air blowing in eyes

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
bitaglitz
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Joined: Fri Jul 03, 2015 1:15 am

air blowing in eyes

Post by bitaglitz » Fri Jul 03, 2015 1:39 am

Novice, here. Have had CPAP for a month now. Just upgraded my face mask from a 'For Her Small Airlift face mask to a Simplus Small mask. The Simplus is worse than the first one, but both blow air into my eyes and it is like a dripping faucet...I was on the verge of panic tonight and had to rip the mask off. No matter how tight I adjust the straps, when I lay on my side, the air from the venting blows into my eyes. And both masks also will leak teeny tiny streams of air from the top point of the face mask into my eyes, too No matter how tight I adjust the head and chin straps, certain side positions shoot out air. With this new mask, the air inside the mask is warm and made me claustrophobic. I have adjusted the hose temp down to 68 and it was still too warm. I am embarrassed to have to call the CPAP rep and tell him the second mask is worse than the first. What to do? The only solution I can think of is to wear a cloth eye mask under the face mask, which is a real nuisance. Has anyone had this trouble? I did try to cut off the upper air flow from the air venting by placing scotch tape over the outer lines of vents. It did not help, it only made the air inside the mask that much thicker and warmer. The claustrophobia reaction was a first and it caught me off guard. It was equal to being put headfirst into a bucket of water! "Get me out....now!" Any suggestions before I chuck the whole thing? I'm whining big time!

bitaglitz

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MarylandCPAPer
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Re: air blowing in eyes

Post by MarylandCPAPer » Fri Jul 03, 2015 2:03 am

First off, don't cover the area out of which the air is blowing. I am assuming this is the expiration port on your mask. When you breathe out, the old air you breathe goes out the expiration port. You do not want to be rebreathing that air. It is normal that you will feel air blowing our of the expiration port. That is not leakage.

Different masks vent air in different directions. Since the 2 masks you have tried vent air toward your eyes and that bothers you, tell the DME you need a mask that vents air differently. I had a sleep study a few weeks ago and they tried out a Wisp nasal mask one me that blew air in my eyes. I have dry eyes anyway, so I was not happy with that mask. Make sure you don't get that one. . It is the first one I have used that blew air toward my eyes.

If you are experiencing moisture dripping from the mask, that is likely "rainout." Try putting the CPAP machine lower than the bottom of your mattress. That may help. Also, adjusting the humidity setting and room temp may help. I haven't had a problem with rainout for years, but that needs to be remedied too for you to have successful CPAP therapy.

I have used an Airfit P10 nasal pillows mask for the last 1.5 years. I do not experience air blowing in my eyes. The expiration vents on mine seem to me to blow out less air than I was used to with other masks I've tried, and they blow air out straight ahead, not toward the eyes. That might be worth trying. They have a "For Her" model and standard model. The For Her version has Xmall nasal pillows, along with Small and Medium, and is pink. The standard version comes with Small, Medium and Large nasal pillows.

The mask should be returnable within 30 days. The DME should give let you try out various masks. Finding the right mask is probably the hardest part of starting treatment. I always go to the DME's office when I need a new mask, so I can see and try a variety of masks. If the DME comes to your house, you are stuck with what they bring with them.

Good luck in finding a mask that works. Do you still have the first mask that you used for a month? If so, I would switch back to using that one until you can get a new one from the DME, which should be ASAP.

It would be helpful if you would fill in the Equipment section in the User Control Panel, Profile, Equipment section. The more information you provide on the type of machine and mask you are using, the more likely someone can figure out what may help you.

Relax and breathe and do what you have to do to get rid of that claustrophobic feeling. That is not what CPAP therapy should feel like. I'm sorry you're having such a bad time tonight.

_________________
Mask: AirFit™ P10 For Her Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: Have also used Opus 360, Swift LT for Her, Optilife, and Breeze Nasal Pillows masks.
Last edited by MarylandCPAPer on Fri Jul 03, 2015 2:42 am, edited 1 time in total.
Started CPAP 12/18/09 Pressure 13. Changed to APAP 1/18/10, Pressure 10-16. 4/2014:Switched to AirFit P10 mask. PR System One REMstar Auto Series 550 with A-Flex for 5.5 years. 7/2015 to present: AirSense 10 AutoSet FOR HER. Range: 10-20

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Krelvin
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Re: air blowing in eyes

Post by Krelvin » Fri Jul 03, 2015 2:36 am

The vent is to allow the air to vent... otherwise it has nowhere to go. Most masks vent out away from you, either straight out or to the bottom of the mask.. You should never cover those ports.

