Newbie to CPAP, having a hard time coping

[diamethia]

I was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea 4 weeks ago. I've now spent 4 nights on my cpap machine and my nose is killng me. The edge of my nose and outside are so sore they are bleeding. I have the machine lose but i'm afraid the the mask will fall at night if it's too lose. What can I do to help with this irritation?

It's made even worse b/c I'm not happy about the diagnosis and for over a year have argued with my husband about doing a sleep test. He and my children are thrilled in the difference they have noticed in me, but I can't tell any change- is this normal? I read the coping with changes article and it made me realize just how hard this diagnosis has been and that I haven't allowed myself time to "grieve" for my old life.

Does it get any better?

[Madalot]

I was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea 4 weeks ago. I've now spent 4 nights on my cpap machine and my nose is killng me. The edge of my nose and outside are so sore they are bleeding. I have the machine lose but i'm afraid the the mask will fall at night if it's too lose. What can I do to help with this irritation?

It's made even worse b/c I'm not happy about the diagnosis and for over a year have argued with my husband about doing a sleep test. He and my children are thrilled in the difference they have noticed in me, but I can't tell any change- is this normal? I read the coping with changes article and it made me realize just how hard this diagnosis has been and that I haven't allowed myself time to "grieve" for my old life.

Does it get any better?

Yes, it does. But it does take time.

As far as the soreness, are you talking about your nosebridge? When I first started this, my nosebridge was raw and bleeding. I did like you, loosened the mask for a while, which helped. There's a fine line between being tight enough to avoid leaks but not so tight as to cause problems.

For me, I used a bandaid on my nosebridge for a couple months until it healed and then to protect it. After a couple months, the area "toughened" up enough that I don't need it any longer.

You will get a ton of information, support and help here. We've all been there and can help you through.

[nanwilson]

I agree with what Maddie told you.............plus.. would you please register your equiment so that we know what you are using, it is so much easier to help you when we know what you are using. Good luck and WELCOME!!!!!!!

[Pugsy]

Welcome to the forum. So sorry you are miserable but there are things that can be done to help.

You are using the Opus 360 nasal pillow mask? If it is causing anything more than very minor tenderness at the nostril area then something is wrong. Pillow size may be incorrect and thus not fitting well.
Also I bet you have it too tight. That is the most common mistake people have. The Opus 360 is a very popular and comfortable mask when fitted properly but it may not be the best mask for you.

There is a video here on the Opus 360 mask fitting
http://www.cpaplibrary.com/mask-education

Try a different size nasal pillow. If your DME supplier didn't include the other 2 sizes..they should have.

Go to Walmart and in the baby aisle (bottles and pacifiers) is an ointment called Lansinoh..it is used by breast feeding mom's for sore nipples. It works wonderfully on that chapped and sore nostril area.
Use it liberally during the day and a little at night before putting on the mask.

Mask fit and comfort is the hardest part to this therapy but it can be overcome.
If you can't get comfortable with the Opus...there is a very new nasal pillow mask that is probably more stable than the Opus and it really does seal extremely well when it is extremely loose.
It is called the Aloha. https://www.cpap.com/productpage/devilb ... -mask.html I am trying it right now and I am very impressed with it.
My main preference is still the Swift FX because it has less "stuff" on my face but it can be a little unstable like the Opus (I have tried the Opus) so for a newbie....the Aloha might be a better choice to start off with.

Get your DME involved if you can. That is what they get paid those extra bucks for from machine and mask sales.

[Drowsy Dancer]

I was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea 4 weeks ago. I've now spent 4 nights on my cpap machine and my nose is killng me. The edge of my nose and outside are so sore they are bleeding. I have the machine lose but i'm afraid the the mask will fall at night if it's too lose. What can I do to help with this irritation?

It's made even worse b/c I'm not happy about the diagnosis and for over a year have argued with my husband about doing a sleep test. He and my children are thrilled in the difference they have noticed in me, but I can't tell any change- is this normal? I read the coping with changes article and it made me realize just how hard this diagnosis has been and that I haven't allowed myself time to "grieve" for my old life.

Does it get any better?

Life has no guarantees, but it sure can get better. Not everyone takes to the therapy immediately, and I think everyone has struggles with something along the way. It takes a long time time to recover from severe chronic sleep deprivation, and yes, sometimes others will notice differences before you can. Although I felt a bit better right away, I noticed a big change after about six weeks, and another one--after a bit of a struggle--around six or seven months. I'm still finding ways to improve my sleep habits, which had deteriorated over the years.

