My Aching Nose

[thewritejerry]

Just started CPAP last night. I use nasal pillows, and the exterior of my nostrils, the tip of my nose, and the exterior divider between the nostrils (don't you just love all of these technical terms?) are very sore. Punched in the nose sore. The tech did explain that this could very well happen, and that it usually goes away after a few nights, but I was wondering if anybody had any pain-prevention/relief remedies. I was thinking I'd Icy-Hot the exterior of my nose tonight...

Thanks for any help!

[cobra4x4]

sounds to me like your mask is on too tight.

What model of mask is it?

[Amigo]

sounds to me like your mask is on too tight.

What model of mask is it?

I agree. and I would also suggest a light coating of a lubricant on your exterior nares. It will help maintain the seal while fending off friction irritation.

There are several lubricants on the market, but I just use Vaseline.

[elena88]

I think it maybe on too tight too, I have done that when I first started..

Here is something I used last night, I could loosen my straps a bit, and be more comfy, and I put a one inch wide velour stretchy headband around
the tip end of of the nosepillows, and then put it around my head horizontally, so the band was above my ears.. it was really quite comfy..

here is what the headbands look like..

[araminta]

i had the same problem when I started using the Swift LT nasal pillow.

For me, a dab of Lansinoh in each nare before putting on the Swift LT + having it a bit looser than seems appropriate -- did the trick.

[Sandra]

I just had my first night too, last night. Swift FX nasal pillow. (Have the LT to try down the road too.) Minimal discomfort overall, but the... inner frontal (lol) corners of my nostrils, a little sore when I first got up this morning. Didn't last long though, and fine now.

Good luck tonight!

[sleepmba]

What Araminta said, except I used Chap Stick.

[breakfast]

Don't use anything petroleum based, petroleum + forced air can cause oil aspiration pneumonia. I only learned this today (last night was my first night in 10 years) from my aunt, who is a special care nurse and has seen apnea patients have this problem.

[Janknitz]

Sounds like the swift was too tight.

The pillows must be fully inflated to hold a good seal. Here's how to get a loose fit:

Hold the pillows up to your nose without the headgear on and turn on the machine to inflate the pillows, then put the headgear on and adjust only just barely tight enough to keep the pillows from leaking.

Use Ayr Gel or Lanisoh cream to soothe your nasal tissues. Some people find that these help the seal, but they seem to make the nasal pillows slip around too much for me. But I use these creams when needed during the day with good results.

I never heard of the oil aspiration pnuemonia (though I don't doubt it), but petroleum based products also cause damage to the silicone parts. Lanisoh (or generic medical grade lanolin cream, which is cheaper) and Ayr Gel are safe for your silicone parts (and hopefully your lungs as well).

[thewritejerry]

Thank you all so much for your help! It is so great to know that support is just a post away. This is a great community.

Turns out that I did have the headgear too tight. I loosened it a tiny bit and had zero nose ache this morning. Janknitz's advice was especially helpful in getting the right fit. And I never would have thought of Lanisoh or Ayr Gel.

I really feel like I'm on my way to getting good results with this therapy. After just 2 nights, I already feel less tired (extreme daytime fatigue was my biggest daily problem caused by the apnea, I suppose along with the risk of stroke that my doctor mentioned).

Glad to be on these boards!

[torontoCPAPguy]

You are going to get loads of suggestions from your friends on the forum and they are all going to be worth investigation; also keep in mind that you may have an allergy to the plastic used in the pillows themselves (it is a huge phenomenon being seen in the hospitals). My wife is allergic to plastic and during her stays in hospital these past couple of years they have rooms and 'kits' set up for patients with allergic reaction to the plastics they use in their gear and on their beds.

Of course, it may just be that the nasal pillows are not sized right for your nose or your face and you will need to play around to get it right.

[asylvia]

my swift fx always leaves like a crease where the inside of my nostril meets my face. anyone else experience this?

[Amigo]

Don't use anything petroleum based, petroleum + forced air can cause oil aspiration pneumonia. I only learned this today (last night was my first night in 10 years) from my aunt, who is a special care nurse and has seen apnea patients have this problem.

Hmmm, perhaps, if you stuffed your nose full of petroleum, and did that for several years.

My suggestion was to use a light coating on the external nares, which I have been doing for over seven years.

It's like that old adage, "a little knowledge is a dangerous thing," but do feel free to use the high-priced spread.

[Amigo]

Sounds like the swift was too tight.

The pillows must be fully inflated to hold a good seal. Here's how to get a loose fit:

Hold the pillows up to your nose without the headgear on and turn on the machine to inflate the pillows, then put the headgear on and adjust only just barely tight enough to keep the pillows from leaking.

Use Ayr Gel or Lanisoh cream to soothe your nasal tissues. Some people find that these help the seal, but they seem to make the nasal pillows slip around too much for me. But I use these creams when needed during the day with good results.

I never heard of the oil aspiration pnuemonia (though I don't doubt it), but petroleum based products also cause damage to the silicone parts. Lanisoh (or generic medical grade lanolin cream, which is cheaper) and Ayr Gel are safe for your silicone parts (and hopefully your lungs as well).

Hmmm, I guess the Puritan Bennett nasal pillows aren't made of silicon then because mine have suffered no damage whatsoever despite using a "petroleum based product."

[brazospearl]

Try soaking your mask/pillows in very hot (but not boiling) water with a drop or two of mild soap in it. Let 'em soak for 30 minutes, then rinse them really well in hot water. I have annoyingly sensitive skin, and this was suggested to me several years ago for anything plastic that has to rest on my skin. No idea why it works, but it seems to help.