nose bride mask bites

[TalonNYC]

Hi folks:

Grrrr. After several months of successful use of the FFM, I'm starting to get pressure sores (I call them mask bites) on the bridge of my nose again. Getting a silicone bridge-pad sent, but those always seem to cause more leaks for me than they fix, so that's just a temporary solution.

Anyone have some lab-rat tips to keep them from coming back once I get the current one cleared up? Last time it took about 2 weeks of the bridge-pad, then I was fine for about 5.5 months.

Thanks in advance.

[NightMonkey]

I wonder about switching to the Innomed Hybrid mask to solve this problem?

It doesn't seem to be a very popular mask but the ones who do use it are enthusiastic about the mask.

[LSAT]

Probably still tightening the mask too much. With the Quattro, the top adjustment should be as loose as possible. That will take the pressure off your nose. Have you changed the silicone insert?

[TalonNYC]

@monkey I could never get the hybrid to stay on all night. The nose prongs would always pop out, no matter what lab-ratting I tried with it =(

@LSAT - just changed the pad Sunday when the irritation had started on Friday, it hasn't made it worse, but it hasn't made it any better. I'll try loosening it up a bit more tonight and see if that helps. Just so frustrating as I had it perfectly licked for MONTHS and now it starts happening again =(

Thanks for the advice!

[retrodave15]

I have found that I can control the problem with redness a sore nose bridge by the following:

Tighten the to straps just enough to keep the forehead pad in place.

Use the dial setting to adjust the bridge height / pressure to just tight enough to stop any leaks. I will crank down the dial, back it off until it starts to leak, then tighten until the leak stops.

Doing this it has dramatically cut down on redness and mask marks.

[Starlette]

Good morning Mike (If I remember correctly, your name is Mike, if not please correct me).

When I was a noob to cpap, folks on the forum suggested moleskin. You can find it with the foot accessories at Walmart, and I'm sure other stores have it too. I've use it on my Mirage Softgel and Active Cell (nap mask in family room) on mask pressure points. Always has worked VERY well.
I've just cut off small bit, like the size of a bean and stick it where needed.

Starlette

[TalonNYC]

Thanks! I'll work with both those suggestions.

And yup, it's Mike =)

[uncannie1]

I have a solution for this problem that I found about 2 years ago. I got nasty "mask bites" across the bridge of my nose and under my nose across my upper lip. Really was painful and unattractive. Go to the site below and look at what they have to offer, you will be glad you did. (your insurance may cover the small cost for these products) They have sizes and shapes for every mask, and it keeps your skin from being ruptured by the pressure with plastic/laytex against your face.

http://www.RemZzzs.com

When they ask you how you heard about them, tell them Kim Drier sent you. (They love that!) I put them onto the VA so those of us that acquired Sleep Apnea while in the War wouldn't have to pay for these along with everything else that comes with the affliction.

I know you will be very pleased with what you find, their service, and the results!

To your 'sore free' nose!

Kim

[nanwilson]

Mike
Have you not tried a mask liner? I sent you one when I traded my ultra for your hybrid, Karen at Padacheek makes them and the one for the ultra is the exact same as the one for the quattro.
Cheers
Nan

[Jay Aitchsee]

From time to time, when a sore develops, I use those small, round, sheer bandages. They're about the size of a nickle, or maybe quarter, meant for small wounds. Just a run-of-the-mill product. You can peel the pad off if you want; either way, I have not found them to cause leaks and they'll protect the bridge of the nose til it heals.

Jay

[TalonNYC]

Mike
Have you not tried a mask liner?

Yup, thanks Nan. Unfortunately since this seems to be pressure, not friction, the liners don't seem to help. They DO help with all other face marks tho.

[Kody]

Hey Mike, I was running into the same problem with my Quattro. Turns out I had the dial turned a couple clicks too tight. I loosened the dial until it leaked, then clicked it tighter just until it stopped. That was the end of the Rudolph the red nosed rain deer effect. Seems like you can go on for weeks with this mask not leaking then all of a sudden something slightly changes and you have to start again. I swear sometimes mine feels like it's a prop from Alien movies, good luck.

[The Choker]

those of us that acquired Sleep Apnea while in the War

I have become very interested in the causes of this affliction that I have, so this question is serious and not sarcastic.

Are you saying the "War" causes sleep apnea? If so, how? Which war? Central or obstructive apnea?

Thanks for any information.

[macewa]

I'm new to all of this and have had numerous problems. In the very beginning,, I had such horrid windburn in my nose, that it was very painful just to breathe normally and there was no way I could use the machine blowing anything up my nose. So, I'm fighting now to keep my machine. I have been using it ever since my nose cleared up. My air pressure numbers are 17/22 and more than likely top number will go back up to 25. This has been a nightmare. To share with others if you get windburn in your nose, I put kleenex in my nose so I don't breathe through it all day - then at night, I can tolerate the air. With the nose bite problems, I have that plus I usually end up with a headache from having to wear it so tight to keep it from leaking. My air pressure is just too freaking strong. I'm usually not claustrophic about the mask but every so often I just want to tear it off. I take a half of a mild dose of Adivan for that when needed. I am currently on Ritalin to keep me awake during the day. I had started a wonderful job and was fired after a week because I went into a form of narclopsy. It was devastating. So,now no job and no money. My first doctor didn't deal with my issues and is the reason I'm fighting to keep my machine. The second doctor is much better. Right now I'm on the 17/22 pressure and can tell it isn't helping. I would be sleeping right now if it weren't for the Ritalin. It allows me to chose to stay awake. I have a Phillips Respironics BiPap w/Sys One humidifier. My mask (after trying numerous one) is a REsMed Mirage Quattro (full face). I have the belching and gas every day. At night I get severe muscle cramps in my legs and elsewhere. Not sure what that is about. But that also doesn't help with a good nights sleep. I dread going to bed at night and let myself get very tired so that I fall alseep instantly. Since my machine has the lower number to start with working up to the big one, I usually can fall alseep and if my mask is tight enough, I will sleep all night provided it doesn't start leaking. Any input that would be helpful is appreciated. I am female and 72 years young. (not your typical 72 yr old).