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Should I continue to use CPAP while I have a cold?

Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 2:58 pm
by Astral4
Just bought my CPAP Machine last week. Got a head/chest cold and not sure whether I should use it
when I have this.

Re: Should I continue to use CPAP while I have a cold?

Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 3:10 pm
by Hawthorne
Use your cpap machine when you have a cold if you possibly can. Raising the humidity a little will help with some congestion. A neti pot rinse or Saline Spray about a hour before bedtime will also help with congestion.

You may need to elevate the head of your bed just a few inches.

Some people find that a full face mask helps with congestion since you can breathe through your mouth as well with a full face mask.

If you absolutely cannot sleep with the machine, sleeping in a recliner will help.

I have used cpap for 7+ years and have had a few colds in that time! I have NEVER not used my cpap and, in addition, found that my congestion cleared with the cpap and a slightly higher humidity setting while I got through the cold.

Re: Should I continue to use CPAP while I have a cold?

Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 3:51 pm
by elg5cats
Astral4 wrote:Just bought my CPAP Machine last week. Got a head/chest cold and not sure whether I should use it
when I have this.
You really should try to use your CPAP......I'm still recovering from H1N1 and used a full face mask throughout ....I have consistency had O2 desats even with APAP while sick........If you look at the flu postings, you can see a couple of places where I posted the pulse ox results. I can't use a nasal mask when sick, but found the FF mask easy even when I was coughing terrible...lost seal some with coughing but that was all!!! OSA compromises breathing, respiratory illness add another level of compromise!!!!

elg5cats

Re: Should I continue to use CPAP while I have a cold?

Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 4:08 pm
by BlackSpinner
I was in the same place you are when I got my machine back in May - cold 3 days after I got it. I turned up the humidity, took some decongestants and used a ful face mask. It was the easiest cold I have ever slept through - that extra humidity made all the difference plus all the oxygen I was getting!

Re: Should I continue to use CPAP while I have a cold?

Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 5:25 am
by Astral4
Thanks to all who responded to this post. I slept using my machine last night. My sleep was
indeed better with it, than without it.

Re: Should I continue to use CPAP while I have a cold?

Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 8:55 am
by deerslayer
Welcome brother * i would think especially when you have congestion. that is why we are on cpap, to help keep airways open. seems this time of year when leaves are dieing i struggle with mold & mildew allergies and need to control the rhinitis to keep from escalating into something more serious. good luck and persevere . tim