Snoring, sinuses and sleep apnea...desperate for help...

Nenetx2004 · Post by **Nenetx2004** » Sun Dec 12, 2004 2:41 pm

I have been on CPAP for almost a month now. The first few weeks my boyfriend said he didn't hear me snore (he's a very light sleeper). I caught a cold while on vacation and now I'm battling congested sinuses. He says I've been snoring a lot more. My follow-up visit the ENT is coming up. My fear is that he's going to want to remove my tonsils and shorten my soft palate. I do not want to have surgery. Especially this type of surgery at 40.

My question is does snoring tend to increase if your sinuses are congested. Would increasing the pressure on my machine help? I'm desperate for the CPAP to be the answer to my snoring/sleep apnea.

Thanks for your help. This forum has been a Godsend!

Jeanne

wading thru the muck! · Post by **wading thru the muck!** » Sun Dec 12, 2004 4:10 pm

Hi Jeanne,

Are you using a full face mask? If not my guess is because of your congested nose you are mouth breathing (and snoring). Increasing your pressure might make this worse.

Do you have a machine with software to tell you if you are having mouth leaks?

You might try using some flonase nasal spray. My doc gives me a few samples when I see him to use if I am congested. Ask yours for some next time you go in. Otherwise you might try a full face mask for those times when you are having trouble breathing through your nose.

It's a good thing that your boyfreind is a light sleeper, that way you have him to monitor such things for you. Others who are alone have to rely only on how they feel in the morning to catch any troubles. An auto-pap with good software can also be a good tool to monitor how things are going.

I haven't used a full face mask but the one people seem to do best with is the Resmed Ultra Mirage Full Face.

It's good your actively keeping at your results and making adjustments.

Good Luck!

Nenetx2004 · Post by **Nenetx2004** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 8:51 am

Thanks for your response, Wading! Yes, I do wear a full face mask so I'm still a bit puzzled by the snoring. One thing I thought of this weekend as I was obsessing over this was that it's possible that the snoring may have occurred early on when I was falling asleep. I use the "ramp" feature on my machine so the pressure is less in the beginning. I'll experiment with that and see what happens.

53now · Post by **53now** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 10:43 am

For some people..."The Ramp Feature" is a blessing !! while others (like myself) don't care for it. The "Ramp" also has a setting. Most have a starting Ramp Pressure at about 4. I couldn't breath at all using the Ramp so...I opted to go "full bore". Try it without the ramp. It might be a little difficult at first but hopefully this will solve some problems for you. Changing pressure is not a cure-all. Good Luck
Rich

chrisp · Post by **chrisp** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 7:21 pm

You are in for a real treat any day now if you live in Austin. Ceder fever season begins soon. I hope you are not allergic.. If you are boil 1 quart of water and add 2 tablespoons of salt. Perhaps a bit less salt at first. When it cools add a teaspoon of alcohol.. Flush your nose with this several times a day and before going to bed . Lie on your back with your head just off the edge of your bed and just pour it in . Wait 1 minute for it to flow thru your sinus..It works wonders . Or just buy it a the store for $3 for 3 ounces.

Anyway its cheaper than surgery...

airhead · Post by **airhead** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 7:22 pm

I dont use the ramp feature either.

Nenetx2004 · Post by **Nenetx2004** » Wed Dec 15, 2004 9:25 am

Thanks Chris! Yes, I've lived in Austin for almost 18 years.....and my allergies get pretty miserable. I'll try the salt trick and see how it works.

Jeanne

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