Sore Nose Bridge

not2worry · Post by **not2worry** » Fri Sep 24, 2004 3:47 pm

I have been diagnosed recently and was prescribed at first a full face mask. This didn't work because of my face structure, so they went with a Nasal Mask and a chin strap. I have used the mask for about 3-4 days and have developed irritation on the bridge of my nose. The mask is an ResMed Ultra Mirage.

They (Apria) has now changed me to an Adam CPAP circuit with nasal pillows. It just doesn't seem as effective to me as the Nasal Mask and also seems a lot more complicated with the strapping, etc.

When I looked on the Internet at the specfications for this Adam CPAP unit it indicated that the unit is recommended for patients that have a pressure rating of less than 10. My rating is a minimum of 10 and a max of 16.

I am going through Apria for my equipment since they are the provider in my rural area for my insurance company. I don't if the therapist doesn't know what she is doing or if it is just me.

Any suggestions would be most helpful.

I am a female with sensitive skin.

Paul · Post by **Paul** » Thu Sep 30, 2004 11:31 pm

When I first started using CPAP the bridge of my nose was also sore and tender to touch for about a week - and then I think it just toughened up. You will probably adapt.

Also - for skin irritation you could try a small piece of non-irritating surgical paper tape on the bridge of the nose where the mask contacts with the skin. You can get these types of tape at the local pharmacy.

Good luck Paul

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Oct 05, 2004 5:52 pm

Same problem here. Sore on the bridge of my nose, and a bump on my forehead using the RemStar Comfort Classic.

My son had the same problem using the same mask. He switched to the RemStar Comfort Select, and the problem went away.

Tim_D · Post by **Tim_D** » Tue Oct 05, 2004 8:05 pm

Ditto,

Mine got so bad it created a bleeding sore!

I had to discontinue use and waiting for it to heal now, I started CPAP on 09/23 and used it for 1-week and had to stop becuase of my nose.

Hoping a new mask will help! I have heard great things about the ResMed Ultra Mirage and the F&P 431 FFM's. I have to use FFM because of sinus issues, currently using a Respironics FFM.

Tim

Edie · Post by **Edie** » Wed Oct 06, 2004 9:23 am

I spent my first night at home using the Comfort Classic mask. One night was enough! I have sensitive skin and there was too much skin contact, not to mention the bruising along the sides of my nose.

I called my DME provider and they exchanged it for a Breeze Sleep Gear with nasal pillows. It has been wonderful and I doubt I could go back to a mask.

not2worry · Post by **not2worry** » Wed Oct 06, 2004 9:42 am

I have tried several masks and I liked the ResMed Ultra Mirage the best. They have a little gizmo that I found if I adjusted at above the bridge it helped relieve the pressure on the bridge of my nose.

Also, if you loosen up what I will call the top of the headgear where the forehead pads are and tighten up the lower part of the mask this helps releave pressure on the bridge of your nose.

Another think found out I was doing wrong was putting the mask on too tight. I use to do a lot of scuba diving so a mask was not a new thing for me, but I was use to the procedure of "sucking" the dive mask on my face before adjust the straps to get a seal.

What I found out was with the CPAP masks, the pressure from the CPAP machine actually makes the seal for you. I still have a tendancy to want to have the mask on "tight", but the bridge of my nose is either toughening up or I am starting to get the hang of how to work with the mask.

I tried the pillows with the Adam CPAP Circuit and that was a nightmare. I could nt get the pillows adjusted to my nares and it felt like air was being forced up my nose and I wasn't actually breathing.

On the full face mask issue, I was perscribed a full face mask but couldn't find a mask that wouldn't leak. I went to using a nsal mask with a chin strap and it works great.