New Mask Came Today!

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Fri Aug 05, 2005 7:00 pm

LOL ~ Just as cute, girl or boy ~

FairSpirit · Post by **FairSpirit** » Sat Aug 06, 2005 6:10 am

Ok, the new mask did not burn my skin last night, so the Alcohol must have been the problem. I was so happy about that. I did have a few leak problems with the Flexifit 405 last night though. Mostly right up at the inner corner of my eyes. Was able to move around the mask and kinda play around with it to stop them. I still love the quietness of it and the fact that I can breathe so well in it. Feels like I don't even have that air gushing at me at all in it. I still like my Profile Lite Gel mask very well also. but it's good to now have the both of them to switch around with.

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Sat Aug 06, 2005 8:50 am

Yea, FS!!! So glad to hear the burning skin was not an issue last night. Kind of figured it was the alcohol, or the alcohol in conjunction with the other blemish cloth you were using, too. We have to be so darn careful!!!

I used to get those air leaks near my eyes with my Activa. There's nothing good you can say about leaks. You probably just need to adjust the straps a bit, or play around with the new mask until you find just the right adjustment. Then there's always mole skin that I would use with my Activa, under the seal, to make up for what I called the structure problems of my face and the mask. Sometimes we just have a certain curve in the wrong spot or an indentation...if only all of our faces were made to wear these masks without a hitch, cpap would be so easy!
Are you finding that these leaks are waking you up during the night or is it just when you put it on?
Stick with it and hopefully you'll get it just right. Keep posting...and us posted.

FairSpirit · Post by **FairSpirit** » Sat Aug 06, 2005 9:20 am

Hi Lori,

Well, I'm afraid I now have a bigger problem. When I wrote that last post, I had slept maybe 2 1/2 or 3 hrs. My Hubby worked VERY early this morn, so I had to get up without much sleep. I thought all had went well.

But.... I decided to sleep some more right after that last post up until a few minutes go. When I woke up this time, there was some burning and I have BIG red and white welts around the area the mask was sitting. It's so upsetting.

So, I guess maybe I am allergic.... I just am not wanting to try it again, this mess on my skin hurts quite badly. I guess this mask just isn't for me. I appreciate all your interest and help.

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Sat Aug 06, 2005 9:35 am

FS:

Between the time of your last sleep and the second one this morning, did you wash your face or put anything on it? It doesn't makes sense that you went with no problems the first sleep and now you are welting.

In the meanwhile, I would put some Neosporin on it and maybe take some liquid Benadryl in case it really is an allergic reaction. From what I've heard, they make the masks, supposedly, out of materials that are latex-free now and there shouldn't be any reaction, but you never know!

Could it be the straps were just too tight to avoid leaks and maybe rubbed your skin so bad that it welted?

I would call your doctor if this doesn't ease up. But take liquid Benadryl in case you do really have a genuine allergy. And definitely call the doctor if it gets worse!

Let me know how you're doing, please!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Aug 06, 2005 9:35 am

That is discouraging news. Did you try soaking the mask for an hour in Neutrogena (or another mild soap)?

Are the big red and white welts on your skin exactly where the mask was in contact with your face?

After you washed and rinsed your face last night, did you put anything else on your skin... like a moisturizer or anything?

Does it say what material the mask is made of on the box or in the instruction manual? Is it a different material than your other mask?

This is such a bummer. I've been reading your posts and was so hoping this one would work for you.

Hang in there!

FairSpirit · Post by **FairSpirit** » Sat Aug 06, 2005 9:42 am

Thanks you guys, you are so caring. I appreciate it. I did not put anything on my face whatsoever. I did soak the mask and everything. The welts are exactly where the mask was sitting. I did not have the straps tight at all. I don't know what my first mask exactly is made of, I do not have the package to compare. I am surprised also at the reaction. I certainly did not have this reaction, or any reaction to my original mask.

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Sat Aug 06, 2005 9:58 am

FS:

This just doesn't make sense. Are the two masks from the same manufacturer? I don't know how you could go the first round last night and wake up with no reaction whatsoever, go back to sleep for a few and wake up in this condition! It's not fair, to say the least.

