Bridge of nose...ouch!

[NotthatBob]

I'm using the ResMed Ultra Mirage II. No leaks. Can sleep in pretty much any position, but ouch! The bridge of my nose is very sore after 5 days. I have adjusted everything I know to. Is there a sizing issue with this mask? Maybe I have it too snug and this is why I enjoy no leaks, but don't enjoy the pressure on the nose bridge.

[SleeplessinWI]

Bob:
I am sooo happy you put up this post. I recently returned to using my CPAP machine after throwing in the towel because I could not find a comfortable fitting without air leak problems. I am female and have a very small face, even more so now that I have lost approx. 15 lbs. Previous, my first mask was an Ultra Mirage FF mask (small) and then I tried a Hybrid. I had a lot of trouble with air leakage with the Ultra, especially by the bridge of my nose & eyes and that was why I wanted to try the Hybrid. The Hybrid (small) had nothing riding on my nose, but it was still too large and the nasal pillows wouldn't stay in my nostrils. The mask I am now using is the Mirage Quattro FF an extra-small. I am finding I get a better seal, but the bridge of my nose is also very tender to the touch, red and has a dent in it every morning. It has been 30 days, so I can't return it. I thought it would go away after some fiddling with it (the mask and/or head gear). No such luck. I hope someone chimes in with a quick and easy fix. I am having to pay for my equipment out of pocket, so I can't afford to buy every mask on the market. That was a contributing factor for not continuing the use of my machine.
I look forward hearing a response to Bob's post.

[MartyR]

its only been a week, but my mask has been hurting the last day ro two. my pressue is o high i have to tighten a lot to stop leaks....it hurts and i ma not sure what to do

[roster]

......... The bridge of my nose is very sore after 5 days. ........

That is exactly why I use a Hybrid mask. Tried three traditional FF masks and had the same problem with the bridge of my nose, even when the masks were very loose.

If you try a Hybrid, I can help you with the adjustments.

[deglorious]

Hi This is how I resolved my sore nose with the quattro:

Try putting on the mask chin first and then forehead. Loosen the forehead straps and tighten the chin straps. Dial the forehead adjustment out to 24.

Always use a clean mask and a freshly washed face to minimize leaks.

Plan B would be to purchase Padacheeks Nose Bridge Protection Pads. They are very inexpensive and give a layer of protection to your nose.

I have these but by putting on my mask in the above manner I haven't had to use them. Go to http://www.padacheeks.com to check out these pads. They can be customized to fit your particular mask.

Good Luck,

Deglorious

[alnhwrd]

Often this problem is due to overtightening, and playing with the adjustments will resolve it. Padacheeks is a great solution as well. I also use a moleskin patch on the affected area. First, wash the face (I use Neutrogena soap), next I cut a piece of paper tape to fit over the affected area and put it in place. Then I cut a piece of moleskin the same size and shape and put it over the paper tape. The paper tape makes it easier to take off in the morning. Best of luck, no matter what you try!

[Organplayer]

I wear a quattro at night. Had a bloody nose after a week. Padacheeks fashioned me a bridge cover. No more sore bridge.

Karen has got the best solution I know of.

padacheeks.com

Kevin

[NotthatBob]

It seems like the moleskin would cause leaks, no?

[Guest]

I use the Ultra Mirage FF and have done 2 things to resolve the sore, red, marked nose problem.

The most successful has been to use Nexcare - 3M waterproof tape. It is quite thick and rubbery and works as a cushion. It gets a crease in it, but my nose doesn't. I use a small strip right where the sore used to be, taking care not to have the tape so long that it goes to where the outside of the cushion touches it (or it tends to leave a small hole for air to leak.)

The other thing I have done on one of my cushions is to trim the soft part of the cushion to make a larger space for my nose. I actually I took out quite a bit, trimming it to keep the same shape. It is very delicate work and I used very fine cuticle scissors. You could probably also use an exacto knife if you could find a rounded hard metal piece to work over.

Maybe these ideas can help.

[defrankc]

It seems like the moleskin would cause leaks, no?

The moleskin is actually a great solution and it doesn't leak if you do it right. I fold up a piece of moleskin over itself (big enough to cover the affected area of my nose), then put a piece of cloth tape over it. It will leak if you make the tape too, big so the best solution I've found is to put the tape on the moleskin, then cut the sides of it at 45 degree angle in the shape of your nose so that the mask still seals and the tape is all on your nose inside the mask.

This has worked well for me in terms of the mask ripping up my face, but my nose still gets sore and swells in a small area which eventually bruises, fills up with blood, and then almost breaks open....I'm still trying to figure out why my nose is doing this and can't wear my mask for weeks at a time while it heals.

CPAP is a great thing and I get the best sleep of my life with it, but I do get tired of having nose pain.

[Wulfman]

If ANYBODY gets cut, bruised, red marks or "whatever" from either a UMFF or Quattro mask, it's either the WRONG SIZE or WAY TOO TIGHT (including adjusted wrong).....or BOTH.

Den

[mindy]

I tried both a medium and small Quattro and the small is too small and medium is slightly too big but does work.

To avoid the red and sore spots on bridge of nose I put a small piece of a Mack's silicone putty earplug in the triangle at the top of the hard plastic part and then on top of that I use the Quattro padacheek. Between the two I no longer the sore nose!

Mindy

[mindy]

Here's a link to photos of Quattro with silicone putty and padacheek....


viewtopic.php?p=228349&sid=5863e3677f73 ... 06ce9d9d8a

[NotthatBob]

Y'all have any thoughts on what is causing this? I did a close inspection of the area of the mask that meets the sore place on my nose...now bruised, and that area of the mask is soft, not the hard plastic part. I am going to try the examples of padding, given above, but I am wondering why what is already soft causing this, and how "soft on top of soft" helps the situation.

[Guest]

I originally thought the same thing you did - that the problem wasn't with that piece ... but it really seems to be ... cushioning that hard plastic area worked for me!

Mindy