noob with mask questions

New guy and I have had my machine for 1 week now. My pressures are 20/17 and the sleep clinic sent me home with a Mirage Quattro FX (full face mask). Spent 3 nights with that mask with horrible results. Constant leaking was the main culprit. On day #4 I called the clinic and they told me to come in and talk to a technician. She fitted me with a nasal mask Mirage Activa LT and a chin strap from their clinic supply and told me to give them a try.

Well the results are much better. Sleepyhead confirms my suspicions my AHI with the full face mask was over 12. The worst it has been with the nasal mask is 6 but has steadily declined each night (3.53 last night). Had a 2 hour nap this afternoon with 0 AHI! (went home sick from work with a stomach bug)

My issue is this...

While the nasal mask is working, I am getting the dreaded irritation around the nose. With my pressures set so high, would a pillows mask give me any benefit at all or would the pillows just pop out of my nose? Also is there anything I can do to prevent the irritation (especially around the nostrils). Putting moleskin or medical tape on the bridge of my nose seems to help that issue. I'm just worried about the irritation under my nose.

Hi rolisrgti06,

Welcome to the Forum!

Your experience is just about the opposite of mine. They fitted me with an Activa Nasal mask. After three nights, I had a horrible sore on the bridge of my nose. Yes, I tried the moleskin as well -- then the "T-shirt" mask liner. My DME replaced the mask with a Quattro Full-Face mask. I didn't have the bridge of the nose problem, but did have leaks. So I switched to the Swift LT and Swift FX. Both worked well for me. To eliminate the nasal irritation, I bought some Lansinoh HPA Lanolin at Walgreens. It is a product nursing mothers use for irritation. It worked well. I started having too much leakage and still some nasal irritation, so . . .

I got the Quattro out again and was able to get it properly adjusted, bought a Pad-a-cheek mask liner and have had excellent results ever since. For now, I am sold on the Quattro.

If you haven't read it yet, you should read Taming the mirage Quattro:

https://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/tamin ... e-quattro/

It gives excellent tips. One very basic mistake you might be making is tightening the mask too tightly. Regarding the Nasal Pillows, you may well find, at your pressures, it might be difficult to use the nasal pillow masks. Imo.

As you’ve probably read throughout these forum posts, every person is different, their faces are different and their sleeping habits are different. What works for one might not work for another. Initially resolving the mask issues and finding the mask that works best for you is one of the major hurdles.

As you experiment, keep in mind that you can usually change masks within the first 30 days at no cost to you.

You seem to be using the right approach with you experimentation -- come back with questions! You'll find many here willing to help!

Good luck with your treatment.

There have been some members here that have used the nasal pillow mask with pressures as high as yours and had great success with them. You never know till you try.
There is a mask trial program if you wished to go that route.
Nasal pillows are popular so there may be a bit of a wait for the mask of your choice.
http://www.cpaplibrary.com/mask-trials.html

Use the Lansinoh for the irritation..it works really well. You can use it 24/7 to help with discomfort and speed up healing.

I have used both the Swift LT nasal pillows and the Swift FX and I have seen 18 cm pressure when I was on APAP and the pillows didn't fly across the room . In fact I slept right through those pressures and never knew it got that high until I saw the reports.

While I prefer the Swift FX overall...you might consider the Swift LT as first option because it has the additional firmer side cheek plastic support. Just maybe a little more stable especially for new user at higher pressures.

As you can see, finding the right mask for you... one that doesn't leak and is comfortable is a personal issue and is quite common. Many (including me) went thru several masks until they found theirs. Try on the mask at the DME. Ask them to hook up a display cpap machine that is at your prescribed pressure setting. Move around to see if the mask leaks. If the mask is uncomfortable at the DME, it will be uncomfortable at home. Check with the DME on returning the mask for a different one. Most will allow an exchange within the 30 day limit. Good luck! Know that there is a mask for you out there. You may not have found it yet. Keep trying... it's there.

Sheriff