See if your mask manufacturer has an 800 number you may be able to call today and get some answers. It is Saturday, so you may not be able to reach someone, unless they may have some type of emergency troubleshooting number? I don't know as I've never had this problem before.

Please let us know how you make out?

FairSpirit · Post by **FairSpirit** » Sat Aug 06, 2005 10:08 am

The two masks are different manufacturers. The Profile Lite Gel Mask is Respironics, the FlexiFit HC405 is Fisher & Paykel. I'll see if I can locate a number to call. Maybe the first sleep time just wasn't long enough to cause such a reaction??? Not sure. Weird how things happen...

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Sat Aug 06, 2005 11:04 am

FS:

My first mask an was Oracle, also a F&P mask. I had a question about it as soon as I got it and their tech support was so sweet and cooperative. Maybe you can reach them. I believe they're in CA. Please let me know what you find out. Feel better.

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Sat Aug 06, 2005 12:52 pm

FairSpirit:

http://www.fphcare.com/osa/features03.asp

On F&P's web site, I looked up your mask and it lists the seal as being a frosted silicone (maybe it's what they "frost" it with?). The link above is where I got that information. Then I went to Respironics' web site and looked up the Gel nasal mask that you listed in your post and it give no other info about what it's made of, that I could find, at least, other than it's a gel seal that's latex-free. Their number, however, for Customer Service is 1 800 345-6443 (Respironics).

I hope by now your welts have gone down and you've gotten some answers from Fisher & Paykel as to what went on. I did remember, though, when I started cpap, my Oracle, that is also made by F&P, and is a mouth-insert interface, gave me sores in my mouth, amongst a lot of other problems, like TMJ, which I never had experienced. So maybe they do put something in their products which does irritate the skin. I thought the mouth sores came from irritation of my mouth not being used to having this appliance in it while I slept with the pressure trying to blow it out of my mouth each night for a week. Hated it, not to mention the side effects were not good.

Let me know what you've found out, if anything. Hope you're doing better.

_________________

CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): respironics, oracle, CPAP, seal

FairSpirit · Post by **FairSpirit** » Sat Aug 06, 2005 7:05 pm

I missed their open hours, so I'll have to try again to get Fisher & Paykel another time. I'll be using my Profile Lite Gel Mask again tonight, for sure. I'll let you all know what F&P says as soon as I can talk to them.

Thank you Everyone! I appreciate all of your help on this.

john5757 · Post by **john5757** » Sun Aug 07, 2005 1:31 am

Most of the Fisher & Paykel nasal masks uses a foam insert in addition to the silicone cushion. I find that except for the Alcaim 2 the foam insert puts too much pressure on the bridge of my nose.
I wanted to point out that the foam insert can only be wipe clean and can not be soaked. Fisher & Payke foam insert used to be white but it is now gray so that it will not show colorization with age. There may be leakage from the foam insert if soaked and foam would not last as long. Since I need to take out the foam insert when soaking the parts I gave up on this brand. You would notice that on the other brands, many use a thicker secondary silicone flap underneath the the main silicone seal for the face to help provide the tension and to keep the shape.

FairSpirit · Post by **FairSpirit** » Sun Aug 07, 2005 5:51 am

Thanks John5757!

I didn't soak the foam insert, also, with me, I had no problems with the bridge of my nose only the reaction on my skin where the mask sat. I used my other mask again last night, it was nice not having the burning/welting reaction. It's funny, when a new mask doesn't work out, it gives you a new appreciation for the trusty older mask. LoL!

FairSpirit · Post by **FairSpirit** » Thu Aug 11, 2005 6:06 pm

Ok, I got a hold of F&P today. Talked to an RT. He said that it sounds like I have an allergy to the silicone they use in their masks. I'm gonna sell the mask to someone that can use it, it's new and nice, so hopefully someone will take advantage and get it. I'm asking less than I paid for it at CPAP.com. If anyone is interested, please let me know. I have pics of it at the links below. Thanks again everyone.

http://jmershon.photosite.com/Misc/Mask_001.html

http://jmershon.photosite.com/Misc/Mask_002.html

Machine	Mask