Protecting The Bridge of The Nose

jrfoster · Post by **jrfoster** » Mon Feb 26, 2007 10:41 am

Last night I had the best therapy of all my time (8 months) with an AHI of only 1.2. The only problem is that the bridge of my nose has a big red welt on it!

I even used a small round bandage on the bridge of the nose but still it did no good at all. I am using the Profile Lite mask, which works great but I suffer on the bridge of the nose. I keep the straps as loose as I can without leakage (a pressure of 11cm) but still get some leakage as a turn over each night.

Any ideas how to keep the nose from getting damaged each night?

Jeff in Tn

Linda3032 · Post by **Linda3032** » Mon Feb 26, 2007 11:58 am

Have you tried any other nasal interfaces? There are so many that probably wouldn't hurt your nose (unlike full face masks).

Many people who have tried the Soyala nasal mask like it. Also, there are lots of Activa admirerers.

Then you can get into the nasal pillows: Aura, Breeze, Optilife, CL2.

Since you aren't restricted to a full face mask, I don't understand why you have to tolerate the pain.

I'm not badmouthing FF masks, just commenting on the fact that alot of them either leak or are very painful according to the forum reviews.

track · Post by **track** » Mon Feb 26, 2007 12:17 pm

LInda....if you were a mouth breather would you go FF mask or would you tape your mouth shut?

oldgearhead · Post by **oldgearhead** » Mon Feb 26, 2007 1:20 pm

I do all three:
1) Full-face mask Hybrid nasal pillow type.
2) Nasal Pillow + mouth tape (CL2 & Durapore)
3) Over-the nose (CL2 & Simple cushion)

When the edge or inside of my nares get an open sore, I switch to
the Simple Cushion. When the bridge of my nose gets red and sore, I switch
back to a nasal pillow. When I get sick and tired of the Hybrid, I
tape my mouth and use the CL2 + nasal pillows.

I think you need at least three masks:
1) Cover-your-nose like the Activa
2) Nasal Pillow like the Breeze and etc.
3) A full-face.

jrfoster · Post by **jrfoster** » Mon Feb 26, 2007 1:28 pm

oldgearhead wrote:I do all three:
1) Full-face mask Hybrid nasal pillow type.
2) Nasal Pillow + mouth tape (CL2 & Durapore)
3) Over-the nose (CL2 & Simple cushion)

When the edge or inside of my nares get an open sore, I switch to
the Simple Cushion. When the bridge of my nose gets red and sore, I switch
back to a nasal pillow. When I get sick and tired of the Hybrid, I
tape my mouth and use the CL2 + nasal pillows.

I think you need at least three masks:
1) Cover-your-nose like the Activa
2) Nasal Pillow like the Breeze and etc.
3) A full-face.

Wow! And I thought this sleep apnea therapy would be so simple!!

Jeff in TN

patbringer · Post by **patbringer** » Mon Feb 26, 2007 1:28 pm

track wrote:LInda....if you were a mouth breather would you go FF mask or would you tape your mouth shut?

For the past few months, I have been using only the Hybrid. The other FF masks leak too much (unless I have them super tight) and the bridge of the nose really hurts. Since I got the premium grey Hybrid headgear, I have no complaints about the Hybrid mask.

Cheers!

Pat

Hurricane · Post by **Hurricane** » Mon Feb 26, 2007 2:09 pm

Jeff,
I also have the profile lite was given at the sleep study September 06, when i got my machine the dme brought a Swift,said Id be better off with than the Profile Lite, well due to some congestion issues, and dry sneezy nose problems, I went and tried my profile lite, just as you after just 2 nites, a painful blister at the bridge of my nose, went then and got a Ultra Full face mask, couldn't get use to it , draged out the Profile lite the other nite, put Nexcare tape on the bridge of my nose, still I woke up today with a red mark, I just ordered a Comfort Gel mask today, it is the updated version of the Profile Lite, it has the adjustment to back off the pressure on the bridge of the nose, plus quick disconnects, of all the masks I have tried the Profile lite was the quietest, leaks were not bad and I slept great, only problem the bridge, hoping the new comfort gel will solve that. Like so many have said the mask situation is like a big money pit, we have to try and find the perfect mask for our needs, Heh my wife buys clothes. I buy cpap masks.
Ed

sleepinginseattle · Post by **sleepinginseattle** » Mon Feb 26, 2007 2:20 pm

It seems your concern is leakage.

You say, "I keep the straps as loose as I can without leakage (a pressure of 11cm) but still get some leakage as a turn over each night."

