Sore and Swollen Face

Hello everyone! I am so excited about finding this site! I was diagnosed with OSA in August and received my machine August 21, 2012. During my lab test my oxygen went down to the lower 80 percentile. I was really enthused about the possible results of using my machine as the person that I knew that used one had great results. The doctor and my CPAPnow person said I would feel so much better, have more energy, etc. "I hate this thing!!" I seem to be angry at the world. My face is sore and swollen and my eyes are swollen and red. I have tried 5 masks including the nose pillows (really made nose sore) without good results. The chin strap makes my jaw sore and feels like my jaw is miss aligned. I have jaw clenching issues and I fought the strap. My dry mouth wakes me up because there is nothing to swallow so my leak is from opening my mouth. My first follow up appointment showed too much leakage and to try another mask. I did but went back to my Lady Zest. They discourage a full mask because they say it leaks easier but think that is where I am headed which is fine if it helps. At least the soreness will be less under my nose. Honestly I feel more rested without using the machine???? You have answered many of my questions already, thank you. Does anyone else have swelling and soreness in their face. I use the cloth pieces and a panty liner works great for the forehead. I have tried a band aid across the bridge of my nose and a gel strip that caused too much leakage. I cut a thin spongy material for my nose but again it was more leaks. I am in the "I give up mode" but will not give up hope to find the answers.

Hi
Im sorry your having such a hard time, I feel your pain. Im on day 30 and Im getting total of 3 hours of sleep a night. I also feel like poop all day, I felt better without it. Someone on this board kindly recommended " Lansinoh ointment" for my face as I was having the swollen sore itchy face too. It works a charm and helps with leaks. You can find it in the baby isle Walmart or walgreens ( its actualy for breastfeeding moms who gets sore!!) I was sceptical about it but what a lifesaver it has been for me. You only need to use a little bit. With everything else...Im sorry..Im just as miserable as you are feeling..lol.. I guess we just have to hang in there and hope for the best. If you feel you need to vent about anything I am a good listener. Good Luck
Daisy

It sounds to me like you have your mask wayyyyy too tight if it's leaving your face in that condition.

Did you receive a DVD or instructions on fitting your mask? I haven't used the mask you show on your equipment, but it seems that no matter what mask you use, it's meant to be loose enough to be comfortable, but snug enough to not move a lot during sleep.

It took me quite a while to get used to the mask almost 'floating' on my face, but it was so worth the perseverence!!!

Please don't give up! You will get some great suggestions from the good folk here - some of whom possibly use the same mask as you. Another option is mask liners if you have leak issues.

Most people try dozens of masks before they find something they can live with - even then we are always looking for a better mask.

Cheers,
xena

Have you considered that you may be allergic to the mask? Try switching to a cloth mask or using mask liners.

I love my cloth mask!
I prefer it to my silicone nasal pillows or my ComfortGel full face mask.

It sounds to me as if your masks weren't properly fit and adjusted. Liners like Padacheek liners help, but only AFTER you've been properly fitted and adjusted. For example, nasal pillows should NEVER be so tight that they hurt--if the DME fit them that way they don't know what they are doing. And nasal pillows never go IN the nose (except a little bitty portion of the tip), they rest outside the nose against the nostrils LIGHTLY.

A proper mask fitting should be done laying down in your normal sleeping position, with the machine turned ON, especially for an air cushion mask (rather than a gel cushion mask) or nasal pillows. If you have not been fit this way, chances are that the masks were not properly adjusted for you.

I have hints and tips on fitting air cushion masks (like the FF Quattro) and nasal pillows on my blog. The tips there may help you figure out how to properly adjust the next mask you try.

I think you are right about it being too tight and that is my fault as I tightened it after it was fitted to me. I loosened it some but will do more tonight. I kept thinking it needed to be tighter to stay in place. I don't have any trouble with the air pressure but just skin to mask issues. Glad to hear I am not the only one that has trouble. Sorry that anyone does though. Thanks for replying... God Bless

Sounds like you need to switch from the nasal mask and try a FF mask that will deal with your mouth leaks and pressure points. Spread the mask pressure over more surface area instead of just your nose.

Has your DME let you try a Mirage Quattro or a Quattro FX? Both have extremely comfortable, flexible cushion designs, and for me, have had the best seals of all the FF masks I have tried -- with far less pressure on the bridge of the nose. Compared to other masks I have tried, they will baby your face.

Fitting a mask is not complicated -- read the instructions, check You Tube demos, and practice. Loosen the straps evenly, run the mask check setting on the machine (if you have it) and tighten just until the air stops leaking. Small leaks are ok. Just don't overtighten the headgear. That makes things even worse -- which you seem to have figured out.

Good luck!

I am near to tears. I've tried many masks. They leave my face red and swollen with dents where I lie in the straps. It's not too tight . I look ten years older. I look like I've been in the boxing ring. The swelling stretches my skin and now wrinkles when it goes back to normal. I'm angry from lack of sleep and miserable when I look in the mirror. Us it worth it?

I know what you mean. I've been fighting this crap for nearly a year now. I sleep much better without it but I had an ablation for Afib and I don't want to screw it up so I suffer through this thing. The only thing I can tolerate somewhat is the nasal pillow. I went thru many mask. Tried making liners etc... Nothing works. My face gets blistered and cuts and sores from it. I used the band aids too but nothing worked.

I finally settled on the nasal pillow with the chin strap. I'm miserable all night and about 5 am, I rip the SOB off so I can get a couple of decent hours before getting up. It works for some but it's the worst curse ever put on me.

Agonytrish@yahoo.co.uk wrote:I am near to tears. I've tried many masks. They leave my face red and swollen with dents where I lie in the straps. It's not too tight . I look ten years older. I look like I've been in the boxing ring. The swelling stretches my skin and now wrinkles when it goes back to normal. I'm angry from lack of sleep and miserable when I look in the mirror. Us it worth it?

Welcome, Agony. Sorry you are having problems.

Sign up for an ID, and list the equipment in your profile and we may be able to help you better. There's link in my signature line below.

How long have you been doing CPAP? What kind of mask do you have? There are a lot of people here who have worked with problems like you have.

If you don't treat your apnea, it will be slowly killing you.

Took me a month to realize the mask works better when the silicone puffs up with air so that the hard part of the mask floats above it. It's like putting snow saucer on a inner tube Before you turn on the air it may seem too loose, but the the air pressure keeps it inflated if the mask is the right size. Also my mask doesn't have a forehead strap and my nose stopped getting red when I I loosened the too straps near my ears and tightened the lower ones near my jaw.
My DME was trying to fit me with the wrong size. I had to go and look up the fitting instructions and tell him what size I really needed.

Look at Padacheek.com - it should take care of 90% of your problem.