Air in your eyes... sounds like a mask leak. Did you use the sizing guides for the masks you have tried to make sure you have the right size?

It is possible that the shape of your face makes it hard to get a seal. You might give a mask liner a try. These are typically a cloth like cover that goes over the mask to all a better seal than with just the mask on the skin. Look at http://www.padacheek.com/
Current Settings PS 4.0 over 10.6-18.0 (cmH2O) - Resmed S9 VPAP Auto w/h5i Humidifier - Quattro Air FFM
TNET Sleep Resource Pages - CPAP Machine Database
Put your equip in your Signature - SleepyHead v1.0.0-beta-1
Kevin... alias Krelvin

bitaglitz
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Joined: Fri Jul 03, 2015 1:15 am

Re: air blowing in eyes

Post by bitaglitz » Fri Jul 03, 2015 10:17 am

Thanks for your help. I think the bridge of my nose may be too small for a good mask seal. The cloth liner sounds like an option (or a good wad of chewing gum!) If I had my druthers, I would use the nose mask as that was the most comfortable one thus far. However, to use that I have to also use a chin strap and all the strapping causes a panic attack...even though my adult mind understands the reason for everything on my face, my inner little kid goes ballistic....so no nose mask. Nasal pillows also caused panic. BTW, I have a Resmed unit and the humidity is not a problem.

And, yes, I understood that the scotch tape was a bad idea but my desperation was at an illogical high in my panic, last night. Wow! What one will do in the heat of the night...literally...it was still 80 degrees outside when the moon was up and the sun was hiding!

Hubby and I talked and I will call the CPAP rep and this time I am taking in my whole unit so I can try the sample masks with air running through the hose and mask. Trying them on only for 'fit' and not using air is counterproductive. If all fails, we will look into have a mouth piece made and skip the mask, though those cause cavity problems due to dry mouths. Hubby and son have used mouth guards for years (had them specially made at the local university). Hubby is allegric to the polymers used for the masks, and nose pillows. He has had severe apnea nigh on to 35 years. He even had his soft palette removed to no avail. So, I am familiar with Apnea but when it is yourself, it is a whole new issue, and who knew that a panic issue would transpire?

BTW, it was nice finding this site. Just knowing there are 'pros' available who can answer silly questions was a comfort. Thanks for the support!

JDS74
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Re: air blowing in eyes

Post by JDS74 » Fri Jul 03, 2015 10:48 am

Take a look at my post on the Oracle 452 mask (link in my signature block).
This might be a solution to your claustrophobia issues and mask leaks.

It will be helpful to use a soft cervical collar if you can tolerate it. If your pressures are below 12 cmH2O or so, the head gear on this mask is not needed at all. For a long time I dudn't use it even tho my pressures got up to 19 cmH2O.
Extra humidity will likely be needed as well.

_________________
Mask: Oracle HC452 Oral CPAP Mask
Humidifier: DreamStation Heated Humidifier
Additional Comments: EverFlo Q 3.0 Liters O2 PR DSX900 ASV
Oracle 452 Lessons Learned Updated
DSX900 AutoSV with HC150 extra humidifier and Hibernite heated hose
Settings: EPAP Min-10.0, EPAP Max-17, PS Min-3, PS Max-10, Max Pressure-20, Rate-Auto, Biflex-1.
Sleepyhead and Encore Pro 2.21.

tedburnsIII
Posts: 354
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Location: San Diego

Re: air blowing in eyes

Post by tedburnsIII » Fri Jul 03, 2015 12:57 pm

MarylandCPAPer wrote:
...
Different masks vent air in different directions. Since the 2 masks you have tried vent air toward your eyes and that bothers you, tell the DME you need a mask that vents air differently. I had a sleep study a few weeks ago and they tried out a Wisp nasal mask one me that blew air in my eyes. I have dry eyes anyway, so I was not happy with that mask. Make sure you don't get that one. . It is the first one I have used that blew air toward my eyes.

I use the Wisp and if one adjusts the hose orientation the air blowing into one's eyes can be reduced or eliminated. I also wear a pair of eyeglasses with it and that seems to help.

High leaks with my machine are rated at >90 LPM. Currently average 4 LPM. Wisp leaks less than my ResMed FX Nasal and many times I've had ZERO leaks with the Wisp.
Machine - https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmart ... ducts.html
Setting: APAP, 10.5-14cm
Software: Proprietary
Mask- PR Wisp nasal (large); ResMed FX Nasal (wide);
Oximeter: CMS50D+

bill-e
Posts: 152
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Location: New Hampshire

Re: air blowing in eyes

Post by bill-e » Fri Jul 03, 2015 9:23 pm

I find that with my mask, I have to wash the cushion it with soap at least every other day so that it "sticks" and seals to my face. If I don't the oil in my skin causes the seal to break and I get air in my eyes.

