Totally Frustrated and Need Advice!!!

[georgiaboy]

I've been on APAP for nearly 3 months now and have gotten invaluable info from reading posts daily here on this forum.

Over the 3 months I have narrowed my mask down to the Activa along with a strong velcro chin strap. Over the last 3 weeks my AHI has averaged 0.6 which I understand is excellent. The only problem is I feel like crap every morning. I wake with my eyes almost swollen shut and most every morning my left nostril is closed down and almost unbreathable. This nasal dryness clears upduring the course of the day after I get up. I'm on Nasonex but it does not help. My ENT has suggested RF surgery of the turbinates as a start and maybe tubinate surgery later. He also suggested I see an allergist.

I would like to get to the bottom of this and would welcome comments or suggestions.

[Slinky]

Do you have any minor leaks around the bridge of the nose/eye area? Regardless how minor these can produce eye problems. You might try, after fitting your headgear and mask for the night, with your machine on at set pressure, pulling the mask JUST A SKOSH away from your face to let the Activa cushion fill w/air, then lay it back down on your face JUST A SKOSH lower on the bridge of your nose, then SLIGHTLY slide it UP back into proper position on your nose. That turns the edges of the outer cushion cover UNDER and improves the seal. In addition you can run your fingertip along the line at the cushion cover/skin. This also turns the outer cushion cover under to improve the seal.

Most likely you are sleeping more on your left side than any other position. During your sleep evaluation study in which position did most of your events occur? Did your ENT mention whether you had a SLIGHTLY deviated septum? Not enough to consider surgery? Do you use a heated humidifier?

I have a slightly deviated septum. In my case it is the right nostril and sinus that tends to plug or fill up when I lay on my right side. I have found when I'm "stuffy" that the heated humidifier tends to clear my sinus after a few minutes of use. There have been a couple of nights when I was stuffy enough on both sides that I wasn't sure if I'd be able to use CPAP or not that night yet I tried. At first I had to open my mouth to breathe a couple of time but it gradually got easier and easier to breathe. It took maybe 5 minutes at most.

Just a thought. We are all different. Good luck finding the relief that works for you.

[Guest]

Slinky, Thanks for your tips on the mask seal around the bridge of the nose, I will give it a go tonight. I do notice that lately I have an indention way above the bridge of the nose every AM, as well as two deep marks on my forehead from the headgear.

I'm the worst on my back, as far as events are concerned. My septum is good.

I do use a humifier set at 1, any thoughts on a setting to help clear me out??

[georgiaboy]

Sorry, I was not signed in.

Georgiaboy

[Snoredog]

sounds to me:

1. You are over tightening the straps on the Activa, it is NOT designed to have the straps worn tight, it seals with CPAP air pressure. That mask is known to cut into your nares especially if it is sized too small. Many trim out the inner skin under the nares.

2. Listen to your ENT. This therapy "relies" on your ability to breathe through your nose. It cannot do that if you are constantly congested.

3. I would NOT use any kind of nasal spray even Nasonex. I would only use a saline rhino rinse with a pinch of baking soda in it. Baking soda is optional, but it works better if you use it as the baking soda will dissolve dried mucous and flush it out.

And that is the key to eliminating nasal allergies, flushing out the allergens. Used regularly (2-3 per week) your allergies will taper off and the nasal tissues are no longer inflammed, the result is free breathing (as long as there is not anything anatomically incorrect like a deviated septum).

This is all you should use in your nose:


You just hold your head over a sink, squirt one half the solution into one nare, then use the remaining solution in the other, blow your nose afterward and in a few days you'll be breathing a lot easier.

The simple rhino wash works by flushing out smog and allergens that stick to the walls of your nasal passages, once those have been flushed out regularly, the nasal tissues are no longer inflamed and they shrink naturally. It is the best thing you can do for your nose.

Next, remove your mask and take your index finger and thumb and feel around the base of your nose, if you can feel yourself becoming congested from pushing on the out side then you may need a larger mask so that the cushion doesn't contribute to same congestion from compression.

[sleepyred]

Snoredog- you are "picture perfect" today!

[georgiaboy]

Slinky, Snoredog and Sleepyred I really appreciate the feedback and suggestions. I intend to give them all a test run. Does anyone think the RF (in office) surgery will help? It supposedly will shrink the membranes and open the airway.
I will institute the suggestions offered here and see what happens.

Thanks so much, this board has been a godsend for me!!!

[Stefernie]

Here's another goon recipe to try:

1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons PURE salt...canning or kosher...NOT table salt
1 quart water

My ENT gave me this recipe and I have hearted him for it ever since.

[georgiaboy]

Stepanie----How exactly do you use the mixture?? And how often?