OUCH!!!! Please help!

ThePBMinistry · Post by **ThePBMinistry** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 12:24 am

OUCH!!!! Please help!

Ok so last night was my second night on my machine. I sleps better than the first night, but my mask is killing the bridge of my nose. I dont know if they even gave me the right size mask at the VA I have a suspicion it was what they had at the moment???

Anyway the bridge of my nose right between the eyebrows is PAINFUL and RED it is just plain sore. I tried to loosen my mask last night and tried a lot of different tensions on the various velcro straps but if I put it loose enough to be realy comfortable it leaked.

My mustache right under my nose hurts a little and is a little irritated but nothing like the bridge of my nose.

Please give me some ideas as to what is going on please!!!

Mile High Sleeper · Post by **Mile High Sleeper** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 12:49 am

This is not an unusual problem. Your mask is riding too hard on the bridge of your nose, a stress point. Do something before it becomes an open wound. Things to try:

Loosen mask straps.
Put a band-aid on the sore part of your nose.
Put thin moleskin (from the drugstore foot section) on the mask where it hits the bridge of your nose.
Get a mask fitting from an experienced mask fitter. If you can't find one, keep experimenting yourself.
Get a different sized mask or different brand mask.

Best wishes.

Elle · Post by **Elle** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 12:56 am

I woke up with that today and put a topical antibiotic ointment on it and it is gone now. That happens when my mask is too tight. it is hard to get it just right so that it isn't loose enough to leak. gets frustrating but hang in there.

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 1:08 am

no surprise, you are using a Profile Lite, that mask is known to leave a nice big gouge on the bridge of your nose to wear around the next day.

Get out the instructions for the mask, and reboil it. I think you boil some water on the stove, get ready a cereal bowl of ice water, then you use some tongs and hold the mask in the boiling water with the tongs for 3-5 minutes not letting it touch the bottom of the pan, then you "dip" the cushion in the ice water for 5 seconds or so then hold it to your face and push and hold it there for 3-5 minutes until it cools.

Or you can toss the mask away and get one that doesn't do that, leaks less, requires less strap pressure and is silent by comparison like in the somnotech soyala.

You might check your mask, the older versions of that mask had a skin like membrane that went across in the nose bridge area to reduce leaks (it didn't work, it still leaked like a sieve), then if you examine the cushion where that is attached you will see it has a sharp "seam" which is what digs into your nose bridge.

As mentioned, the best thing you can do for yourself is toss that cheap mask for a better one.

TerryB · Post by **TerryB** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 6:10 am

Another reason for the sore nose is a reaction to the chemistry of the mask material preparation. Try soaking the mask in water and baby shampoo for an hour to wash off the "stuff" left from manufacturing. This step worked for me and I have seen it recommended many times for the sore red nose spot problem.

Good Luck,

TerryB

ThePBMinistry · Post by **ThePBMinistry** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 12:00 pm

Well last night was my 3rd night on CPAP and I feel great this morning except for my nose and upper lip... still sore but the sleep is well worth it.

Here are some photos of the issue and what I did about it last night, Cut down bandaid

Hurricane · Post by **Hurricane** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 12:21 pm

Would not use bandaids, use Nexcare paper tape, won't pull on your irritated skin, Bandaids Ouch!!!!!!!

ThePBMinistry · Post by **ThePBMinistry** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 12:25 pm

Hurricane wrote:Would not use bandaids, use Nexcare paper tape, won't pull on your irritated skin, Bandaids Ouch!!!!!!!

Actualy that is a nexcare comfort bandaid. the pain is from pressue I think not rubbing.

Linda3032 · Post by **Linda3032** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 12:26 pm

Ouch is right.

What many here do is have a mask to switch out with. That way you have uniform red marks all over your face. . J/K

Have a second mask that doesn't ride in those same places -- you need to let them heal before they get even worse.

ThePBMinistry · Post by **ThePBMinistry** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 12:48 pm

I am going to call around today and see if any medical supplys are open that carry masks. I cant realy afford to spend money on it, mabey I can rent one? its worth a shot untill I can get with the VA

Linda3032 · Post by **Linda3032** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 12:55 pm

If you can't get another mask, you might have to not use cpap for a few nights. Sorry to suggest that, but once you get sores on your face, they are very difficult to heal.

But before doing that, you might try loosening the straps -- better to have some leaks than no therapy at all.

Also try to use the "tights or pantyhose strap" to help anchor the nasal part of the mask -- to help stabilize the mask because the straps will be loose. You can't block the exhale vents however.

ThePBMinistry · Post by **ThePBMinistry** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 3:16 pm

Ok so I called the VA hospital and talked to someone at the admited side of the hospital not the outpatient and they got me to their respritory care person. I told them what is going on and they said, get here asap and bring your mask, we will get you fixed up. so I am off on a 2 hour round trip to the VA Hospital.

Linda3032 · Post by **Linda3032** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 3:30 pm

Good for you - hope they can do something for you. Keep us informed please.

Sleepy-eyes · Post by **Sleepy-eyes** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 4:07 pm

ThePBMinistry wrote:Ok so I called the VA hospital and talked to someone at the admited side of the hospital not the outpatient and they got me to their respritory care person. I told them what is going on and they said, get here asap and bring your mask, we will get you fixed up. so I am off on a 2 hour round trip to the VA Hospital.

Good Lord, I'm going to move to wherever your VA provider is! Mine won't even answer a question that quick!!!!!

ThePBMinistry · Post by **ThePBMinistry** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 7:17 pm

Yeah well,

Lets just say that I have learned how to work the system... sometimes. Needless to say this was realy important because I am in pain and I leave for california tomorrow for 3 weeks so I realy needed the other mask

So here is what happened. I got there and there was a lady working that just looked at me and was already appolagizing.... I honestly dident think I was that ugly, but oh well hehehe Anyway she brough out this gold gel mask and I was like,,,, NO that looks worse than what I have, and she brought out a comfort select and said to try it, looks nice, but I wonder how it seals, then I told her if she had a nasal pillow mask it would be a much better idea to let my nose and lip heal, she agreed and SCORE!!! she brought me a Comfortlite 2 with 2 different size pillows and two different size nasal mask attachments for it!

She told me to just take everything and figue out what works for me. She did not want me to be in pain on my trip. I was realy appreciative. I messed with the CL2 and got it adjusted to what I think is right???? and it feels realy comfortable.

Now I need all the tips and tricks for the CL2... Anyone?

OUCH!!!! Please help!

OUCH!!!! Please help!

sore bridge of nose