Stinging nose.

[izza b]

I am new to this treatment and having what I think is an amazing amount of trouble adjusting. My latest problem is waking up after an hour of Bipap and the inside of my nose is burning and sore. Also the back of my throat is really dry and scratchy. With my nose so sore I can't sleep, so I take the equipement of and sleep without.

I have seen other posts that talk about dry throat and it sounds like the cause could be mouth breathing, but I am sure not aware of my mouth being open. I think the reason my nose is sore is that I have a ton of air pushing up my nose. My inspiration pressure is 17. I had my doc check my septum and it is straight. I tried putting ointment in my nose, and cranking my humidity to 5. Still with the burning nose. The only thing I can think to do is ask for the pressure to be decreased, or try a face mask. So far face masks have leaked terribly for me. The nose mask I have now is the first that does not leak and I was so happy to find it.

Has anyone else had this problem and if so how did you resolve it?

[Pugsy]

It is common for people to open their mouth once that fall asleep. They don't realize it. Things just relax. I tend to do it sometimes if I roll over onto my back. Used to do it a lot. Dry mouth, sore throat means you are opening the mouth even if you don't know it. If you don't tolerate a full face mask well, then you have to try to keep mouth shut. I taped for a while and seemed to learn to not open my mouth. Some people get some help with chin straps.

Stinging nose? Humidity maybe? Not enough? Mask placement not quite right? Pillows too far into nose? Too tight?
How far inside the nose? Way deep inside? Likely dry.

[Redrite]

With that amount of pressure you might sugest a FFM. Even if it doesnt't work out you can switch from the nasal if leaks are still a problem. The Flexifit Forma series by fischer paykel has the thickest interface which seals alot better than the Quattro line imo. Try a saline spray just before bedtime and when you wake up. Its inexpensive and soothing.

[jbn3boys]

There has been discussion on this board about running the humidifier of the System One machines in "Classic Mode". This is a setting that allows for greater humidity, and may help if dryness is your problem even with the humidifier set to 5. Here is a link to one of the posts, which will include directions on how to switch to Classic Mode:
viewtopic/t57682/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=51 ... ic#p472275

[robysue]

izza b,

My pressure settings are MUCH, MUCH lower than yours. Back when I was on straight CPAP at 9 cm and APAP at 4--8cm last fall, I did have some real problems with my nose and throat being dry and sore. I still have occasional problems. Most of the time now, I just need to bump the humidifier up from 3 to 4 or from 4 to 5 for a night or two. But in the beginning, that was NOT enough.

In addition to all the self-help tips that you've been given, I'd strongly suggest that you give the sleep doctor's office a call and report the problem to them. Ask to speak with a nurse, a PA, or the doctor and be sure to tell the receptionist that at this point the problem is severe enough that it is forcing you to take the mask off at night in order to return to sleep. That should get their attention and you should get a call back. The nurse, PA, or doctor should be able to give you some additional advice on what might help with the problem.

You clearly need to keep your body well hydrated during the daytime. If you are even slightly dehydrated, that will make things worse. (This has helped me more than anything else---and even now it's the thing I still have to be most careful about. I really have to pay attention to my daily hydration.)

You might also find using a saline nasal spray during the daytime will help. You can get that OTC and use it as many times as you want and for as long as you want without it triggering any form of nasal congestion. (This also helps me.) You might ask your sleep doctor or his nurse or PA about OTC sore throat sprays to see if they would help alleviate some of the dryness and soreness of the back of the throat.

Good luck