (remstar auto c-flex w/smartcard) back to kaiser on wednesday, so they can give me a new machine and ONE mask or pillow of my choice. I pay 20%, which is $120. The mask I was using has caused a terrible infection on the bridge of my nose. I have a quarter sized area of inflamation and my eyes are swollen ( The mask is a respironics >no other info on mask)
I did not have it too tight. My problem is that I feel that I breathe more comfortably w/mask compared to the pillows. Resmed is the supplier and there are a couple of masks to choose from and they look like they may not cause the same problems....Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thank You,

Deb

[SelfSeeker]

Hi Deb,

Sorry to hear about your nose and eyes OUCH


20% comes out to $120 dollars for the machine and mask? That sounds like a lot of money. Would the insurance pay for it if going from online. At that price you can get some really good machines.

As for your nose, if you are not allergic start using neosporine complete on your nose to help it heal faster.

Why are your eyes swollen? from air, allergicc to the mask, did you wash the mask well.

Take pictures of your face, eyes and sore on nose. You can not wear any interface near your nose. Since you breathe easier with mask compared to pillows, not sure if that is a nasal mask or ff mask, see if you can get a doctor to write you and RX for the Hybrid, it has pillows, but the air is not in your nose, like nasal pillows because of the space. I used pillows and prongs and the hybrid, you do not get the blast of air.

Is Kaiser the insurance or the DME?

What I did with my insurance, I wrote an email explaining the cost if I bought on line verses a DME equipment name and all. Showed them the difference extra they would be paying, if I went through the DME, they said they would cover the online.

[debstieb]

Resmed is the DME. I am not sure, but I think that is a one time only payment ,and then they give you new ones if updated or broken ( I think). machine only

It seems to be like a pressure sore that ended up infected. I just do not want to get another mask if it is going to do the same thing.

How much do the masks run?


Thanx,

Deb

[ddpelp]

$120.00 for a 20% payment for a machine and mask is cheap I think. The total is only $600.00 am I wrong? I think a new CPAP machine and mask especially from a local DME is far more then 600 bucks

[SelfSeeker]

Deb, start the neosporin, and if the sore/infection looks like it is not healing or spreading see a doctor for antibiotics.

Someone here posted that a sore had Impetigo and needed antibiotics. I was surprised, but after that took sores from masks especially with broken skin seriously.

No matter what you need that to heal and maybe some kind of bandages that do not stick to sores in the mean time.

Oh for prices of anything CPAP related go to https://www.cpap.com

[christinequilts]

The mask I was using has caused a terrible infection on the bridge of my nose. I have a quarter sized area of inflamation and my eyes are swollen ( The mask is a respironics >no other info on mask)
I did not have it too tight. My problem is that I feel that I breathe more comfortably w/mask compared to the pillows. Resmed is the supplier and there are a couple of masks to choose from and they look like they may not cause the same problems

Its not a commonly used mask, but if you really don't like pillow mask, you might want to take a look at the ResMed Vista mask. It goes across your nose much lower, not at the bridge. I would have never considered it, but with my VPAP Adapt, I'm limited to 4 ResMed masks (UMFF, Ultra Mirage nasal, Activa & Vista). Since the Vista is the only one that doesn't use the bridge of my nose as a parking place, it quickly became my favorite of the 4. If I had my choice of any mask, I'd be using my old favorite, ComfortCurve, which goes under your nose only, but isn't a pillow mask.

As for the bridge of your nose, you really need to have a doctor look it at from the sounds of it and not use any mask that puts pressure in that area in the mean time. I rotate between my Vista and Activa to try to avoid pressure irritation, which is hard when I have skin that reacts to too much pressure as if its an allergic reaction.

[debstieb]

Thank you,

It is getting better thanks to the neosporin and not wearing my glasses. My eyes are still pretty swollen, but I think it may be due to the mask being across my sinuses. I will ask about the masks you suggested. ...Thanks again


Deb

[tangents]

I'm new here, and I've never used it, but the ComfortLite 2 comes with 3 different nasal interfaces so that you can pick the 2 most comfortable for you. It sure looks like the simple cushion is like a really small nasal mask, which might sit lower than the bridge of the nose. Like I said, I've never used it, but maybe someone else who has can comment. Hope your eyes and nose heal up really fast! Good luck to you.

[SelfSeeker]

Deb.

Thank you for the update.

I am glad the sore is healing. Keep an eye on it.

Why are your eyes swollen? Irritation or infection?

Please take care of yourself. I wish you the best

Thank you,

It is getting better thanks to the neosporin and not wearing my glasses. My eyes are still pretty swollen, but I think it may be due to the mask being across my sinuses. I will ask about the masks you suggested. ...Thanks again


Deb