That's very good news, Damac!
By the way, I was once told by a hairdresser that baby shampoo is not recommended for a grownup person's hair, because it's made to be specially drying for the scalp. So if you start feeling the skin of your face too dry ( oh! could that have been the reason for your nose itch?) try using Neutrogena fragrance free facial cleanser - which is what Resmed recommend. It's expensive, but good.
Even the guy in Resmed's "Swift" video uses it.
O.
P.S. I don't know of retractable hoses, but if you use a retractable electric cable, and strap the machine to your waist, you might find it easier to avoid the smells... .
Hello all y'all
_________________
| Mask: AirFit™ P10 Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear |
| Additional Comments: Machine: Resmed AirSense10 for Her with Climateline heated hose ; alternating masks. |
Thank all y'all for the kind words
Update:
I now have a pretty solid routine. First thing in the morning..or what ever part of the day I wake up..I wash my face with regular ol' soap and then..after reminding myself to actually rinse..and not just wipe ths soap off...I rub face dry with towl (to get any bits of skin or stuff that wanna leave, gone) then lotion up my face to make sure it isnt drying out too much.
Trim nose hairs. This is a daily thing..cause I just cant seem to get em all. Still got some flappy booger catchers up in there.
finally, denude any outside nose hairs with an application of sticky tape...and pull.
Then remember to re lotion face..particularly nose.
Prior to bed time:
Wash face and shave. Wash face with baby shampoo and rinse. pat face dry (dont want to get it an excuse to be itchy or irritated this close to sleepy time) lotion up nose so it wont itch quite as much.
Then put on mask, remove mask and scratch nose, replace mask but this time loose enough to be able to fit finger under seal to scratch itchy nose..then refit mask to stop leaks...then remove mask to itch nose ..then refit mask to stop leaks...
then decide to just deal with itchy nose...refuse to focus on how much my nose itches...roll over, attempt to go to sleep.
Get near sleep drop off..then in a rage, rip off mask, rub nose in an almost punishing intensity...calm down, inspect mask for damage...refit maks to face and realize that my nose itches.....
To close with a good thought. I've made it a personal rule that if I lay down, I put the mask on. If I lay down to read, it's with the mask and machine...same for watching tv, same for just a short rest, nap, anything. If I lay on the bed, first thing I do is put on the mask and turn on the machine.
This has provided 2 benifits.
1. I lay down alot less often during the day. I've found I can do alot of things like reading or watching tv while actually sitting up
2. It no longer feels unnatural or "chore like" to put on the mask. It's now just another part of the go to bed routine.
If I can get this itchy nose thing figured out...im in for the win.
I am probably going to have to switch to a nasal pillow or prong type appliance so that i can get a finger onto (not necessarily into ) my nose. I am beginning to suspect it is either blood flow loss from mask preasure or some non-beading condensation on the nose that's the culprit.
If not for the nose thing...I sleep just fine on CPAP now. Havent used Ambien since last post.
Update:
I now have a pretty solid routine. First thing in the morning..or what ever part of the day I wake up..I wash my face with regular ol' soap and then..after reminding myself to actually rinse..and not just wipe ths soap off...I rub face dry with towl (to get any bits of skin or stuff that wanna leave, gone) then lotion up my face to make sure it isnt drying out too much.
Trim nose hairs. This is a daily thing..cause I just cant seem to get em all. Still got some flappy booger catchers up in there.
finally, denude any outside nose hairs with an application of sticky tape...and pull.
Then remember to re lotion face..particularly nose.
Prior to bed time:
Wash face and shave. Wash face with baby shampoo and rinse. pat face dry (dont want to get it an excuse to be itchy or irritated this close to sleepy time) lotion up nose so it wont itch quite as much.
Then put on mask, remove mask and scratch nose, replace mask but this time loose enough to be able to fit finger under seal to scratch itchy nose..then refit mask to stop leaks...then remove mask to itch nose ..then refit mask to stop leaks...
then decide to just deal with itchy nose...refuse to focus on how much my nose itches...roll over, attempt to go to sleep.
Get near sleep drop off..then in a rage, rip off mask, rub nose in an almost punishing intensity...calm down, inspect mask for damage...refit maks to face and realize that my nose itches.....
