Poor Me!

This really sucks. I've been (happily) on CPAP since the end of July. I used nasal pillows 100% of the time up until about a month ago when I started alternating them with a nasal mask. I really like the nasal mask but have trouble with skin breakdown on the bridge of my nose.

Now, all the sudden, my nasal pillows have rubbed the septum just inside my nose completely raw (to the extent that it was bleeding when I woke up this morning). So now I have a sore inside my nose and a sore on the top of my nose! And the worst part? I don't see how I can use CPAP until one or the other heals up.

Other than a total face mask, I can't think of any other options. I do have a Mandibular Advancement Device which helps some, but it's not great.

I've read all the threads on avoiding sores - loosen the straps, pad-a-bridge, even the window gel clingies - and tried all those things. So I guess I'm not asking for advice. I'm just asking for sympathy. Thanks.

Hi, big hug to you!
I've only been on cpap since 10/29 so I havn't experienced any of what you described, but I can say that I am SO annoyed when I put on my mask (the same as yours) because the part that goes inside your nostrils tickles so badly. Seriously, I have to play with it and get it to sit juuuuuust right before I can relax enough to go to sleep. I think I have a smallish nose but I'm using the small pillows already so I guess I'm just gonna have to suffer for the time being. lol
Good luck!

OK, here I give you sympathy, sympathy, sympathy.

Now for the advice you don't want.

These types of sores are often cause by friction from the mask. When you move in the bed, the headgear is tugging on the nasal pillow and rubbing it against the septum.

If you can stabilize the nasal pillow, you can reduce or eliminate the friction, and likely eliminate the sore.

I am going to quote the way I stabilize the nasal pillows on my Hybrid mask. It may be worth your time to see if this would work on the Swift masks. Be sure not to block the vent exhaust.

rooster wrote:
Take a pair of ladies' tights and cut the legs out to make two straps. One can be a backup while the other is in the laundry bin. Get what is handy. You can use tights with or without the "footie" part.

Tie each leg into a loop with a knot. I stole the illustration below from Rested Gal. For my Hybrid mask, which is similar to your mask, I position the tights similar to the last photo. The tights go over the pillows and a bit of the lower part of my nose. They are made of nylon and are very soft and wick moisture. I hardly can tell they are on my nose but they really hold the pillows in place when I am tossing and turning. Of course don't position them over the exhaust ports.



My wife just bought me a replacement pair of tights at a closeout store for $1.00.

Millich, I found going up to a larger pillow was not only more comfortable but also shifted less. This sorta ties into Rooster's idea of friction causing the sores. Tyr a larger pillow but most importantly figure out how to anchor the mask. I had to lab-rat a third strap too, but mine is from top head strap to top head strap in front of the mask and outside the pillow -- it snugs up the pillows just enough to eliminate a teeny leak that I sometimes get at the very top tip of one nare. My sympathies on the sores..tried some hydrocortisone cream? Works on the blisters I occasionally get when I forget to rinse silicon parts with vinegar to remove soap residues.

I'll certainly try what you suggested, Muse & Rooster. I just don't get why it's happening now and not 3 months ago. Sigh.

Hi again!
I just wanted to add this because maybe it'll help.
I went into my black carry bag for my machine to see what other nose pillows were in there. I thought I had been given S, M, L. What I found was XS, S, M. So I tried on the XS and this was SOOOOOOOO much more comfy! I didn't even know they came in XS. It seemed to sit snugger in my nose, so less moving around and less repositioning. It didn't tickle the inside of my nose! Yay! I'm so happy! Tried telling hubby, who was like "huh". They don't get it-those non-hose people! lol

So maybe try a smaller size???? Let us know what happens.

millich wrote:I'll certainly try what you suggested, Muse & Rooster. I just don't get why it's happening now and not 3 months ago. Sigh.

It is a "pain", isn't it? Litterally! I offer my sympathy. (Been there, got the T shirt, wore it out, got another ...)

Why now? Well, it might be you are more restless recently. Perhaps more stress in your work. Or the air is getting drier. It might also indicate a loose fit that allows the nasal pillows to "buzz". It might not be enough to awaken you, but as you've unfortunately noted, it sure hurts once you awaken!

I also had this in the past and found larger nasal pillows helped. And I hope it does for you.

I'll add my sympathy too. Thanks for sharing though, because now I know what to do, if it happens to me.

Thanks for the sympathy, everybody!

Now that you mention it, you're absolutely right. In both cases, I had loosened the straps recently. With the Swift, I always wake up with a sore nose. Having read here about over-tightening straps, I thought that was the problem. Wrong! Better a sore nose than a raw & bleeding nose. I also thought loosening the straps might help the bridge of my nose with the nasal mask.

Okay. If these sores ever heal, I'll tighten those straps again.

THANKS FOR THE HELP!