Hi Everyone,
I've been CPAPing for 1 month. Because my mouth drops open most of the night; I have used a Full Face mask...I tried one mask at first (F&P HL 431?) but I soon developed a pressure sore on the bridge of my nose. I then switched to the Res Med Ultra Mirage FFM. It seemed to work better (less pressure on nose & less leakage). Unfortunately, my nose sore got really nasty & I was advised to stop using the FFM & to let my nose completely heal. The DME man brought me Nasal Pillows & a chin strap. That was disastrous as I spent all night long waking just to close my mouth! So I waited for my nose to heal & since then have used the Ultra Mirage...using moleskin to cushion the area of my nose which is prone to breaking down. Seems to be working, although I wake with a very red nose (Rudolph!) & it takes most of the day to look "normal" again.

Are there any other solutions to help cushion my nose? I also find that I have to tighten the mask more than I'd like to (feels really tight on neck & forehead)  to  stop leaks. It seems that whenever I roll to my side; I wake up because I'm leaking! (The mask, that is!)

I am completely comfy with using the CPAP & FFM when everything is functioning smoothly. I'm so ecstatic about feeling better! I have Fibromyalgia & the CPAP has lessened ALL my symptoms! However, I'm just not feeling very good about the mask issues... My DME man said there are only 3 FFM's available...the 2 I mentioned & one that "nobody likes". Any suggestions for me?

At my first followup appt at the Sleep Clinic, my Smart Card said that my average pressure was 13...I had been set to go between 7 & 15. (Auto machine)  They saw that I was maxing out at 15 enough to warrant changing the settings to go btw. 7 & 20. Is a pressure above 15 considered a pretty serious obstruction? How do they "grade" obstructions or don't they?

I was diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnea & UARS.

Thank you for any help! I'm sure those of you who are veterans might have some tips & info for me.

sleepatlast!



Last edited by sleepatlast! on Thu Oct 20, 2005 11:36 pm; edited 1 time in total

I have the FlexiFit 431 mask also. I have problems with it hurting my nose also. I found a post on another forum today that suggested carefully cutting the flap that covers the nose so that it isn't pressed against the whole nose, just where the seal is. I haven't tried it yet, but likely will this weekend when I have some time to look at the mask and make sure that I know what I am doing. Just have to be careful not to cut too far or you will develop a leak.

Good luck!

FYI about my post above. DON'T DO IT!!! I did and it's costing me dearly. I only cut a very small slit and now I need a new cushion. I wondered if it would happen. After I put it on, it felt great, but while I was sleeping, it ripped the rest of the way up to the thicker part of the seal. Now it will not seal at all. Replacement seal/cushion is $80 and insurance won't pay for it since it's not more than a month old.

-Marc

live and learn