Resmed Mirage Quattro causing sore nose bridge

[fsmitty]

It is now my 3rd night with the CPAP machine. The doctor gave me a Mirage Quattro full face mask. Both the 1st & 3rd nights caused the bridge of my nose to be sore. Some people mentioned using moleskin.This mask has a very fragile gel type seal on the outside. Where do you put the moleskin, on that fragile membrane or inside the mask where the hard plastic bits are. I am thinking that the moleskin might destroy the membrane if placed there. Can anyone tell where to place the moleskin. Any pictures would be appreciated.

[Guest]

Band-Aid brand bandages makes a new band-aid for blisters. It's like a small piece of duraderm and works excellent being placed on the bridge of your nose. I've recommended it lately to my clients and they have commented that it works great!

[Wulfman]

There are only two reasons why a Quattro (or UMFF) would cause "damage" to one's face......too tight and/or wrong size.
Neither should happen. Those masks should "float" on the user's face.

Den

[dreamchick]

Place the mole skin on the hard plastic area. It is this area that presses on the bridge of your nose.
If the top head gear is to tight, the mask too low on your face or the tension on the piece you turn on your forehead is too tight it will press on the bridge of your nose and make it sore. If i use the mirror to put the mask on it seems much better. Try that, then you can see if you have adjusted the head gear on the top to tightly. You will also be able to see if the mask is sitting where it should on your face. If you push your face into the pillow (which is what I do some nights) when you sleep on your side that will cause the mask to cut into your nose as well . They sell CPAP pillows that have a cut our place so that does not happen but I have yet to try one. Most nights the mask gives me no trouble and I love it the mole skin is there for nights when it does.

[fsmitty]

Place the mole skin on the hard plastic area. It is this area that presses on the bridge of your nose.
If the top head gear is to tight, the mask too low on your face or the tension on the piece you turn on your forehead is too tight it will press on the bridge of your nose and make it sore. If i use the mirror to put the mask on it seems much better. Try that, then you can see if you have adjusted the head gear on the top to tightly. You will also be able to see if the mask is sitting where it should on your face. If you push your face into the pillow (which is what I do some nights) when you sleep on your side that will cause the mask to cut into your nose as well . They sell CPAP pillows that have a cut our place so that does not happen but I have yet to try one. Most nights the mask gives me no trouble and I love it the mole skin is there for nights when it does.

Thanks for the advice. Yesterday, I purchased both some moleskin and 3m waterproof hospital tape. Lat night, I decided it would be easier to use the hospital tape and stick it on the sore part of my bridge. That seemed to have done the trick and this morning my bridge is not so red. Also, the hospital tape does not rip your skin off.

I will also try your suggestion of putting some moleskin on the hard plastic area. You are correct in saying that it is caused by making either the straps or head screw too tight. I am always trying to stop the leaks from the side where it starts to bother my eyes. Last night, I noticed that it would start blowing air into my eyes if I tried sleeping on my left side. Laying on my back does not cause any leaks but that is not the natural position that I sleep in. Tonight, I will try to adjust the mask a bit better. I have watched the Resmed mask fitting video and have tried putting it on using the mirror. Maybe my face is just a funny shape.

I did some research regarding pillows and side sleeping. At night, I tend to want to sleep on my side. The pillow I use is a soft Costco contour pillow. Some people have recommended PAP pillows. Before spending the $60 or so, I am going to try tonight using two pillows and have try to sleep near the edge of the bed so that the hose can hang off. Some of those sore points on my bridge could be caused by me side sleeping causing the mask to dig into my bridge.

[Maryland_Mike]

My UMFF caused a red sore on the bridge of my nose, but after about two weeks it went away. My brother experienced the same thing. I haven't had that problem since. I guess the skin adjusts somehow.

[fsmitty]

My UMFF caused a red sore on the bridge of my nose, but after about two weeks it went away. My brother experienced the same thing. I haven't had that problem since. I guess the skin adjusts somehow.

Yep, I have read that some people have reported that the skin on the nose bridge will toughen. However, since I wear glasses I can't have my nose bridge from getting too sore. I did see some nasty pictures, on the internet, that showed red pimples that can appear on your nose. People at work have also started to noticed the redness on the bridge of my nose. I will try to keep using the hospital bandage for now.

[Paveway]

I unfortunately have a scar on my nose now due to the Quattro. My solution was to buy sport strip bandages that have foam rubber padding. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001E96LLS

There are only two reasons why a Quattro (or UMFF) would cause "damage" to one's face......too tight and/or wrong size.
Neither should happen. Those masks should "float" on the user's face.

Unfortunately I was never able to loosen my quattro without causing a ridiculous amount of leakage. You might want to try looking at a different face mask.

[Wulfman]

I unfortunately have a scar on my nose now due to the Quattro. My solution was to buy sport strip bandages that have foam rubber padding. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001E96LLS

There are only two reasons why a Quattro (or UMFF) would cause "damage" to one's face......too tight and/or wrong size.
Neither should happen. Those masks should "float" on the user's face.

