Nose bridge raw

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qjosea
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Nose bridge raw

Post by qjosea » Mon Dec 21, 2009 2:31 pm

The bridge on the top of my nose is very raw, I use the Mirage Quattro FFM. I read somewhere in here about an ointment of some sort that I can put on to help. I don't remember what it is but it will not harm the mask by degrading the silicone. I have had this mask for about two or three weeks. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

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goose
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Re: Nose bridge raw

Post by goose » Mon Dec 21, 2009 3:18 pm

In my experience (not with the Quattro Mask) the top straps on your headgear are too tight.

The headgear is really there to hold the mask on, not make the seal happen. You have to have it loose enough for the seal to inflate.
I had the same issue with a ComfortGel mask until I got the headgear loose enough that, one) it didn't cause the bridge of the nose issue, and two) it sealed much better!!
Usually a person will crank that headgear down tight when they first begin because the DME/RT don't tell them or show them how it's done correctly. It also needs to be adjusted while laying down not sitting or standing -- the fit is different in those positions. I found my solution after a couple months of playing with it, and reading advice here.....

Good luck!!
cheers
goose

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blakepro
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Re: Nose bridge raw

Post by blakepro » Mon Dec 21, 2009 3:43 pm

When this happens to me, I cut up a band-aid so its a small strip about the size of the affected area, and I just use a little bit of neosporin and put the band-aid over it each night until it heals. The band-aid keeps the mask clean and protects your skin, while the neosporin help it heal.

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SleepingUgly
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Re: Nose bridge raw

Post by SleepingUgly » Mon Dec 21, 2009 3:56 pm

I posted a thread about this same issue:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=47618&p=431628#p431628

Goose, are you saying that the straps don't keep the mask from leaking? If I put the straps on loosely, the air blows through the sides and top of mask. It may be true that the top strap doesn't prevent leaks into the eyes and only the forehead dial does that, but the bottom straps do seem to prevent leaks in the cheek area (more or less). Do you adjust the headgear with the blower on or off? BTW, do you have a ComfortGel FULL FACE mask? I was wondering how that would be vs. the Quattro, as I'm having the nose bridge problems with the Quattro. I wonder if it would be any better or if the fit is pretty much the same.
goose wrote:In my experience (not with the Quattro Mask) the top straps on your headgear are too tight.

The headgear is really there to hold the mask on, not make the seal happen. You have to have it loose enough for the seal to inflate.
I had the same issue with a ComfortGel mask until I got the headgear loose enough that, one) it didn't cause the bridge of the nose issue, and two) it sealed much better!!
Usually a person will crank that headgear down tight when they first begin because the DME/RT don't tell them or show them how it's done correctly. It also needs to be adjusted while laying down not sitting or standing -- the fit is different in those positions. I found my solution after a couple months of playing with it, and reading advice here.....

Good luck!!
cheers
goose
Never put your fate entirely in the hands of someone who cares less about it than you do. --Sleeping Ugly

PaJoe
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Re: Nose bridge raw

Post by PaJoe » Mon Dec 21, 2009 4:09 pm

When I first started using cpap, about 10 years ago, I was using the original Aclaim mask and it would make the bridge of my nose sore.
DuoDerm (extra thin) , which is used a lot for bed sores did help protect the area. However, DuoDerm is expensive, it would be better if you could get a small sample to try first.

That particular problem never really went away until Fisher & Paykel changed the foam in the in their Aclaim mask, which they now call the "Aclaim 2 " . It looked like all they did is cut a block out of the foam at the bridge, relieving much of the pressure.


joe

harry33
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Re: Nose bridge raw

Post by harry33 » Mon Dec 21, 2009 4:26 pm

the angle of the part that presses against the forehead needs careful adjustment
masks should be worn high up on face
your mask size may be too small
australian,anxiety and insomnia, a CPAP user since 1995, self diagnosed after years of fatigue, 2 cheap CPAPs and respironics comfortgell nose only mask. not one of my many doctors ever asked me if I snored

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SleepingUgly
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Re: Nose bridge raw

Post by SleepingUgly » Mon Dec 21, 2009 4:32 pm

Harry, do you use the Quattro? What do you mean by "careful adjustment"? Did you ever get a formal diagnosis (you wrote "self-diagnosed...")?
harry33 wrote:the angle of the part that presses against the forehead needs careful adjustment
masks should be worn high up on face
your mask size may be too small
Never put your fate entirely in the hands of someone who cares less about it than you do. --Sleeping Ugly

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Gerryk
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Re: Nose bridge raw

Post by Gerryk » Mon Dec 21, 2009 4:34 pm

I have that mask. It's not that the temple straps are too tight, you have the mask adjusted too close to your face. That dial in the middle on top is used to adjust the mask in and out either toward or away from your face. If you are getting a sore or are raw on the bridge of your nose, you have it adjusted too close to your face.

