FULL FACE MASK AND OTHER CONCERNS

[JANDJ2]

I have OSA and have a full face mask that hurts my nose and leaves marks. I have tried putting a cotton pad but it comes off and am concerned it could get into the mask and my open mouth !

I am wondering who out there might have a comfortable mask that they can tolerate. I have a new computerized machine that I am trying to get used to.

I have had an older one for over five years and rarely was able to use the cpap machine for long. Not feeling well, insomnia, not falling asleep till sometimes 7 am and need to sleep. I am laid off work since November of 2008.

I have a bad back and suffer from pain also. Any help is appreciated.

Thanks,

JANDJ2

[BleepingBeauty]

I have OSA and have a full face mask that hurts my nose and leaves marks. I have tried putting a cotton pad but it comes off and am concerned it could get into the mask and my open mouth !

If you generally like the mask you're using, loosen the straps a bit and see if that doesn't ease the pain you're feeling. Masks shouldn't hurt. We tend to over-tighten them to stop leaks, but that can make the leaks worse. The mask should fit loosely enough to be comfortable and not leak. Some masks NEED to fit loosely so they can inflate and seal properly when the machine is on.

There are many masks available - full face, nasal, nasal pillows, hybrid (mouth mask plus nasal pillows), nasal cannula masks, even whole-face masks that go around the perimeter of the face. A comfortable mask is the most important hurdle to overcome with CPAP therapy. And since we're all very individual, with individual features, what works for one will not work for another. You have to just experiment with different styles to find what works best for you.

https://www.cpap.com offers return insurance on many of their products. If you buy the insurance, you can return the mask within 30 days if it's not right for you, and get a refund. Most DMEs offer a 30-day return policy, also.

Unfortunately, it's a trial-and-error process for each of us. Good luck with finding what works for you.

[BonnieG]

I have OSA and have a full face mask that hurts my nose and leaves marks. I have tried putting a cotton pad but it comes off and am concerned it could get into the mask and my open mouth !

I am wondering who out there might have a comfortable mask that they can tolerate. I have a new computerized machine that I am trying to get used to.

I have had an older one for over five years and rarely was able to use the cpap machine for long. Not feeling well, insomnia, not falling asleep till sometimes 7 am and need to sleep. I am laid off work since November of 2008.

I have a bad back and suffer from pain also. Any help is appreciated.

Thanks,

JANDJ2

Hi, Welcome to the forum! You didn't list what kind of equipment you are using. I'm new here but here goes. I was using a quattro FF mask & it was hurting the bridge on my nose. I got a "pea" size lump there so I decided to try something else. I have to use a FF mask because of allergies to adhesives & I'm a mouth breather. I got a Liberty FF mask / soft pillows. Seems to be doing the job! I had to get used to the pillows on my nostrils but it beats the pain & lump from the quattro. I know what you mean about back pain. I have rhumetoid arthritis, so I have pain issues also. Just hang in there & keep trying until you find the solution. Good luck!

[JANDJ2]

Thank you for the good replies and information non new masks. Bonnie, I am going to ask the therapist tomorrow if I can try the one you have, hopefully it is available.

I have Respironics Full Face Comfort Gel in a large.

My machine is a Respironics M Series A-Flex.

How do I post what I have and other information? A novice here.

Thanks so much,
JANDJ2

[BonnieG]

I have OSA and have a full face mask that hurts my nose and leaves marks. I have tried putting a cotton pad but it comes off and am concerned it could get into the mask and my open mouth !

I am wondering who out there might have a comfortable mask that they can tolerate. I have a new computerized machine that I am trying to get used to.

I have had an older one for over five years and rarely was able to use the cpap machine for long. Not feeling well, insomnia, not falling asleep till sometimes 7 am and need to sleep. I am laid off work since November of 2008.

I have a bad back and suffer from pain also. Any help is appreciated.

Thanks,

JANDJ2

Hi, Welcome to the forum! You didn't list what kind of equipment you are using. I'm new here but here goes. I was using a quattro FF mask & it was hurting the bridge on my nose. I got a "pea" size lump there so I decided to try something else. I have to use a FF mask because of allergies to adhesives & I'm a mouth breather. I got a Liberty FF mask / soft pillows. Seems to be doing the job! I had to get used to the pillows on my nostrils but it beats the pain & lump from the quattro. I know what you mean about back pain. I have rhumetoid arthritis, so I have pain issues also. Just hang in there & keep trying until you find the solution. I've tried at least 10 or more masks to try to resolve this issue. Good luck!