If you're wool-sensitive, you might also try Ayl saline nasal gel to ease the soreness in your nose. I agree you're likely strapping the mask on too tight. You've gotten excellent advice on this issue.

[Sheriff Buford]

I agree with Pugs... you may have it too tight... also know that if this is your first mask... most folks go thru many masks until they find "theirs". Mask shopping is normal. Adapting to the first mask you were given is probably "abnormal". Most DME's will allow you to exchange a mask for another one within 30 days. When I started, I could not wear a nasal mask because my left nostril is "plugged". I tried a whole bunch of full face masks with no sucess. I ended up with a total face mask and I am very happy with it. Try the nasal mask first. Check out the one that Pugsy recogmended. Go to cpap.com and check out the popular nasal masks and see if your DME has them. At some point (if you ever get there), you decide a nasal mask is not for you, check out the full face. Finding "your" mask can be an adventure... but very important to your sucess.

Sheriff

[diamethia]

Thanks for all the advice, I do think my mask is too tight. I know I've been scared about it falling off so I probably have it way too tight. Also appreciate the advice on lanolin, I wasn't sure what I could use with the mask that wouldn't hurt the material. The bottom of my poor nose is so raw, I feel like a coke addict

I tried on several different masks when I got my cpap and this one the only one that didn't give me a claustrophobic feel. I'll keep plugging away at it.

I appreciate the encouragement. I've been embarassed and fustrated with the diagnosis, I felt like I was being punished for being overweight. I made a promise to myself and my family that I would get healthy and this is one of the rungs on that ladder.

[Pugsy]

I've been embarassed and fustrated with the diagnosis, I felt like I was being punished for being overweight.

Well you know that skinny people have OSA also. So get that notion right out of your head.

It isn't the greatest thing to have diagnosed but it isn't the worst thing either. We would all rather not have to do this stuff every night but at least we can take it off during the day.

It will get easier and better with time and experience. Since we really don't have much choice in alternatives we do the best we can and eventually you won't feel so disheartened.
The mask thing is really the hardest part and once you get that figured out the rest is downhill.
Will it always be easy or perfect? Heck no but it won't be nearly as difficult as you are experiencing right now.

[Maxie]

It was hard for me to accept my diagnosis also but I decided that if it would improve my life, I was going to go at it 100% and I have read everything I can find about sleep apnea and I read the posts on this board daily. After 4 months I'm comfortable with few leaks and sleeping very well. I also use the Opus 360 and I'm not sure where you are getting the soreness. You've been given some very good advice that I think will work for you. I never had any soreness from my Opus 360 but I did try a FFM that made the bridge of my nose very sore. Good luck and welcome!

[Sheriff Buford]

I've been embarassed and fustrated with the diagnosis, I felt like I was being punished for being overweight. I made a promise to myself and my family that I would get healthy and this is one of the rungs on that ladder.

It's just a medical condition and it can be corrected. When you get settled-in and start getting the benefits of good treatment (more energy, some folks-like me lost weight, refreshed, less sleepy, and all the solutions to other health issues that sleep apnea contributes to) you'll be able to tackle the world with new vigor. Come to this forum to work every issue you have. There is no stupid questions...

Best Wishes,
Sheriff

[BlackSpinner]

I appreciate the encouragement. I've been embarassed and fustrated with the diagnosis, I felt like I was being punished for being overweight. I made a promise to myself and my family that I would get healthy and this is one of the rungs on that ladder.

It maybe that you are over weight due to OSA. It changes your energy level and the way you process food. But also like the others have said many times weight has nothing to do with it - I was thin when it first started after/during my last pregnancy.

He and my children are thrilled in the difference they have noticed in me, but I can't tell any change- is this normal?

One of my first changes was that I stopped biting peoples heads off. I didn't really notice it but every body around me did. My daughter saying "Gee mom you are so much nicer now" nearly had me in tears.

[JoeP]

I worked on changing my mind set. when i first started to suspect sleep apnea I was kinda depressed, didnt want it, didnt want to have to wear a CPAP etc...

As time went on and my symptoms worsened I found my self just wanting a good nights sleep.

So now instead of "having sleep apnea" or "having to use a CPAP" I say to myself "my cpap is going to help me sleep" It makes it much easier to pull that mask on at night when you do it with the right mindset.