Mask advice wanted

[larch]

I'm new to my BIPAP and having trouble with my mask. I first tried a nasal mask that went around my nose, but had a lot of pain at the bridge (I broke my nose a while ago, and the area near the break point seems more sensitive than most people's) and I was developing sores on the side of my nose. I got a swift FX for her nasal pillow mask to try to avoid the side and bridge of the nose problems, but now I am developing a sore inside one nostril (waking up with blood on my nose, which I'm fairly sure is not how CPAP/BIPAP therapy is supposed to work). And sometimes I can't fall asleep with the machine because of the pain on the pressure points. I'm thinking I need another mask, maybe to switch off with the swift FX to let my nose heal. But I'm not sure what mask to get. Is there one that doesn't use nasal pillows to rest my nostrils, but also won't aggravate the bridge of my nose? Preferably something that I'm not going to leak a lot in, because I also am having some trouble with leaks. Thanks to anyone with advice.

[library lady]

I don't use a nasal mask so I don't know for sure the name of it, but there is a cloth mask that might work for you. I think it is called Sleepweaver... my cousin has one (blue, I think), and it looks like it might be gentler on your sore spots.

[KentuckyHoser]

I am really new to all of this so advice comes complete with a grain of salt, but have you looked at the Respironics Nuance/Nuance Pro? It has blunt cushions that don't go so far into your nose. The 'prongs' act more as guides and the seal is made by this really soft and squishy gel outside the nostrils.

Edit to add: I find it way more comfortable than the FX I used for my study. Of course masks are subjective.

[Pugsy]

Which nasal, over the nose, mask did you try first that created the sore area on the bridge of the nose?
Was it the Respironics Wisp or ResMed Nano cushion? If not, you might try either of those as they are very soft.

Nasal pillow masks shouldn't irritate the nostrils to the point of sores or bleeding. If they are doing that then either wrong size or too tight. They should just barely have the inner cones go into the nostril..just barely and rest gently against the nostril.
Have you watched the fitting video just in case you missed something?
http://www.cpaplibrary.com/nasal-pillows.html
Some Lansinoh lanolin ointment will help with the soreness and healing. Found in the baby aisle of most stores.
Won't hurt the silicone at all. Use liberally during the day to help heal and moisturize and tiny bit at night.
Try a different size nasal pillow..if the cones are going into the nostril...try a size bigger..those inner cones should just barely be in the nostril.

[larch]

I'm not sure which mask I tried first, but it was large - not a wisp or a nano, which are ones I am considering. I'm thinking of getting the nano cushion, because I'd only have to buy the cushion and it'd be compatible with what I already have. The inside of my nose is not bleeding. I developed a sore in the top left portion of my right nostril, right on the outside. The inside fit is great. My skin seems very sensitive to pressure - in fact, I know from using the Zeo before I was diagnosed with sleep apnea that I have a condition called acne machinica (I think that's the term), where wearing things on my face for a prolonged period makes my skin break out. Anyway, the bleeding is not from inside the nose, but the outer rim of it. But that's still clearly a problem, and the blood wakes me up and it hurts. I wish there were an easy way to figure out the best size of cushion to get. Basically, I figure, if I have to, I will keep getting new equipment until something works. But I'd like to buy things somewhat wisely to try to find something that works faster and cheaper. I am hoping to be able to use my swift fx still; I just need to be able to switch off when it starts building up sores.

I do think part of my problem may also be that my nostrils aren't the same size and are a little weird, due to my nose having been broken a long time ago and only fixed recently. It makes my nostrils a bit oddly shaped, which probably affects the fit of the nasal cushion. That's also probably why I have more trouble with it being comfortable for my right nostril ajnd trying to keep it from leaking with my left nostril. I am not aware of any nasal pillow masks that are different sizes for different nostrils. But really, other than some issues with leaks and adjustment,t he swift fx was working pretty well until my nose started breaking out from it. I'm really new to all of this, and I do plan to talk to my doctor about it in mid-March, but I'm hoping to get back to sleeping with the machine faster than that. I'm also not sure my doctor would be as good a guide to mask options as people with experience using them - I have some great sleep doctors, but even so, advice here seemed like a good idea.

[Pugsy]

Give the Nano cushion a try..No hard parts to it to dig into the skin...it will fit with your Swift FX headgear and short hose..so only thing you really need is the cushion. Check out EBay..sometimes I have seen them there for a little less money and still brand new.

Use the Lansinoh...it will help.

Regarding nostrils that are slightly different...this does happen occasionally.
You might check out the mask I have in my profile...the Tap Pap.
The nasal pillows are independent of each other so you can use one size in one nostril and another size in the other nostril.

[larch]

Thanks. I'm going to keep all this in mind. So, I think the first thing to try is just the new cushion, since maybe that'll suffice. And if not, I can consider the sleepweaver and the tap pap, which both look like they have some beneficial features. And I will also see if my doctor has any advice. I know it often takes time and a few tries to get comfortable with a cpap or bipap, so I'm hoping in a few months I'll have this sorted out and will be able to sleep well. I just really have been looking forward to sleeping well, so I'm eager to figure out ways around these problems. I definitely think the BIPAP helps when I can use it.

[Delta4]

I don't use a nasal mask so I don't know for sure the name of it, but there is a cloth mask that might work for you. I think it is called Sleepweaver... my cousin has one (blue, I think), and it looks like it might be gentler on your sore spots.

I use the Sleepweaver Elan cloth nasal mask. It wasn't a torture device like every other mask I tried (Swift FX Quattro FX, and Wisp.)