Hi, If you go to the top of this page, click on control panel, you should go to your account. Click profile, then edit equipment. You can choose an image (like mine) or text (your equipment will be spelled out). Scroll down to find your equipment type and click on them. You can also add comments. Make sure to click to save the change. Hope this helps. It is not unusual to have to try a few masks to find your best fit. Good luck & don't give up!

[BleepingBeauty]

I have Respironics Full Face Comfort Gel in a large.

My machine is a Respironics M Series A-Flex.

How do I post what I have and other information? A novice here.

Thanks so much,
JANDJ2

JANDJ2,

Click on:
User Control Panel link (top left of the page)
Profile
Edit Equipment and choose the equipment you have from the drop-down lists (machine, mask, humidifier, software, etc.).
Allow Others to View? Choose Yes.
How to display equipment? Choose the TEXT option (not images or icons).
In the Additional Comments area, you can list your pressure settings, whether you use a chinstrap or tape your mouth, etc. - any extra info you want the forum to know about your set-up.
Then click on the Submit button.

And yes, welcome to the forum.

[PST]

I have the Resmed Mirage Quattro mask. I've only been using CPAP for a couple of weeks, and I managed to hurt the bridge of my nose at first by tightening the mask too much to try to prevent leaks. However, I quickly found that the upper strap could be left rather loose and the forehead pad adjusted to keep the hard edge of the mask completely away from my nose. The mask uses the pressure from inside to help seal the cushion against the face, and this seems to work especially well at the top. Keeping the lower strap tighter, which I can tolerate without difficulty, helps stop leaks at the cheeks.

The indispensible step for me, however, is washing the mask and my face with soap and water right before I go to bed. Any oil or persperation on my skin or left on the mask cushion from the night before results in leaks. I tried just using wipes on the mask some nights, but all of them left a smell I hated and worked less well than soap and water. I don't like adding one more task to be accomplished every evening, but this works for me. My nose is healing nicely.

[BlackSpinner]

I also use a full face mask.
I make a "gasket" of cotton knit between my face and the mask as my skin reacts to the mask otherwise.

[Catatrina]

I too also use a FF mask mainly Quattro small and I lately have been switching back to Forma FF Medium when the nose gets bothered. I also use Nexcare
Heavy Duty [flexible fabric] bandages the real small one on the bridge of my nose before putting on my mask and it works real well their latex free and
I have had less problems with bridge of my nose. Unfortunately, for me the Quattro mask i can use for couple of days then I need to switch back to a
different mask like the Forma by Fisher & Paykal which is more cushioned [though it leaks towards my chin at times]. I also use Witch Hazel after
I cleanse my face that does help to an extent. I would like to try nasal pillow again but my insurance only allows one mask q 6 months so I am not up
for trying something different until i can afford it and with upcoming surgery to my right elbow end of July, Forma will actually be good since you
can easily release the clip and it comes right off without having to use both hands, I am sure the same is true for Quattro its an easy release. Good luck to
you hang in there, for some of us we just have to keep working at it and keep the faith.

Catatrina

[Komodo]

In addition to my nasal mask, I have a comfortgel FF that gave me the same problem on the bridge of my nose. I put a bandaid on the mask and it worked perfectly after that. No more sore nose!

[Jason S.]

I have the Resmed Mirage Quattro mask. I've only been using CPAP for a couple of weeks, and I managed to hurt the bridge of my nose at first by tightening the mask too much to try to prevent leaks. However, I quickly found that the upper strap could be left rather loose and the forehead pad adjusted to keep the hard edge of the mask completely away from my nose. The mask uses the pressure from inside to help seal the cushion against the face, and this seems to work especially well at the top. Keeping the lower strap tighter, which I can tolerate without difficulty, helps stop leaks at the cheeks.

The indispensible step for me, however, is washing the mask and my face with soap and water right before I go to bed. Any oil or persperation on my skin or left on the mask cushion from the night before results in leaks. I tried just using wipes on the mask some nights, but all of them left a smell I hated and worked less well than soap and water. I don't like adding one more task to be accomplished every evening, but this works for me. My nose is healing nicely.

Ditto what he said.