ACHING Nostril???!?

[mkirkwag]

You know that feeling that you're about to sneeze? Well, sometimes I wake up with that, only I don't sneeze. Last night, I took the mask off and not only didn't it go away, it stayed and *ached*. I have had a lot of aches in my life, but never a nose-ache! I got up, blew my nose, paced around - nothing helped. Eventually I got back to sleep - without the mask, and of course woke up underslept and with a headache.

I've had a tickling sensation that caused me to stop using the mask before. Has anyone experienced any of this, and did you find a solution?

It's a res-med M series c-flex with a Swift mask.

[blarg]

When was the last time you cleaned your filter? Are you using the white filters too? Just a thought.

[Hurricane]

Hi I have the Swift also, and had the same problem, someone on the post recomended AYR gel its over the counter gel, I put that on liberally before going to bed and it seems to correct the problem, if its the air thats causing the irritant, just one thought.
Hurricane

[mkirkwag]

I'll try both things. I do use the white filter. Actually, I've never cleaned the filter, so you may be onto something. The last time I looked at it, it seemed fine, but who knows? And it's been awhile.

I've noticed a bunch of people recommending Ayr. It doesn't feel like contact irritation, but maybe it doesn't need to be? I'll try it - thanks!

[bdp522]

More humidity may also help. Could be the air is drying out the nose.

Brenda

[mkirkwag]

Maybe less - definitely not more.

[TheOboeNose]

Just another suggestion: if it is contact irritation Ive found that KY liquid works quite well (waits for the guffaws to settle) I actually found the suggestion on another site when I was researching switching to a nasal pillow system since any type of face mask and me were NOT agreeing (my masks ended up eating walls more nites that they stayed on my face).
Another thought: if your pressure is high enough you may be getting some what I can best describe as some stretching from "blow out". Ive discovered (to my annoyance) that my pressure, at 13, likes to blow up my nostrils like little balloons. It never breaks my seals, but it stretches my poor nostrils out. After a few days, I found that, like most skin, it quit reacting so much to being stretched out.

[Guest]

Another possible solution is Lanolin....you can get it at the drugstore....in the area where supplies for breastfeeding moms is located. It works well....I use it every night.

Gerald

[woozle]

I found this from http://www.sleepapnea.org/resources/pubs/wrong.html

Nasal congestion, irritation or runny nose that seems to be caused by using CPAP. Your nose is your airway's humidifier. It warms and humidifies the air that you breathe. If the CPAP begins to dry your nose, your body will increase the production of mucus in the nose to add more moisture to the inhaled air. Unfortunately, this may cause nasal congestion and a runny nose. In some cases the dryness will cause irritation, burning and sneezing. These symptoms can be alleviated by the use of a humidifier with your CPAP. Some sleep specialists order a passover (cold water) humidifier with the initial CPAP order. If you do not have one of these speak with your sleep specialist. If you already have a humidifier and still experience these symptoms you may need a heated humidifier. This is a water pan that sits on a heating unit and is attached to CPAP just like the passover humidifier. Heating the air and the water will allow the air to carry more moisture as it travels to your nose (just like the summer air is more humid than winter air). In almost all cases this resolves nasal congestion and irritation if it is caused by CPAP.

[telly]

Aching Nostril? They ROCK. I think they opened for Evil Pongi back in '88. But that was back in the punk rock days. .

[mkirkwag]

Thank you, Telly. I've saved the icon. I may wear it on my nose.

Yes, nose balloons are a bear, aren't they? I keep wondering if it's going to result in a blobbier nose.Or maybe I'm just going to float away. But it's the inside part that is getting grouchy and sneezy, not the outside.

I kind of think it was a cold air thing. I turned the heated humidifier up again - it does actually seem to warming the air now instead of just making rain - and cleaned my sponge. I haven't had any recurrences, but as soon as I get my lazy butt to a store, I'll buy one or more of the suggested nose lube remedies, just in case. It's always *something*.