Poor me!

[Janknitz]

I just recently got back to using my Swift FX full time after an upper respiratory virus threw things all out of whack and I couldn't tolerate the nasal pillows for quite a while because of very irritated sinuses.

I think my pillows are getting a little old and mushy and admit that the straps were probably tighter than they should have been to keep leaks under control, but (in my little girl voice) now I have an owie on my nose!

My nose has been hurting in the morning on the left side of the septum, and now there is an open abrasion there. It's been hurting all day today (whine!). I had to sleep in the Quattro last night--not too bad except I had to deal with minor leaks every time my head moved even the tiniest bit. The abrasion is clearly from the pillows, and the skin around it is peeling, so it looks like I'm going to have a few more days/weeks without nasal pillows.

I took a look at my data last night, and despite good numbers, the leaks were really up the wazoo while I was using other masks besides my Swift FX. There were even large leaks for up to 3% of the night--something that has never shown up on my graphs before. The machine is doing a good job compensating for the leaks, my AHI's are staying low and I feel pretty good, but the leaks are waking me so I'm not as rested as I could be. Boo hoo, poor me.

[DocWeezy]

Ooooowwwwwweeeeeee! I'm feeling for you and sending you lots of sympathy! My nose gets cracks and sores just from having a cold (or being out in the cold without a scarf over it), and I can't imagine how much it would hurt if it was from the pillows.

I'm sure you're using something to help, but I tried something new during this last cold and NEVER got a crack or sore this time, even though I was constantly blowing my nose. I stumbled upon something called "Thieve's Oil" that is an organic antiseptic paste with all sorts of stuff in it, with a base of beeswax. Wow, that stuff is good. This one happens to be made locally, but chances are something similar would be available in your area. I have really sensitive skin and this stuff is great for helping cracks and sores on my hands heal and preventing recurrence, so I decided to try it on my nose when I had the cold. Glad that I did.

Here's hoping that you're back to your beloved pillows real soon!

Weezy

[MagicCityDawg]

On the remote chance you use the medium pillows, I can hook you up with a set.

[Goofy]

I think my pillows are getting a little old and mushy and admit that the straps were probably tighter than they should have been to keep leaks under control, but (in my little girl voice) now I have an owie on my nose!

My nose has been hurting in the morning on the left side of the septum, and now there is an open abrasion there. It's been hurting all day today (whine!). I had to sleep in the Quattro last night--not too bad except I had to deal with minor leaks every time my head moved even the tiniest bit. The abrasion is clearly from the pillows, and the skin around it is peeling, so it looks like I'm going to have a few more days/weeks without nasal pillows. Boo hoo, poor me.

It's ok Janknitz you help so much you're allowed to be upset and whine once in awhile! I know we can't use it with our masks, but I've put carmex on my nose during the day and washed it off before bed and it helped me heal real quick. Hope you get better soon.

[Jersey Girl]

So sorry that you haven't been feeling well Janknitz! Thank goodness you had another mask on standby for times like this. When I had a sinus problem and couldn't tolerate nasal pillows, I had to go back to my trusty nasal mask and turn up the humidity for awhile. I also have a FFM on standby, just in case. Hope your nose heals quickly and you can go back to your beloved nasal pillows very soon.

Wishing you a full and complete healing,

Jersey Girl

[Big S]

I hate it when I see the ones who consistently offer good advice and encouragement saddled with any problems. You should be given a free pass or an exemption from discomfort. Like some others though, I'm sure you'll be able to use this to help others learn. I hope you get well quickly.

You wrote:
....and despite good numbers, the leaks were really up the wazoo...

You should know from all the Super Bowl commercials that it is better to have cash than leaks up the wazoo!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oftjwYmlfoA

[cflame1]

I've had problems with my nose after a sinus infection... now I've a tendency to use Burt's Bees lip balm (original scent) on my nose. It doesn't have petroleum in it.

[SleepingUgly]

Sorry to hear about the sores. I've had sores inside my nose, outside my nose, and actually I have one now and it's not even from CPAP . Neosporin during the day can help.

BUT, since you mentioned the leaks, didn't someone just direct me to your blog the other day, and didn't I just print your instructions on how to get the Quattro not to leak?! So much for that!

[Janknitz]

Thanks for all the good thoughts! My little nosie is feeling better today

BUT, since you mentioned the leaks, didn't someone just direct me to your blog the other day, and didn't I just print your instructions on how to get the Quattro not to leak?! So much for that!

You've got a point, but I think it's the cushion, not my fitting technique. That was my very first mask, and it's about 1 year old. Every time I wash it, the silicone gets more cloudy in appearance and I think it's not so good. I rarely wear it, so I didn't think it was really ready for replacement yet, but it's becoming increasingly difficult to seal. The headgear is too big, also, and that means that the top straps slip sometimes. I need to sew them down. And I made a mistake, I just got a new mask covered by insurance, and thinking this one was too big, I got a small instead of medium. I asked for small headgear, but didn't get it because Crapria can't handle any variations with Kaiser orders.

I have a very receded chin because of my genetic disorder, and while the small is probably the correct size, it won't tilt in toward my chin enough to seal--I cannot seal the small one at all. So I'm stuck with a brand new small that doesn't work, and it's WAY too much of a pain to deal with Kaiser and Crapria to try to return it. I don't usually use the Quattro, so it's not a huge big deal.

It also seems so variable. Last night, not even a tiny little leak, the night before, every time I moved my head I got a face fart. Aaargh, I hate that mask!!!!!!!!