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felineperson3 · Post by **felineperson3** » Sun Oct 03, 2004 9:59 pm

I accidently stumbled onto this forum after having a 2 night "sleep study" and being officially diagnosed with sleep apnea. I received my CPAP machine (an auto REMstar with a pass-over type cool humidifier) a week ago tomorrow and am having difficulty adjusting to it. I am tolerant of the machine and tubing, but the nasal cannula is doing a number with my nares, particularly the right side. I am a side sleeper and perhaps this is contributing to the problem since I prefer sleeping most of the night on my right side. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what I might do to alleviate the terrific burning and irritation from the cannula. I tried using the cool air humidifier with it one night, but I had such a drippy nose all the next day (seems like maybe the humidifier put out too much humidity) so I haven't used the humidifier anymore. If I wasn't having this problem, I really feel the machine may be the answer with helping me feel better with better quality sleep. Thanks for any help you might give me.

Paul · Post by **Paul** » Sun Oct 03, 2004 10:16 pm

Adjusting to CPAP takes time - nasal issues are common until you adjust. For the first 2 weeks I had terrible congestion during the day. Humidification is supposed to make the therapy more comfortable so maybe you just didn't give it long enough. Also passover humidification provides less moisture than heated humidification which many people seem to use.

I have been using a mask so I don't know about the pain of the pillow system. Are you able to adjust the angle at which they contact the nose or maybe the size is wrong for you. If you can't get relief speak to the person who prescirbed the CPAP and interface and ask them to change it to something else.

Good luck.

Paul

Yoga · Post by **Yoga** » Sun Oct 03, 2004 11:31 pm

What mask are your using - Nasalaire, Breeze, or what?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Oct 04, 2004 9:54 pm

Thanks for your quick replies, Yoga & Paul. I did contact my provider and he brought a ComfortSelect Nasal Mask with headgear today for me to try instead of using the nasal cannula. He thinks I should try this and not add back the humidifier yet until we have a few days to assess this change to see if the style change helps first. He feels the cannulae fitting into the nose may be irritating the nasal tissue plus the force of the air being aimed at almost direct contact. He indicated the nasal mask would deliver a more even distribution and perhaps this in itself would lessen the irritation. So I'm hoping this will help. Tonight will be my first try with it. He says we can always add the humidification back if this seems to help some, but if we change more than one thing at a time we won't know what's helping or what's making things worse. This sounded logical to me. I'll keep you updated in a day or so and let you know the outcome. Your post, Paul, at least let me know that the nasal issue was not so uncommon as I was thinking I was probably the only one that had encountered this. Thanks for sharing.

felineperson3 · Post by **felineperson3** » Mon Oct 04, 2004 10:01 pm

For some reason my above reply did not show my signature. I'm still new to this so I probably did something wrong even though I had it entered in my profile. I'll see if this one works. Again thanks for your help & info.

felineperson3 · Post by **felineperson3** » Wed Oct 06, 2004 8:53 am

Still trying to find solutions--My nasal congestion seems to have improved already after 2 nights of using nasal mask vs nasal cannula, but now the bridge of my nose is extremely sore from the mask--I'm not sure how to improve the adjustment of the head gear without creating air leaks. Perhaps there is no perfect delivery attachment for the face. If anyone has any suggestions let me know so I can suggest it to my provider. It has to be compatible with my auto REMstar machine. I do like the quietness of the machine and the auto feature with the smart card. Now if I can just find the right attachment for the air delivery I would feel like I was on the home stretch with correcting this sleep apnea problem. Thanks for listening and any info. that you might provide.

Lana · Post by **Lana** » Wed Oct 06, 2004 6:55 pm

Felineperson, I'm only 4 weeks "old" user of cpap and have noticed when my general attitude changed it improved my tolerance for mask leaks. Some nights are just bad from the start, other nights I have no problems. I have decided to just remove musk on a bad night and sleep without it, instead of fusing, cursing I do not see how could we have perfect delivery system, because we do move during the sleep and mask/pillows are not glued (thanks for that) to our skin. One Respiratory Tech from Hospital I work for told me this plainly and directly. Also, I've noticed seal has improved with use of heated humidifier, plastic seams to mold better in wormer environment. I hope this helps from my limitted experience. Good luck.

Paul · Post by **Paul** » Wed Oct 06, 2004 7:44 pm

When I first started using CPAP the bridge of my nose was also sore and tender to touch for about a week - and then I think it just toughened up. You will probably adapt - but if you dont then try something different

felineperson3 · Post by **felineperson3** » Wed Oct 06, 2004 9:22 pm

Thanks Lana & Paul for sharing your experiences with me. For now I'm just going to keep a positive attitude that things will all work out in time for me. Since I've been married for 47 years and raised 4 children, I do know that most things in life are learned and accomplished with a positive attitude and by trial and error plus prayer is always a very integral part of my life. God is good and faithful. I do appreciate this site and am glad I found it so I can learn from all of you as I travel this new path.
Again, thanks, and God bless!!!

