About to get started ...again

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
gawnfishin
Posts: 3
Joined: Mon Dec 15, 2014 5:00 pm
Location: Louisiana

About to get started ...again

Post by gawnfishin » Mon Dec 15, 2014 5:32 pm

Years ago (about 15) I was on CPAP and had a miserable experience with the entire process. The machine was loud, mask was bulky, and obtrusive, DME was horrible, and I was also alot less tolerant. Now I am trying it again. I did the sleep study and returned for the titration setting study also. I have a few questions since it is obvious that things have changed since I last attempted CPAP. The diagnostic center was very helpful and informative. I tried on several masks and settled on sleeping with the Airsense P10. I tried the different size pillows and finally used the small ones. It seemed to work fine in that it was much smaller than what I used years ago, however my nostrils were a bit sore from having the mask pressed against them all night. It did not cause any type of skin irritation or rubbing discomfort at all just the soreness. There were no leaks, and I did not breath through my mouth. In fact, the next day I felt very rested, energized and in a great mood all day. This was a feeling I have not experienced fro a great while. I barely tossed and turned and was told that I did not snore once. The tech said that when using a nasal pillow type mask at first that this soreness is common and will go away in a short time. Is this true or should I look into a different mask? Also, If I use an internet dme like CPAP.com, when exchanging a mask, what do I do while waiting on shipping lead times? Will they allow me to keep the old one while until the new one is received?

-gawnfishin

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kaiasgram
Posts: 3568
Joined: Sat Jun 02, 2012 2:08 pm
Location: Northern California

Re: About to get started ...again

Post by kaiasgram » Mon Dec 15, 2014 5:41 pm

As long as you don't have the mask tightened too much the soreness should be temporary. As far as mask returns with cpap.com, you normally have 30 days to return a mask (assuming you purchased the return insurance for that mask). So if you don't want to be without a mask, order the next one before the 30-day return deadline is up on the one you want to return. Cpap.com does not restrict how often you can purchase a new mask.

_________________
Machine: AirSense 10 AutoSet with Heated Humidifer + Aifit N30i Nasal Mask Bundle
Mask: Aloha Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: SleepyHead-now-OSCAR software on Mac OSX Ventura

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Pugsy
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Joined: Thu May 14, 2009 9:31 am
Location: Missouri, USA

Re: About to get started ...again

Post by Pugsy » Mon Dec 15, 2014 5:44 pm

Yes, a little bit of nostril tenderness is probably fairly common. The nostril area is pretty much virgin territory and never had anything worn up against it. Not as bad as new shoes but sort of same idea..going barefoot to wearing shoes.
Changing the size of the nasal pillow may or may not help but wouldn't hurt to try.

Lansinoh lanolin ointment/cream (found in the baby aisle of most stores because breastfeeding mom's use it) will help a lot with the minor tenderness. Just a little bit rubbed around the nostrils and just inside right before you put the mask on.
Small tube, a little pricey but it will last forever because you use such a tiny amount and you may even get to the point where it isn't even needed.

I also am currently using the P10...that headgear can be a little snug for some people initially. I had used a nasal pillow mask for over 4 years when I got my P10 and the headgear was just a little snug and I had a little bit of initial nostril discomfort...sort of like I ran my face into someone's fist but it went away in just 3 or 4 days as the headgear loosened up a bit.
Should it be too horribly painful after a week or two there are other nasal pillow masks that are probably just as good but have headgear that can be adjusted a little more than the one size fits all P10 headgear.

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Machine: AirCurve™ 10 VAuto BiLevel Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Additional Comments: Mask Bleep Eclipse https://bleepsleep.com/the-eclipse/
Last edited by Pugsy on Mon Dec 15, 2014 8:21 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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englandsf
Posts: 1016
Joined: Thu Jul 10, 2014 6:17 pm
Location: Austin TX

Re: About to get started ...again

Post by englandsf » Mon Dec 15, 2014 8:12 pm

Try larger size pillows.

_________________
Mask: AirFit™ P10 Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control
Additional Comments: Sleepyhead SW. NeilMed and Alkalol Nasal rinses. Veramyst. AutoPAP 11-20 cms. Started June '14, untreated AHI 31-38, with PAP around 1.

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chunkyfrog
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Joined: Mon Jul 12, 2010 5:10 pm
Location: Nebraska--I am sworn to keep the secret of this paradise.

Re: About to get started ...again

Post by chunkyfrog » Mon Dec 15, 2014 8:27 pm

Since the P10's headgear loosens with wear and tightens back up when washed, why not try the wool sweater trick?
Massage a small amount of hair conditioner into the fabric while gently pulling it.
This technique can sometimes save a wool sweater that was accidentally shrunk in the wash,
the same way it can relax the fibers of the headgear.

_________________
Mask: AirFit™ P10 For Her Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: Airsense 10 Autoset for Her

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archangle
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Re: About to get started ...again

Post by archangle » Tue Dec 16, 2014 11:08 pm

Welcome.

Read the links in my signature line to avoid getting screwed with the wrong machine. Even among a particular type like ResMed AirSense 10, there are good models and bad models.

BTW, it's "AirFit P10," I think.

_________________
Mask: Swift™ FX Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control
Additional Comments: Also SleepyHead, PRS1 Auto, Respironics Auto M series, Legacy Auto, and Legacy Plus
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