yuck..nose running and inside sore

bookwrm63 · Post by **bookwrm63** » Mon Jan 01, 2007 11:43 am

Hi... I'm brand new to this website so hello and Happy New Year to all! I started on cpap in June '06 with a ResMed comfort gel nasal mask. Tried different sizes but couldn't contain leaks. Dec. 6th, I switched to Mirage Swift nasal pillows. They actually stay put well for me (I start out as a right side sleeper) but I find my nose is now running all day long and I'm constantly sneezing. Also, my nose is very sore inside especially taking any deep breaths through it. I do use a heated humidifier but was wondering if anyone else had this problem before and any ideas they might have. I'm getting tired of carrying around wads of tissues everywhere! Thanks.

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Mon Jan 01, 2007 12:05 pm

Welcome to the forum!

Full face mask......?

Den

bookwrm63 · Post by **bookwrm63** » Mon Jan 01, 2007 12:13 pm

Well, I really would rather avoid that route if possible. My mom may have to do that since she is a mouth breather and doesn't want to get into a chin strap routine. I'm just hoping I can make the nasal pillows work somehow without sacrificing my nasal passages! lol

cflame1 · Post by **cflame1** » Mon Jan 01, 2007 12:17 pm

bookworm... you may have to for awhile... at least long enough to let your nose heal. Something else that you may want to try is a sinus rinse (neti pot) or some saline spray, or both. It'll probably hurt really bad at first from the sounds of the condition that you're in right now.

GoofyUT · Post by **GoofyUT** » Mon Jan 01, 2007 12:47 pm

Make sure to wear the straps of the Swift loosely, tightened only enough to keep the pillows in a stable position as you sleep. And, use the LARGEST pillows that you can and still maintain a good seal. The mask is designed so that the tips of the pillows should barely caress the tips of your nares. They will inflate slightly under pressure which provides the seal. The pillows should NOT be entering your nares at all.

I have been using the Swift for 9 months now and LOVE it. Its so comfortable and lightweight that I don't even notice that its on.

You also might want to pick up and liberally use some AyrGel, which is a saline-based gel with aloe. Many of us have found it to be a miracle. Its available at Walgreen's.

Above all else, don't fret. It does work out after all,a nd it'll change your life. Did mine!

Welcome to the forum and this wacky adventure and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Chuck

JimW · Post by **JimW** » Mon Jan 01, 2007 1:20 pm

Is the soreness in your nose from it getting dried out or from direct contact irritation from the nasal pillows? I also am using the Mirage Swift, and initially was dried out to the point of blowing a little blood out of one nostril; this was with the heated humidifier turned all the way up. I've since discovered that, when I start out with the room humidity from 54 to 58% and with the humidifier turned up fully, this is no longer a problem. AyrGel has received some strong support here, as well, as Chuck mentioned; I'll need to make it out to get some, as soon as I mount the ambition to do so. (Though I do seem to notice a distinct improvement over the 4 or 5 weeks I've been on the machine.)

Hurricane · Post by **Hurricane** » Mon Jan 01, 2007 1:30 pm

Just as Chuck above mentioned it does take time to have your nose adjust, I have the swift nasal pillows also, had them 3 months, comfortable at nights once you get the straps set to where they are functional,loose enough to be comfortable, I use saline solution, AYR gel, but also have a runny nose in the morning, I switched to a Profile Lite mask a couple weeks ago, didn't have the runny nose with that mask, but from having it to tight I scraped the bridge of my nose to where it blistered went back to the swift to allow healing time, and back to a runny nose, which usually lasts the morning then gets better, till the night again, I think the air is to concentrated being its straight into the nostrils, My Dr prescribed
(IPRATROPIUM BROMIDE NASAL SPRAY) That helps when I really need it, he told me to use it right before bed time. As others mentioned a full face mask might be the answer, I have looked on CPAP.COM they have the quide to measure your face for given masks, I must have a bucket head cause answer came back not recomended.
I do know one thing I feel much better since starting this adventure, well worth the small discomforts, till finding the right equipment thats needed, I will try other masks till I can say hey no problem.
Hurricane

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jan 01, 2007 1:38 pm

Chuck,
Thank you for your reply. I'm actually using size small but have a spare medium so I will try that tonight. The pillows actually are going into my nares/nostrils. It seemed like that was where they needed to be to avoid leaks. I initially had some bloody noses but that discontinued when I went back to my regular machine with humidifier. (I had been on a titration machine for 2 wks and trying pillow system at same time) I have to run to Walgreens anyway today so I will also try that saline gel you mentioned. Like most new things, I guess it will need to be tweaked till I get it right.
Also, thanks to everyone else for replying. I really want to give the pillow system a good chance before I consider a full face mask. I will try all these suggestions and hopefully report back with good news.