Suserbec · Post by **Suserbec** » Thu Oct 07, 2004 5:44 am

Hi,
I am so excited to be talking to women with SP!! I have been on CPAP for about 7 weeks and am 52 years old. It has saved my life! Actually, my wonderful husband did that. It's a long story with many twists and turns but has a happy ending. I feel blessed to have found the root of all my health problems and now I've found some women to talk with!! WOO HOO!!

To feline, the bridge of my nose was sore for about a month but is no longer. I was lucky and only had to try two different masks before finding one that does me well. It's a nasal gel mask. I use a heated humidifier c-flex machine and am doing remarkably well.

Has anyone here had any back problems from this? I've talked with my neurologist and my respiratory therapist about this and they are stumped. My doctor has reassured me that it is not at all related to my lungs. I do have arthritis and disc problems so maybe this is just a new place in my back that is bothering me. Plus, I am a "dead" sleeper now and never move, so maybe that is contributing. I never thought I'd be able to sleep this well again and so many of my health issues are getting resolved.

Praise God!!!
Suserbec

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Mon Oct 18, 2004 11:08 pm

Hi felineperson,

Just wondered if you have been able to find a comfortable mask yet?

My nasal congestion seems to have improved already after 2 nights of using nasal mask vs nasal cannula, but now the bridge of my nose is extremely sore from the mask--I'm not sure how to improve the adjustment of the head gear without creating air leaks. Perhaps there is no perfect delivery attachment for the face. If anyone has any suggestions let me know so I can suggest it to my provider.

Since you mentioned "cannula" rather than "pillows", I'm guessing that the first interface they gave you was perhaps a Nasal Aire or Nasal Aire II. You might want to try a Breeze with nasal pillows - preferably "pillows" that the therapist would probably say are "too large" for you - so that the pillows would sit more outside your nose rather than up inside it the way cannulas go.

If the nasal mask they gave you next is still causing pain on the bridge of your nose, see if you can get them to let you try an Activa nasal mask. If you have an average woman's face with a "normal" size nose (not an unusually prominent bridge), you might want to try the "shallow" size cushion first with the Activa.

You have a good, positive attitude. That will help a lot. But getting the right mask, even if it takes trying several more, will be more than half the battle in getting comfortable with treatment. Good luck and hang in there.

sleepyhead01 · Post by **sleepyhead01** » Tue Oct 19, 2004 7:36 am

Suserbec
Guest

Re: Does CPAP contribute to back problems? I think I can answer that. I have had two spinal cord surgeries for non-malignant spinal cord tumors. Now I have been diagnosed with Sleep Apnea. The machine doesn't agrivate my back. However, I do find that I don't move around as much in my sleep, and I generally sleep through the night. I make it a point if I do wake up to change positions. I sleep on either my left or right side. I was a stomach sleeper before my CPAP. I have been using the machine for two years now. Hope this helps.

jedwin · Post by **jedwin** » Tue Oct 19, 2004 11:55 am

Hi Everyone. I am using CPAP for last one year. Resmed make with a mask. Faced no problem in adjusting with the mask. No soreness on the bridge. Either the mask is good or the nose bridge is very good.....

Never slept I like sleep now......

Good experience overall

I am thankful to God for this.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Tue Oct 19, 2004 12:57 pm

Hi jedwin,

That's so good to hear! I never had any big problems adjusting to this therapy either. So glad it's going well for you. Feeling good makes it all worth it.

Jade · Post by **Jade** » Tue Oct 19, 2004 9:40 pm

I am a nurse that teaches clients in the use of sleep apnea machines and masks. I just discovered this site and think it's great.

I just wanted to comment regarding the irritations that some experience when they first start on CPAP.

Any mask can cause some irritation when its first used. This is usually temporary and as some have stated, the skin toughens enough over a bit of time that it no longer is a problem. One thing that you can do during this time is to purchase some "moleskin" from the pharmacy. It's a felt-like material sold in the area where they have corn pads etc. It can be cut to any shape and one side has a light adhesive which you place toward the skin. This will provide enough relief until you get accustomed to it.

The Breeze mask can also cause some irritation around the nostrils as mentioned by one user. This is usually temporary and I provide a sample of water-based jel to apply to the area just inside the nostril. This is usually enough to ease the discomfort until you get used to it. In time, you will not likely need to continue using the jel. The Breeze mask is a great mask (it has just been redesigned). Most clients that I have had that have tried it, really liked it, but there will always be a few who will not like it. One one mask is universal, but there are enough choices that everyone should be able to find one that works. With CPAP, the mask is the greatest challenge.

Good luck to all those who have shared their experiences.

I hope you don't mind me giving some pointers. I have learned so much from my clients that I know this is a very good resource.

Jade
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