Nasal Congestion + Nasal Mask = No Therapy
- sheila1232
- Posts: 16
- Joined: Sun Jan 01, 2012 8:59 pm
Nasal Congestion + Nasal Mask = No Therapy
Which also equals one super tired girl. Went out of town this past weekend and second night went to bed with nasal congestion which I contributed to allergies since we were in Austin, TX which is very populated with different kinds of trees. Came back home to a full cold and a continuation of not being able to use my nasal mask due to the suffocating feeling of not being able to breathe.
I generally average a pressure of 10 to 12 on my machine so I the range is set from 9-15 and the little bit I have used the machine in the last couple of days, it topped out at 15. I think I am right in assuming that is due to being congested and as hard as it is for me to breathe out, the machine is having a hard time breathing in?!?
Last night, I was feeling 90% better with only a small amount of congestion on my left nostril but had a horrible time keeping the mask on. I don't think it bothered me as in physically but the subconsciousness telling me I won't be able to breathe in memory of the previous couple of nights. Again, the pressure maxed out for the hour I was able to keep it on.
I really don't get sick very often at all...once a year maybe twice at max...so I don't think it is worth purchasing a FFM especially when I would possibly not be able to use it do to consciousness of a different feeling of mask.
If you randomly deal with the situation, what do you do? Grit your teeth and bear it or have you found a much better solution??
ALSO, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, I haven't been using the humidifier as I can't stand the "smell" of any type of heater and had it very low to begin with. It can be 30 degrees outside but I absolutely can't sleep with the house heater on..I just use lots of blankets and turned the heater on in the morning to get the crispness out of the air. WOULD the humidifier help with the nasal congestion or hinder it??
I generally average a pressure of 10 to 12 on my machine so I the range is set from 9-15 and the little bit I have used the machine in the last couple of days, it topped out at 15. I think I am right in assuming that is due to being congested and as hard as it is for me to breathe out, the machine is having a hard time breathing in?!?
Last night, I was feeling 90% better with only a small amount of congestion on my left nostril but had a horrible time keeping the mask on. I don't think it bothered me as in physically but the subconsciousness telling me I won't be able to breathe in memory of the previous couple of nights. Again, the pressure maxed out for the hour I was able to keep it on.
I really don't get sick very often at all...once a year maybe twice at max...so I don't think it is worth purchasing a FFM especially when I would possibly not be able to use it do to consciousness of a different feeling of mask.
If you randomly deal with the situation, what do you do? Grit your teeth and bear it or have you found a much better solution??
ALSO, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, I haven't been using the humidifier as I can't stand the "smell" of any type of heater and had it very low to begin with. It can be 30 degrees outside but I absolutely can't sleep with the house heater on..I just use lots of blankets and turned the heater on in the morning to get the crispness out of the air. WOULD the humidifier help with the nasal congestion or hinder it??
_________________
Mask: Swift™ FX For Her Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear |
Humidifier: IntelliPAP Integrated Heated Humidifier |
IF you are damned if you do and damned if you don't, pick the one that you are going to have the most fun doing
Re: Nasal Congestion + Nasal Mask = No Therapy
Does a hot steamy shower help your congestion? If so, you likely have your answer as to whether adding humidity will help with congestion.
I have had a couple of colds since I started cpap therapy. I found that with a bit of decongestant and cranking up the humidifier that I slept about as well as one would normally sleep when I have a cold.
The added moisture really helped my nasal mucosa stay pretty clear. Probably more open than during the day.
I don't own a full face mask and if I did, I wouldn't wear it anyway. I just don't like them for several reasons that really are only important to me.
I have had a couple of colds since I started cpap therapy. I found that with a bit of decongestant and cranking up the humidifier that I slept about as well as one would normally sleep when I have a cold.
The added moisture really helped my nasal mucosa stay pretty clear. Probably more open than during the day.
I don't own a full face mask and if I did, I wouldn't wear it anyway. I just don't like them for several reasons that really are only important to me.
_________________
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- sheila1232
- Posts: 16
- Joined: Sun Jan 01, 2012 8:59 pm
Re: Nasal Congestion + Nasal Mask = No Therapy
A hot steamy shower makes my nose run like crazy. Which leads me to imagining "snot filled" nasal pillows... Blame my humor on being sleepy and my disgust at feeling as tired as I did every day for years prior to the CPAP.Pugsy wrote:Does a hot steamy shower help your congestion? If so, you likely have your answer as to whether adding humidity will help with congestion.
I have had a couple of colds since I started cpap therapy. I found that with a bit of decongestant and cranking up the humidifier that I slept about as well as one would normally sleep when I have a cold.