To close with a good thought. I've made it a personal rule that if I lay down, I put the mask on. If I lay down to read, it's with the mask and machine...same for watching tv, same for just a short rest, nap, anything. If I lay on the bed, first thing I do is put on the mask and turn on the machine.
This has provided 2 benifits.
1. I lay down alot less often during the day. I've found I can do alot of things like reading or watching tv while actually sitting up
2. It no longer feels unnatural or "chore like" to put on the mask. It's now just another part of the go to bed routine.
If I can get this itchy nose thing figured out...im in for the win.
I am probably going to have to switch to a nasal pillow or prong type appliance so that i can get a finger onto (not necessarily into ) my nose. I am beginning to suspect it is either blood flow loss from mask preasure or some non-beading condensation on the nose that's the culprit.
If not for the nose thing...I sleep just fine on CPAP now. Havent used Ambien since last post.
I'm using the Flexifit 431 so this might be specific to this mask and headgear.
I learned last night that the possitioning of the headgear upon the head directly effects the comfort and effectiveness of the mask.
I had been wearing the head gear crown strap on as loose a setting as it would go so that the headgear fit lower on the back of my head. The last of the horizontil cross straps was accross the back of my neck.
That caused the lower mask tension straps to be almost "level" accross the side of my face..and the upper tension straps angled just over my eyebrows.
the mask is a "chin in" mask and I was getting good seals with this setup but since the tension straps were pretty much horizontal to the face then any downward chin preasure was carried by the bridge of my nose.
Last night, just on a "bet" I tried tightening the crown strap and moved the headgear up until the bottom horizontal cross strap was just over the base of my skull and off of my neck.
That setup has the tension straps angled upward enough that the pressure is taken off of the bridge of my nose whenever my chin pushes downward on the mask. It was more comfortable but I also had some issue with leaks around the eye areas.
These leaks could well be due to my trimming the inside of the gasket flaps and the small tears that have started up along the upper edges of the gasket. I've "backstopped" those tears with waterproof surgical tape applied along the inside groove of the gasket. That might be causing enough rigidity so that the gasket can't quite do its thing.
So, as I continue to chase the monkey around my mask I'm finding more and more bits and parts to "wear test".
o: thanks for the headsup on the baby shampoo-skin drying possibility. If that starts happening, I'll definatly switch out to the neutragena.
I learned last night that the possitioning of the headgear upon the head directly effects the comfort and effectiveness of the mask.
I had been wearing the head gear crown strap on as loose a setting as it would go so that the headgear fit lower on the back of my head. The last of the horizontil cross straps was accross the back of my neck.
That caused the lower mask tension straps to be almost "level" accross the side of my face..and the upper tension straps angled just over my eyebrows.
the mask is a "chin in" mask and I was getting good seals with this setup but since the tension straps were pretty much horizontal to the face then any downward chin preasure was carried by the bridge of my nose.
Last night, just on a "bet" I tried tightening the crown strap and moved the headgear up until the bottom horizontal cross strap was just over the base of my skull and off of my neck.
That setup has the tension straps angled upward enough that the pressure is taken off of the bridge of my nose whenever my chin pushes downward on the mask. It was more comfortable but I also had some issue with leaks around the eye areas.
These leaks could well be due to my trimming the inside of the gasket flaps and the small tears that have started up along the upper edges of the gasket. I've "backstopped" those tears with waterproof surgical tape applied along the inside groove of the gasket. That might be causing enough rigidity so that the gasket can't quite do its thing.
So, as I continue to chase the monkey around my mask I'm finding more and more bits and parts to "wear test".
o: thanks for the headsup on the baby shampoo-skin drying possibility. If that starts happening, I'll definatly switch out to the neutragena.
ozij: You were most absolutely correct. The baby shampoo did cause dry skin problems. I found a good deal at the local Costco (bulk wholesale/retail outlet) for the neutragena. 2 bottles for around $9.00 USD. Should last a long time for the money so not too painful.
CPAP stuff. I had read somewhere that running with a humidifier could reduce delivered pressure by 0,3 or some such, so I upped my perscript pressure by 0.5 to 15.5.
This pressure is still comfortable enough so I'll stick with it and see where my AHI goes over the next month or 2.
The only and I mean, only issue still standing between me and 100% compliance is nose itch. I dont mean itches up inside the nose but on the outside of the nares and tip and beside the nose along the cheek and under the nose along the upper lip. I must wake up a bajillion times a night to shove a finger up under my mask to scratch an itch..or remove my mask to rub my face.