Thanks again all and Happy New Year!

arthuranxious · Post by **arthuranxious** » Mon Jan 01, 2007 2:20 pm

I have had the problem of the nose getting sore and runny with the Swift, but find that I have to put my Resmed's humidity to max and also rub the nasal pillows clean with a bacteria-killing alcohol-free wipe immediately before going to bed, and the combination seems to help. I don't know if I have had a single day when I didn't feel at least some daytime sensitivity on my nose, but its manageable if I take these steps.

drbandage · Post by **drbandage** » Mon Jan 01, 2007 2:39 pm

Wecome!
I just want to second (strongly) the idea of Ayr Gel. It can be used every night safely, and it has changed things for the better in a very significant way.

Prior - very sore, dessicated nasal passages upon awakening with lots of bloody mucus for much of the day.

After: almost normal

Try it, you'll be hooked. Use it liberally.

Runny · Post by **Runny** » Tue Jan 02, 2007 2:08 pm

Hello and happy new year to all. I just signed up after reading some of the postings here for the past month or so. (Since Sneezy was taken, I've signed up as Runny, since my nose has been doing both almost nonstop recently.)

I've been on CPAP slightly more than a year now, and I thought I was doing much better until recently. I use a Goodknight CPAP with gel mask, and I am happy to report that I am much more comfortable since obtaining the snuggly products for the side straps and my 6-ft tubing.

I am having LOTS of problems with my nose running lately. I thought that covering the tubing would help, but so far it has not even helped with that darn RAIN. The rain woke me up at 5:00 a.m., and I tore the mask off in disgust.

I do use a heated humidifier, and I've set it anywhere from 1 to 2. My DME tells me that 1 is normal. I'm afraid if I boost it all the way up to 4 or 5, the RAIN problem will turn into a monsoon. We keep the room temp at around 65 at night, and I like it that way; but I am having more problems with the CPAP since winter happened here. I live in the Washington, DC metro area.

Has anyone else out there had this problem?

bookwrm63 · Post by **bookwrm63** » Tue Jan 02, 2007 6:01 pm

I just bought some tubing covers and face strap covers today on eBay so I can't wait to try them. However, I haven't had any problems with rainout really at all so I guess I've been lucky. I just turned up my humidifier in hopes of helping my poor nose. I also purchased the recommended AyrGel with aloe last night so hopefully that will help me. My nose was a bit better today. Still a bit runny but not like it was the day before. I will just be extra diligent in hose cleaning and hope that will help as well. I'm very good about cleaning mask and humidifier daily. My problem seemed to start with using nasal pillows so I can't say what might be causing yours if you use a regular mask. If you don't see anyone else reply on this thread, I would suggest rewriting it as a new post to get some help. Good luck!

Runny · Post by **Runny** » Wed Jan 03, 2007 9:36 am

I also try to be diligent about cleaning tubing, mask, etc., but my humidifier defies even the nimble fingers of my spouse. It was not designed to be opened every day. My spouse is a mechanical engineer, among other things, and he claims it's a poor design. He says I would never have enough time in my day to clean it daily--not while I'm still working anyway. I have osteoarthritis but only in my fingers. So I have to ask him to open that humidifier for me every time.

bookwrm63 · Post by **bookwrm63** » Wed Jan 03, 2007 11:32 am

Runny..so sorry to hear that. My humidifier just pulls out of my machine and has an opening in the top to pour water in. I just empty it and swish warm, soapy water in it and rinse. I usually get 2-3 nights out of it before I do this. Good luck!

Hurricane · Post by **Hurricane** » Wed Jan 03, 2007 12:19 pm

Runny,
I do as bookworm63 does, I have never opened up my humidifier since having it I empty the water every day then let it air dry, in the evening I fill it and back in operation, I wash it once a week with soapy water, and rinse it well, maybe its the fear of opening and closing wearing it out prematurely.
A vote for the effectivness for AYR gel, since doing as aprevious post mentioned I applied it more heavy and into my nose rather than just the nares.
Hurricane

yuck..nose running and inside sore

yuck..nose running and inside sore

yuck....

Straps

Mask

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