Congestion with Humidifier

Hello

I was diagnosed with sleep apnoea in late 2008, I have been using CPAP devices since that time. I never suffered with nasal congestion before using a CPAP device, other than on the rare occasion I had a cold. Year by year my congestion has been getting worse. I am also starting to suffer problems with my sinuses blocking and air locks in my ears. I have been using the Resmed Autoset 10 for around 2 years now, I like the machine a lot. Around a year ago my nasal congestion got very bad. My sleep apnoea advisor recommended that I start using the humidifer that came with the A10. I have been using the humidifier for some 6 or 7 months now. I have it set to Auto, which I believe sets the temperature to 27° C and automatically adjusts the humidity level. Alas I have not noticed any improvements really. Bear in mind this was during the british summer too when the weather is warmer and a humidifier should not be needed as much. We are just headed into the winter now so I am quite concerned about how much worse it may get.

Does anyone else suffer congestion problems even though they use a humidifier? Does anyone use any other sort of treatment to help with nasal congestion? I have tried the usual salt saline solutions and general medical nasal inhalers but without much joy. I am beginning to think its something I will just need to deal with it for life.

I would appreciate any info from someone with the same problem or any advice anyone may have.

Many thanks
Gareth

Using it can create congestion where there was none to begin with, or worsen existing congestion, it just depends on your situation - climate, individual anatomy (things like turbinates or a deviated septum can make a difference) so you need to experiment with settings yourself at different times of the year. But if you've developed congestion when not using it at all, then possibly you've developed seasonal allergies and should look into that as the culprit.