I purchased a fitting gage for breeze nasal pillows and a chin strap from CPAP.com today. I'm gonna try switching to the breeze pillow interface. This should let me get at most of the itchy grimlins more easily.
I've had good results from sinus rinsing routine I read of on this forum. My sinus's have never been clearer. I still suspect that I might have a small tear in the cosmic "space time continuim" or maybe a small wormhole exit up inside my sinus's that provides access to an alternate univers comprised exclusively of a clear semi gelatinous snot like material..cause there's no way my own body could make that much gunk without killing me from dehydration :/
Anyhoo, the fight continues, gains and losses, but mostly gains. AHI's have been recorded as low as 3.2 and as high as 30 but there's been mask leak issues and such.
CPAP stuff. I had read somewhere that running with a humidifier could reduce delivered pressure by 0,3 or some such, so I upped my perscript pressure by 0.5 to 15.5.
This pressure is still comfortable enough so I'll stick with it and see where my AHI goes over the next month or 2.
The only and I mean, only issue still standing between me and 100% compliance is nose itch. I dont mean itches up inside the nose but on the outside of the nares and tip and beside the nose along the cheek and under the nose along the upper lip. I must wake up a bajillion times a night to shove a finger up under my mask to scratch an itch..or remove my mask to rub my face.
I purchased a fitting gage for breeze nasal pillows and a chin strap from CPAP.com today. I'm gonna try switching to the breeze pillow interface. This should let me get at most of the itchy grimlins more easily.
I've had good results from sinus rinsing routine I read of on this forum. My sinus's have never been clearer. I still suspect that I might have a small tear in the cosmic "space time continuim" or maybe a small wormhole exit up inside my sinus's that provides access to an alternate univers comprised exclusively of a clear semi gelatinous snot like material..cause there's no way my own body could make that much gunk without killing me from dehydration :/
Anyhoo, the fight continues, gains and losses, but mostly gains. AHI's have been recorded as low as 3.2 and as high as 30 but there's been mask leak issues and such.
here's what works
Apparently the regular anti-itch cream doesn't do the job, (benadryl, calamine, etc.). Those are based on antihistamines. Histamines are released as an immunological response to some kind of antigen, such as what happens with an allergy or a low grade infection. And those can trigger the nerve endings on the end of your nose (or anywhere). And they are the most common sources of itching. That's why benadryl is usually a good choice to stop the itching.
An itch can be a very elusive thing, depending on what the underlying cause is. Time to try something else. Here are two other TYPES of anti-itch strategy:
Anusol HC 1 Hydrocortisone Anti Itch Ointment. (reduces the inflammatory response to whatever is irritating).
If that doesn't work for you, try Anusol Hemorrhoidal Ointment, contains 1% PRAMOXINE. (brute force diminishes the sensitivity of the nerve endings that transmit the "itch" signal).
Nevermind about where these are USUALLY applied, doesn't matter. Ignore the label. Put it where it itches. Only you and I will know the secret. (And the 10,000 or so that read this forum).
(These are all sold over-the-counter, or online at a million places, legally.)
An itch can be a very elusive thing, depending on what the underlying cause is. Time to try something else. Here are two other TYPES of anti-itch strategy:
Anusol HC 1 Hydrocortisone Anti Itch Ointment. (reduces the inflammatory response to whatever is irritating).
If that doesn't work for you, try Anusol Hemorrhoidal Ointment, contains 1% PRAMOXINE. (brute force diminishes the sensitivity of the nerve endings that transmit the "itch" signal).
Nevermind about where these are USUALLY applied, doesn't matter. Ignore the label. Put it where it itches. Only you and I will know the secret. (And the 10,000 or so that read this forum).
(These are all sold over-the-counter, or online at a million places, legally.)
He who dies with the most masks wins.
Thanks
It had never occured to me to try anything topical like that :/
I have always had nose itch probs. Used to rub my nose till it bleed when I was a young pup. I just thought it was yet another part of the curse that is being me lol.
I will grab one each of those you listed here as soon as I can fanagle a ride to the drugstore. I'll update this with what worked for me or didnt work when I can.
v/r
damac100
It had never occured to me to try anything topical like that :/
I have always had nose itch probs. Used to rub my nose till it bleed when I was a young pup. I just thought it was yet another part of the curse that is being me lol.
