Problems with keeping mask on and skin redness

I have been using a cpap machine since the begining of the year. I have yet to wear it all night. I end up taking it off at about 2:30-3:30 in the morning. Mostly because it actually starts to hurt from what feels like chafing around my nose. I have a mask that goes over the nose and the hose swivels all the way around. I'm a stomach sleeper and I tried the nose pillows and that limited the positions I could sleep in and I couldn't get a good seal. I am also on Ambien to help me get to sleep. What I do to keep the mask on? What about the redness/raw feeling I get? I do have a humidifier on the machine and its on the lowest setting possible. Its also made me break out so bad in one spot where the mask rests that I am getting scarred from it. Its like a pimple that won't go away. I am also dealing with extreme tiredness even if I feel like I got a good nites sleep. I'll get up at 7:30 which is a normal time for me and then in about an hour or two. I'm so tired I need a nap. I have no energy to do anything! Help!!!

I also suffered from the Chafing on my upper lip/under my nose, for awhile. I used neosporin before bed and lantispetic oint(over the counter as your local pharmacy, Like $5.00 for 4oz jar) in the am in a thin layer. I also later swiched to the Swift mask that doesn't have that much pressureunder nose yet stayes in place, as i toss and turn from side to side. After you are getting 8hrs of rest hopefully the sleepiness will go away. olora turned in all paper work/labs, awaiting a dr. visit call to schedule first appt.

I used to have that problem in the beginning of using a cpap. i honestly don't recall what I did. I would recommend you call your doctor as maybe you need a different mask and a different setting. It sounds like the humidifier isn't giving your enough moisture. I also put pillows next to me so I wouldn't roll over and twist myself up in the hose. I now only turn in one direction when I sleep. I used to flip flop all over. Best of luck to you!

I have had a CPAP for years and wore a mask that covered my nose, I constantly got chaffing, pimples, bruising from it. Recently went for a follow up study ( I didn't think my machine setting was correct) anyways got a new mask and machine...new mask has nasal pillows, I like but have some problems with leakage, even using the largest size, but my new setting is 12 (old was 5) and I now have a ramp button, my old one didn't...at first I used the ramp all the time, now I feel like its not enough air and just put on mask at full 12. I still have problems with taking it off when I'm still asleep, but that gets better with time. Good Luck -Shana

I use C-PAP nightly at setting 18. I know I feel soooo much better the next day - more awake, have a sense of a longer day, much less irritability - that it a priority to keep it on all night. I have a comfort gel mask small and I have used another type too. Call your MD for tips -- a bandaide to protect your skin, a built-in humidifier into the unit, a more secure headdress? I sleep on my stomach and fold the long tubing up and over.

I don't get on this board too often, so you may have resolved this already! I had trouble with my gel mask, and stomach sleeping. I switched over to the nasal pillows about 6 months ago, and it took me about a week or so to get used to them, but my face is much better! No morning red triangle on my face, strap marks, etc. I now ramp it almost every night, so by the time I'm n odding off, it's just reaching full strength. They were covered by my insurance, and the office nurse said if they didn't work for me, I could go back to a different type of gel mask. (which I didn't need) Good Luck! Mary C