Updates and vegetable oil

#1 - Thanks to everyone for their comments and help. I've started using 1 mg of Melatonin and it does seem to be helping. Unfortunately, I did other things at the same time, so I'm not certain what it may have done on it's own.
#2 - Thanks for the leads on how to change my machine. My AHI numbers had been near 7 and I wasn't sleeping much. I've changed the upper pressure twice. Each time by 0.5 up and left it there for a week. I'm not getting readings under 3.5. My intent is to keep raising the pressure until I see the numbers rise and then back off.
#3 - Doc initially set my machine at 12, and I couldn't sleep at all. On my first follow up, he dropped it down to 9, but the way he phrased it didn't give a secure feeling that this was a real specific change, but more of a, "Let's try this and see what happens." I figured what the heck, my idea is just as valid as his. Pressure is now at 10.
#4 - Flexi-fit 405 mask was totally tearing up the bridge of my nose. Doc and F&P didn't have any suggestions, other than to give me a different mask. Now using the eson, which I like a LOT more.

Unfortunately, with the new mask, I've started to get sores again. Smaller, but still happening.

With the old mask, I was using bandaids, which solved the problem, but I thought that with putting them on and taking them off, I'd simply start getting sores again, so I viewed it as a temporary fix.

Now the question. I know that petroleum oils and products can destroy the silicone. So that's out. I work in the food ingredient industry and silicone is used in a variety of applications.

Has anyone tried using vegetable oil as a lubricant to eliminate the problem of silicone and the bridge of your nose? I know that olive oil is used in some silicone operations.

Just go to the infant nursing department and get some Lansinoh (nipple grease)
Fun to take through the check out.
This is the best product I've found.
Even though lanolin is an animal product, no sheep are harmed,
And they are more comfortable in hot weather after shearing.

When you say you have changed the upper pressure twice does that mean you are in apap mode?
If so, what are the minimum and maximum pressure settings? It's the minimum pressure that needs to be increased a little if snores are present...not the maximum.

For the nose issues. Go get some Lansinoh lanolin ointment/cream. It's found in the baby aisle of most stores.
In WalMart it's back in the baby section where nipples and bottles are. Apply a thin layer to the area where the mask is rubbing on the nose bridge area. I think it will work better than vegetable oil.

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Raising pressure by .5 cm for a whole week at a time is leaving you with less therapy for all that time. I seriously don't think raising it by a whole number each time, for e.g. 3-4 days at most will do any damage... many of us do it all the time and you're at a low # to begin with. You need to start getting treated after all.

If you can get a nasal pillow and a nasal mask at the same time, you can swap between them. When I first got a Swift FX mask, it sort of chewed up my nostrils, but I could switch back and forth between it and the nasal mask until my nose got used to it. Now I could wear the FX 24/7 with no problem.

for the mask trouble try this :
https://www.cpap.com/productSearch.php?query=boomerang

Dogjudge wrote:#1 - Thanks to everyone for their comments and help. I've started using 1 mg of Melatonin and it does seem to be helping. Unfortunately, I did other things at the same time, so I'm not certain what it may have done on it's own.
#2 - Thanks for the leads on how to change my machine. My AHI numbers had been near 7 and I wasn't sleeping much. I've changed the upper pressure twice. Each time by 0.5 up and left it there for a week. I'm not getting readings under 3.5. My intent is to keep raising the pressure until I see the numbers rise and then back off.
#3 - Doc initially set my machine at 12, and I couldn't sleep at all. On my first follow up, he dropped it down to 9, but the way he phrased it didn't give a secure feeling that this was a real specific change, but more of a, "Let's try this and see what happens." I figured what the heck, my idea is just as valid as his. Pressure is now at 10.
#4 - Flexi-fit 405 mask was totally tearing up the bridge of my nose. Doc and F&P didn't have any suggestions, other than to give me a different mask. Now using the eson, which I like a LOT more.

Unfortunately, with the new mask, I've started to get sores again. Smaller, but still happening.

With the old mask, I was using bandaids, which solved the problem, but I thought that with putting them on and taking them off, I'd simply start getting sores again, so I viewed it as a temporary fix.

Now the question. I know that petroleum oils and products can destroy the silicone. So that's out. I work in the food ingredient industry and silicone is used in a variety of applications.

Has anyone tried using vegetable oil as a lubricant to eliminate the problem of silicone and the bridge of your nose? I know that olive oil is used in some silicone operations.

Petroleum damages latex, not silicone. However, while no cpap equipment contains latex and will not, per se, be damaged by petroleum based lubes, etc., using it will create a difficult to remove film on the plastic cushion and cause movement and leaks. Manufacturers recommend using no such products on the cushions at all.

Your problem has nothing at all to do with lube and is caused by a poor fitting mask and, possibly overtightening. Putting oil on your nose will give you leaks plus a greasy nose with acne. It will do nothing to solve your underlying problem.

You need to re-adjust or re-size the Eson, or you need to switch to another mask design. Your DME should fit you for a different mask or help you re-adjust the headgear on the one you now use. If that fails then request a better nasal or other mask that fits your nose better. Bandaids and ointment will help heal the sores during the interim.

Dogjudge wrote:Unfortunately, with the new mask, I've started to get sores again. Smaller, but still happening.

The Innomed Hybrid mask is a full face mask that does not touch the bridge of the nose. It has been a good solution for me.

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/RespCa ... -Mask.html

Make sure you get the Innomed version and not the ResMed.