Stuffy Nose only when I use my cpap

[DOstrugglebus]

So my first night with my cpap last week went well for a first time I believe- 5 hours 45 minutes out of 8 hours of sleep. I was using the Wisp mask but I have sense picked up two others to try and also have backups so I can change them around. (Dreamwear and a full face)

The problem I am running into is that my nose will be fine all day and then when I put the cpap on bam! My nose will be stopped up in 30 minutes and it's impossible for me to inhale/exhale through my nose.

This has caused me to use the cpap for less and less each night and last night I was only able to use it for an hour or so before I gave up and took it off.

I have a heated tube and my autoset has the humidifier.

So what can I do to stop being so dang stopped up?



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[Pugsy]

When you put the mask on ...does the nose get congested immediately and does the congestion go away pretty much right away if you pull the mask off your nose?

Or is the congestion coming on later in the night and doesn't go away pretty much immediately when the mask gets removed...does the congestion stay with you for a while?

You may need to alter the humidity level...or you may need to use a different mask.
If the congestion comes on quickly and is relieved quickly by removing the mask...then try a different mask that doesn't put pressure on the bridge of the nose.

If the congestion comes on slowly and goes away slowly...consider altering humidity level and in your case if you are using the auto function that's a fairly high humidity level so I would go with lower humidity. You can go in and change the humidity and temperature from auto to manual so that you can set humidity and hose air temp separately.

[robysue]

So my first night with my cpap last week went well for a first time I believe- 5 hours 45 minutes out of 8 hours of sleep. I was using the Wisp mask but I have sense picked up two others to try and also have backups so I can change them around. (Dreamwear and a full face)

The problem I am running into is that my nose will be fine all day and then when I put the cpap on bam! My nose will be stopped up in 30 minutes and it's impossible for me to inhale/exhale through my nose.

This is not an uncommon problem. Some people's noses don't like a lot of air being blown around them. Question: Do you ever have problems with a stuffy nose if you sleep under a fan? Or when you are outside on a very windy day?

You may also simply be more aware of your so-called "nasal cycle" when you are masked up. Most people actually breathe predominately through one nostril at a time, and the dominant nostril switches back and forth periodically during the day, as well as at night when we are asleep. Most of us are totally unaware of this happening---until we're dealing with something that makes us focus on our breathing, such as putting a CPAP mask on our nose. Time and patience will usually work this problem out. But only if you actually force yourself to use the mask more, rather than less.

This has caused me to use the cpap for less and less each night and last night I was only able to use it for an hour or so before I gave up and took it off.

Rather than giving up and going to sleep without the mask, it may be more useful to get out of bed for a few minutes to give yourself a break from the mask. And when you start feeling sleepy, go back to bed and mask back up.

I have a heated tube and my autoset has the humidifier.

So what can I do to stop being so dang stopped up?

Things to try:

Turn the temperature on the heated tube DOWN or even OFF. If that makes the congestion worse, then try turning the heated tube UP. Different noses like different degrees of heat.

Turn the humidifier UP (if it is not set to its max setting). If that makes the congestion worse, then try turning the humidifier DOWN or OFF. Different noses like different degrees of humidification. And some people find that they do best with little or no humidification. Others need as much humidity as the humidifier can put out.

Think about this too: When you take a hot, steamy shower, does your nose sometimes get clogged up? If so, that's a sure sign that your nose probably wants LESS humidity and LESS heat.



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[DOstrugglebus]

When you put the mask on ...does the nose get congested immediately and does the congestion go away pretty much right away if you pull the mask off your nose?

Not immediately but it does go away if I adjust to mask

I will also adjust the humidity- thanks for the input/help!

[DOstrugglebus]

So my first night with my cpap last week went well for a first time I believe- 5 hours 45 minutes out of 8 hours of sleep. I was using the Wisp mask but I have sense picked up two others to try and also have backups so I can change them around. (Dreamwear and a full face)

The problem I am running into is that my nose will be fine all day and then when I put the cpap on bam! My nose will be stopped up in 30 minutes and it's impossible for me to inhale/exhale through my nose.

This is not an uncommon problem. Some people's noses don't like a lot of air being blown around them. Question: Do you ever have problems with a stuffy nose if you sleep under a fan? Or when you are outside on a very windy day?

You may also simply be more aware of your so-called "nasal cycle" when you are masked up. Most people actually breathe predominately through one nostril at a time, and the dominant nostril switches back and forth periodically during the day, as well as at night when we are asleep. Most of us are totally unaware of this happening---until we're dealing with something that makes us focus on our breathing, such as putting a CPAP mask on our nose. Time and patience will usually work this problem out. But only if you actually force yourself to use the mask more, rather than less.

This has caused me to use the cpap for less and less each night and last night I was only able to use it for an hour or so before I gave up and took it off.

Rather than giving up and going to sleep without the mask, it may be more useful to get out of bed for a few minutes to give yourself a break from the mask. And when you start feeling sleepy, go back to bed and mask back up.

I have a heated tube and my autoset has the humidifier.

So what can I do to stop being so dang stopped up?

Things to try:

Turn the temperature on the heated tube DOWN or even OFF. If that makes the congestion worse, then try turning the heated tube UP. Different noses like different degrees of heat.

Turn the humidifier UP (if it is not set to its max setting). If that makes the congestion worse, then try turning the humidifier DOWN or OFF. Different noses like different degrees of humidification. And some people find that they do best with little or no humidification. Others need as much humidity as the humidifier can put out.

Think about this too: When you take a hot, steamy shower, does your nose sometimes get clogged up? If so, that's a sure sign that your nose probably wants LESS humidity and LESS heat.



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[/quote]

Thanks for the help! I will try what you said!

[Pugsy]

If adjusting the humidity doesn't help much then I would look at trying a different mask or see if you can alter the positioning of where the Wisp sits.
I had issues with the Wisp causing nasal congestion just from the pressure of it on the bridge of my nose. Congestion that was relieved pretty much within just a few seconds of re-positioning the mask briefly.
It was pretty bad...only lasted 90 minutes with the Wisp and had numerous wake ups from congestion during those 90 minutes. Mine wasn't related to humidity setting. I haven't changed the humidity setting in years.

[chunkyfrog]

I was able to use a Wisp, but only with the silicone frame.
The material clings to my face enough to hold the cushion up and away
from the bridge of my nose so the pressure (not air) does not make my nose stop up.
Physical pressure on the outside of my nose causes congestion.
I can tell by gently pressing the top of my nose between thumb and forefinger.
I now only use nasal pillows.