new user would like some help

anniep · Post by **anniep** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 5:05 pm

I have had my cpap machine for a week. So far I have had two issues with the "pillow" of my mask. First, my right nostril got irritated by the pillow. I had trouble falling asleep because of the discomfort. I put vitamin E oil on the nares and over a few days it seems to have toughened up my nostril. Now the left nostril is bothering me. Second problem, I am only able to tolerate the mask half the night because I am awakened by a splash of water coming through the mask waking me up. I take the mask off and don't feel like putting it back on. I have tried positioning the tubing above the bed so it would be difficult for the water to climb that high but that doesn't work. The pressure of the machine is 11 so I guess it will push the water through. Tonight I will let the tubing be lower than the bed to see if that helps.
Any suggestions as to help me get use to this machine. I was diagnosed with severe apnea and I know I have to tough it out in order to feel better. I already feel better even only wearing the mask half the night. I appreciate any and all help with these problems. THANKS!

RipVW · Post by **RipVW** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 5:33 pm

Hello & Welcome, anniep! Glad you found this forum--SO much useful info and SO many helpful people here!
If you'd complete your profile listing your equipment and mask, all here will be better able to help.

The water in your mask is "rainout," condensation that builds up when the heated humidifier air is warmer than the room air. You can try turning the heat setting down on your humidifier. If you still have this issue, or if you prefer the higher heat setting, then you'll need to try insulating your hose with a hose cover. When still more is needed, we use a heated hose cover.

Your sore nares are pretty normal when starting out. Try Ayr Gel (available at any drugstoe). Some of us eventually have to switch to a full face mask or to a nasal mask if we cannot tolerate the nasal cushions or prongs.

Good luck!

"You are getting sleepy . . ."

sleepycarol · Post by **sleepycarol** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 5:38 pm

Please register. When you register please fill out your profile with the equipment you are using. This will help us in answering your questions and we won't have to keep asking what machine, what pressure, what mask, etc.

There is a wealth of information under the yellow lightbulb and the red question mark above. Please read up on issues that may be addressed there.

It takes a little time (well sometimes alot of time) to become adjusted to sleeping with a mask on your face blowing air at you at night. You are off to a great start and it will get better with time. Just don't give up.

Our noses tend to get a little irritated and sore in the beginning when using a nasal pillow mask. You didn't say which one you are using, but using some lanolin or Ayr gel will help. If you are using Vitamin E oil, read the label and make sure it doesn't contain mineral oil. Mineral oil and vaseline will break down the silicone making it difficult if not impossible to get a good seal.

Welcome to the forum and know that others have been there too!!

KHENAULT · Post by **KHENAULT** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 7:06 pm

It sounds like the mask isn't working for you. I've heard that all the major mask MFGRs have a 30day return policy. You need to go back to your DME and work with them to find a mask that works.

alnhwrd · Post by **alnhwrd** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 8:19 pm

Ditto to what Rip says, including a nice big Welcome to the Forum! I drape my hose up high so most of the water runs back into the humidifier, otherwise it pools in the loop and starts to burble in the night. Try the things Rip suggested. Successful Cpap is all about solving problems, so keep at it, the rewards are worth it.

kteague · Post by **kteague** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 9:14 pm

Hello and welcome. Some find it helps rainout to sit the machine lower than the bed. For instance, my nightstand has a bottom shelf. You could try turning your humidifier almost all the way down, and ease it up a little each night till the problem develops again. There are heated hoses and hose covers, and you may need to delve into this further if the setting on which you don't get rainout is not comfortable for you.
Kathy

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 10:10 pm

Welcome to the message board, Annie. While there is an element of being tough enough to stick with this treatment when you run into problems...like the "rainout" you described... there are ways to make things a lot more comfortable.

Here's a link to heated hose topics. Check out the "Cheap heated hose" discussion within the links on the page this brings up:

LINKS to discussions about the Aussie heated hose - to prevent rainout
viewtopic.php?t=5305

More links to discussions that might help when you have other problems arise or are thinking about a different mask:

viewtopic/t17435/ALL-LINKS-by-rested-gal.html

Do keep asking questions, too. People here will try to help.

anniep · Post by **anniep** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 6:29 am

Thank you all for your help and support. I put the machine on the floor beside my bed last night and didn't get rained on hardly at all. I am off to the drug store to try to find the Ary gel and I am going to give the nose pillow a few more nights before I try another mask. I put some cotton balls along the portion of the mask that goes on my face and that also helped. I am so thankful to have found this site. I gives me hope that I will be able to be healthy again once I get to deep sleep. What a relief! Thank you, thank you, thank you for responding to my call for help.

new user would like some help

new user would like some help

Rainout