Nose Bridge Issue - Head Gear Related

[antimess]

I've am having repeated nose bridge issues, I realize this is a common complaint. I use a band-aid over the area and am also using Remzzz, but the problems persist with small open wounds on nose bridge. I think I've narrowed down the cause. My mask seems to fit me fine, but during sleep I moving around a lot and I wake up with the mask pushed down on my nose bridge (no leaking though). I adjust it upward and then the pressure on my nose is relieved and I am fine.

I don't believe I need the head gear straps any tighter and my mask seems to fit fine. I think the issue is my headgear fits like an operating room mask, allowing the mask to move vertically some when I sleep. I tried calling my home care provider with this, but they said the head gear is unique to the mask (something I am not convinced of). I think if I used a headgear that went over the top of my head with the same mask I would be fine. Can anyone comment on the inter-operability of headgear to masks and/or recommend a good headgear for over the top of the head (I think a single strap over the top would be fine).

This is my current headgear: http://www.cpapsupplyusa.com/Headgear-f ... 16117.aspx

Thanks!

[Demerit]

Adjust your dial on the forehead piece. Put more pressure on your forehead to alleviate the pressure on your nose. Don't use the mask if you have an open sore. You can always try gecko pad or mole skin for more cushion.

[antimess]

Thanks for the quick suggestion. I didn't want to get too long winded, but I started out at a 0 and moved to 3 on the forehead pressure. The irritation still occurs at that setting. If I move it out further I get leaks around the eyes. I think if I could just hold it in place vertically I feel like it would be ok.

[Janknitz]

Adjust your dial on the forehead piece. Put more pressure on your forehead to alleviate the pressure on your nose. Don't use the mask if you have an open sore. You can always try gecko pad or mole skin for more cushion.

No, no. The opposite! Dial the forehead piece way out and tighten the bottom straps. This lets the air cushion around the nose fully inflate and it will stabilize the mask. See the fitting tips in my signature below.

Your idea for a top strap is a good one, but you'll have to jury rig it yourself.

[antimess]

Janknitz, thanks. I'll give this a try tonight.

I've taken my CPAP off a few times now in the middle of the night because of significant nose pain. The difference I feel in the morning (groggy), compared to when I sleep all night with CPAP is noticeable. I need to get this worked out. Thanks for responding.

[squid13]

You could try one of these http://www.padacheek.com/PAC_Nosebridge.html.

[antimess]

Janknitz...thanks for the suggestion. I set my nose bridge to 24 and tighten the lower straps more and presto...no sore nose this morning and I slept almost 7.5 hours with the mask. I am going to continue to wear the band-aid over the nose until the sore is cleared up completely and then try sleeping without that. Thanks for chiming in, I am truly grateful.

[Janknitz]

I'm so glad it helped! It seems so counter-intuitive, but it's important to understand how the air cushion functions.

As for suggestions to add padding to a sore nose, in my days as an OT doing some splinting I learned that padding a pressure point just adds more pressure. Some padding will transfer pressure over a wider area which can be helpful sometimes (eg, a gecko pad works for some people for that reason). But most padding directly on the pressure point just adds more pressure. If a splint caused a pressure point, we'd first try to alter the splint to eliminate pressure but if that could not be done we'd use a doughnut shaped pad to keep all pressure off the pressure point.