Very new to CPAP and ready to give up...mask uncomfortable

[carolinagirl2001]

I'm very new to CPAP....I've had my machine about 2 weeks, and I'm almost to the point where I just want to give it up. I am really trying to be positive about this and I really want it to help me. I'm a 34 year old mother of 2 small children and I barely have energy through the day to do anything with them.

The problem is I am sleeping worse now than I was before I started. The reason is the mask. It is so uncomfortable. The first night wearing it, it broke my face out badly. And this wasn't just any breakout...sure it wasn't attractive but the bumps it left were very painful. Now anytime I try to wear the mask there, it hurts my skin (I have very sensitive skin).

The second problem is the discomfort it is causing me across the bridge of my nose and under my nose/above my lip (I'm wearing a nasal mask). I toss and turn all night and am constantly trying to adjust it so that it doesn't bother me so much.

I'm going to be calling my DME person tomorrow to see about getting a new mask...she told me I have 30 days to trade it out. I'd really like to get it right next time. Any suggestions for something more comfortable? Or should I just accept that it will not work for me??? BTW, I'm a side sleeper if that makes any difference.

[LSAT]

It would help if you filled in your profile with the equipment you are using.....someone may be able to give you some pointers

[zoocrewphoto]

Welcome to the group! This is a great place to get help adjusting to your treatment. I am 7 months, and this group has helped me so much.

Masks are an individual thing, something that many DMEs do not understand well. You need to try several on, see how they feel on your face. Try them out lying down and see if they feel when you move around. What general type you will use will be based on your breathing and comfort. I am a mouth breather, so I have to use a full face mask. I love the Quattro FX, but I know it isn't for everybody. Some people have trouble sleeping on their side with it. I do not.

Something else that will help is making a liner for your mask. Many people buy liners made by pad-a-cheek. Others make them from a t-shirt. This will protect your skin from the mask. It sounds like you may be allergic to them.

Keep in mind that this treatment is all new and really takes a lot of adjusting to. You won't feel better until you are able to have good nights of sleep. While you are struggling to find the right mask (and the right technique for that mask), you will have some tough nights.

Check out the stuff for newbies. Really check out the topic at the top - dealing with change. And read lots of posts.

Also, register and add your equipment in the profile. If people can see what machine and mask you have, they will be able to offer better advice.

[carolinagirl2001]

Oh, sorry!! Thanks for the tip!

I have the Respironics True Blue Nasal Mask.

[wardmiller]

Many of us also had a difficult time at the beginning. We are all familiar with the irritation of the bridge of the nose, but your skin irritation is unusual. Was the mask in a sealed package when you first saw it? We have heard stories of patients getting used equipment.

First, demand your DME agent finds a mask that suits your particular face. It took me four, before I found one that worked for me. Different styles and sizes make a world of difference. The seal of my mask is removable and I wash it in Ivory soap every morning, then thoroughly rinse it. That might help you. Also, are you using a humidifier? I empty mine every morning to let it air dry and, of course, use distilled water in it for nighttime use.

Second, tell us what brand and size mask you are using, and also what machine. Some here might be able to give you some pointers that will ease the problem a bit.

Finally, they won't shoot you if you lay off the machine for a day or two until your face has had a chance to heal.

Keep us informed. We will be pulling for you.

[stage0]

Ask your DME about the cloth mask by Dreamweaver. It is still a nasal type. The other options are the nasal pillow type (again let our DME show you one) or there are companies that make custom insert for mask that fit between the mask and your skin. I have also heard of some masks that have no headgear, the mask is attatched via a mouth insert.

[BlackSpinner]

Many people have sensitive skin which does not like being sealed under silicone. I don't break out, I look like I am sun burned if I don't use a mask liner.

Our member Pada-cheek makes and sells liners. If your are desperate, make something out of an old t-shirt, a panty liner or a tissue/paper towel.

Do not put cream on your face before you put your mask on, unless you use a liner. Most creams are petroleum based and will degrade your mask.

Masks should not hurt, they should fit and feel like an old comfortable shoe. There are hundreds of types of masks and when you go to your DME to try one on, try it with you full pressure laying down. Put as much effort in mask fitting as you would getting shoes for a marathon.

EDITED to add: One member here was also allergic and found that a layer of milk of magnesia plus a liner made all the difference.

[carolinagirl2001]

Thanks for all of the replies...so helpful!

I think tonight I'll try to make some sort of liner to see if that helps. My DME wasn't much help at my initial appointment, so it's great to have this resource of folks who know what they are talking about!!

[hyperlexis]

I'm very new to CPAP....I've had my machine about 2 weeks, and I'm almost to the point where I just want to give it up. I am really trying to be positive about this and I really want it to help me. I'm a 34 year old mother of 2 small children and I barely have energy through the day to do anything with them.

The problem is I am sleeping worse now than I was before I started. The reason is the mask. It is so uncomfortable. The first night wearing it, it broke my face out badly. And this wasn't just any breakout...sure it wasn't attractive but the bumps it left were very painful. Now anytime I try to wear the mask there, it hurts my skin (I have very sensitive skin).

