Another newbie-sore nose, questions, rants

[miketech]

Things are getting better- baby steps. Last night I put a bandaid on the bridge of my nose. I also routed my hose over the headboard. Previously, it had been just hanging off the side of the bed, to the machine on the floor. I guess the few ounces of hose weight might have been yanking on the mask too much. So I didn't wake up with a worse sore- its healing. And I didn't wake up during the night from the seal leak "fart sounds" on my face. I did still have occasional leaking air, but I just ignored it and went back to sleep.
I woke up before 6Am, and didn't feel like trying to get more sleep! Not feeling like a zombie.

[Pugsy]

Yes baby steps and small realized goals do add up. Every little bit helps. Every small victory helps us in this battle we wage. Congratulations on yours and they will become more frequent.

[Paul56]

Thanks. I'm really annoyed with the Resp. tech. She didn't want me to touch the knob on the forehead adjustment, but I feel I had to crank it out to get the mask off the bridge of my nose.

Haha, tell her to take a hike... only you will know how your mask is or is not fitting.

Have you tried wearing the mask a little higher on your face. I have the same mask and found early on that solved the nose issue. I wear mine so that the lower lip of the face cushion is only slightly below my lower lip.

If you are already doing that then you may want to either adjust the forehead knob or perhaps try a different size if after adjustments you cannot get this one to work for you.

It is a difficult stage to be at and will require some experimentation to get things right for you. Best of luck.

[Papi56]

Just finished my second week with nose pillow and have managed to sleep through the night about every other night this second week. Have felt like I've been punched in the nose, drowning, claustrophobic and living in a wind tunnel. The hard part is getting the head gear adjusted properly. Right now that is nearly a nightly chore. I've toned the humidity down. A big breakthrough was attaching the hose to the top of the head strap and getting it out of the way. The latest development is soreness around the nostrils. I don't want to be accused of being a coke-head. Any suggestions?

[mermer40]

I use the Quattro mask also...had lots of problems with leaks at first but am finally getting it under control...not perfect but better. Yes, you do have to adjust the knob on the forehead adjustment to fit "your" head. I actually have mine barely resting on my forehead now...the seal inflates and rests lightly on the bridge of my nose without leaking...and, lo, no sore nose!! It has taken me almost three months of trial and error to get this far and I have quite aways to go with other issues.

I found out a looonnngg time ago that it takes a lot of determination to get anything out of life! So hang in there, IF I can do it, you can do it!

P.S. One of the very nice posters on this forum led me to a site where I could print out a template for sizing the Quattro. Found out my medium should be a large!

http://www.resmed.com/us/documents/mira ... mplate.pdf

[DarkSideOfTheMoon]

Oh, I'm so laughing at some of the things in these posts. Mike, when you said I lay in bed thinking "if I just stay like this". Only we understand that so well. I have been saying all week how much I love my CPAP and this morning woke up saying how much I hated it. I have a new mask and CPAP pillow on order.

I am a stomach sleeper and am used to changing positions a lot. I have 6 pillows (regular, boomarang, neck rolls) that are rotated throughout the night to help make me comfortable. I wake up with them scattered about. I got in bed and had to adjust the straps for 15 minutes to avoid leaks. If my head moved at all it would leak. I end up with the straps so tight that my teeth hurt horribly in the morning. My back is killing me and my nose is stuffed. The puffiness on my face takes hours to go down. I am also sad to admit that I am tired just an hour after waking up this morning.

I am completely dedicated though so through trial and error, patience, education, and shelling out lots of cash, I'm sure I'll nail a routine. I can't tell everyone how much I appreciate all of the wisdom and advice on these boards. I have read a lot and that is what gives me hope! I know that I still feel better than I did 8 days ago before I got my CPAP. How lucky we are that we have a disorder that can be managed?!
Cathy