Re: Nasal Spray & AHI
Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 12:56 pm
Because you say that you have allergies... there is an anti-histamine nasal spray (I've used a few) that you can get, but you'll need a Rx for it.
hades161 wrote:I have never been a fan of Nasal sprays but once and a while I do use a saline spray. I bought a Nasal mister bottle and dumped out the medication part and make my own spray with sea salt and warm water as needed. I couldn't find a pure simple saline Nasal spray at the time if I would have I would have bought it. I have used Ayr gel for the nostrils if sore and only the sea salt / water and have got through everything so far including colds and flu. Only once did I think about a neti pot but after a few sprays and blows I was able to clear things up so I could use my Swift.
OTC sprays scare me after reading about what Jskinner a person who use to be on these forums a lot went through with them.
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.red1 wrote:I know I do have allergies to dust & cats. Fortunately I no longer have a cat. Dust on the other hand ...
archangle wrote:Most OTC nasal sprays irritate the tissues of your nose, and once you stop using them, your congestion is worse for a while until your nose heals back up. They can be addictive. If your AHI was worse after stopping the spray before you started, that could be the cause. Wait a week or so before drawing any conclusions.red1 wrote:
While I had the cold, I used A Life Pharmacy brand Decongestant nasal spray. I used it once at night only & for about 7 days. My AHI was down to about 3 the whole week. When the cold cleared, I stopped using it & my AHI went up to about 9.
I still am having nasal congestion problems now. Before I went back to using my Xpap machine, my sinuses were fine. When I began using the XPAP, my sinuses slowly began congesting up. After the cold, they have not gone back to where it was, before using the XPAP again.avi123 wrote:Rick, I am wondering if you have fixed your nasal blockage. I think that I am getting now a Vasomotor Rhinitis from my CPAP. My nose is stuffy in spite of squirting non medicated decongestants into it. I can see it on the ResScan graph of Flow Limitation (FL).
When I use my S9 Autoset machine in APAP mode two things happen because of the higher FL:
1) the pressure rises and causes more leaks
2) the FL also elevate my Apnea Index to above 20 (Obstructive = 14+).
Another article about Vasomotor Rhinitis treatments:
http://www.ehow.com/about_5594857_treat ... itis_.html
Notice from this article that avoiding the triggers means in our cases to avoiding our XPAP.
Never seen that product before but then again I think I have only had maybe 3 or 4 colds in the last 2 to 3 years. I don't even know where the nasal spray bottle went tbh. As to the brain eating thing I am pretty sure if your water is contaminated you'll get the bug ether way doesn't matter if you snort it or drink it.avi123 wrote:hades161 wrote:I have never been a fan of Nasal sprays but once and a while I do use a saline spray. I bought a Nasal mister bottle and dumped out the medication part and make my own spray with sea salt and warm water as needed. I couldn't find a pure simple saline Nasal spray at the time if I would have I would have bought it. I have used Ayr gel for the nostrils if sore and only the sea salt / water and have got through everything so far including colds and flu. Only once did I think about a neti pot but after a few sprays and blows I was able to clear things up so I could use my Swift.
OTC sprays scare me after reading about what Jskinner a person who use to be on these forums a lot went through with them.
Comment,
The above making your own "sea salt and warm water" reminds me of this:
Louisiana Warns About Neti Pots After Fatal Brain-Eating Amoeba Infections.
Read more: http://healthland.time.com/2011/12/16/l ... z1nQTLR2wA
http://healthland.time.com/2011/12/16/l ... nfections/
Why not use Water Pik's Easy Pour Pack and Distilled Water:
http://www.waterpik-store.com/detail/WAT+SWP-060
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.napstress wrote: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.red1 wrote:I know I do have allergies to dust & cats. Fortunately I no longer have a cat. Dust on the other hand ...
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!
Wow! I'm in awe that you vacuum every day!red1 wrote:My bedroom does need a good old fashioned thorough cleaning. (.... ) I vaccum each day.
I eat very little dairy products. Once in a while I will have a small yoguart. IT seems the more I blow my nose, the more stuffy my sinuses feel. Before blowing my nose, I can feel the mucus building up, but am able to breath better then after I blow it. After I blow my nose, my sinuses feel dry & more blocked. I remember when I first started XPAP, a pressure of 5 was ok with the swift FX. Now, a starting inhale pressure of 7 seems restricted. I also notice my pressure increases, due to my sinus issues, causing more pillow leaks.napstress wrote:May you have a quick and smooth recovery from your surgery, red1. It will be good to get that variable affecting your sleep out of the way.
Wow! I'm in awe that you vacuum every day!red1 wrote:My bedroom does need a good old fashioned thorough cleaning. (.... ) I vaccum each day.
I had another thought about allergies: do you find that you're more congested after consuming dairy? Dairy is known to increase mucus. If I take in too much of it, my ear clogs up. I'm also experimenting with a gluten-free diet right now, too. I wouldn't call myself a person with allergies. Only in the fall am I sneezy, and my eyes and the corners of my mouth are itchy. Otherwise, I never would have thought that I have them. But b/c of my narrow nose structure, even minor, barely noticeable congestion can interfere with good breathing at night.
Good luck!