Protecting the bridge!

[mdintx]

Since finding this website, I've read more reviews about masks than I care to admit. My journey in CPAP land started with a Comfort Gel nasal which worked great but reddened and irritate the bridge of my nose. So I was switched to a Swift LT which has felt good on my nose but given me less effective results. I've tried a few other nasals with the same results. I feel good but it hurts the bridge. Reading the reviews on cpap.com, this a pretty common problem.

I find it hard to believe that besides making nasal pillow systems, no one has devised a way to protect the bridge while using a nasal. There has to be a way to displace the pressure. I would think that a thin but rigid cover can be taped into place with micropore. I can get a great seal with micropore tape and something thin would be unobtrusive.

Anyone else thought about this? Any ideas for how to make it happen?

[GaryG]

I've been fighting a similar battle as you. I've been thru two full face masks, an Activa LT mask, and now am trying the Swift LT Nasal Pillows. The Nasal pillows didn't work well for me last night, as I was very tired and didn't get the chin strap on right and then I noticed my nose seemed a bit sore anyway.

But for both the Quattro and Comfort Gel face masks, I got a nasty irritation on the bridge, and even with the Activa LT mask, I got a smaller irritiation, but still a similar problem. I really really liked the Activa LT, except for the irritation. I found I didn't need the humidifer for the Activa LT, but found its needed for the Swift LT Nasal Pillows, which is just another hassle.

I tried moleskin padding, but that didn't do anything in relieving the irritation.

So mdintx , you're not alone.

I'm gonna give the Swift LT Nasal Pillows another run tonight, but if there were an answer to the bridge mark/pain, I'd love to hear it.

[WindFlyer]

Unfortunately there's no magic answer to the nose bridge issue (that I know of, anyhow). Every morning I wake up I get some kind of mark on my nose bridge- sometimes it's worse than others- it just depends on how I slept the night before. One possibility might be to tilt the forehead pad to the point where pressure is relieved but then make-up for the loss of seal with poli-grip or something like that. Not the best option, but something- people have used poli-grip to seal their lips shut when they don't want to put tape over their mouth. Keep asking around- someone around here is bound to have more suggestions if not an answer. Keep trying!

[mdintx]

How about taping a piece of carbon fiber or kevlar? What do you all think about that?

[DannyP]

Just was I was dreading to Hear. I have been using the Swift II Nasal Pillows for three yrs now with Sucess I might add But Have the FullLife Mask on order now for a Backup Mask in Case of Congestion. I was wondering if a Band Aid across the nose might solve the Bridge of the Nose soreness--Just a Thought.

[ewl]

I'm using small square band-aids on my nose bridge-- still get some redness, but nothing like before, so they have made my Comfort Gel nasal tolerable for now. I'm going to try a nasal pillow mask this week, though...

[belrad]

I had similar problem with bridge when using Profile Lite mask. After I boiled this mask to fit I had better results. I still had some marks but it wasn't painful and usually these marks go away.
But I didn't use Profile Lite for long (just for about 4 days, I actually just started CPAP, so far 8 days total). I decided to try Mirage Activa LT and it definitely better on my nose. I see marks at the morning, but nothing painful and they gone in an hour without leaving any traces. I prefer Activa LT mask much better over Profile Lite.

Now I want to try Swift LT Nasal Pillow, just arrived today and didn't have chance to really use it. It was interesting to know that this mask helped you with nose but reduced your results. Now I wonder if I will have the same problem.

Anyway, just my 2c.

[mdintx]

I had similar problem with bridge when using Profile Lite mask. After I boiled this mask to fit I had better results. I still had some marks but it wasn't painful and usually these marks go away.
But I didn't use Profile Lite for long (just for about 4 days, I actually just started CPAP, so far 8 days total). I decided to try Mirage Activa LT and it definitely better on my nose. I see marks at the morning, but nothing painful and they gone in an hour without leaving any traces. I prefer Activa LT mask much better over Profile Lite.

Now I want to try Swift LT Nasal Pillow, just arrived today and didn't have chance to really use it. It was interesting to know that this mask helped you with nose but reduced your results. Now I wonder if I will have the same problem.

Anyway, just my 2c.

Well, my numbers are generally good with the Swift LT but I still feel tired and wake up with bags under my eyes. I think I might be a shallow breather and can't exhale against nasal pillows like I can with a nasal mask. My doc has the EPR feature turned off on my machine.

I've found that layering micropore tape eliminates the much of the redness and allows me to have a great seal. But I simply can't take the pressure against the bridge of my nose. The Activa LT seals great. In fact, it sealed without having the straps tight at all. I've tried the Mirage Micro as well. That roughed up the sides of the bridge. Again, I want to relieve the pressure.

You know how some basketball players wear that clear plastic guard? It would be nice to have something like that for the bridge of my nose.

[Pugsy]

I think I might be a shallow breather and can't exhale against nasal pillows like I can with a nasal mask. My doc has the EPR feature turned off on my machine.

Is there a medical reason why EPR is turned off? This is a comfort feature. It might make the nasal pillow exhalation much easier for you.

[bdp522]

Go to http://www.padacheek.com there is a nose bridge pad that will help. You can also PM Padacheek as she is a forum member. She will be sure to help all she can!

Brenda

[steveeas]

experimenting with bandaids as well.

[shooter]

I have been able to tolerate a full face mask only recently since I tried putting a strip of tape on my nose. I loved the swift LT but leaked badly from my mouth. When I taped my mouth the leaks stopped but the blow fish syndrome continued to disturb my sleep. My next move was to try the Hybrid. It worked pretty well but the leak rate was not as good. Finally I settled on the Flexifit HC432 with the small cushion. The leak rate was excellent and my AI was excellent but the pressure on my nose kept me from making it through the night with that mask. Then I tried a strip of the Micropore tape. I'm using the plastic version of the tape. Now I have zero leaks, zero apneas, and zero sore nose bridge. I think I've finally got it figured out after six months and five different masks!

[GaryG]

Go to http://www.padacheek.com there is a nose bridge pad that will help. You can also PM Padacheek as she is a forum member. She will be sure to help all she can!

Brenda

Brenda, I PM'd Padacheek to ask if it would help with Activa LT. Thanks.

[GaryG]

Then I tried a strip of the Micropore tape.

Just went out to CVS and bought some. Will try it tonight.

[BleepingBeauty]

I've just started using the new Respironics FullLife (two nights so far). I cut a strip from a large foam bandaid last night and stuck it to the bridge of my nose for cushioning. It helped a lot with the soreness I experienced after the first night with the mask.

I think it just takes some time (and toughening of the skin over the nose) to get used to this new kind of pressure. At least, I hope that's the case, as I like the mask.