_________________
Mask: Eson™ Nasal CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: Human Design Medical Z1 Auto with HME's for travel, setting 14-20 no ramp

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MarylandCPAPer
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Re: air blowing in eyes

Post by MarylandCPAPer » Fri Jul 03, 2015 9:32 pm

tedburnsIII wrote:
MarylandCPAPer wrote:
...
Different masks vent air in different directions. Since the 2 masks you have tried vent air toward your eyes and that bothers you, tell the DME you need a mask that vents air differently. I had a sleep study a few weeks ago and they tried out a Wisp nasal mask one me that blew air in my eyes. I have dry eyes anyway, so I was not happy with that mask. Make sure you don't get that one. . It is the first one I have used that blew air toward my eyes.
I use the Wisp and if one adjusts the hose orientation the air blowing into one's eyes can be reduced or eliminated. I also wear a pair of eyeglasses with it and that seems to help.

High leaks with my machine are rated at >90 LPM. Currently average 4 LPM. Wisp leaks less than my ResMed FX Nasal and many times I've had ZERO leaks with the Wisp.
Just out of curiosity, do you SLEEP with eyeglasses on?? Why? I know I'd break mine with all my changes of position and doubt I would ever get to sleep with eyeglasses on. I am not going to use the Wisp mask, but am glad to hear there is a way of changing it so it doesn't blow air into the eyes. For what it's worth, my DME said this week that the Wisp is THE WORST MASK EVER. I slept with it for 2 hours during a sleep study, then developed chest pains I've never had before and yelled to get the mask off me. I've used nasal pillows masks for the last 5.5 years and this was my first encounter with a nasal mask.

Mask preferences vary, every mask probably works for some people, and if the Wisp works well for you, I am very happy to hear it.

_________________
Mask: AirFit™ P10 For Her Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: Have also used Opus 360, Swift LT for Her, Optilife, and Breeze Nasal Pillows masks.
Started CPAP 12/18/09 Pressure 13. Changed to APAP 1/18/10, Pressure 10-16. 4/2014:Switched to AirFit P10 mask. PR System One REMstar Auto Series 550 with A-Flex for 5.5 years. 7/2015 to present: AirSense 10 AutoSet FOR HER. Range: 10-20

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Krelvin
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Re: air blowing in eyes

Post by Krelvin » Fri Jul 03, 2015 9:39 pm

MarylandCPAPer wrote:For what it's worth, my DME said this week that the Wisp is THE WORST MASK EVER.
DME's are not a very good source of information unfortunately for a variety of reasons. Lack of training, misinformation, intentional incorrect information, misunderstanding... If a DME says it is night time, you look out the window to check.

What works for some doesn't for others which is why there is such a huge number of different masks. They are also quite profitable to sell especially when DME's have their own rules on what can be returned etc.. and some don't even a lot of masks because it costs them money to do so and there is no incentive for them to do it.
Current Settings PS 4.0 over 10.6-18.0 (cmH2O) - Resmed S9 VPAP Auto w/h5i Humidifier - Quattro Air FFM
TNET Sleep Resource Pages - CPAP Machine Database
Put your equip in your Signature - SleepyHead v1.0.0-beta-1
Kevin... alias Krelvin

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chunkyfrog
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Re: air blowing in eyes

Post by chunkyfrog » Fri Jul 03, 2015 9:44 pm

I have worn swim goggles with my mask when the leaks could not be stopped at all, due to my itty bitty nose.
I now wear a nasal pillow mask exclusively, and don't need my goggles except to dice fresh onions.

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

tedburnsIII
Posts: 354
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Location: San Diego

Re: air blowing in eyes

Post by tedburnsIII » Fri Jul 03, 2015 10:42 pm

MarylandCPAPer wrote:
tedburnsIII wrote:
MarylandCPAPer wrote:
...
Different masks vent air in different directions. Since the 2 masks you have tried vent air toward your eyes and that bothers you, tell the DME you need a mask that vents air differently. I had a sleep study a few weeks ago and they tried out a Wisp nasal mask one me that blew air in my eyes. I have dry eyes anyway, so I was not happy with that mask. Make sure you don't get that one. . It is the first one I have used that blew air toward my eyes.
I use the Wisp and if one adjusts the hose orientation the air blowing into one's eyes can be reduced or eliminated. I also wear a pair of eyeglasses with it and that seems to help.