Unfortunately I was never able to loosen my quattro without causing a ridiculous amount of leakage. You might want to try looking at a different face mask.

Where was the leakage coming from? Did you ever do the "Teflon tape fix" to the elbow in the front of the mask? Depending on when your mask was made, the earlier elbows leaked like Hell and it felt like it was leaking EVERYWHERE. ResMed supposedly made some improvements to that, but there are probably a lot of the older ones still out there.

If you turn the forehead adjustment knob all the way to the right (no angle) and loosen up the top straps (alot) and then use only the tension of the bottom straps, it should give a pretty good seal.

Bed pillows also make a huge difference.


Den

[Paveway]

I unfortunately have a scar on my nose now due to the Quattro. My solution was to buy sport strip bandages that have foam rubber padding. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001E96LLS

There are only two reasons why a Quattro (or UMFF) would cause "damage" to one's face......too tight and/or wrong size.
Neither should happen. Those masks should "float" on the user's face.

Unfortunately I was never able to loosen my quattro without causing a ridiculous amount of leakage. You might want to try looking at a different face mask.

Where was the leakage coming from? Did you ever do the "Teflon tape fix" to the elbow in the front of the mask? Depending on when your mask was made, the earlier elbows leaked like Hell and it felt like it was leaking EVERYWHERE. ResMed supposedly made some improvements to that, but there are probably a lot of the older ones still out there.

If you turn the forehead adjustment knob all the way to the right (no angle) and loosen up the top straps (alot) and then use only the tension of the bottom straps, it should give a pretty good seal.

Bed pillows also make a huge difference.


Den

The problem was that when I would relax my face and my mouth would widen a little bit it would start leaking at the bottom corners of the mask. I would produce a loud buzzing sound as the cushion would vibrate where my mouth corners were. Also when I turned my face a little bit I would start leaking around the sides of my nose also producing the buzzing sound. I could get this to stop by tightening the mask a lot, but then I would get the red ring and red nose bridge.

Needless to say the loud buzzing/vibration would wake me up before I could even get into REM sleep. I've been trying an Activa LT mask lately as hopefully I don't need a full face mask.

[MGoBlue]

You can turn the knob on the forehead rest to relieve pressure on your nose. I find I can run the mask pretty lose up top without leaks, but the bottom has to be tight in order to avoid leaks.

[Lineman]

There are only two reasons why a Quattro (or UMFF) would cause "damage" to one's face......too tight and/or wrong size.
Neither should happen. Those masks should "float" on the user's face.

Den

I agree the Quattro should "float" on the face. If mine doesn't, I get a sore on my nose bridge. But I know how hard it is to hear that advice and to try to implement it when you are tired, sleepy and yet afraid to put the mask on because you just know it is going to leak. Do I have a better solution than trial and error? Nope. The tape or moleskin may be a good solution if it doesn't cause leaks other places. I learned the hard way to keep the mask loose all around. When I'm standing, it leaks like crazy but laying down it seals. The straps are just tight enough so that the air pressure will seal it to my face ....... and I sleep on my side without leaks.

[fsmitty]

I tried again last night to sleep with the Quattro. Had some hospital tape on my nose bridge. Someone recommended that you leave the top straps loose and tighten just the bottom straps. I tried this but noticed that the mask leaked when I started to try sleeping on my side. The only way to stop the leak was to tighten up the head screw. Had a wonderful night sleep and managed to sleep for 7 hours. However, when I woke up this morning, I noticed that the head part had left two bumps on my forehead. This is the first that this has happened, at least after a few hours they are no longer visible. My nose is not as sore but is still slightly red. I do rub some neosporin in the nose before going to work to stop any infection/blistering.

Does sleeping on your side with the Quattro cause any extra pressure to your nose bridge? Should I purchase a special pillow and if so what type to get and from where?

Tonight, I am going to try the mask with some moleskin. I have already cut two small strips and stuck them inside in mask to the sides of the air vent. Hopefully this will provide some relief from the problem with my nose bridge.

Also, how do you know if they have got the mask size correct?

I really like the CPAP machine but problems with the mask are making me think that it is not worth it. If the mask problem does not improve in the next few days then I am going to contact the doctors office. When they gave me the Quattro, the lady mentioned that I should have some neosporin and even moleskin. This makes me believe that they are aware of people having facial issues with these masks.

[GaryG]

Smitty, I'm on my 6th mask now in my approx. 10th week of CPAP. Suggest you may try a different FF mask, if the Quattro is causing the redness. Don't let anyone tell you that you have to live with a sore nose bridge. Also, consider a Hybrid mask, which doesn't even touch the bridge of the nose.

And everyone is different. its not you. Its the rare exception who takes to the first mask they try on and has it work for them.

[katherine.fulmer]

You're not the only one who experienced this. 6 of the 50 Product Challenge 11 participants said the Quattro irritated the bridge of their nose. I encourage you to read over the results for tips on using this mask.

In the reviews, some people said they preferred the Ultra Mirage II to the Quattro. Perhaps that should be your next try?