The second problem is the discomfort it is causing me across the bridge of my nose and under my nose/above my lip (I'm wearing a nasal mask). I toss and turn all night and am constantly trying to adjust it so that it doesn't bother me so much.

I'm going to be calling my DME person tomorrow to see about getting a new mask...she told me I have 30 days to trade it out. I'd really like to get it right next time. Any suggestions for something more comfortable? Or should I just accept that it will not work for me??? BTW, I'm a side sleeper if that makes any difference.

The True Blue is a newer, higher end mask design. It should not be hurting your nose bridge like that. The TB is supposed to be worn loosely, like the ResMed Activa. The accordian spring cushion on the TB is supposed to flex when you move around while sleeping, without breaking the seal. So it's supposedly ideal for side-sleepers. Perhaps you just have the mask adjusted too tightly?

Why you are breaking out could be anything. The masks don't contain latex to cause an allergic reaction to. Perhaps it is nerves, or maybe a silicone allergy(?) Or the headgear fibers? Or just something totally unrelated.

I'd recommend sticking with the mask, just fit it more loosely next time and see how that works out.

[Daisy004]

I am relatively new too....Im going on 3 months now. have you tried using the nasal pillows? They almost feel like there is nothing on your face. I could not get used to the mask no way no how. Someone on here told me about Lanisoh ointment ( wallmart baby isle)..you can use this as a barrier and it also helps with leaks. Just a thin layer where the mask touches. I also was breaking out where the pillows touched. You really have to keep keep trying diff masks. Mabey give the nasal pillows a try. Its taking a while for me to get used to it too. Im only just now sleeping through the night on the odd occasion and I still am not getting much relief from the tiredness. What I can advise you to do is stay on this forum as the support these people can give you will help you through the hard times. I would have never gotten this far had it not been for the help and advice I have gotten on here...even when I just wanted a good whine or to just vent, they have always been here for me. Please hang in there...there were many times when I just wanted to take that dang Cpap machine and hit it off the wall or cut the mask up into tiny little pieces...heck there are still nights when I do...last night for example!!. I feel your pain, I really do but belive me it does slowly get easier.

[SethW]

Definitely check out other masks before giving up on therapy altogether. I started with a Resmed Quattro FX. The strap at the cheek pushed up into my eye when I was sleeping (I think), but regardless, I had eye pain with that mask. I switched to a Resmed Ultra Mirage. I do not have eye pain anymore, but the Ultra Mirage mask still bothers my eyes. Unlike the Quattro FX, the top of which sits on the bridge of the nose, the top of the Ultra Mirage sits at the top of the nose, right between the eyes. Maybe it's air leaking around the top when I'm sleeping, maybe it's the mask pushing against my tear ducts and messing them up, or who knows what. It's also a lot bulkier than the Quattro FX, which makes it hard for me to sleep on my side as I like to do and I don't think I sleep as well with the bulky mask as a result.

So have I found the perfect mask for me yet? No. My point here is that I have tried two different full face masks and had two completely different experiences. If I had started with the Ultra Mirage, I think I might be a little more pessimistic. The Quattro FX wasn't bad at all, but it did push up against my eye when I was laying on my side, which was just no good. It also messed up my hair something fierce with the strap across the top. If I just didn't have those two problems, I would have been completely happy with that mask. I know there are other options I can try, so I will just keep trying to work it out. I definitely recommend trying out different things if you're unhappy with what you've got.

And if it comes down to giving up CPAP no matter what, there are still options like oral appliances and using things to try to keep you from sleeping on your back. Not as good as the "gold standard," maybe, but maybe better than nothing. There are options.

[kaiasgram]

Another vote for trying a nasal pillow mask here. Less contact with your skin than any other type of mask. And FWIW, I also have very sensitive skin and while the Swift FX nasal pillows bothered my skin, the Aloha nasal pillows did not. Different grades of silicone, I'm told by a local sleep tech. When I do get a little redness I apply some 99% aloe vera gel in the morning and it's better shortly after.

[JO'M]

Try browsing the masks on cpap.com. It will give you an idea of what masks are out there and then you can ask your DME to try out a specific mask.
Don't let them tell you that a certain mask won't work for you.

I wear the ESON by Fischer & Paykel

[fdwrench]

Hi,
I tried the mask that goes over your nose, my mouth would leak. I was not going to use tape.
I tried a full face mask. I could not get a seal. I fought with it for six mounts. I finally gave up. That was 5 years ago.

I started to have health issues so I went back to the Dr to try it again. I received my new machine and mask last week. The technology has really changed in five years.
During the sleep study I found out that I can not sleep on my back. Every thing closes down and the machine goes to full pressure and blows the mask off of my face. I sleep on my side now, no problem.
The mask that I am trying is a ResMed Quattro full face mask. It is smaller and lighter and so far seems to seal.

Do not give up. You will work something out.

[snuginarug]

All these guys are right, don't give up. If you feel timid about pushing for what you need, remember this whole thing is about YOU and what you NEED. It's not optional, a person cannot "squeeze by" with an uncomfortable mask. It's a must.