Two things

1. A catch-22. I need the humidifier cranked so my eyes don't dry out but I need it low or off so my nose doesn't swell up inside. This one doesn't seem solvable.

2. Finally figured out how to get my mask to stick to my face the whole night with very minimal leaking. Before bed, wash mask with dr. bronner's soap. Wash face with neutrogena fragrance free original bar soap, dry, then add a bit of aveeno active naturals daily moisturizing lotion fragrance free. The lotion seems to be the key to this. If I just wash the face it's not that great and usually too dry for the mask to stick. But a little bit of that lotion makes my skin have just the right "stick" to it.

Links to these products:

Aveeno: http://tinyurl.com/y8uyhxz
Neutrogena: http://tinyurl.com/ya29fzk
Bronners: http://tinyurl.com/yd25sl5

nobody wrote:1. A catch-22. I need the humidifier cranked so my eyes don't dry out but I need it low or off so my nose doesn't swell up inside. This one doesn't seem solvable.

There have been several recent threads on dry eyes. Try doing a search for "dry eyes". What I found worked for me:

1. minimize mask leaks, especially near the eyes
2. close eyes while adjusting mask, so air doesn't blow into eyes
3. use eye drops before bedtime, and during day if needed (I live in AZ)
4. take Omega 3 supplement
5. stay hydrated

Hi Katie, yeah I've done everything ever suggested on this board and more. I have punctal plugs in the lower lids. Sometimes the lacrisert pellets work for me, but sometimes they don't. Fish oil helps as does staying hydrated, but it's minimal compared to how dry they get at night. The only thing that's guaranteed to work every time is cranking the humidifier. I'm pretty sure the air gets up there through the nasolacrimal (sp?) duct. I tried having puntcal plugs all around, which was perfect during the night but then during the day my eyes watered constantly. It was like I was crying rivers all day long and it got very frustrating because the skin around my eyes got irritated from being constantly wet. So I just live with dry eyes or swollen nose, lol.

KatieW wrote:

nobody wrote:1. A catch-22. I need the humidifier cranked so my eyes don't dry out but I need it low or off so my nose doesn't swell up inside. This one doesn't seem solvable.

There have been several recent threads on dry eyes. Try doing a search for "dry eyes". What I found worked for me:

1. minimize mask leaks, especially near the eyes
2. close eyes while adjusting mask, so air doesn't blow into eyes
3. use eye drops before bedtime, and during day if needed (I live in AZ)
4. take Omega 3 supplement
5. stay hydrated

Wow, I feel for you! When I had dry eyes it was because of the tiniest of air seeping around my nasal mask into my eyes, barely noticeable. The dry eyes drove me absolutely insane, and I can imagine how terrible a choice between this and your nasal passages swelling. My problem went away with a switch to nasal pillows, thank goodness.

My doctor recommended artificial tears rather than other drops for extended use. I can't say this was anything like not having the problem in the first place!

Since raising the humidity solves the problem I'll assume you are correct and that you don't have a teeny tiny air leak into your eyes all night. If you are at all suspicious of leaks I was on the verge of trying this item:
http://www.eyeeco.com/home/file/product ... hiled.html

I just had another thought. In addition to the one I linked, this company specializes in eye shields that hydrate the eyes. So, maybe it's possible to try one of those at the same time lowering your humidity to satisfy your nose.

Even if I don't have a magic bullet for you, please accept my empathy. Good luck!

Sharon

nobody wrote:Hi Katie, yeah I've done everything ever suggested on this board and more. I have punctal plugs in the lower lids. Sometimes the lacrisert pellets work for me, but sometimes they don't. Fish oil helps as does staying hydrated, but it's minimal compared to how dry they get at night. The only thing that's guaranteed to work every time is cranking the humidifier. I'm pretty sure the air gets up there through the nasolacrimal (sp?) duct. I tried having puntcal plugs all around, which was perfect during the night but then during the day my eyes watered constantly. It was like I was crying rivers all day long and it got very frustrating because the skin around my eyes got irritated from being constantly wet. So I just live with dry eyes or swollen nose, lol.

I'm sorry to hear that, so far, nothing has helped. One other suggestion--how about a room humidifier?