tips for nasal congestion from allergies?

[Jak3099]

I've come to accept my sleep apnea, and my girlfriend is very supportive of me wearing my mask (she'll even nudge me if I'm too lazy to put it on!)

I've tried a full face mask, but always woke up whenever I rolled on my side and the mask smushed my face or leaked. I'm using the Airfit P10 nasal pillow mask and like it a lot.

The only issue is that when my nose is especially stuffy (dust mite allergies) I still don't get a good night's sleep. When I take OTC allergy pills, it helps, but I don't think that's a good solution. I've done the following:
- pillow/mattress covers
- hypoallergenic filters for my S9
- staying hydrated

Do you guys have any other tips that have worked for you? Would bumping up the pressure setting help "push" more air through my nose?

[nanwilson]

I take allergy pills, but not the daytime, stay awake types. The ones I have been using are chlortripolon.. generic is chlorpheniramline maleate. I buy the 4 mg and use 2 = 8 mg.
My son also takes the same and he is a hose head too.
Good luck

[LSAT]

You need a nasal rinse before bed. NeilMed at your local pharmacy. Works Great

[Greg Riddle]

Dymista nasal spray. Nasal rinse. Allergy shots

[MeToo]

Nasonex, Flonase or the like. It takes a week or so to start working. A particular brand might work slightly better depending on the individual. I started on Flonase and no longer need oral antihistamines.

[AuSable River Rat]

I have severe allergy issues. I take allergy pills and do saline rinses. When I first started CPAP my sinuses became so congested the mask couldn't get the air through the congestion (even after all the allergy meds and rinses). What finally worked for me was raising the minimum pressure higher. My minimum pressure was 6 and it just wasn't sufficient pressure to keep the nasal passages open. Now I have it set at 12 and I don't normally have any problem with congestion. Good luck.

[Jak3099]

Thanks for all the replies!

LSAT: by nasal rinse, do you mean that Neilmed squirt bottle, or netipot? I have isotonic saline spray as well.

For those who take oral or spray allergy meds, are they safe for daily use? I thought prolonged use of nasal sprays can harm the septum?

[LSAT]

NeilMed Nasal Rinse....Distilled water with packet of saline. Sold in a kit for about $15. Netipot is something different. Some people like it better.
You can use saline sprays in addition throughout the day.

[Julie]

But you're right about the sprays... esp. e.g. Afrin, which you end up needing more and more of, with less and less effect.

[chunkyfrog]

A Kenalog shot might help control allergies.

[GettingBetter]

Before Bedtime, I do a Saline rinse and clear with a q-tip in each nostril before a couple of hits off the Flonase. I also take Singulair (montelukast). This really helps. I love that allergy cocktail and can really tell when I forget to do it.

I also have bed mite allergy issues and use a steamer on pillows and the mattress, keeping the bedroom vacuumed and drapes steamed / vac'd reasonably often (about every three months on a good steaming, vac more often). I also use the hottest water possible to wash sheets (weekly) and pillows (about every three weeks).

Others probably do things differently, but I grew up with allergies and this was Mom's schedule.

[Rabbit54]

Nasacort 24hr spray has changed my life