Newbie sore throat, stuffed-up ears & sinuses

Hi, I've been using my new CPAP for a week & a half. Heat is up to 5 (the max) and humidity is up to 3 (the max). I like the nasal pillows much better than the face mask I tried 15 years ago (and gave up). The chin strap, nasal pillows, and heated humidity have made it possible for me to breathe through my nose while I sleep for the first time.

Unfortunately everything else in my head is getting stuffed up, and my throat is sore in the morning. This morning my whole throat feels swollen too.
Sleep doc gave me Flonase but it makes my mouth & sinuses burn during the day, so I'm only using it every other day.

I live in Oregon, and the rains have just started. Don't know if that's relevant to the humidity issue, I thought more humidity is better for sinuses.

Any thoughts?
Thanks!

Everything except the sore throat could be explained by too much humidity. Is it "dry" sore or swollen?

Clammy wrote:Hi, I've been using my new CPAP for a week & a half. Heat is up to 5 (the max) and humidity is up to 3 (the max). I like the nasal pillows much better than the face mask I tried 15 years ago (and gave up). The chin strap, nasal pillows, and heated humidity have made it possible for me to breathe through my nose while I sleep for the first time.

Unfortunately everything else in my head is getting stuffed up, and my throat is sore in the morning. This morning my whole throat feels swollen too.
Sleep doc gave me Flonase but it makes my mouth & sinuses burn during the day, so I'm only using it every other day.

I live in Oregon, and the rains have just started. Don't know if that's relevant to the humidity issue, I thought more humidity is better for sinuses.

Any thoughts?
Thanks!

Everything I'm reading points to too much humidity and mouth-leaking (or mouth-breathing).......even with a chin strap.


Den

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Ugh, I also have a face mask for the trial period. I guess I better try that again if I'm still mouth-breathing. I'll try turning down the humidity.

Doc said the chin strap is because my jaw drops open every time I start to go into REM. I don't know if it was supposed to also stop my mouth-breathing (waiting for a call back).

I used the full-face mask during the lab, and tried the nasal pillows once I got home, and liked them. But maybe I'll have to go back to the face mask.

Clammy wrote:Ugh, I also have a face mask for the trial period. I guess I better try that again if I'm still mouth-breathing. I'll try turning down the humidity.

Doc said the chin strap is because my jaw drops open every time I start to go into REM. I don't know if it was supposed to also stop my mouth-breathing (waiting for a call back).

I used the full-face mask during the lab, and tried the nasal pillows once I got home, and liked them. But maybe I'll have to go back to the face mask.

People can still mouth-breathe with a full face mask......and have dry/sore throat. But, at least they're not losing their therapy air. Many of the users who use mostly nasal masks typically have full face masks for when they get colds and need to breathe through their mouths. There are a few "die-hards" who don't, but they're in the minority.

If you're not doing nasal cleansing before bedtime (to make sure you can breathe through your nose), I'd strongly recommend it. Being able to nose-breathe helps in lots of ways.

Anyway, the issue of humidity levels comes up often......as does dry mouth. And, it usually boils down to a few possibilities.
Experimenting with humidity settings and nasal cleansing is important because everybody is different and have different experiences with this therapy.


Den

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basically, if you suspect humidity issues, experiment, if you've got it set low, turn it up, if you've got it set high, turn it down, if you're in the middle.... flip a coin.

some people like no humidity (me), some people like a little (den) and some people want to snorkel their way through the night (pugsy) ...

sometimes I think she's more frog than chunky...

just go with what works for you, and it will take experimentation.

OP says setting is at the max and I suspect pillows transmit more moisture into the nasal passage than any other form. I'd bank on it being too high, but I'm a dry guy too.

englandsf wrote:OP says setting is at the max and I suspect pillows transmit more moisture into the nasal passage than any other form. I'd bank on it being too high, but I'm a dry guy too.

yes, I *know* he said that the settings were at max, and it would have been easier to say "turn it down".

but, it's better to provide more information and let the OP be better informed... I believe.

When I first brought my machine home, it was set on a humidity level of 1 (lowest/70% humidity). I had the temp. dial set at 4-5, which I quickly learned my nose does not like. I was stuffed up and not happy. Then I read the wise suggestions on this forum and turned the temp. down. For two months I have had the humidity at 2 (80%) and the temp, dial at 1. My nose is very happy with cool air and a touch of humidity. Now that fall is upon us, and the furnace (forced air) is starting to come on at night, I've turned the humidity up to level 3, but kept the temp. at 1. I tried temp. level 2 last night and it was ok, but I still like cool better. I'm wondering if a temp. level of 1 will actually give me much more moisture, even with the humidity dialed up? I keep my house a little on the cool side in the winter. I don't want a dry nose, but I sure like the cool air better.

Wulfman... wrote:Many of the users who use mostly nasal masks typically have full face masks for when they get colds and need to breathe through their mouths. There are a few "die-hards" who don't, but they're in the minority.

Aww, come on guys...I can't be the ONLY one who doesn't own a full face mask.
Maybe I need to do a new useless poll... who else would rather die a thousand deaths than use a full face mask..

palerider wrote: some people like no humidity (me), some people like a little (den) and some people want to snorkel their way through the night (pugsy) .

well...now that you mention it. Never been happier

Pugsy wrote:

Wulfman... wrote:Many of the users who use mostly nasal masks typically have full face masks for when they get colds and need to breathe through their mouths. There are a few "die-hards" who don't, but they're in the minority.

Aww, come on guys...I can't be the ONLY one who doesn't own a full face mask.
Maybe I need to do a new useless poll... who else would rather die a thousand deaths than use a full face mask..

I NEVER mentioned anybody's (user) name. You're just being waaaaaay toooooo sensitive.

You're STILL in the minority though.


Den

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Pugsy wrote:

Wulfman... wrote:Many of the users who use mostly nasal masks typically have full face masks for when they get colds and need to breathe through their mouths. There are a few "die-hards" who don't, but they're in the minority.

Aww, come on guys...I can't be the ONLY one who doesn't own a full face mask.
Maybe I need to do a new useless poll... who else would rather die a thousand deaths than use a full face mask..

LOL, I guess I die a thousand deaths every night without a CPAP.
Can't decide which is worse.

who else would rather die a thousand deaths than use a full face mask

Me for one. The option of covering all breathing orifices terrifies me(fight or flight reflex) so I find a way. I was recently in the same situation. Nose, ears an throat. I turned the humidifier from three to two and my heated hose varies between one and two now. Doctor prescribed higher heat to start but I adjust by health and weather. Definitely cooler with congestion, helped a lot, also nightly nasal rinse. Recently using Simply Saline spray because of vertigo when I tilt my head and change position.
When it is really cold I turn the hose(fleece covered) up and use it as an undercover heater.

Do you have epr?