That mask when adjusted properly is kind of like a hover craft. Sorry that's the best way to describe it so bear with me.
When you put the mask on the bottom straps are supposed to be tight but not too tight, and the top ones are supposed to allow a little movement then you adjust further with the dial. Now when you hook up to your hose and turn the machine on that's where the hover craft part comes from. The mask cushion will actually fill up with air and then seal properly. If the mask is too tight it will never seal properly and you will end up with marks on your forehead, bridge of your nose and on your face where the mask sits.

As far as that sore, try a band aid or possibly moleskin.
Hope this helps

Gerry

Y REM
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Re: Nose bridge raw

Post by Y REM » Mon Dec 21, 2009 5:10 pm

This is a very common problem, especially with the full face masks like the Quattro. Try the "sleep comfort care pad" which was made specifically for this problem. You can buy it on line, here is one of several links available:
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/sequal ... e-pad.html

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SleepingUgly
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Re: Nose bridge raw

Post by SleepingUgly » Mon Dec 21, 2009 6:53 pm

Thanks, yes, I tried that. I wound up with a welt that broke out and kept me out of a full face mask for a couple of weeks. Once I become less gun-shy, I may try it again, but right now I'm too nervous I'll be out of commission again.
Y REM wrote:This is a very common problem, especially with the full face masks like the Quattro. Try the "sleep comfort care pad" which was made specifically for this problem. You can buy it on line, here is one of several links available:
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/sequal ... e-pad.html
Never put your fate entirely in the hands of someone who cares less about it than you do. --Sleeping Ugly

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qjosea
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Re: Nose bridge raw

Post by qjosea » Mon Dec 21, 2009 7:43 pm

First, I want to thank all of you for your reponses. I went back to basics and did all the adjustments, I will trying again this night and hopefully the adjustments will do the trick. I tried it and it feels good, but the true results will be in the morning.

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Gerryk
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Re: Nose bridge raw

Post by Gerryk » Mon Dec 21, 2009 7:52 pm

Why wait till tonight or tomorrow morning. Put the mask on now turn the machine on and sit and wear it for a while and see how you feel. Then you can make any adjustments you need now and not when your half asleep and will get frustrated and rip it off.

Just do it!

Wait isn't that Nike? OH well it sounds right so I took it.

Gerry

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jucs
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Re: Nose bridge raw

Post by jucs » Mon Dec 21, 2009 8:04 pm

I had a nose bridge issue again this past week and it was simply due to the mask being too tight -- I actually used moleskin and cotton to a disadvantage because it caused the bridge contact point to be too harsh.

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goose
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Re: Nose bridge raw

Post by goose » Mon Dec 21, 2009 9:11 pm

People with more experience with the Quattro than I, have provided the "tricks"....

There is a fine balance between loose and too loose - Essentially the headgear holds the mask in place but it has to be tight enough so that when the membrane inflates it doesn't leak.
That forehead piece is very important as well. On my Activa I have it set as far "out" as I can, and wish it would go another quarter inch (pushing it further away from my face).
Good luck
take care
cheers
goose

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Humidifier: HC150 Heated Humidifier With Hose, 2 Chambers and Stand
Additional Comments: Also Use ComfortGel (s); Headrest (XL) and a PAP-Cap.
Wars arise from a failure to understand one another's humanness. Instead of summit meetings, why not have families meet for a picnic and get to know each other while the children play together?

-the Dalai Lama

Y REM
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Re: Nose bridge raw

Post by Y REM » Mon Dec 21, 2009 11:28 pm

SleepingUgly wrote:Thanks, yes, I tried that. I wound up with a welt that broke out and kept me out of a full face mask for a couple of weeks. Once I become less gun-shy, I may try it again, but right now I'm too nervous I'll be out of commission again.
Y REM wrote:This is a very common problem, especially with the full face masks like the Quattro. Try the "sleep comfort care pad" which was made specifically for this problem. You can buy it on line, here is one of several links available:
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/sequal ... e-pad.html

That is a shame. That is odd, I had not seen that happen so far. I wonder what caused that welt. A couple of weeks is a long time for it to heal. Maybe the mask was on too tight or the wrong size?? Sometimes it is not the mask but the headgear is the wrong size. The pads have 2 sizes so maybe that was a factor. The pads are deceptively simple so it is possible to put them on wrong. They have short video clip on how to wear the pad. You may have seen it already but just in case here is the link: http://www.sleepcomfortcaresystem.com/index.html They have an insurance code now, so you might be able to get reimbursed for them.
Good luck with your CPAP.