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Latest Activity

ZolliStar replied to ZolliStar's discussion What's the Right Machine?
"Thanks for this information Lisa.  It really helps. Anyone else? "
6 hours ago
Lisa replied to ZolliStar's discussion What's the Right Machine?
"Hi Zollistar, I much prefer using an Apap to a straight Cpap. I changed over a few years ago and found straight away that I had much less of a problem with leaks. Another thing that I have noticed is I used to have ongoing problems with my nose…"
8 hours ago
Terry Vella replied to ZolliStar's discussion What's the Right Machine?
"He's still going, a bit of a pain sometimes but that's life, thanks for asking."
yesterday
ZolliStar replied to ZolliStar's discussion What's the Right Machine?
"This helps a lot, Terry!  Thanks for letting me know. How is your dog?? "
yesterday
Terry Vella replied to ZolliStar's discussion What's the Right Machine?
"ZolliStar, I went straight to an auto so can't really compare but from what I have heard there are two major benefits, first, the comfort factor of not having the high pressure all night and second, it adjusts to what you require, so if you use…"
yesterday
ZolliStar posted discussions
yesterday
Mary Z replied to Ginny Edmundson's discussion New "Rant" about DME/Wisp
"Ginny, they are probably not doing anything against the law- though it may seem like fraud to us it may be an accepted practice.  I would rather change DME's.  Have you talked to the manager.  They don't want to lose your…"
Saturday
Ginny Edmundson replied to Ginny Edmundson's discussion New "Rant" about DME/Wisp
"It really burns me up that they are doing things like this.   Monday I am going to lok up th eMedicare complaint number and give them an ear full.   "
Friday
RockRpsgt replied to Ginny Edmundson's discussion New "Rant" about DME/Wisp
"Companies like this will have to pay in the end. Medicare is taking no prisoners in their effort to reform medicare fraud."
Friday
RockRpsgt replied to Mary Z's discussion Symptoms
"I had zero symptoms. I was testing equipment one night and fell asleep hooked up. When I woke up my doc said I had an AHI of 10 with 30 second events. I have been on PAP ever since."
Friday
Ginny Edmundson replied to Ginny Edmundson's discussion New "Rant" about DME/Wisp
"I just use a large rubber band and safety pin to attach i tho the sheet.  It doesn't exactly kink, but rather seems to have almost bends that don't quite ever go away.  I have one that doesn't but all the others seem to.…"
Friday
Mary Z replied to Ginny Edmundson's discussion New "Rant" about DME/Wisp
"My light weight tubing does not have a tendency to kink.  It just hangs down from the stand and comes back up to the bed.  I tried a hose hanger, but bought the cheaper travel model and it just wasn't up to the task."
Friday
Ginny Edmundson replied to Ginny Edmundson's discussion New "Rant" about DME/Wisp
"I was really surprised when the congestion improved without the humidification. Yes, I use the lighter weight tubing too.   Do you have trouble getting the bends and kinks out of them????  I have one favorite that is broken in and I hate…"
Thursday
Mary Z replied to Ginny Edmundson's discussion New "Rant" about DME/Wisp
"The reasoning behind changing the tubing is that it may develop small holes or tears which causing leakage.  I am careful with my tubing and don't have any animals or children playing with the tubing.  I don't feel like they have…"
Thursday
Ginny Edmundson replied to Ginny Edmundson's discussion New "Rant" about DME/Wisp
"I have ben using one of my cushions for 3 months now.  I think I will just see how long I can actually use it without leaks before I replace it.  I wonder if it is OK that I do not replace the tubing but about every 6 months????   I…"
Thursday
Mary Z replied to Ginny Edmundson's discussion New "Rant" about DME/Wisp
"I agree Ginny, it does come out of all our pockets.  I too have Medicare with a Humana supplement and insurance with my partners work.  This is the only year I will have anything but Medicare and supplement.  My last two Medicare…"
Thursday
Terry Vella replied to Mary Z's discussion Symptoms
"Good post Mary, I was like you when I was younger but the the sleep deprivation really started kicking in a few years ago my symptoms change, actually didn't change but got much, much worse. I was diagnosed with depression and on meds for 2…"
May 15
Mary Z posted a discussion

Symptoms

Just trying to drum up a few posts-What symptoms did you have that got you to the sleep apnea diagnosis?I was excessively tired during the day- falling asleep eating breakfast and standing on my feet.  I couldn't drive or stay awake during appointments.  I thought this was the beginning of my apnea.  Then I remembered the mandatory 4-5 hour naps in the afternoon when I was  dead to the world.  That must have been the real beginning.  I went to my family practice doctor hoping for a prescription…See More
May 15
Ginny Edmundson replied to Ginny Edmundson's discussion New "Rant" about DME/Wisp
"My insurance is Medicare plus supplement.  SO I pay nothing out of my pocket.  BUT it is coming out of ALL out pockets...........My DME is a nationally known company.  I am really thinking of calling the medicare hotline.   "
May 15
Mary Z replied to Ginny Edmundson's discussion New "Rant" about DME/Wisp
"I think this kind of behavior may be the norm with DMEs.  I happen to have one of the good ones so I'm lucky.  It would be great if you called your insurance company.  You can steal millions if you steal $40 from a bunch of…"
May 15
What do you do to avoid the bridge of your nose from being sore? I wake up with a mark on it every morning.....so mornings are worse. It this a problem I will need to live with ...or do you think it is a fit problem with my full face mask?

