Pillow mask discomfort

[herbm]

Nose soreness fixes with the P10:

1) Retired_Guy mentioned Lanolin -- buy and use it

2) NEVER take the pillows off by just pulling it down opposite the way it went in -- instead, find a GOOD way to first wiggle it loose and then slide it out from a different position than the one where you wear it for sleeping -- usually I tip the BOTTOM of mine way away from my upper lip, then perhaps move the mask to the left or right, and finally pull the opposite side down and out. The idea is to get it OFF the sleeping position before pulling and to UNSTICK any adhesion first as well.

2b) [EDIT] Remove the pillows BEFORE removing the headgear as the opposite order leads to abrasions since the pillows MOVE BEFORE you are ready to carefully remove them fully.

(Generally, I also put on the headgear first, insert pillows second but that is not an important point.)

3) Do NOT mess with the mask when wearing it -- put in in place and learn to LEAVE IT ALONE. All movement adds to abrasion (a little.)

4) Put the mask on BEFORE turning on the air (preferably in front of a mirror the first weeks or months

5) NEVER take the mask off until AFTER the air is off (it deflates the pillows and helps get them out without pressure or abrasion) -- in fact, turn it off, disconnect the pigtail hose to even stop any cool down pressure.

6) When suffering any abrasion that is uncomfortable, switch pillow sizes (up or down) -- usually UP is softer but probably causes more leaks -- but switching even DOWN in size will put the pressure inside your nose in different spots.

7) LOOSEN the headgear by stretching it -- even if the headgear SEEMS PERFECT it probably (YMMV) should be a tad looser than you would predict. Extra strap pressure translates to more friction when the mask moves.

8) Along with #4 if the mask is dislodged, force yourself to sit up, turn off the machine, reposition and turn it back on.


#2 is likely the most important NON-obvious item -- much of your abrasion actually happens when removing the pillows on purpose.

Getting the air pressure down before removing it (or donning it) helps a LOT more than you might think.

#7 is just HARD to convince people to take seriously but it is AMAZING how much abrasion I had to endure when my SECOND mask showed up and was just a "perfect fit" compared to the old lose piece of junk that remained of my first P10.

Despite having worn a P10 for 8.5 hours (avg.) for 6 months every single night AND that the new mask felt like a PERFECT FIT, I had to run through pretty much all of the steps above to stop the irritation.

[PollCat]

I pretty much agree with what herbm said; except that my ENT doc recommended coating the inside of my nose with bacitracin instead of the petroleum jelly that I had been using.

[Galactus]

I never tried #2. Will have to test that. Right now I usually put the pillows in my nose then slide the headgear over my melon. Then turn the machine on. Then in the morning I shut the machine slide the headgear off my melon and remove the pillows. I do now and again get some nowe annoyance and soreness, I wonder if that will help me.

[surferdude2]

You guys have made this P10 thing sound like such a grand adventure that I broke down and ordered one today for a test run. I have a moderate problem with nose breathing and have avoided nasal mask so far. No harm in trying since it's returnable.

[retired_guy]

You'll like it Surfie. Especially if you can keep your mouth shut without using a chinstrap. But even if not, it's still much more liberating than a ffm. ..and I kind of liked my ffm.

[Doc J]

P10 works great, but the straps were too tight for my big head. No choice but start stretching it out. Still is springing back and have to stretch more. I have not gone so far as try to adapt the old swift fx headgear for this pillow as some had suggested. Some adjustment would help but they were making a very small amount of gear on your head which I understand.

Anytime I had any mask too tight I could feel it pushing back on jaw or teeth or nose in this case. So loosen it up so it inflates back into you to make the seal and it's the lowest impact possible.

[Galactus]

You guys have made this P10 thing sound like such a grand adventure that I broke down and ordered one today for a test run. I have a moderate problem with nose breathing and have avoided nasal mask so far. No harm in trying since it's returnable.

You're gonna love it, and if you don't we'll force you too. It's just how we do things.

[surferdude2]

I'm printing out this thread. If this P10 doesn't work, you all will be hearing from my attourney..errr..atturny..err...lawyer.

I think...

[herbm]

Couple of points:

1) It is generally recommended to avoid anything PETROLEUM based INSIDE your nose or mouth. There is some weird petroleum induced pneumonia (IIRC).

This must be pretty rare because we grew up getting Vicks Vaporub (petroleum based) in our mouth or nose whenever we had colds or flue as kids, but it is not recommended.

Check the bacitracin ingredients to ensure they don't also use a petroleum base.

