CPAP difficulties after surgery, Help please

[jpop]

Thanks in advance for the replies!

Had fairly extensive surgery on my nose a month ago with a rib graft to replace the septum and add turbinate support for primarily the right nostril to promote a clear airway. The surgery went well, although the recovery period is pretty long, 3-4 months. Thus far breathing better although needing to do a saline rinse about every 3 or 4 hours.

With CPAP, the primary issue I'm dealing with is a discomfort with the Philips Dreamwear gel pillow mask. I can make it 2-3 hours then the discomfort becomes more than I can handle. My AHI is generally under 2.0, but lots of leaks when I have the mask looser and at a point where I can get a full night of sleep. I could post some SH stuff, but at this point, I don't think there is much relevance.

Specific issues with my mask are that my septum is now very firm and If I don't have it tightened it leaks upon exhaling. When I tighten the mask up, the discomfort goes from the tip of my nose to my front teeth. in all, it's only afforded me 28 hours of CPAP aided sleep over the last 11 days.

Recommendations for a new mask would be appreciated, and I wouldn't be able to handle anything that goes over the bridge of my nose.

Other thoughts on how to deal with the discomfort are certainly welcome and if anyone wants to look under the hood of the SH charts just let me know.

[prodigyplace]

You mentioned leaks. It might be worth looking into the Bleep Dreamport mask.

I think everybody here that tried it had zero leaks when it was assembled properly.

viewtopic/t174807/BleepDreamPort-nasal- ... hread.html

[RogerSC]

I'd suggest looking into full face masks that don't interfere at all with the part of your nose that's been operated on. At least through most of the surgery recovery period. When I was recovering from Moh's surgery, I used the TAP PAP mask since it has no headgear, and doesn't have any effect on the outside of your nose. I really disliked the mask, but it served its purpose. When I had healed enough, I went back to the Swift FX. And have gone back and forth between the Swift FX and the AirFit P10 since then. With interludes to test some newer nasal masks. Sometimes you have to go with a second choice for a while, until you can go back to your favorite *smile*.

One easy full face mask that works for me is the AirTouch F20 with a memory foam cushion. I found that mask to be fairly leak free, follows the contours of my face well...it would be my choice if I needed a full face mask.

Can't recommend nasal masks as well as nasal pillow masks, since nasal masks can shift around and bother your healing nasal area.

Anyways, good luck...and please do consider some possibilities for your short-term recovery that you wouldn't consider for the long term.

[jpop]

Thanks much for the tips. I'll need to do a little more research on both a full face mask and the Bleep mask. Not sure how the Bleep mask would perform as a tug on my nose could be more than uncomfortable at this point.

I did have a little better success with the gel pillows last night, breaking my sleep up in a couple of sessions. 2 hours, 1.5 hours and 1.5 hours resulting in a 1.01 AHI for the evening. So I definitely think I'm breathing better, just need to get the discomfort to subside.

Looking at the SH data it appears that I'm getting plenty of snoring which coincides with the leak rates elevating, my guess is it isn't snoring at all but simply the mask vibrating while leaking. None of the leaks were large enough to register as large leaks so that's a big plus.

I think this evening I will try to get some Aquaphor applied around my nasal passages and see if that helps with the leaks, and I'll cram on getting my research done on the masks mentioned so I can get rolling on an interim solution.

Thanks again for the responses, they are very much appreciated.

[chunkyfrog]

This might be a good time to check out a respironics total face mask--(the fitlife).
That does not touch the nose at all--unless you look like Cyrano.

[zonker]

This might be a good time to check out a respironics total face mask--(the fitlife).
That does not touch the nose at all--unless you look like Cyrano.

this one?

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/respir ... k-headgear

[jpop]

This might be a good time to check out a respironics total face mask--(the fitlife).
That does not touch the nose at all--unless you look like Cyrano.

Oh my! I should have got one of those a month ago. With all the rain we've been having I'd certainly be feeling safer, lol.

[chunkyfrog]

@zonker: yes, that one.
I've been tempted to wear mine when mincing onions.

[palerider]

@zonker: yes, that one.
I've been tempted to wear mine when mincing onions.

Ski goggles work, or anything that can keep the fumes from the onions away from your eyes...

[zonker]

@zonker: yes, that one.
I've been tempted to wear mine when mincing onions.

there was once a time when i was considering such a mask. i'm rather glad i found a p10 instead.

[chunkyfrog]

Since my glasses are key to only cutting onions--not my delicate flesh,
I am hoping that a pair could be attached inside the shell.

[palerider]

Since my glasses are key to only cutting onions--not my delicate flesh,
I am hoping that a pair could be attached inside the shell.

There are some ski goggles that fit around glasses.

[Muse-Inc]

...I've been tempted to wear mine when mincing onions.

Since I switched to just using sweet onions, I have less fume problems. Doesn't seem to affect taste of recipes.

[chunkyfrog]

True, but sweet onions spoil so damn quick.

[Muse-Inc]

True, but sweet onions spoil so damn quick.

Tie each separately in pantyhose. Looks weird hanging up, but works to keep air flowing around each, less dampness. But I live in Atlanta, GA where sweet onions are available year round so I only buy a few more than what I need.