by red1 on Sun Feb 26, 2012 3:05 am
napstress wrote:red1 wrote:I know I do have allergies to dust & cats. Fortunately I no longer have a cat. Dust on the other hand ...
Ah.... dust! The very first thing my Sleep Specialist had me do was replace my down comforter with something non-allergenic, wipe down the walls of my bedroom, vacuum, and wash the curtains. I don't know if I am allergic to feathers, but she thought it would be a non-instrusive first step. Judging from your remark about dust, I imagine you're about as thrilled with housework as I am.
After I did all that, I had a sneezing fit to beat the band, which tells me I had a lot of allergens in my bedroom. If you didn't do a good cleaning after the cat's departure, some residual fur and dander might still be hanging around in your house. I recommend you do this cleaning overhaul early in the day so that whatever dust remains will have settled and your body has time long before before bedtime to process any allergens it took in.
I also use the NeilMed saline rinse. They say to use it at least an hour before bedtime. I use it at least 3 hours beforehand to make sure all the water is out.
Breathe-right strips can hold your nostrils open. I don't know if that is relevant for you. It is for me b/c my nose is so narrow. I do everything I can to allow air into my nose—even as a ffm-wearer.
If you feel OK about being on something like Claritin long-term, you could try that too.
My sinuses used to alternate their congestion all night long. The past couple of months, though, I noticed that it's mainly on one side. So now I sleep on my non-congested side. I don't know if you've tried that, but it might make breathing easier for you.
That's wonderful that you noticed the relationship between congestion and your AHI. Multiple interventions for possible allergies might be the key.
Good luck!
My bedroom does need a good old fashioned thorough cleaning. I will invest in an non-allergetic comforter. I've tried a pharmacy brand saline solution, which I use every day, about 2 hours before bed. I have a humidifier in each my rooms, I vaccum each day. I am very frustrated with this. I will try the breathe right strips, can't hurt. I cannot afford to be without the machine, being I have an AHI of 103 without it.
To add to everything, I had laproscopic surgery 2 days ago for a inguinial hurnia. While they were there, they found a unbilical hernia I never knew I had, & fixed that as well. They put me out in a very different manner then I recall from the past. They gradually put me under. Over a period of about 10 minutes. It was a very nice feeling I must say. I do not remember going out at all. In the past it was a shot & I was out almost instantly. They told me my central & obstructive apneas were of no concern, because I did not have to be breathing due to the breathing tube. I did wake up with a very sore throat. The pain after the morphine wore off was horrible & still is. I have not taken any of the heavy duty pain meds they gave me because of my apneas. No brusing or numbness so far, which I have heard is common. Anyways, between this and my sinuses, sleeping has been a challenge. I really hope I can get a handle on my sinus issues. I would hate to give up my Swift FX. I do not know if I could get use to the FF nasal masks. I could not in the past. I do have one ff Mirage Liberty, for times I have a cold. Have not used yet, & hope I won't have to too often. I am really use to & like the FX Pillows.
Nasal congestion does indeed affect your AHI, in a not so good way.
[quote="napstress"][quote="red1"]I know I do have allergies to dust & cats. Fortunately I no longer have a cat. Dust on the other hand ...[/quote]
Ah.... dust! The very first thing my Sleep Specialist had me do was replace my down comforter with something non-allergenic, wipe down the walls of my bedroom, vacuum, and wash the curtains. I don't know if I am allergic to feathers, but she thought it would be a non-instrusive first step. Judging from your remark about dust, I imagine you're about as thrilled with housework as I am. :D After I did all that, I had a sneezing fit to beat the band, which tells me I had a lot of allergens in my bedroom. If you didn't do a good cleaning after the cat's departure, some residual fur and dander might still be hanging around in your house. I recommend you do this cleaning overhaul early in the day so that whatever dust remains will have settled and your body has time long before before bedtime to process any allergens it took in.
I also use the NeilMed saline rinse. They say to use it at least an hour before bedtime. I use it at least 3 hours beforehand to make sure all the water is out.
Breathe-right strips can hold your nostrils open. I don't know if that is relevant for you. It is for me b/c my nose is so narrow. I do everything I can to allow air into my nose—even as a ffm-wearer.
If you feel OK about being on something like Claritin long-term, you could try that too.
My sinuses used to alternate their congestion all night long. The past couple of months, though, I noticed that it's mainly on one side. So now I sleep on my non-congested side. I don't know if you've tried that, but it might make breathing easier for you.
That's wonderful that you noticed the relationship between congestion and your AHI. Multiple interventions for possible allergies might be the key.
Good luck![/quote]
My bedroom does need a good old fashioned thorough cleaning. I will invest in an non-allergetic comforter. I've tried a pharmacy brand saline solution, which I use every day, about 2 hours before bed. I have a humidifier in each my rooms, I vaccum each day. I am very frustrated with this. I will try the breathe right strips, can't hurt. I cannot afford to be without the machine, being I have an AHI of 103 without it.
To add to everything, I had laproscopic surgery 2 days ago for a inguinial hurnia. While they were there, they found a unbilical hernia I never knew I had, & fixed that as well. They put me out in a very different manner then I recall from the past. They gradually put me under. Over a period of about 10 minutes. It was a very nice feeling I must say. I do not remember going out at all. In the past it was a shot & I was out almost instantly. They told me my central & obstructive apneas were of no concern, because I did not have to be breathing due to the breathing tube. I did wake up with a very sore throat. The pain after the morphine wore off was horrible & still is. I have not taken any of the heavy duty pain meds they gave me because of my apneas. No brusing or numbness so far, which I have heard is common. Anyways, between this and my sinuses, sleeping has been a challenge. I really hope I can get a handle on my sinus issues. I would hate to give up my Swift FX. I do not know if I could get use to the FF nasal masks. I could not in the past. I do have one ff Mirage Liberty, for times I have a cold. Have not used yet, & hope I won't have to too often. I am really use to & like the FX Pillows.
Nasal congestion does indeed affect your AHI, in a not so good way.
