Thinking of trying Bleep - should I try old or new Eclipse?

[Peacenana]

I am thinking of trying the Bleep and can't seem to find the newer Eclipse model. Should I wait for that one to become available or try the older version? I have had to temporarily stop cpap because the masks cause nose sore and want to see if I can tolerate the bleep. Thanks.

[ozij]

Way back when, almost 18 years ago, when I started CPAP therapy the nasal pillows caused my nose to become irritated: pink, irritated, painful.
The therapist told me to stop using the mask for 3 nights, to let the irritation heal, and that's what I did. That problem never returned.

The more sensitive your skin the more careful you have to be about helping it build up some kind of resistance.
You have to give your skin relief immediatley when it becomes irritated -- by no longer stimulating that irritated area. Which means, using a mask that touches other places. You don't wait for sores to develop. But, after giving immediate releif, It also means challenging the irritated area after it heals, in order to give it a new trigger to become less sensitive. A bit like breaking in new shoes (back in the day when they were of leather...).

It's not as though you can find a mask that will touch the irritated area gently enough to keep it from becoming worse.
When your skin is irritated its sending you a clear "back off temporarily" message, and you have to respect that message. If you back off temporarily, your skin can build up a protective layer. If you keep irritating it, it won't. This is even more important if you dealing with a real sore that has healed: the new challenge has to be gentle, you have to build the tolerance gradually.
Are your sores treated by professionals? If so, bring along your masks, show them how you use the masks and ask their advice about how to start re-using them.

Look at the Bleep and Eclips videos to get a sense of where the masks touch you. And keep in mind that the frame may touch your upper lip.

[Peacenana]

Dear Ozij,
I so appreciate your kind reply! I have had such a hard time with the sore beneath my nose. For years, I continued to use the beneath the nose mask, which even with cotton balls and other things to try to reduce the pressure, but to no avail. All of this came to a head about two weeks ago, when the sore was so bad that my dermatologist told me I must stay off the mask for two weeks. I go back to him on Monday, and he may decide to biopsy it. But I think it is as you described, a sore that I neglected for far too long. I guess I was so afraid to go without the cpap therapy, and every other mask I tried (believe me I have a bagful of them) failed in one way or the other. So I've been without cpap therapy for seven nights now, and it's definitely taking a toll on me -- daytime drowsiness, etc. Tonight I plan to give the full face mask (the one with the memory foam around the edges) another try. It didn't irritate the under the nose sore when I tried it a week ago, but I kept waking up with it on, in part because of leaks, and I think because I could not adjust to the air flow. I will take your advice and bring the masks with me to the dermatologist to see what he can suggest with regard to re-using them, especially the nasal one that works so well for me.
Thanks so much. I have really been down about this. Any other advice you can offer would be most welcome!

[GrumpyHere]

Just curious as to whether you have tried or considered the cloth SleepWeaver 3D mask.

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/circad ... -cpap-mask

The headgear feels confining but the mask itself is very light on the skin. I use it whenever my nares are irritated by pillow masks.

[Pugsy]

Back to your original question....Bleep original or the Eclipse?
Are you needing/wanting your insurance to pay for the mask or can you pay for it out of pocket and not have insurance involved?

The Eclipse does have an easier connection process but unless you have some dexterity issues with your hands and fingers...the original Bleep does work.

I am worried about the sore under the nose though...depending on where it is and is it healed up or not....the adhesive or frame could potentially rub/irritate the sore.
Now after that sore is totally healed up then using the Bleep/Eclipse could sure help prevent further abrasion to the area.