I am a professional musician, and a real estate investor. The music is my main interest.

Yeah, I really should have added a few more criss-crosses in blue, orange, purple, and puce (whatever the heck THAT is... lol!!)

Indeed you should have. The more straps and connectors, the more we all look like Darth Vader.

This is extremely typical. A small bandage or moleskin can help, if it doesn't interfere with the fit of the mask and make it leak (depends on your face contour and ability to have a spot covered on your nose). You will get used to the irritation, and learn to live with it like most of us have over ...

Fact: The United States is the ONLY representative republic (No, we don't live in a Democracy, we elect representatives, so it is a Constitutional Representative Republic) that does not have universal health care. Our health care costs are the highest in the entire civilized world, as Insurance comp...

oh right, of course. it's where the edge of the mask is along the side of my face. There are two possible ways to go--pre and post cpap treatment. If you want to treat it after it happens, 1% Cortisone and Aloe cream works well. DO NOT put this on when you are going to wear the mask, but use it aft...

Julie wrote: Blackspinner - that was a gratuitous and utterly tasteless comment! This woman is trying to get help and I don't think your remark is going to do that at all. She's obviously well aware of the problems. But it is the reality. And she needs to face it. One can't change someone no mater ...

Does increased use of Nasacort count?

Does the mask come into contact with the portion of the face that is irritated and swollen? It could be mask rash, from it pressing on the specific area.

The headaches could also be caused by mask pressure against sinus cavities. During my years of Cpap therapy, I've found that if there is any nasal/sinus congestion during the course of Cpap use, the mask can make sinusitis worse. Just another thing to consider--if you do get a cold, it is something ...

Rested, I really don't think there are enough straps in that picture..LOLOL <attempt at humor by fellow Cpap person who's done the strap thing over the years>

Not to sidetrack this discussion, but do you mean only for titration? There are valid reasons that CPAP provides better "regular" therapy. That's why many of us run our APAPs in CPAP mode, and self-titrate in APAP only occasionally. I ask because I've never heard of a Dr claiming APAP was inferior ...

11 Years now since diagnosed with OSA, as a result of sleep study. Went from falling asleep at work, and being able to manage approximately 10 minutes in front of the TV, to being NORMAL in my life activities. My blood pressure is down, as a result of therapy and meds, and quality of sleep is actual...

I think a lot of the mask use questions point to comfort and ability to provide proper therapy. Some folks need a more restrictive mask over the nose to get accurate therapy, without leaks. Others do well with nasal pillows. Some need full face masks to cover nose and mouth--the whole thing is very ...

Congrats--glad it is working for you. While I am new to this board, I am far from new to OSA. I've tried a number of masks, and recently have gone back to the nasal pillow. What a revelation in terms of comfort, versus the "permanently red" area around the nose.

Sometimes the doctor or the services provider can be the worst person to make decisions for the patient. They often fight new trends in treatment (e.g. Doctors who don't believe autocpaps work as well as fixed titrate machines), and health care providers who dump equipment on a patient, and provide ...