The added moisture really helped my nasal mucosa stay pretty clear. Probably more open than during the day.
I don't own a full face mask and if I did, I wouldn't wear it anyway. I just don't like them for several reasons that really are only important to me.
_________________
Mask: Swift™ FX For Her Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear |
Humidifier: IntelliPAP Integrated Heated Humidifier |
IF you are damned if you do and damned if you don't, pick the one that you are going to have the most fun doing
Re: Nasal Congestion + Nasal Mask = No Therapy
Get an FFM as a backup, cause you never know how long congestion can last.
Re: Nasal Congestion + Nasal Mask = No Therapy
NeilMed Sinus Rinse can be a miracle cure or it might not help at all. It's cheap to try and has few side effects. Available at the usual chain drug stores.
Humidification is the miracle cure for some, useless for other.
Don't try over the counter nose sprays other than simple saline rinse. They help for a day or two, then make things worse.
Prescription nose sprays may help more.
Sleeping in a recliner might help.
Humidification is the miracle cure for some, useless for other.
Don't try over the counter nose sprays other than simple saline rinse. They help for a day or two, then make things worse.
Prescription nose sprays may help more.
Sleeping in a recliner might help.
_________________
Mask: Swift™ FX Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear |
Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control |
Additional Comments: Also SleepyHead, PRS1 Auto, Respironics Auto M series, Legacy Auto, and Legacy Plus |
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Click here for information on the most common alternative to CPAP.
If it's midnight and a DME tells you it's dark outside, go and check for yourself.
Useful Links.
Re: Nasal Congestion + Nasal Mask = No Therapy
Then turning the humidifier DOWN might help.sheila1232 wrote:A hot steamy shower makes my nose run like crazy. Which leads me to imagining "snot filled" nasal pillows... Blame my humor on being sleepy and my disgust at feeling as tired as I did every day for years prior to the CPAP.Pugsy wrote:Does a hot steamy shower help your congestion? If so, you likely have your answer as to whether adding humidity will help with congestion.
I have had a couple of colds since I started cpap therapy. I found that with a bit of decongestant and cranking up the humidifier that I slept about as well as one would normally sleep when I have a cold.
The added moisture really helped my nasal mucosa stay pretty clear. Probably more open than during the day.
I don't own a full face mask and if I did, I wouldn't wear it anyway. I just don't like them for several reasons that really are only important to me.
It might also help if you take a hot steamy shower to loosen up the mucous in your nose a couple of hours before bed. Then use the NeilMed sinus rinse bottle or a neti pot to get even more of the crud out of the nose. And then use an OTC decongestant (if you can tolerate it) once you've got a nice clear nose.
And as archangle says, don't use decongestant nasal sprays: They are ok for very occasional use, but if you use them for three days in a row, you're likely to get rebound congestion---i.e. your nose will be more stopped up after three days of use with the nasal spray than without it.
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Machine: DreamStation BiPAP® Auto Machine |
Mask: Swift™ FX Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear |
Additional Comments: PR System DreamStation and Humidifier. Max IPAP = 9, Min EPAP=4, Rise time setting = 3, minPS = 3, maxPS=5 |
Re: Nasal Congestion + Nasal Mask = No Therapy
I find cool, drier air works best for me when sinus or winter colds hit. Isn't it weird how totally different things work for each of us.
cheers,
xena
cheers,
xena
_________________
Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control |
Additional Comments: Dx 10/14/10. Also a T2 diabetic. High night/fasting numbers prompted a sleep study and here I am :-) |
Re: Nasal Congestion + Nasal Mask = No Therapy
I use a ffm, but I still use prescription Flonase, daily, to help with my allergies.
If needed, I also use Simply Saline, which is a bit more convenient than NeilMed, but either one helps me.
If needed, I also use Simply Saline, which is a bit more convenient than NeilMed, but either one helps me.
.
Vader
Vader
Re: Nasal Congestion + Nasal Mask = No Therapy
I am very glad I have a full face mask as a backup. I know the cost might be prohibitive if you don't have insurance, but with unpredictable congestion due to allergies I wouldn't go without it. And I could probably think of several things I have around the house that I only use once or twice a year.
_________________
Mask: AirFit™ P10 Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear |
Additional Comments: Backup & Travel Machines: PR System One Bipap Auto, S9 VPAP Auto, S9 Autoset, Oximeter CMS-50E |
Diagnosed March 2011, using APAP 14 - 16.5 cm, AFlex+ 2
Alt masks Swift FX pillows, Mirage FX nasal mask, Mirage Quattro full face mask
Alt masks Swift FX pillows, Mirage FX nasal mask, Mirage Quattro full face mask