Prongs uncomfortable after 2-3 hours?

[Miseree81]

I recently was diagnosed and received my cpap machine in July. I have been through 4-5 different masks and finally ordered my own online to try as I was getting really frustrated. I find I can only use my machine for 2-3 hours a night. And even with the new nasal cannula mask, I wake up with my nose super sore and take the mask off.

Some websites say you can't put anything on the mask to help with the friction from a dry nose. Other websites say you can use a little water based lubricant on the prongs to help.

I have a follow up appointment next month and I know im going to get in trouble for not using the machine as much as I am supposed to. Is there any way to make the prongs more comfortable for longer periods of time? My machine does have a heated humidifier which I do use when I'm using it. Even that doesn't help. Any suggestions would be most welcome!

Thanks!

[Pugsy]

You can use Lansinoh lanolin ointment/cream safely. Won't hurt you or the mask.
Can you tell us exactly which mask you are using? There haven't been any new cannula type (prongs which actually go a good distance into the nostrils) in a long time unless you are using something I am not aware of.
There have been several new nasal pillow masks recently though. Those don't go into the nostrils though.

When you have time please add your equipment to your profile..see mine as example. It helps us help you better when we know exactly what you are using.

I have tried one of the prong masks in the past. The fit inside the nostril has to be just perfect or it hurts like a SOB. If you are okay with it (and that's what you are indeed using) for the first couple of hours you might find that using the Lansinoh helps enough to get through the time it takes for the nostrils to get used to having something stuck in it.

Lansinoh is used by breast feeding mom's for sore nipples..safe for mom and the baby and also won't harm the silicone of the nasal pillow/prong. We advise it all the time for people using the nasal pillows and having nostril discomfort.

[Miseree81]

Thanks! I was able to put the type of mask I was using, but I couldn't remember the machine information. I will have to do that when I get home tonight I started with a nose only mask, was switching out with the one I used for my study, then we tried the pillows. I was told I was making the headgear too tight which is why they were hurting my nose. But if I didn't make it that tight it moved around when I slept.

So I went online and found the NasalAire one which is i've been trying to use. It's comfortable when I first start out and it stays put. Which is a plus for me.

[Pugsy]

I tried the Nasal Aire II prong mask myself years ago. Unfortunately I was an in between size and the prongs have to inflate to seal and one size was too small and they didn't inflate quite enough and the next size when they inflated the pain was immediate so I couldn't even sleep at all with them.

If you can get a couple of hours to start with (and don't have pain) then you may be able to toughen up the insides of the nostrils with time so that the pain is eliminated.
The Lansinoh will help.
And yes...straps that are too tight will cause either the nasal pillow mask or the prongs to hurt.
If you still have the nasal pillow mask do you have a size up in it that you could try? Sometimes just increasing the size of the nasal pillow will stabilize movement and straps can still be loose.

[archangle]

When I went from my ComfortGel Blue nasal mask to my Swift FX, I would get sore fairly quickly with it. I would often change back to my old mask after wearing the FX for a while. Some nights I'd switch back to the old mask for a night or two. I gradually got used to it.

Now, I could wear it all day long. It's like part of me.

[Janknitz]

There are different nasal pillow masks and some are more stable than others. I like the Swift LT mask because it's pretty stable, but soft and lightweight. The Swift FX is pretty popular, but very UN-stable so it doesn't work for everyone.

IMHO, nasal pillows (properly fit!) are WAY more comfortable than nasal prongs.

[Debbie23]

Dear Miseree81
I can feel your pain... For the first several months, I would try to use my CPAP machine when I went to bed, only to throw it off in disgust after some time of trying to get to sleep. I knew that I needed it, and I knew others who were using it, and I knew others who said they had trouble with it in the beginning. So that is my hope to help you. Just the knowledge that you will probably get used to it eventually... Keep trying.
I have used the Nasal Aire II Prong CPAP Mask for years, and it is the best for me. I am glad to hear about the Lansinoh here. I will try to use it when I occasionally have that discomfort from dryness. I do find that when I wake up in the middle of the night the nasal prongs have softened and fit nicely. Perhaps from the warmth of my body heat. So maybe there is a way to warm them up before using them. Maybe a short soak in warm water before going to bed. The nasal prongs, I mean...

[SleepyEyes21]

Hi Misserie - there are a couple of people selling new masks at good prices on the forum right now, if you are interested in trying a new style. Lou Cypher has the Swift LT for a good price.

I alternate using both the Swift FX and Nuance, and find them both very comfortable nasal pillow masks. Is there a particular reason why you need to use nasal prongs?

[englandsf]

If you can, try the P10, and try a bigger than expected pillow size. Very soft feel, stable as a rock and light as a feather - yes I love my P10...