Hybrid Pressure Sore: NEED ADVICE

roztom · Post by **roztom** » Sat Jul 15, 2006 6:14 pm

Greetings:

After doing Lab rating per Mike Moran and getting the darn thing to just about fit, during adjustment I am finding a rapidly developing pressure sore.

It is located on my upper lip just under the septum. Apparently so I don't get leaks around the cushion I have to have it fairly tight but the harder silicone of the mask at the base where the pillows are inserted rests against this part of my upper lip.

A red sore spot is becoming quickly evident. Even if I loosen the top straps the hard material is still pressed up real hard against my upper lip to keep the pillows from leaking.

Any ideas on what I might put on there? Tape? Mini-Band-aide.

I'd appreciate any thoughts. I have chopped and spliced this mask. Other than getting this sore after 15min I might actually have a shot with the mask.

Is anyone else having this problem?

Does anyone have a solution? Other than suggesting a nose-job?

Thanks,

Tom

snoozie_suzy · Post by **snoozie_suzy** » Sat Jul 15, 2006 10:53 pm

Tom,

What about trying the Tincture of Benzoin? I haven't received my Hybrid yet, I should get it Monday, so I'm trying to follow these posts closely for information, and I thought I had read some people have tried it (although their names escape me).

I was thinking of ordering some. Anyhow, I guess I don't have any certain advice to give because I have yet to test it. I am wondering if I will have to do surgery on mine as well? It doesn't seem like many people care for the chin strap/ plastic flap feature.

I hope someone else can post something of value. Good Luck Tom.

Suzy

snoozie_suzy · Post by **snoozie_suzy** » Sat Jul 15, 2006 10:55 pm

The whole point of me bringing up the tincture was to point out, if there was a stickier seal, perhaps you wouldn't have to tighten up so much on the straps, thus eliminating the pressure point below your nose.

Didn't finish my thought process above, before hitting "send"

Suzy

Bonnie · Post by **Bonnie** » Sun Jul 16, 2006 6:52 am

Tom, I seem to remember someone posting about using moleskin but adhered it to the mask, not the skin.

Like Suzy, I too am reading Hybrid posts. Mine is due to arrive Monday as well.

Issac · Post by **Issac** » Sun Jul 16, 2006 7:23 am

Tom, although I do not have a Hybrid yet I think I can help you.

I am an the exprt on leaks and sores because I wear the Resmed Mirage Full Face System.

That said, Lay off your mask or one night and wear your alternate mask. The Idea is to , with a little Neosporin ointmnt and air without any pressure should start the sore healing. When you return to the mask, you must have a cushion between the cushion and your upper lip and somehow reduce the hard pressure a bit on the upper lip.
For a cushion effect I use a number of products. Last night I used Nexcare Bandages with Active Extra Cushion by 3M with neosporin under it on my sore at the bridge of my nose and the side of my face. I have to strap this mask on so tight that my head almost pops like a pimple. The marks it leaves are sorry looking. One thing I can tell you is that with a little time the skin toughens up from the pressure and that helps .

oldgearhead · Post by **oldgearhead** » Sun Jul 16, 2006 8:00 am

Tom,
Could it be the 'curve' of the mouthpiece does not match up with your face.
So all of the contact is concentrated at one point. I noticed the 3 mouthpieces included with the Hybrid all have different radii. Furthermore, the 'hard' plastic part of the mask (shell) will not bend. If that is the problem, you might try putting two spacers (I used 2 pieces of electrical wire, 3 inches long.) shaped like C's in the groove of the shell at each corner, then install the mouthpiece into the shell. Note: This fix take a steady hand and a diameter of insulated wire that will fit snugly in the groove, but it will give the mask a smaller cheek-to-cheek radius.

roztom · Post by **roztom** » Sun Jul 16, 2006 9:30 am

Thanks everyone for the suggestions:

JRJ your suggestion is interesting. I'm not sure if moving the cushion further away from the frame is the way to go.

Wouldn't that increase the pressure on my upper lip? OR are you saying that the cushion will seal a little faster because it's closer?

I have some #22 guage wire which is very thin, I might try that.

Did you try the spacers on your?

Thanks,

Tom

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ozij · Post by **ozij** » Sun Jul 16, 2006 10:09 am

That said, Lay off your mask or one night and wear your alternate mask

I was just going to say the same: take a break from the mask, it is imperative you let your sore spot heal, and give that part of your face time to toughen. Your body will do the toughening job, if you just let it. Don't irritate the spot further.

O.

oldgearhead · Post by **oldgearhead** » Sun Jul 16, 2006 10:20 am

Tom,
I think one of big flaws with the hybrid is there is no way to change the cheek-to-cheek 'curve' of the mouthpieces. Therefore, too many people have too little face contact with the mask. For me the medium mouthpiece is almost to small for my mouth, but the curve is perfect, and the large is fine for my mouth, but the cheek-to-cheek curve is too flat.

I'll try the wire trick again on my large mouthpiece, and post a bit later on that..

roztom · Post by **roztom** » Sun Jul 16, 2006 10:24 am

JRS:

I think my MED fits better curve-wise but is pretty small for my mouth.

That's a good observation.

If you do the wire spacer, I'd really appreciate hearing if that accomplishes adjusting the fit.

Tom

Hybrid Pressure Sore: NEED ADVICE

Hybrid Pressure Sore: NEED ADVICE

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