Blister after only 3rd night!

stohje · Post by **stohje** » Mon Oct 24, 2005 4:27 pm

Hi all,

I am new to this whole cpap thing. I just used my cpap for the third night now and am getting a blister on my face to the right side of my nose. I would call my DME people but they were utterly incompetent in getting me the equipment after I was titrated (close to 4 weeks and they brought me the wrong mask and then had to order it, which took another week ), so I would rather not deal with them. Is this simply because the mask is too tight or could I use a bit of Vaseline or similar on the area before I put the mask on?

Overall I actually feel much better and have not fallen asleep at work yet (yes, I'm at work now, 1st day back from a long weekend). I am waking up frequently during the night and thinking, "what is this THING on my face!" so I take the mask off and walk around the house in a stupor for a minute or two and then go back to bed and ramp up over 20 minutes again. How long has it taken some of you to get used to wearing the mask and not waking up multiple times during the night?

Any help with the blister problem would be greatly appreciated

Thanks,
Jeremy

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Mon Oct 24, 2005 4:51 pm

Not sure what would help the blister, but what does help a lot of us is to have more than one type of mask. Rotating masks on occasional nights helps prevent any one mask from pressing on the same area of the face or nostrils night after night.

Gets expensive, I know, but for comfort's sake, rotating to a different mask (like Activa to Swift, or Activa to Breeze) from time to time can help keep things like blisters, tenderness, a sore, etc. from happening.

Good luck!

NeurosurgeryNP · Post by **NeurosurgeryNP** » Mon Oct 24, 2005 6:36 pm

Jeremy,

Don't t ighten the mask so tight to give you the blisters. You should be able to get away with a little looseness with the Ultra Mirage FF - make sure that you review the CD that came with the mask and this will give you clues. I ususally put it on as the blower starts and this creats a loose seal/pillow type of seal that is supposed to be created with this mask. The Resmed Activa is a good alternative to this mask - I use the Activa on regular nights, and the Ultra Mirage FF with nights that I am stuffy ( lot lately with the allergies that have been hprrific this season).
Hope this helps and welcome to the club. ou will feel a world of difference 0 this treatment really does work.
Jen

stohje · Post by **stohje** » Mon Oct 24, 2005 6:48 pm

NeurosurgeryNP wrote:- make sure that you review the CD that came with the mask and this will give you clues. I):

Ah yes, when all else fails read the instructions! I'll check that CD out when I get home tonight. I thought that the Mirage seemed excessively tight. I can't tolerate a nasal mask as I am a dedicated mouth breather, probably because I usually am stuffy at night.

Thanks so much for the advice,
Jeremy

sleepy gal · Post by **sleepy gal** » Mon Oct 24, 2005 6:54 pm

Hi Jeremy, I echo what the others said, but add a little emphasis to putting on the mask while the blower is on....it seals much better and enables you to have the straps a lot looser.

Good luck.

Severeena · Post by **Severeena** » Mon Oct 24, 2005 6:57 pm

Jeremy, the Ultra Mirage is not for everyone. Check out other Full Face Masks at cpap.com

I know the Ultra Mirage Full Face mask if to lose will make obscene noises.

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 2:11 am

Hi Jeremy
In addition to all that excellent advice:
Don't use vaseline - it may harm the masks material. People have reported that Neosporine gave the quick relief.

As for how long it takes: I spent two miserable weeks trying different mask machine pressure combination, and it wasn't till I had a new RT who listened that a new combintaion was found, and I could start real therapy. And then it took some more time for me to feel the effect. It accumulates.

O.

snork1 · Post by **snork1** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 6:14 pm

ozij wrote:Hi Jeremy
In addition to all that excellent advice:
Don't use vaseline - it may harm the masks material. People have reported that Neosporine gave the quick relief.

As for how long it takes: I spent two miserable weeks trying different mask machine pressure combination, and it wasn't till I had a new RT who listened that a new combintaion was found, and I could start real therapy. And then it took some more time for me to feel the effect. It accumulates.

O.

Note that neosporin IS basically "vaseline" with antibiotics added and will do the same damage as vaseline. Make sure you wash the mask well in the morning if you use it.

If you need a lube, use a non-petroleum based lube such as AYR gel or Castor bean oil.

Better yet, fiddle with the mask adjustment or rotate masks.

joey · Post by **joey** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 6:31 pm

They have all given you good advice and you should also try a chin strap to force you to nose breathe. If you have been mouth breathing for years it will take a long time to train yourself to nose breath and CPAP works best when you nose breath even with a full face mask.

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