High leaks with my machine are rated at >90 LPM. Currently average 4 LPM. Wisp leaks less than my ResMed FX Nasal and many times I've had ZERO leaks with the Wisp.
Just out of curiosity, do you SLEEP with eyeglasses on?? Why? I know I'd break mine with all my changes of position and doubt I would ever get to sleep with eyeglasses on. I am not going to use the Wisp mask, but am glad to hear there is a way of changing it so it doesn't blow air into the eyes. For what it's worth, my DME said this week that the Wisp is THE WORST MASK EVER. I slept with it for 2 hours during a sleep study, then developed chest pains I've never had before and yelled to get the mask off me. I've used nasal pillows masks for the last 5.5 years and this was my first encounter with a nasal mask.

Mask preferences vary, every mask probably works for some people, and if the Wisp works well for you, I am very happy to hear it.
What your DME had to say is one employee of the DME's opinion, and may be based in part on profit motive, I really don't know or care.

I almost always sleep with glasses on, my frames are solid and plastic, the lenses are plastic, I make it a point not to wear a less than sturdy pair. I don't move around much to my knowledge, and always were a chin strap, sometimes stick in a cheap anti-snore device I purchased on Ebay, or a Nightguard, with a preference for the former. I also tape my mouth shut with 2" wide Micropore Surgical tape, which is my preference over Gorilla tape or painter's tape, both of which I've used in the past. My AHI's are usually less than 0.5, many times 0.2, even 0.0.

I'd venture to guess that your chest pain was likely due to some anxiety/panic attack that you experienced- a claustrophobic reaction to it due to unfamiliarity with the whole experience in a hitherto unknown environment.

I like it because leaks are at an absolute minimum and it is ergonomic and I can wear my glasses without difficulty, unlike the Resmed FX Nasal mask, which I also use, but less so now.
Last edited by tedburnsIII on Fri Jul 03, 2015 10:50 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Machine - https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmart ... ducts.html
Setting: APAP, 10.5-14cm
Software: Proprietary
Mask- PR Wisp nasal (large); ResMed FX Nasal (wide);
Oximeter: CMS50D+

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MarylandCPAPer
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Re: air blowing in eyes

Post by MarylandCPAPer » Fri Jul 03, 2015 10:47 pm

I was not implying that the Wisp would case chest pains for anybody else but me. This is my 4th sleep study since 2009, the second at the same facility (in 2 nights), so I can't attribute it to anxiety in an unfamiliar situation.

Everyone's treatment needs are different. I'm glad you've found a set-up that works for you.

_________________
Mask: AirFit™ P10 For Her Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: Have also used Opus 360, Swift LT for Her, Optilife, and Breeze Nasal Pillows masks.
Started CPAP 12/18/09 Pressure 13. Changed to APAP 1/18/10, Pressure 10-16. 4/2014:Switched to AirFit P10 mask. PR System One REMstar Auto Series 550 with A-Flex for 5.5 years. 7/2015 to present: AirSense 10 AutoSet FOR HER. Range: 10-20

tedburnsIII
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Re: air blowing in eyes

Post by tedburnsIII » Fri Jul 03, 2015 10:54 pm

I see, but you were not used to the mask, and that may have thrown you off, whether conscious or unconscious.

In any event, it appears quite a few people on the forums seem to use it.

Hope that you are pleased with your current choice of mask.

Cheers,
Machine - https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmart ... ducts.html
Setting: APAP, 10.5-14cm
Software: Proprietary
Mask- PR Wisp nasal (large); ResMed FX Nasal (wide);
Oximeter: CMS50D+

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MarylandCPAPer
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Re: air blowing in eyes

Post by MarylandCPAPer » Fri Jul 03, 2015 11:07 pm

Yes, I love the Airfit P10 Nasal Pillows mask. No taping, air blows straight ahead, not toward the eyes or anyone else, just put on the mask, attach the nasal pillows and start breathing and go to sleep. Cheers!

_________________
Mask: AirFit™ P10 For Her Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: Have also used Opus 360, Swift LT for Her, Optilife, and Breeze Nasal Pillows masks.
Started CPAP 12/18/09 Pressure 13. Changed to APAP 1/18/10, Pressure 10-16. 4/2014:Switched to AirFit P10 mask. PR System One REMstar Auto Series 550 with A-Flex for 5.5 years. 7/2015 to present: AirSense 10 AutoSet FOR HER. Range: 10-20