How do I prevent bloody snot?

From what I've observed so far, I get a noseful of bloody snot overnight if I use a humidifier setting that is not 5. Unfortunately, of the two masks I have (regular Swift FX and Opus 360), neither is ideal. I can crank up the humidity with the Swift FX, but its headgear is too large and I end up rearranging it after every time I move, which tends to wake me up. I can sleep through my allocated night with the Opus, but the swivel drips water over me and my bed after the first couple of hours on my preferred 5 (I've also had this happen to a much lesser extent at 4), and air audibly leaks out the swivel (in addition to the expected vent). Today I crossed paths with my third mask, a Swift FX for Her; it was delivered to the DME while I was there, but not unpacked for a few hours later.

I have one week until I'll be able to pick up my next attempt in finding the right mask (for me). I have decided to use the Opus for that duration at a humidity setting of 4 and deal with the consequences as they come, as at least I can sleep with that. So, how can I prevent the nightly bloody snot? I have already bundled up my hose in a scarf and (fingerless) mittens in the hopes that I could up the humidity, and while that reduced the noise of the hose rubbing against my nightstand (and the freer movement led to the hose sweeping my Zeo onto the floor in the morning a few times when the alarm wakes me), I still have swivel water problems. I'm also using some water-based gel that's supposed to prevent my nose from drying out, and that stopped my nose from stinging as much in the morning, but didn't stop my nose from being stuffed up with bloody snot in the morning.

Hi Tetragon

These links may give you more information -

http://www.revolutionhealth.com/forums/lung/67411

http://www.mynose.info/Infection/Infection.html

http://www.ask.com/questions-about/Blood-in-Nasal-Mucus

and for all the rest -

http://www.google.com.au/search?q=treat ... =firefox-a

Good luck

Mars

I sometimes experience that symptom and is caused when my pillows get a little tight. I put Lansinoh (aka, "HPA lanolin") on a Q-tip and coat the inside of my nose.

Ayr saline nasal gel is worth a try, too. Widely available at drug stores. Finding the right mask is critical, but probably the hardest part of cpap therapy. Good luck!

Tetra...having same problems, only mine don't start until after I've been up awhile thank goodness! I did up my humidity to 4 which helped (no rainout so far!), been using LOTS of saline spray along with the Ayr nasal gel and that has also lessoned the problems. I was having full blown bloody nose, along with sneezing my head off. Most of it I think is just allergies, but do think the nasal pillows are an irritant, I just don't want to give them up! I've also been using my neti pot more regular and for the last 3 mornings no bloody nose, so hope I'm through with all that now! Sure hope the Swift for her works out for you!!

I haven't seen Ayr nasal gel anywhere, except for on American websites. Perhaps it isn't available in Canada. I have been using a basic one that claims to moisturize the nose, and has a similar (shorter) ingredient list that doesn't include aloe. I had a harder time with my pillows (just the regular Swift FX at the time) before I started using the gel, back then, it hurt to just leave them in position.

I'd say the one you're using would work as well as the Ayr. We have a generic here at Walmart, although I didn't compare ingredients...I bought the Ayr because it was a smaller tube, wanted to make sure it would work before buying a bigger quantity!

Moisturize the nasal mucosa heavily during the day with something like Simple Saline nasal spray if you aren't already doing it. I also need lots of added moisture from the humidifier for my nasal passages and sinuses to not give me a lot of trouble. Normally I don't have many issues with nasal congestion during the day but ever since starting cpap therapy I have found that as the ambient room humidity lessens...my need for more moisture to remain comfortable..increases.