Stuffy nose help

yawn · Post by **yawn** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 4:27 pm

I've been having trouble with a stuffy nose the past 2 nights. I'm a little stuffy when I go to bed but then I get much worse as the night goes on. I was wondering if the CPAP is causing this. I have a Remstar Pro2 with CFLEX and a humidifier...not sure what the humidifier is set at. I thought I remembered people writing about stuffy noses but I tried to do a search and wasn't getting any hits.
Thanks..Amy

WAFlowers · Post by **WAFlowers** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 4:45 pm

Time for new filters? (Just guessing.)

WAFlowers · Post by **WAFlowers** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 4:48 pm

BTW, last week I had the opportunity to dissassemble an older CPAP machine that had broken down (looked like the motor bearings had packed it in). In the manifold leading to the impeller chamber I discovered dried mildew!

I hope this happened after the owner stopped using it because I sure wouldn't want anyone to be inhaling spores!

Tridens · Post by **Tridens** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 6:26 pm

How long have you been using CPAP? Obviously, there can be lots of reasons for stuffy noses. If you're new to CPAP (like me), that may be enough (if you're not new to CPAP, this might help someone else, so I'll give details anyway)...

The tech and nurse at my sleep lab told me that stuffy noses often result while adjusting to therapy. The extra pressure and airflow over the sinus tissues are a new stimulus, and as such can cause the stuffy/runny nose response. If this is the cause, you will adjust simply by continuing to use CPAP. In the mean time, you may want to increase your humidification setting (if you have a heated humidifier), or take some OTC medication. If it continues past the adjustment period, your stuffy nose may be caused by something else (allergies, etc.). Many sleep docs will prescribe a nasal spray (steriodal, like Nasonex, Flonase, etc.).

FYI, I've found that I do much better breathing through my nose using a nasal pillows system (like Swift, Breeze, or SNAPP) than a mask. My guess is that this is due to the increased pressure delivered into the nares as compared to outside the nose and this opens the passages further, kind of like a Breathe-Rite strip would do. With a mask system, the pressure inside and outside the nose would be the same.

Hope this helps.

Tridens

so tired · Post by **so tired** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 7:57 pm

Yawn, I'm pretty new to CPAP also, maybe 6 weeks now. I had a stuffy nose to begin with and it did get worse initially with the CPAP. I use the Saline nasal spray, having tried all the usual things like Nasonex and Flonase without any luck. I have the humidifier turned up as far as I can without getting rainout. It is on 2...at 2.5 I got rainout. Last night I forgot to turn it on at all and I was definitely more stuffy through the night. I also turn the humidifier on about 30 minutes before I actually go to sleep. The sleep guy wants me to use Afrin now and then, but I am reluctant as i know it's addictive. It does work though! Good luck.

unclebob · Post by **unclebob** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 8:09 pm

Hi yawn,

Do a search on "congestion". Lots of info.

Bob F

yawn · Post by **yawn** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 8:48 pm

Thanks for all the advice! Bill...I better not be inhaling mold spores. The last house that I built was built by a shoddy builder and hundreds of homes in our area suffered water intrusion and mold. It was a nightmare. Anyway, my machine is brand new so I doubt it's mold.
I'll try all the things that were suggested. I am new to the CPAP so maybe it's just an adjustment thing.
Thanks again! Amy

Humidifier