Tags: bridge, cpap, irritate, irritation, mark, mask, nose, pain, sore, soreness

Views: 6059

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Replies to This Discussion

I had a similar problem with a Fisher & Paykel nasal mask - brought it in to a different durable medical equipment provider (not the big national chain that sold me it) and they said it was the wrong size. sure enough, i got a larger size, and things were fine. you can also try a different mask - each mask is different enough so it's unlikely it will hit you in the same spot as the other. you can also buy products online to line your mask with soft material -- i think karen moore, a member of the group, sells these products -- called Pad a Cheek. you can search for her on the site and leave her a message. you can also try a makeshift solution like a band aid or something to put on the spot that's getting irritated. hope some of those ideas give you food for thought. probably others have other solutions that would work equally well. my advice though is NOT to settle for pain/discomfort with the mask. you don't have to, so you shouldn't.
I'd say a fit prob for sure! Mask size and fitting is critical with PAP therapy. There are some adjustments that could be done provided you have the correct mask size. What make and model of mask do you wear?
Its hard to beat Karen's Padacheek products. But a good interim "fix" can be a Mack's Silicone Ear Plug. Roll half of one in the palms of your hands to form a rope or tape and lay that on your mask cushion where it fits over the bridge of your nose. It not only provides some padding it makes a great seal and prevents air leaks into the eyes. In fact, you can use a full Mack's Silicone Ear Plug to fit around the entire mask cushion for a good seal to your face.

Hanging your hose above you head can also help as that eliminates the hose tugging down on your mask which tends to dislodge the mask a bit and turns the cushion edge up to cut into your nose bridge.

Whilst fitting your mask to your face, always be laying down, sit the mask on your face slightly lower than where you want it on your nose, turn your CPAP on, adjust your straps COMFORTABLY, lift the mask a bit off your face and as you let it lay back down on your face slip it slightly up your nose into its proper placement. That turns the edge of the cushion UNDER so it doesn't cut into the bridge of your nose. Run your fingertip along the seamline between cushion and face to eliminate minor leaks.
I wear a: Mirage Quattro Resmed full face mask. I wonder if I should go back to my supplier and try another mask. Do they ever let you bring more than one home to check out?
Do you have the Quattro Small size? I wasn't wild about that thin cover on the Quattro cushion either. SHARP edge. Altho it is a very popular full face mask.

Just how lenient a mask exchange policy local DME suppliers allow varies from supplier to supplier. Actually, they should alll offer a lenient mask exchange policy since Resmed, Respironics and Fisher & Paykel will replace FREE to the local DME suppliers most of their mask models that patients have tried and been unsuccessful with IF the supplier fills out a form and returns that mask W/IN 30 DAYS.
Many people report that the RemZzzs cloth mask liners help tremendously with soreness on the bridge of the nose. I have also read that many people find relief with the PadaCheek products as well. What really helps is to get the skin away from the silicone mask skirt so that there is a reduction in contact with the silicone and perspiration--these are known to irritate the skin on the bridge of the nose. It also helps to find something that absorbs some of the oil on the surface of the skin which adds to the irritation. There are also those out there that talk about using moleskin or cotton balls on the nose bridge with varying results. People have tried many things, but probably the best thing is something that allows the strap tension to be reduced while maintaining a good seal and keeping the silicone away from the skin as much as possible. I agree with Mike, you shouldn't settle for discomfort and a poor CPAP therapy experience.
I recommend using either the Hybrid or the Liberty mask, they cover the mouth like a full face mask but they have nasal pillows for the nose, so you don't have any thing pressing on the bridge of your nose and if you wear glasses you can even read with your glasses on with the mask on! I have tried many many different FF masks and I just can't stand the pressure they all put on the bridge of my nose! Anyway it might be worth trying? Good Luck to You
Get a product called moleskin from the drugstore it comes in sheets, you'll have to cut it to size. I cut mine to about 3/4 x 1 1/2 inches stick it to where it is getting sore before you go to sleep. Also check to see for proper sizing of your mask. those little sore spots can get nasty with out protection, sometimes they start out like a pimple after the spot , then they get infected. if it does that see a dermatologist immediatly! the infection will take weeks to heal and leave a scar
Mary J,
I too am a ResMed Mirage Quattro user. To me, it sounds as if you have the nose bridge adjustment (the dial) set to low and it is applying to much pressure. You need to keep in mind the mask is not a set and forget type. You need to fit it every night as you never get the head gear in the same spot each time. The cushion at the bridge should "inflate" to provide the proper seal, not compress to seal. It takes some getting used to.

Dan
When I had this problem it was because I was wearing the mask too tight.

The problem I have now is that the strap causes a pressure sore on the back of my neck. I got a small piece of soft fabric and fold it over once and put it between the strap and my skin and it works great.

I'm sure the size thing is very important too.

I find that my mask begins to leak more toward morning, so, in the beginning, I continued to tighten my straps in the morning. Well, this led to the mask being too tight all night. Now, I just shift my position to help the mask seal better early in the morning and that seems to work. As far as I know, my machine does not have leak compensation.
Try a nasal pillow instead, it might help since it only seats below your nostrils, but the sides can be a little uncomfortable, but won't hurt your nose bridge.
All of today's CPAPs can compensate for some leak. But none can compensate for too high a leak rate.

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