Mask hurts bottom of nose

karenann33 · Post by **karenann33** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 8:25 am

My husband got his cpap over a week ago and he says it hurts his nose. He has the mask that just goes in the nose and the hose goes up over his head and to the base of his neck. He tried the full face mask in the sleep lab and just couldn't do it.

He can tell that the machine is really working but would like to solve this problem. And now whats happening is the discomfort is so great that he's pulling the mask off (and turning the machine off) in the middle of the night without him knowing.

So what good is the machine if he keeps pulling the mask off? I've seen ads on this website for things you can buy that are supposed to be easier on the nose. Do they work? We are on VERY limited funds. Insurance bought the machine and the one mask...the rest is on us so I can't just buy a bunch of masks at one time.

Any suggestions?

Edited to add the type of mask he has: It's Puritan Bennett mask system, Breeze Sleepgear Mask.

Thanks so much for your help. I can where this mask would hurt so I do think he needs a different kind.

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): hose, CPAP

twillson · Post by **twillson** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 8:51 am

I have this problem with most masks.

The first solution is to get a different cushion for the same mask. You didn't say what type of mask you have, but most have several cushion sizes. It turns out that my nose is longer then most and I needed to get a larger cushion to prevent the mask from either covering my nostrils, or damaging the base of my nose as you have described. CPAP.com has an outstanding measurement system that I really recommend you try. It said I needed a "large" cushion (as opposed to "standard") for the ResMed Mirage masks and a "medium" (as opposed to "medium-small") for Respironics Comfort series masks.

Cushions cost very little and should be provided by your DME and covered by insurance since they are both a "wear item" and a "medical necessity".

By switching to a "large" cushion for the Ultra Mirage II I was able to save my nose, but I find that the mask still rides up after about 6 hours of sleep. The result is that the mask leaks at the bridge of the nose, which usually wakes me up. I can fix the problem by wiping the oil off the seal seal and putting the mask back on, but who wants to do that every night? The long term solution (I hope) has been to switch to a nasal pillow interface (I use the ResMed Swift).

Depending on you mask it may also be possible to address the problem through a headgear adjustment. If you can be more specific I am sure someone here can help you!

wading thru the muck! · Post by **wading thru the muck!** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 9:05 am

Karenann,

If you could determine the mfg and model of the mask, wi could give you some more specific info on making it more comfortable.

Sounds like he has it on too tight or has the wrong size.

mikemoran · Post by **mikemoran** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 9:51 am

Karen,

I suffer from very sensitive nostrils. This has limited my use of nasal pillow type masks, but I am bound and determined to make them work. The biggest problem is getting used to them. The nose does toughen up. To get through the break in period I have tried a few things which might help your husband.

Ayr Gel or KY Jelly - These lube the pillows which reduces leaks and irritation.

OralGel - This numbs the nostrils but is not recommended for long time use.

Neosporin Pain - This provides pain relief as well as lubrication. Because it is petroleum based it will break down the silicone over time. However, I have used it for months and have not seen any appreciable deterioration. it helps that I clean the pillows thoroughly very morning.

Not the best of solutions but beats buying new masks.

karenann33 · Post by **karenann33** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 10:41 am

Sorry I'm new to this. Took me a while to find the type of mask he has.

It's Puritan Bennette mask system, Breeze sleepgear mask

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 11:03 am

Here are WillSucceed's instructions for setting up the Breeze. There are many places on that mask that can, and should be custom set.
I hope this helps.
O.

WillSucceed wrote:Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2005 7:08 pm Post subject: Report Spam

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Mitch:
I'd suggest starting at the back of the Breeze. First, remove the pillows from the plastic plenum -they pull out easily if you squeeze them gently and pull. Loosen the set-screw and angle the plastic plenum away from your face. GENTLY re-tighten the set-screw. Remove the straps or, leave them connected but very loose.

Position the outrigger pad against the part of the back of your head where it feels most comfortable. If you have a bump on the back of your head, see if the pad is more comfortable on the bump or below the bump. Lay down on your back with the outrigger pad is this position and check to see if it is still comfortable, then start making adjustments to the slider between the outrigger and the pad that sits on the top of your head (don't worry about the rest of the Breeze yet). Bear in mind that it will take some time to get used to the feel of this pad on the back of your head. It will be annoying at first but you are likely to get used to it over time.

This top-of-the-head pad is the one that has a 'wing' off each side that have a slot for the straps to go through. This pad should sit in a position on your head where it causes no discomfort and is far enough forward to create some tension between it and the outrigger pad. The tension between these two pads should be enough to hold the Breeze in place (ie., Breeze does not go flying off into orbit when you let go of it) while you are laying on your back. Carefully remove the Breeze, making sure that the outrigger does not move out of position on the slider and put a bit of tape on the slider where it meets the outrigger so that the outrigger will stay in position. You don't want the outrigger to change position along the slider as you take the Breeze on and off.

If you removed them, reattach the straps from the outrigger pad to the top-of-the head pad. Put the Breeze back on and adjust the straps so that they are just snug enough to give stability but not so snug that your head feels like it is in a vice. Check to make sure that the straps are of equal tightness so that the Breeze is not being bent to the left or right.

Take the Breeze off again and insert the pillows into the plastic plenum making sure that only one cuff on each pillow is inserted. A properly inserted pillow shows two round, donut-like cuffs with a volcano-like opening outside the plenum and one round donut-like cuff in the plenum. The two cuffs outside the hard plastic plenum give the bellows action to the pillow. Rotate the pillows so that the slightly oval shape of the openings lines up with the oval shape / orientation of your nares.