It is my opinion (not advice) that you might want to give up some of the low leakage you're pursuing for some additional comfort. I don't mean that you should go "all leaky" but all masks (and nasal interfaces) are going to leak at some time or other. Maybe this is something you should discuss with a professional. All I know is that in the pursuit of long term therapy, patient comfort is important. Your damaged nose sounds very uncomfortable.

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Mon Feb 26, 2007 2:57 pm

Hells bells, I ran a Leakage of 0.70 last night and could care less. I felt great this morning, rested, and my AHI was 3.9, AI 0.0, HI 3.9. Time in Apnea was 0.0%

My average Leakage has been 0.65 and my average Time in Apnea has been 0.1%.

Its how RESTED you FEEL that is the proof of the pudding.

jrfoster · Post by **jrfoster** » Mon Feb 26, 2007 3:26 pm

sleepinginseattle wrote:It seems your concern is leakage.

You say, "I keep the straps as loose as I can without leakage (a pressure of 11cm) but still get some leakage as a turn over each night."

It is my opinion (not advice) that you might want to give up some of the low leakage you're pursuing for some additional comfort. I don't mean that you should go "all leaky" but all masks (and nasal interfaces) are going to leak at some time or other. Maybe this is something you should discuss with a professional. All I know is that in the pursuit of long term therapy, patient comfort is important. Your damaged nose sounds very uncomfortable.

Leakage is not my big concern as compared to my nose!

Leakage last night was an average of 33.0 LPM
Time spent in apnea was only 1.3 minutes.

Hells bells, I ran a Leakage of 0.70 last night and could care less. I felt great this morning, rested, and my AHI was 3.9, AI 0.0, HI 3.9. Time in Apnea was 0.0%

My average Leakage has been 0.65 and my average Time in Apnea has been 0.1%.

Its how RESTED you FEEL that is the proof of the pudding.

Amen to that! How one reaches an AI of 0.0 is beyond me, but I am hoping!

it is the updated version of the Profile Lite, it has the adjustment to back off the pressure on the bridge of the nose, plus quick disconnects, of all the masks I have tried the Profile lite was the quietest, leaks were not bad and I slept great, only problem the bridge, hoping the new comfort gel will solve that. Like so many have said the mask situation is like a big money pit, we have to try and find the perfect mask for our needs, Heh my wife buys clothes. I buy cpap masks.

Let me know how the comfort gel compares with the profile lite.

Jeff in TN

Linda3032 · Post by **Linda3032** » Mon Feb 26, 2007 4:50 pm

track wrote:LInda....if you were a mouth breather would you go FF mask or would you tape your mouth shut?

First off, I would want to kill myself - just joking. But dang, I hope I never have to answer that question. I think I would try to find a full face mask that I could tolerate, and I still have to do that.

The thought of taping seems too extreme to me -- heck, I don't even take the time to wash my face before bedtime.

Hurricane · Post by **Hurricane** » Mon Feb 26, 2007 6:30 pm

Hey Jeff, will be getting that mask this Thursday from CPAP will keep you posted whether that adjustable forehead piece will ease the pressure of the nose bridge, after that I might do some surgery on the old mask, nose bridge area.
Ed

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 3:03 pm

Ugg, I hate the nose sores. I have a comfort gel and a different nose mask and they both give me nose sores, but in different places so I alternate. Thank heavens I don't have to tape my mouth. I also have the fine some leaks, but looser fit debate, but the leaks wake me up, and I guess I would rather have a sore nose and sleep through the night.

Hurricane · Post by **Hurricane** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 7:32 am

Hi Guest (Rachael) Do you use Nexcare tape on the bridge of your nose? I am using two layers of this tape at nite, no more nose blister or pain. Just something to try if you haven't already, besides the loose straps fit.
Ed

peterT · Post by **peterT** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 11:55 am

I too Just got the dreaded red sore across the bridge of my nose. This is after one night of wearing my Comfortlite II with the simple cushion interface. It was hard getting a good seal with this until I added an extra elastic strap to the tube just above where the simple cushion elbow attaches to the mask. All it did was essentially pull the mask tighter against my face. It was comfortable and did a great job.

I can't understand why it would leave this mark as nothing rigid was sticking into my nose (bridge). It's all very soft silicone.

I have the nasal pillows and direct seals also but the nasal pillows (any size) don't work because the cartilage part of my nose that sits between the pillows protrudes too much and rubs. Yes, I do have an odd nose.

Well now I'm trying to get the simple cushions to work.

I think it might be simpler and cheaper to get surgery to have my nose fit the mask.

BTW, I still have the red mark and soreness two days later..... what's up with that?

Peter

Mask

Additional Comments: Strictly a side sleeper