UMFF Swelling and Deep Imprint

Lately I have been sleeping so well that I don't even feel it happening.

I sleep on my side.

I have tried sleeping on my back to avoid this, but I end up on my right side every time.

Perhaps its an issue with the pillows I'm using. I don't know.

What happens is the frame of the plastic, the ridge, digs into the side of my nose. I wake up and remove the mask to intense stinging.

This first started happening after about 4 days from when I started on the CPAP.

I now have an indentation on the side of my nose about 1/2" long X 2mm wide the color of dried blood.
It's not bleeding, but the swelling surrounds the mark and creeps up over the bridge of my nose.
The swelling eventually goes down but the dark mark remains.

It is unsightly enough for me to hide with a bandaid when I go to work.

This is really concerning me because I don't see myself kicking the side-sleeping habit anytime soon.

The nasal masks look cool and all, but I have sinus issues that close my nasal passages sometimes completely.

Now before I go out buying things that I think may solve the problem, anyone else have this happen and found a solution they can share before I end up with a 3rd nostril?

Thanks in advance

~Tom

It sounds like the frame is giving you a nice bruise on the side of your nose.

I've had EXACTLY the same problem with my Activa. It fits GREAT, is very comfortable and gives a bullet-proof seal, with very loose straps, but when I shift to me side (I'm a consistent side sleeper), I invariably get awakened with a nostril closed off by the rigid plastic frame. I either have to readjust and try to fall asleep with it again, or take it off.

But, mine doesn't give me a bruise. Do you have your starps too tight? I'd try to loosen them as much as you can. With ResMed masks, they're designed to rely on the cushion membrane and give good seals with very loose straps.

Or, try a pillow system. I love the Swift more than any other.

Hope this helps.

Chuck

It sounds like you need to relieve the pressure on that area before you have a pressure sore-maybe molskin in the mask????

Tom,

Just curious what happened with the memory foam fix you were using?

I had the exact problems you were having except it was the bridge of my nose getting banged up.
Before I got mt hybrid I used to use mole skin to cover the affected area.
If you can attach it to the mask you should try that but in my case it wasn't possible so I had to put it directly on my nose.
Mole skin is very sticky stuff so what I would do is rub baby powder on the sticky part and leave only a 1\16th strip of sicky at each end.
This held it in place until I got my mask on and it wasn't that bad to take off in the morning.The mask was able to seal on the fuzzy side of the moleskin.

I use the hybrid mask but I got a papillow and now I can sleep in any position. It's shaped so you can sleep on your side and the mask hangs off the side of the pillow. It is also one of the most comfortable pillows I have ever owned.

Brenda

Thank you for the feedback folks.
I don't think the straps are too tight. There are hardly any imprints anywhere else.
The moleskin sounds like a great idea. I will be looking into that.
As for pillows, I am funny about them...
I need 2 under my head at all times and they need to be firm.
This might just be a habit that formed from the apnea I never knew I had, though. I will look into that option too.

Tooly-

Still using the foam. I found I can't wear the mask without it.
I tried the other night. Leaks galore. Put the foam back in and had no problems. Though I will be cutting another piece of foam and will try to be a little neater

Thanks again and take care,

~Tom

Tom140ph wrote:Lately I have been sleeping so well that I don't even feel it happening.

I sleep on my side.

I have tried sleeping on my back to avoid this, but I end up on my right side every time.

Perhaps its an issue with the pillows I'm using. I don't know.

What happens is the frame of the plastic, the ridge, digs into the side of my nose. I wake up and remove the mask to intense stinging.

This first started happening after about 4 days from when I started on the CPAP.

I now have an indentation on the side of my nose about 1/2" long X 2mm wide the color of dried blood.
It's not bleeding, but the swelling surrounds the mark and creeps up over the bridge of my nose.
The swelling eventually goes down but the dark mark remains.

It is unsightly enough for me to hide with a bandaid when I go to work.

This is really concerning me because I don't see myself kicking the side-sleeping habit anytime soon.

The nasal masks look cool and all, but I have sinus issues that close my nasal passages sometimes completely.

Have you considered the Hybrid? It has nasal pillows but the oral seal is great if you want to breathe with your mouth when the nasal passages close. I even read that the Hybrid puts a lot of air into your nares, so the nasal passages don't clog easily.....