mask for large nose?

I am new to CPAP and having a miserable experience.

Among many probs, I have a high, and large nasal bridge and cannot find a mask that has the necessary depth and breadth high up to fit nose.

Resmed machine. Have tried MIrage softgel and three WISP sizes, all of which leave severe pressure marks and cause skin breakdown. I have tried a Gecko pad to offset the pressure, but this causes increased leakage, forcing me to tighten mask to ridiculous levels.

I'm prone to nosebleeds and have been advised away from nasal pillows.

Does anyone have ideas?

Mike

I was about to suggest pillows when I saw your note about nose bleeds. I used to have them but now use corticosteroids which all but stopped them. I too have a large nose and narrow bridges that stopped good seals (I tried FFMs at first) so I worked on nasal rinses with my CS spray and now use pillows very successfully - even when slight to medium congestion kicks in. I'm not convinced pillows are any worse than nasal masks when talking about bleeding. You may even want to try a large FFM (F10 or Quattro Air work when I'm very congested just a lot less comfortable.

Thanks for feedback englandsf. I'll raise your point about nosebleeds with MD - I doubt I will be prescribed steroids at this point. What is FFM?

Your PAP numbers look great. Mine are horrible - worse AHI with machine than without it. Have been told that CPAPs can trigger central apneas, and mine are about 97% central with machine. This problem is in addition to the poor fit issue.

Mike

Mirage activa. Usually a shallow

mike s wrote:Have been told that CPAPs can trigger central apneas, and mine are about 97% central with machine.

97% of what number? What is your AHI? What machine are you using?

I have a big nose too. Runs in the family, lol. My first mask was the WISP nasal mask. Loved it, absolutely loved it. I had tried sampling nasal pillows and could not get used to that. Well, in 2-3 weeks of the WISP the bridge of my nose was so sore and red and bruised. I figured it was because the hump protruded and the nasal masks hit the inside part on my bridge, Swift Nano being one So I had to discontinue that.

I tried many nasal pillows, the Swift FX first. It was so flimsy on me anyways, that whenever I moved around, air leaked and I felt I couldn't breath.
Tried and bought Pilairo pillows, for me leaked the worst even though it got go reviews. Then I bought Airfit nasal pillows and that finally seems to be doing the trick for me. It is more solid with a solid base and I now have nothing on the top of the bridge of my nose. One thing, I have figured out is that everyone has a different face, women/men, big noses, short noses. I wish they made custom masks somewhere. Have you tried nasal pillows?

Look at the Circadience Sleepweaver Advance cloth mask and give them a call. It is the only mask I tried that doesn't leak,strangulate my nose or leave all day creases /rashes on my face. It has a sort of pyramid shape with a built in liner seal that fits around the nose shape without tightening straps to the discomfort level. I love mine and have never had a large leak. Last night low 0 and high 6 with total leaks 6 to 16. Took a bit to adjust but now perfect. I find it fits best with a wash once a week. I wash straps and all in (lukewarm water) but don't take apart and hang to dry after blotting in a towel, I could not use the Wisp. Good luck.
PS. I found the side straps occasionally left indentations so I cut two small rectangles of thick polar fleece and slip one between strap and skin.

Like Pugsy has repeated wisely a few times or more, that it's really a matter of "hit or miss" with masks. They either work great or don't work.
The last member wrote about Sleep Weaver. I still prefer a nasal mask rather than nasal pillows any day. But with the WISP mask after a few weeks that I thought were successful, the bridge of my nose was so sore and red everyday I think from the inside of the mask because my nose went in there so deep.

I tried the Sleep Weaver and I never had more leaks in my life. But the last member loves it. So each face, like our personalities are so different.
I then tried the Swift FX and thought that was great until I started getting massive leaks with that too and I thought it was flimsy. I tried the Pilairo that my DME thought was the best with the little "butterfly wings" on the sides to seal better. That leaked more than any. Now I have the Airfit P10, nasal pillows and that is much better for me.
I did read that you get nosebleeds. You know these nasal pillows do not go into your nose but under your nose. Can you give a nasal pillow a try and if your nose bleeds, then you know it's not for you. And if it does not bleed, then you may have to experiment around with what fits best for you. Keep us posted. Remember too, size does matter.

FFM = Full face mask.