Flonase (fluticasone)

[rcobourn]

For kicks, try this: run your fingers around inside the humidifier. Mine looked perfectly clean, but had a very noticeable slime going on.

You will not believe me but I just went and did that, and there is no slime or anything disturbing. It may have something to do with the air quality (I use MERV 13 to 16 filters on my HVAC) or other factors, but it is just clean. If had detected any issue with the cleanliness, I would have addressed it. As always, your mileage may vary. But I also feel that people are a bit too paranoid with their air quality when it comes to the CPAP machines, while it is often the case that that is the cleanest air they ever breathe.

McSleepy

I believe you! I was shocked to find the slime in mine, for some reason I figured using distilled water would keep it clean. Turns out, bacteria don't mind distilled water. Stay vigilant. Your HVAC filter is probably making the difference, but nothing is 100%.

That and the dry air - here in the Colorado mountains the air is much drier then in most other places, so the concentration of bacteria may be much lower in the first place. I wonder if anyone in Arizona or Nevada can contribute their experience.

McSleepy

Well, I'm in Phoenix, so it's probably not the dry air. Humidity in the house is usually around 50%. Outside right now is 27%.

[McSleepy]

For kicks, try this: run your fingers around inside the humidifier. Mine looked perfectly clean, but had a very noticeable slime going on.

You will not believe me but I just went and did that, and there is no slime or anything disturbing. It may have something to do with the air quality (I use MERV 13 to 16 filters on my HVAC) or other factors, but it is just clean. If had detected any issue with the cleanliness, I would have addressed it. As always, your mileage may vary. But I also feel that people are a bit too paranoid with their air quality when it comes to the CPAP machines, while it is often the case that that is the cleanest air they ever breathe.

McSleepy

I believe you! I was shocked to find the slime in mine, for some reason I figured using distilled water would keep it clean. Turns out, bacteria don't mind distilled water. Stay vigilant. Your HVAC filter is probably making the difference, but nothing is 100%.

That and the dry air - here in the Colorado mountains the air is much drier then in most other places, so the concentration of bacteria may be much lower in the first place. I wonder if anyone in Arizona or Nevada can contribute their experience.

McSleepy

Well, I'm in Phoenix, so it's probably not the dry air. Humidity in the house is usually around 50%. Outside right now is 27%.

Wow, really? Could it be drier here? I have an "Ambient Weather" weather station, with the display on my desk and in summer, on hot sunny days the outside humidity reads as "1%" (I don't think it can read lower); it's been a very wet year, here in Colorado, so there's the occasional humid days, but inside humidity had never been 50% (it reads 44% right now). And in winter, I run my whole-house humidifier to 35% (it has digital controls). I'm sure there are other factors, too.

McSleepy

[rcobourn]

Yep, thinner air carries less moisture. It's also monsoon season here, so it's wetter than usual by a big margin.

[McSleepy]

Yep, thinner air carries less moisture. It's also monsoon season here, so it's wetter than usual by a big margin.

Oh, yes - the altitude! In fact, with the same relative humidity (what our gauges read and what the forecast shows), the absolute humidity is lower. So, fewer bacteria at 5000+ feet!

McSleepy

[Mark55]

I use Flonase for roughly 4 months out of the year, during peak allergy times. It has virtually eliminated sinus infections for me, and my nose is clearer than it's ever been. For those nights when things aren't flowing 100%, I put on one of those nasal strips (CVS Extra Strength) before bed, and all is good. I actually prefer the CVS extra strength strips that come in a 50 pack, over the real Breathe Right strips,....they are cheaper (10 bucks a pack on sale), and better imho.

My doc says Flonase can be used 365/year at the 1 spray/day per nostril dosage. Spray slightly outward away from your septum, and stop for awhile if you start getting nosebleeds. I still believe it best to take breaks from it once in awhile.

[LakeGuy85]

That stuff really works. I've been breathing clear since the first squirt. Dr. Google says that there are no ill effects from prolonged use. Can that be true? It's not expensive and it's not difficult to use.

My son used Flonase years ago for his seasonal allergies. After a few months he started having daily nosebleeds so he had to stop it. Other than that he had no issues.

Ive been using Flonase a couple months to help nighttime congestion, but have also recently started periodic nosebleeds even though I’ve never had nose bleeds in my life (38 y/o). Can anyone tell me how long it might take for my nose to get moisturized again and the Flonase to wear off/bleeds to stop? They say it takes Flonase a few days/eeek to build up in your system.

[droo_d]

I started using Flonase on the advice of my doctor about a year ago and now a rarely forget to use it before bed. Before that I was ALWAYS a mouth breather: one nostril or the other was always closed due to allergies even though I took Claritin or Zyrtec every day. After going to an allergist and that awful testing, dust mites were on my list of allergens. I bought special covers for pillow and mattress but the real trick was Flonase. I hesitated using it because of fears it was harmful (steroids are bad!) but the doctor assured me that it was really a topical treatment and wouldn't enter the bloodstream. I've since recommended it to my teenage son (who may be on his way to a CPAP one day) and he did have a little trouble with slight nose bleed. That could be due to dryness in his bedroom and nasal passages that are exposed after years of "isolation".

Same here. The allergen test results came back in as pollen or dust mites being the main factor for bedroom nasal congestion. Been using Flonase as well starting with the NeilMed Nasal Rinse first. Anyone else seem to have congestion all year round like my case and found a consistent solution? Flonase doesn't work well for me at times when the nose is badly congested and nasal rinse wasn't clearing it up with the 8oz bottle. I'm going to try 2 bottles next time.

What I currently use:
Hypoallergenic Air Filters for ResMed Airsense 10 Autoset
Hypoallergenic covers for pillow + bed sheet
NeilMed Nasal Rinse
Flonase
HVAC Allergen Furnance Filter
Bedroom HEPA Air Purifier

[harrywr2]

Anyone else seem to have congestion all year round like my case and found a consistent solution?

I use Navage 2x per day plus flonase. 1x per day wasn't working.

[droo_d]

Anyone else seem to have congestion all year round like my case and found a consistent solution?

I use Navage 2x per day plus flonase. 1x per day wasn't working.

Appreciate you bringing this up. Going to put the Navage on my list to buy! I recall there being a trick where you can use diff pods or half full pods by taping the new pod sensor or something along the lines. Will be able to share if I find out!

[remstarcpap]

Lots of hacks on Navage on youtube...search nav age hack. Some super easy, some require disassembly. All allow you to use your own saline.