I will grab one each of those you listed here as soon as I can fanagle a ride to the drugstore. I'll update this with what worked for me or didnt work when I can.
v/r
damac100
-
sapphireskye
- Posts: 121
- Joined: Fri Dec 23, 2005 2:22 pm
- Location: Colorado
- Contact:
Damac
Welcome to the world of masks, problems, CPAPs, and solutions. I hope in time you are able to get this all figured out for yourself as well. Me, I am still in the working on it phase.
Blessings
Chelle
Blessings
Chelle
-
sapphireskye
- Posts: 121
- Joined: Fri Dec 23, 2005 2:22 pm
- Location: Colorado
- Contact:
Rick thanks for the nose itch info
Hey,
I didn't know to try all those different things for my nasal itch problem.
Who would have thought hemmorhoid cream would work. LOL. Guess we learn something new every day
God bless
Chelle
I didn't know to try all those different things for my nasal itch problem.
Who would have thought hemmorhoid cream would work. LOL. Guess we learn something new every day
God bless
Chelle
Damac,
Just curious, is that mucus like secretion that you think is lost in "space continuum" about the size of what would fit in one or two walnut? I know, you said it would dehydrate you, so probably not.... but if so, it's coming from your sphenoid (sp?) sinuses, which are between the back of your eyeballs and your brain, and are about the size of two walnuts. I had sinus surgeries (2) several years back, and one of them was to create an opening between the two sphenoids (like a wall with a window) so my right sphenoid would drain. It drains regularly now, but comes out (sorry folks, this is kinda gross) in a green slimy clump (like a small snail...)
Anyways, keep nasal rinsing, it's the best thing for keeping those sinuses healthy. If stuff is draining as a result of your rinsing, you know you aren't wasting your time.
Take care,
Tash (newgal)
Just curious, is that mucus like secretion that you think is lost in "space continuum" about the size of what would fit in one or two walnut? I know, you said it would dehydrate you, so probably not.... but if so, it's coming from your sphenoid (sp?) sinuses, which are between the back of your eyeballs and your brain, and are about the size of two walnuts. I had sinus surgeries (2) several years back, and one of them was to create an opening between the two sphenoids (like a wall with a window) so my right sphenoid would drain. It drains regularly now, but comes out (sorry folks, this is kinda gross) in a green slimy clump (like a small snail...)
Anyways, keep nasal rinsing, it's the best thing for keeping those sinuses healthy. If stuff is draining as a result of your rinsing, you know you aren't wasting your time.
Take care,
Tash (newgal)
Actually what comes out is clear and more like a thick liquid. What got me to jokingly suggest I might have some extra ordinary access to a source of thick clear goo is that I can rinse my snozzer and get it clear enough to breath, waite a few mins and rinse another load out due to not being able to breath anymore...repeat ad naseum lol.
I dont think I have "sinuses" I think I have a highly effecient snot factory with robot workers and a manager with the drive to be the sole world source of good quality snot.
it is gettng better as I keep up the rinse routine. I can breath well enough, often enough, thru my nose that I notice when I cant now. Not being able to move air through my nose at all used to be the norm.
I have found I get a longer lasting effect from the rinsing when I hold my head up and pour the saline stright down the nostril until water starts to come out the other one and then hold my nose closed, lower my head and shake my head side to side and up and down. I do this about 5 times or so and then hold my head roughly parallell to the sink, turn my head to on side and blow gently through my nose until water and remaining mucus stops flowing, then turn head to other side and do same. That seems to get me cleaner top to bottom inside and keep me clear longer.
I dont think I have "sinuses" I think I have a highly effecient snot factory with robot workers and a manager with the drive to be the sole world source of good quality snot.
it is gettng better as I keep up the rinse routine. I can breath well enough, often enough, thru my nose that I notice when I cant now. Not being able to move air through my nose at all used to be the norm.
I have found I get a longer lasting effect from the rinsing when I hold my head up and pour the saline stright down the nostril until water starts to come out the other one and then hold my nose closed, lower my head and shake my head side to side and up and down. I do this about 5 times or so and then hold my head roughly parallell to the sink, turn my head to on side and blow gently through my nose until water and remaining mucus stops flowing, then turn head to other side and do same. That seems to get me cleaner top to bottom inside and keep me clear longer.