Now start adjusting the front slider (slider between the nose plenum and the top-of-the-head pad.) As you are adjusting this up and down, loosen the set-screw that lets you adjust the angle of the plenum. You want the angle to be such that the base of the volcano-like opening forms a seal all the way around the opening of each nare. Continuing adjusting the angle and up/down along the slider so that the pillows are essentially flat against the opening of the nares and the height is not so high (tight against nares) that you feel as though your nose is being yanked upwards. AGAIN, DO THIS WHILE LYING DOWN ON YOUR BACK.

Once it seems comfortable, tighten the set-screw then carefully sit up and remove the Breeze. Put tape on the slider between the plenum and top-of-the-head pad so that this slider no longer moves.

That should be it. Try it out by attaching your PAP machine, turning on the juice and rolling around some in bed. If the Breeze is not stable, you may have to disconnect the straps from the top-of-the-head pad and reattach them to the small plastic slider that moves along the plastic hose guide between the plenum and top-of-the-head pad. This little slider has a slot on each side for the straps to be inserted. Don't remove the tape that is holding the front slider where it enters the top-of-the-head pad; just play with the position of the little plastic slider that has the openings for the straps.

Lay down again, turn on the juice and roll around some more. Make minor adjustments as needed.

Hope this helps!

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): breeze, hose, seal

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): breeze, hose, seal
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Buy a new hat, drink a good wine, treat yourself, and someone you love, to a new bauble, live while you are alive... you never know when the mid-town bus is going to have your name written across its front bumper!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 11:05 am

your husband should have a backup mask to his Breeze. Nare irritation is common problem with that type of mask. And like the others mentioned he may have it too tight or he needs to use a gel.

I suggest he give his nares a rest and get another mask, I suggest the Resmed UltraMirage2 nasal mask or the Resmed Activa.

You do NOT need a prescription to puchase as mask. cpap.com has the best prices.

tomjax · Post by **tomjax** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 11:08 am

A properly adjusted breeze should exert very little pressure on the nose.
To understand this, gently lift it up with your finger placed under it above the nose.
You can tell the pressure needed to hold it in place is very slight..

It should not touch the lips at all.

The problem is practicing enough to properly adjust it.
Someone has posted an excellent instruction for adjusting it.
In some cases, it may be necessary to bend the metal part. be careful doing this though.
Patience and perseverance are the keys here.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 7:38 pm

Karenanne, the Breeze is one of my favorite masks. The hints others have given in this topic for getting the Breeze to work may do the trick for your husband.

I'd add two more suggestions:

1. Figure out a way to hang the main air hose above his head. If the bed has a headboard, hang the main air hose over the headboard, or fasten a bungee, or a big rubber band, or an elastic ponytail holder (a scrunchy), or even make a loop out of a ribbon or scarf fastened to the headboard. Run the main air hose through whatever loop you use...a scrunchy is what many of us use.

If you don't have a headboard, fasten some kind of hook to the wall about a foot above where his head will be on the pillow. Hang a scrunchy from the hook to run the main air hose through.

The whole point of such a setup will be to keep the weight of the main air hose from tugging at ANY mask he might use...the Breeze, or any mask. He can toss and turn all the way over underneath it like a fish on the end of a slack line. The hose won't get under him or tangled, and it won't pull at the mask. The Breeze's hose should not be hanging down the back of his head, even though that's the way it is shown in the ad pictures, unfortunately. Better that it be directed upward to keep it out of his way.

2. If the nasal pillows he has are clear colored (Medium) get the light green pillows (Large.) If the pillows he's using are the light green ones, get the Lavender colored ones (Extra Large.) It's better to have bigger nasal pillows than what most home health care people would say "fit" you. The size they think fit you are usually too small and have to be crammed up into the nostrils to try to get a seal. Bigger nasal pillows will seal better, and more comfortably, as they will stay seated better against the OUTSIDE rims of the nares (nostril openings) instead of having to be shoved up inside to stop leaks.

All bets are off, though, if your husband sleeps on his back a lot. I don't think the Breeze is a good mask for back sleepers. It's great for people who like to sleep on their side, or who turn from side to side. If your husband sleeps quite a bit on his back, it's almost impossible, imho, to keep the Breeze from pulling upward painfully on the nostrils or dropping downward and being leaky.

When you said he tried a Full Face mask in the lab and couldn't use it, are you talking about a mask that covered his nose AND his mouth, covered both at the same time? The reason I ask...some people who are new to this mistakenly refer to a nasal mask (a mask that covers just the nose) as a "face" mask.

If it really was a Full Face mask (covers nose and mouth) were they trying it because they said he was mouth breathing?

karenann33 · Post by **karenann33** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 9:42 pm

Okay the full mask that he couldn't use in the lab did just cover his nose. He said it was comfortable but it kept losing the seal causing him to wake suddenly, freaking out, feeling claustrophibic and almost panic because he couldn't breathe. So I was wrong it didn't cover his mouth. They switched him to the Breeze and he slept from 11pm - 7am fine. The pain didn't start until after he got home.

He mostly sleeps on his side but sometimes does sleep on his back. I'll have to mention that to him.

Thanks so much for your help. My husband has already attempted to adjust the mask and we will see how that works tonight. He also wants to hook it to the headboard said that was a good idea.

Karen

Mask hurts bottom of nose

Mask hurts bottom of nose

Mask Problem

Type of mask

breeze