This is one of the main reasons for the lanolin creams/ointments, etc.

2) I find that removing the headgear BEFORE the pillows also leads to abrasions since the pillows MOVE BEFORE you are ready to carefully remove them fully.

Generally, I also put on the headgear first, insert pillows second but that is not an important point.

This should be added to my list above.

3) Applies to #3, especially as it relates to #2 above and #2 in the list:

The idea of "leaving the pillows alone" to avoid both unseating them yourself AND to avoid abrasion leads to an interesting effect, where the pillow is practically GLUED to the inside of my nose by morning.

This may SOUND BAD, but is a VERY GOOD THING. With the pillows STUCK you get NO movement to cause abrasion and a GREAT SEAL to cut down on leaks.

However, this means we need to CAREFULLY break this adhesion before pulling the pillows out. That is a big part of the goal in finding a way to "wiggle" the pillow lose and to a different spot before pulling it out.

Also why we want to keep the headgear holding the pillows motionless UNTIL we deal with this issue.

[I know this is a LOT of analysis for something so simple, but those who have been reading my posts know that I am a troubleshooter and problem solver and spend a lot of time figuring this type of thing out.]

4) The P10 is fantastic for ALMOST everyone who can meet 2 requirements: Breath through the nose, and Keep the mouth shut (naturally or with chin strap etc.)

Also, some people just don't FIT the "one size fits all headgear" but people have modified it to insert a velcro or other adjustment fastener.

[surferdude2]

Thanks herbm!

Pulling it all together we now get:

Nose soreness fixes with the P10:

1) Retired_Guy mentioned Lanolin -- buy and use it

2) NEVER take the pillows off by just pulling it down opposite the way it went in -- instead, find a GOOD way to first wiggle it loose and then slide it out from a different position than the one where you wear it for sleeping -- usually I tip the BOTTOM of mine way away from my upper lip, the perhaps move the mask to the left or right, and finally pull the opposite side down and out. The idea is to get it OFF the sleeping position before pulling and to UNSTICK any adhesion first as well.

3) Do NOT mess with the mask when wearing it -- put in in place and learn to LEAVE IT ALONE. All movement adds to abrasion (a little.)

4) Put the mask on BEFORE turning on the air (preferably in front of a mirror the first weeks or months

5) NEVER take the mask off until AFTER the air is off (it deflates the pillows and helps get them out without pressure or abrasion) -- in fact, turn it off, disconnect the pigtail hose to even stop any cool down pressure.

6) When suffering any abrasion that is uncomfortable, switch pillow sizes (up or down) -- usually UP is softer but probably causes more leaks -- but switching even DOWN in size will put the pressure inside your nose in different spots.

7) LOOSEN the headgear by stretching it -- even if the headgear SEEMS PERFECT it probably (YMMV) should be a tad looser than you would predict. Extra strap pressure translates to more friction when the mask moves.

8) Along with #4 if the mask is dislodged, force yourself to sit up, turn off the machine, reposition and turn it back on.


#2 is likely the most important NON-obvious item -- much of your abrasion actually happens when removing the pillows on purpose.

Getting the air pressure down before removing it (or donning it) helps a LOT more than you might think.

#7 is just HARD to convince people to take seriously but it is AMAZING how much abrasion I had to endure when my SECOND mask showed up and was just a "perfect fit" compared to the old lose piece of junk that remained of my first P10.

ADDENDUM:

1) It is generally recommended to avoid anything PETROLEUM based INSIDE your nose or mouth. There is some weird petroleum induced pneumonia (IIRC).

This must be pretty rare because we grew up getting Vicks Vaporub (petroleum based) in our mouth or nose whenever we had colds or flue as kids, but it is not recommended.

Check the bacitracin ingredients to ensure they don't also use a petroleum base.

This is one of the main reasons for the lanolin creams/ointments, etc.

2) I find that removing the headgear BEFORE the pillows also leads to abrasions since the pillows MOVE BEFORE you are ready to carefully remove them fully.

Generally, I also put on the headgear first, insert pillows second but that is not an important point.

This should be added to my list above.

3) The P10 is fantastic for ALMOST everyone who can meet 2 requirements: Breath through the nose, and Keep the mouth shut (naturally or with chin strap etc.)

Also, some people just don't FIT the "one size fits all headgear" but people have modified it to insert a velcro or other adjustment fastener.

Despite having worn a P10 for 8.5 hours (avg.) for 6 months every single night AND that the new mask felt like a PERFECT FIT, I had to run through pretty much all of the steps above to stop the irritation.