From the neck up...

[Duane Lord]

...I'm a mess...migraines, asthma, eye and sinus problems, and now apnea. Today is one of those miserable days in which everything seems to be happening at once. My sinus problems are quite bad this morning; one eye in particular is red, swollen, and watery. Could the mask and machine be making things worse in this department? My machine does have a humidifier which I utilize. However, very little water is gone between night and morning. I've read that headed humidifiers are best in cases like mine. How can I tell if my humidifier is heated? Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[Joe50]

The red eye might mean air is leaking from your mask into your eye. If you bought the humidifier that is bundled with the machine that you have it looks like a heated one. I am judging from the actual plastic tank picture, it has a metal heating plate on the bottom. Check the books they gave you to make sure, if they did not give you any manuals I am sure someone can help you out.

[Duane Lord]

Thank you so much! I'm embarrassed to say that it never occurred to me to read the manual, even though I'm a librarian....just goes to show you how awful I feel. Thanks again. I will read on!

[Janknitz]

If there's sufficient relative humidity in your bedroom, the PR S1 machine humidifier will use very little water. It adjusts to the room's humidity. I can go almost 2 weeks on a tank of water (NOT recommended, I usually wash my tank out and refill every weekend).

I think there are two things going on:

1. You have a leak that is shunting cold air to your eye. You may need to fiddle with the mask, and sometimes people use Mack's SILICONE ear plugs (kind of like silicone putty--never use wax ones) to seal the edge of the mask where the leaking is occurring.

2. The humidifier may be irritating your sinuses because it's either too low OR too high. Unfortunately, it's a matter of trial and error to find the right setting for you. Too much really makes me congested, gives me a wicked headache and pressure in my ears. Too little gives me a dry, scratchy throat. Try adjusting it up or down one notch and leave it there for a night or two to see if you feel better or worse, If worse, go the other way. It may take a week or more to find the right setting.

[brazospearl]

Duane, another possibility for the eye problem is that any air blown into your nose goes into your eyes as well due to the tear ducts. These are the same one that make noses run when we cry. This was a problem for me early in my therapy, and the solution I found is to use dry-eye ointment at night, dry-eye gel tears during the day, and a big stretchy hairband as an eye mask. There is also a medical procedure for some sort of plug inserted into the tear duct, and other people have found other helpful solutions. This IS something that can be managed. I also think you should look at the level of humidification you're using--some people need lots more, others need lots less; no way to know until you experiment.

[wolewyck]

What kind of filter do you have on your machine? Some models have hypogenic filter options, but they don't necessarily come standard. Also, there are additional after-market bacterial/viral filters available; perhaps one of those would help with the allergy issues also-- ask your doctor. Be sure to give your mask and humidifier a really good cleaning so that there's nothing growing in there. And good luck!

[snoozysue]

I understand how bad the eye problem can become when using CPAP. I have never had sore or irritated eyes until I began using CPAP earlier this year. I tired everything from mask tightening, lubricating drops and gels to covering my eyes with a headband with little soft pads stuffed down there to cover them even more! After 2 lots of infected eyes I finally discovered Tranquil Eyes (I use a Quattro FFM) which has made a tremendous difference and I can now sleep all night with them and no more sore eyes!
Good luck as it is really important that the air doesn't damage your eyes.

[robysue]

As another poster mentioned, the eye problem could be caused by (or at least aggreivated by) CPAP air being blown through the tear ducts and sinus cavities in and around the eye. How long have you been using CPAP? And has this been a problem off and on from the start? If so, you might want to let the sleep doctor's office know about this problem because it might be an indication that your current pressure is a bit too high.

Re humidification: As others have said, you'll need to play around with the humidity setting since it could just as easily be too high as too low.

Re headaches, both sinus and migraine: Is it possible that your mask is too TIGHT? Over tightening masks can make leaks worse as well as give you a nasty headache from the pressure from the straps themselves. Does the mask hurt when you have it on? If you'd list the specific mask you're using you might get some specific tips from other users of that particular mask.

[KatieW]

Oh, this sounds miserable. In addition to all of the good suggestions so far, I have a hygrometer which measures the temperature and humidity in the bedroom, and adjust my humidifier accordingly. I keep notes, to see what works best. I also have a air pure purifier which I run 24/7, keep the windows and doors closed, and cats out.

Before bed, I use a saline nasal spray and gel eye drops. If allergies are bad, I take 1/2 Zyrtec.

[Guest]

How lucky we are to live in an age in which these message boards are so widely available. I cannot thank each of you enough for the time, effort, and thought you've put into trying to help me. Yesterday I bought an eye mask which is nice and soft, but kind of drove me crazy last night when I tried to use it because I felt "confined", so to speak, so off it came. I read about Tranquileyes the other day and will ask my eye doctor if they're okay for me. (Given my vision problem, I am always exceptionally careful.) I'll also look into the kind of filter being used, the level of humidity, and every other wonderful suggestion you've made here. I am so grateful for your help!

[Guest]

(Obviously I am still having problems logging on. I attempted to do so before that last post, but was told the user already exists. Anyhow, I am identified as "guest" there--and here, too--but it is I, Duane Lord, who wrote that and this.)

[Emilia]

Duane.. I would suggest you make sure you are logged out completely. Then I'd clear the cookies and cache in your browser and come back and log in again. Depending on the browser you use, these will usually be located in different areas, but most are in security or privacy settings.

[chunkyfrog]

I have had luck wearing swim goggles with my Hybrid.
When the pillows slide off my nose, air blows in my eyes.
I'm still working on my fit on this mask, since it does not give me a dry mouth.
--never give up.

[Duane Lord]

Thanks again. I guess I took it literally when I said yes, I would like to be kept logged in on this computer! Someone asked what kind of humidifier I use. It's a Respironics System One Heated Humidifier, but I don't see that type listed. Then again, I have presented myself as anything but a technical genius here...

[Duane Lord]

Though still red, my eye is definitely much better today; not watering at all and certainly more comfortable--and I'm sure that's thanks to not using the mask last night. I did try the nasal pillows, but was again unsuccessful. However, that will be a relatively easy fix, thanks to those of you who offered suggestions for "anchoring" them. (I wonder why manufacturers don't make longer pillows that wouldn't come out so easily?) In any event, thank you again. It was a better day for me and I hope it was for each of you, too.