Sore, red bridge of nose....

[patdart]

I'm trying to find a FF mask and am trying the Quattro, but I'm a side sleeper and it digs into the bridge of my nose. I kept waking up last night and trying the screw to take the pressure off my nose. What am I doing wrong? It's a small which should fit. I am allergic to adhesives, so putting something on my nose would make it worse. Is there something else I can try? I don't want to lose the seal, as I use O2 at night thru it. I've had good luck with the Respironics nasal pillows, but need a FF mask for the inevitable cold or sinus infection.

Pat

[pdean44]

I just recently switched to the quattro and had the same problem. I purchased a nose protector that was recommended to me from cpaptalk folks.

This is the item I bought:

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/sequal ... e-pad.html

At first i had trouble getting it to not leak around my eyes. I found that wearing the straps a bit tighter worked. It was ok to do so because it works it protects your nose bridge.

Make sure also your mask is not slipping down too far on your face. The lower it goes the more likely it is to cut into your bridge.

The protector I had problems getting it to stay in place when I put the mask on. I found the easiest way to do that for me was to tilt my head back and put the protector on the bridge of my nose. Then place the mask over my face. I pulled the top straps in place with the other hand. Then attached the lower straps.

when I went to bed I turn on the machine and check for air leaks. Turning my head side to side and i feel around the bridge of my nose. If I have any I turn off the machine and laying on my back release the lower straps and swivel the mask up and careully back down not to disturb the nose protector. I then turn the machine back on. that procedure helps if your mask was not properly seated. If i still get leaks then i go a little tighter on the straps. The top straps should be firm and the lower ones adjusted until you do not get leaks from the sides of your mouth etc. If you still have air escaping from your nose I would turn the dial in until it stops.

The nose protector starts to become slightly formed to the shape of your nose over time and i found that makes it even easier to get in place and get positioned.

If you follow these steps you should find the mask way more comfortable. I learned most of this through the folks here. I welcome any questions through pm or on this thread any time from anyone I can help. So many have helped me.

[Breathe Jimbo]

In the short term, you can put a small bandaid on the bridge of your nose.

[pdean44]

That definitely helps. I did that until my protector arrived.

[Chaos-Jones]

First thing I would do is stop and let your skin heal.

I had a similar problem with my F&P mask and as a result of persistence I now have a permanent mark
right on the bridge of my nose.

The Mirage Quattro is probably one of the gentler masks and I had no problem with it. I am now using the
new quattro fx which has been amazing for me. Before that came on the market I was considering one of
the Fisher & Paykel FitLife total face masks. I was able to try one at my local CPAP suppy store and it was
surprisingly comfortable.

But seriously, let your nose heal first before you try again.

[bdp522]

You can also try padacheek.com and look for nose bridge protectors. Karen is also a forum member, so you can PM her. Her pads are washable and will last for a very long time.

Brenda

[miketech]

I have the Mirage Quattro. If you look above the screw knob, there are numbers on the forehead support. You should twist the knob counterclockwise, so that you can see a "higher" number. The higher the visible number, the farther away your mask is from your nose bridge.

I too am a side sleeper. I found that if my head sinks into the pillow, the mask will rest on the pillow too, and that tends to push the mask off the face, causing leaks. A firm pillow will work better. And the mask needs to hang beyond the edge of the pillow- so that the mask is not in contact with the pillow. I bought the buckwheat pillow, which others had mentioned. I believe there is someone on this site who actually made their own pillow out of stiff material like styrofoam, having cutouts to prevent mask/hose interference.

[patdart]

I want to thank each of you for your suggestions. As I said, I'm allergic to adhesives, so band-aids are out, but when my nose gets better I will try each of the other ideas.

If I can get another mask to try, what are some others that might work? I've only slept with this one 4 nights and Lincare is my provider and the tech said I could exchange if it didn't work. I hope they keep their word if none of these ideas don't work for me.

In any case, thanks to all of you for your time!

[cflame1]

patdart,
Padacheek's options are made of fleece, no adhesives on them.

[jbenenson]

..and they cost way too much money! For $19.99 (+ $7.75 shipping) you get about $0.50 worth of microfleece material sewn into a very simple pattern. It probably costs Pad A Cheek $0.75 to make. Anybody with a sewing machine can make as many as they want in 30 minutes.

Sorry Karen but I'm very, very disappointed in the cost-for-value.

[cflame1]

you are so flipping critical about everything lately jbenenson... haven't you been sleeping well yet?

[Pad A Cheek]

I do not know where you got those prices, they are not from PAD A CHEEK. Are you sure you purchased from us? If so you would also know that we stand behind everything we manufacture.

If you have any problem with anything from PAD A CHEEK, please email me and I will make it right.

Karen

[jbenenson]

I bought the A/B type forehead protector from The CPAP shop at the prices that I mentioned earlier. Since "fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me" I won't buy anyCPAP equipment from them again.

[jbenenson]

cflame1, I sleep very well thank you now that I have my APAP machine and two masks. Would you like to pay $27.74 for a small piece of cloth? Be my guest, contact The CPAP Shop!

Don't be foolish like me. Buy it from Karen for $16.50 including shipping. Still expensive but much more reasonable.

[patdart]

I'm finding this discussion very confusing! It's not my forehead that needs anything, it's about an inch across the bridge of my bony nose that is inflamed and sore has heck, to the point I can't use the mask more than two nights before I can't use it for about 5 or more days and then the problem begins again. Otherwise the mask is fine.

What does forehead padding have to do with it if anything?