My full face mask is hurting the bridge of my nose - ouch.

CMF · Post by **CMF** » Tue May 27, 2008 6:45 am

The top of the bridge of my nose is bruised from the mask. Is there a trick to making my mask work? Or should I look into getting a different style? I need a full face mask since I'm a partial mouth breather. Any recommendations?

Thanks,
Charles

pjwalman · Post by **pjwalman** » Tue May 27, 2008 6:48 am

Hi, CMF! I'm not sure any of the masks are perfect, but the best success I've had with a full face mask is the ZZZ. It doesn't have a forehead support, and the shell is soft so doesn't rub so much on the bridge of the nose.

Only down side to it that I've seen is that you cannot buy a replacement cushion like you can with some of the others. So when the mask wears out, you'll have to replace the whole mask. I'm hoping mine lasts a long, long time, though, 'cause it has made such a huge difference in my comfort at night.

Peggy

bdp522 · Post by **bdp522** » Tue May 27, 2008 6:51 am

You could go to http://www.padacheek.com and get a nose bridge protector. Many have had luck with it. It is just enough padding to keep the nose from getting sore.

Brenda

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Tue May 27, 2008 7:21 am

viewtopic.php?p=243336#243336

mindy wrote: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

Link to Mindy's photos of the Qauttro tweaks:

viewtopic.php?p=228239#228239

CMF · Post by **CMF** » Tue May 27, 2008 12:05 pm

The DME requested that I speak to the diagnosing physician to get his recommendation for another mask. Is this how it usually works?

Charles

Pineapple · Post by **Pineapple** » Tue May 27, 2008 12:56 pm

Around here the doctor usally sends the patient to the DME with the instructions "help this patient find something that works."

CMF · Post by **CMF** » Tue May 27, 2008 1:06 pm

My sense is that the DME I'm working with will not do a thing without the doctor's say so and the doctor who read the study could not care less. I'm in a position where I have to nudge things along constantly. I will not go to the same sleep center if my primary physician asks for another study.

Charles

ww · Post by ww » Tue May 27, 2008 1:20 pm

Personally, I do not like the Comfortful mask and exchanged it for a Ultra Mirage Full Face Mask. First, get the templates from the Respironics web site and print them on heavy paper and check carefully that you were given the correct size mask. They thought I would wear a medium but it turned out to require a small. Play the instructional video about a dozen times and pay particular attention to how you set the head rest bracket so the nose is not touched by the mask. Cut a piece of "moleskin" available at any drug store about 1x1 inch and put in on your nose. It really sticks, so you may want to stick it to another part of your body to get it where it just barely stick and won't be difficult to remove. Wash your face and the mask with soap and water and rinse and dry just before bedtime. Hold the mask to your face lightly without any straps while laying on your back and turn on the machine. Adjust the forehead bracket until you can get a seal that does not leak into your eyes. Put the straps on kinda loose and repeat the same thing.

CMF · Post by **CMF** » Wed May 28, 2008 9:31 am

I read the directions for the mask on the Respironics website and I was able to take some of the presure off my nose. That's the good news. The bad news is that I felt an uncomfortable degree on presure on my chin mid night and had to re adjust the mask. I have a degree of confidence that practice will make perfect.

One problem I will not be able to resolve is how to scratch my nose without having to take the mask off.

Charles

Pineapple · Post by **Pineapple** » Wed May 28, 2008 9:48 am

One problem I will not be able to resolve is how to scratch my nose without having to take the mask off.

We can all relate to that problem.

Yes you're right, the first couple weeks I was constantly adjusting my mask, than suddenly it became second nature. Keep up the good work.

My full face mask is hurting the bridge of my nose - ouch.

My full face mask is hurting the bridge of my nose - ouch.

When all else fails - read the directions.