Titration and First Months

[Random]

Hi everyone,

I posted a short rant earlier about having issues with my mask and received a lot of helpful advice. I am still having a lot of trouble adjusting, so I thought I would post again.

Long story short, I am 24 years old, not overweight but not in the best of shape either and have been diagnosed with moderate OSA back in February after 3 hours of sleep in the sleep lab, with an AHI of 18. I also happen to have GERD, rhumic arthritis and eczema. Sometimes I feel like the most unhealthy person in the world, I mean I am 24 and have the body of a 70 year old man.

My symptoms were excessive tiredness, depression, difficulty concentrating, snoring, night sweats, memory loss and difficulty initiating sleep. This went on for a few years before I got fed up with my Family Doctor refusing to get me a sleep study and throwing pills at me so I went to another doctor and got the appointment myself.

I exchanged masks a few times due to problems with mouth breathing and ended up with a full face mask which destroyed my face, leaving a trail of small spots around my mouth and a large and painful welt on the bridge of my nose. I've since settled on a nasal mask (Mirage Activa LT) and a roll of duct tape for my mouth.

The mask is much more comfortable, and I am usually able to get around 5 hours of sleep per night without issues. However, after a week of use this mask is again leaving a sore welt on my nose, which has developed into a permanent scar I must have the most sensitive nose in the world as this mask is very supple and I can barely feel it on my face. Are there any options available to alleviate this aside from switching the mask again? I have not come across any posts where anyone has this problem so consistently.

In addition I just had my titration study about a week ago and my pressure was adjusted to 8. I haven't noticed any difference so far, and my follow up appointment is not for another three weeks.

I'm not feeling any better so far, I zone out at work for hours, my grades have dropped from A's to C's at school and I've been getting very moody at home. I've resorted to drinking two or three of those energy drinks per day. I've tried to start jogging again in order to get back in shape, but my knees hurt so much the following day I can barely walk. I would really appreciate some advice if anyone has any to offer.

Thanks for listening.

[Nord]

You might try the SoftGel Cushion... it fits your mask and is fairly cheap at CPAP.com.

You will find it softer on the face and seals pretty much the same. The problem will be sweating will aggravate the seal somewhat.
For me it was too heavy and I move a lot from side to side.

I'd also consider changing the Duct Tape... it seals really well but I think it will definitely affect your skin. Some of the painter's tape's are easier.

Nord

[Random]

You might try the SoftGel Cushion... it fits your mask and is fairly cheap at CPAP.com.

You will find it softer on the face and seals pretty much the same. The problem will be sweating will aggravate the seal somewhat.
For me it was too heavy and I move a lot from side to side.

I'd also consider changing the Duct Tape... it seals really well but I think it will definitely affect your skin. Some of the painter's tape's are easier.

Nord

Hi Nord,

Are you referring to this cushion? The Activa LT cushion is very light and I honestly cannot figure out how it is causing these welts. Considering the enormous price differences from this website and locally in Canada it is certainly worth a shot, thanks!

[eric_burcham]

I have a pretty bad red spot on the bridge of my nose as well... Mirage Quattro mask.

I just ordered some of these, and hope they will help.
http://www.directhomemedical.com/access ... ogies.html

Can anybody speak to their effectiveness?

Thanks!


EDIT: Look to have mixed reviews on CPAP.com.
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/sequal ... e-pad.html

Apperently hard to keep in place, but some people love them. For a few bucks I will still give it a try.

[newhosehead]

I have a pretty bad red spot on the bridge of my nose as well... Mirage Quattro mask.

I just ordered some of these, and hope they will help.
http://www.directhomemedical.com/access ... ogies.html

Can anybody speak to their effectiveness?

Thanks!

I have had these for a couple of months now and I LOVE them. It totally solved my nose bridge problem and I had tried several things with no success before. Hmmm,I sound like a commercial At any rate, I think I have seen posts where some folks did not like them, but that's the way it goes with this stuff, what works for one doesn't for another, you just have to keep trying things.

Jeanette

[Nord]

Are you referring to this cushion? The Activa LT cushion is very light and I honestly cannot figure out how it is causing these welts. Considering the enormous price differences from this website and locally in Canada it is certainly worth a shot, thanks!

Yup... thats the one.
There are also some padding products that many people swear by... I don't use them myself.

But I didn't realize you where outside the US of A... ResMed do not allow shipping to Canada.
You might call Steve Archer (RT) at http://www.clinicalsleep.com in Vancouver...
He used to be on this site as Sarcher...

I haven't checked their prices on that but...
I have checked their Online Store by phone for other ResMed products and prices are very close.

Nord

[BlueFreak]

A solution I've discovered recently for nose bridge irritation is to use a small dab of water-based lubricant (yes, the type that goes by the brand name of KY, although cheaper generic brands are readily available). After a few days of getting over the "eww" factor of using it for something very different than what I mentally associate with this product, it has been working wonders for the past few weeks. I have yet to notice even a minor amount of irritation on the bridge of my nose, and it has no impact on the seal of my (full-face) mask.

[loisseau]

I've found near the same solution as BlueFreak. Instead of KY jelly, I use Ocean Gel (Flemming Labs). No nose marks using the gel. I've recently switched to
the Resmed Liberty mask, and I use the gel in each nostril; again no nose redness using the the pillows.