cpap users- a question

[mopinko]

this is day 4 of using my new cpap. no first night miracles for me, but that's ok. i am adapting. it is a pretty amazing device. any of you out there with an old one might want to talk to your doc about a new one.
anyway, here is my question. any suggestion for preventing scuff marks from the mask? i had a bad one at the sleep test, after the tech cranked it down as tight as it goes. i haven't been able to review my data yet, but it is supposed to tell me if i am getting leaks. need 4 days data before you can look at it. so, i don't crank it that tight. it is a fancy silicone cuff, and it is very comfortable. i think it is just rubbing when i lay on my side. i have a tiny pillow, so it really shouldn't be getting pushed around that hard. today is the first day i have had marks that did not go away within a half hour or so.
so, idea on how to prevent this, aside from growing some callouses on my face?

[Love Bug]

1. What kind of mask are you using?

I've been using a C-PAP for over two years and I recently switched from the mask the covers the nose to the one that just covers the nostrils.

I've used folded-up kleenex (puffs are nice) to pad under the straps to avoid the marks on the face. My new mask comes with fabric covers that help, too.

If you are getting air leaks, try a little K-Y on the mask to make a better seal. This way you won't need to have it so tight, which causes marks, too.

[mopinko]

3. yeah, this one covers my nose.

i think they were only offering nose or full mask. i am going to go see if i can read the data.

not gonna put up with this, tho. don't personally care how pretty i am, but nobody is interested in talking to an artist with a messed up face.

[whathehell]

2. Mopinko, I use a cpap, but I use a nasal pillow device instead of a mask

All it is is a plastic strip that goes down the center of your head to your nose with the pillows...It is MUCH less bulky than any mask and does not leave marks of any kind..I'm a side sleeper and find it much lighter and more comfortable than the mask.

Good Luck!:hi:

[Kali]

6. What model?

I'm thinking of trying one - side sleeper, too.

[whathehell]

8. Don't know...I'll check and get back to you.

[Epiphany4z]

4. it feels like you have to crank the mask tight, however...

you shouldn't have to..its supposed to kinda float...a couple of things to do ...is just not tighten it down as tight..believe it or not it will actually leak less if you do this....if that still doesn't help you may need to try a different style mask. It is common not to get the perfect gear at first.. some insurance co will not provide another mask for 6 months....when this happened to me ...i bought one off ebay.

[Kali]

5. I agree with this post. You may have it too tight.

I get marks from the straps - will try the suggestion up thread to pad with tissue on days it might matter.

Play with straps and give mask a good two weeks until trying something else.

[Kali]

7. Lots of good info here:

http://www.apneasupport.org/index.php

[mdmc]

9. I think those marks are parr for the course

my g/f uses a bi-pap and usually has marks for most of the morning. They go away but still..

[mopinko]

10. so far it doesn't seem to be helping, either.

box says it is not detecting apnea episodes. it might just be that it doesn't have enough data. it wants 7 days. but i am not noticing anything. except for scuff marks on my face. argh.