I give up

Jethro · Post by **Jethro** » Thu May 01, 2008 4:18 pm

I havn't used my cpap machine in 30 days, I had tried everything i could do to my machine to keep it from making my life miserable with the extreme type alergie syptems that my machine couses. I rather fill fatigued all day than go through the syptoms i go through when using my machine.
My Dr.s has no remedy, but to do surgery....ouch

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Thu May 01, 2008 4:23 pm

Maybe you need to try a different machine. Maybe you're allergic to that ResMed S8......

Den

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu May 01, 2008 5:22 pm

More likely allergic to the mask?

MrRandom · Post by **MrRandom** » Thu May 01, 2008 5:26 pm

I know what you mean, man. My nose can be clear as, but put that mask on and it's instant congestion. It usually goes away after I fall asleep tho. I just breathe thru my mouth at the start. Sometimes it seems like these little things just can't be fixed. Still can't fix the problem with my eyes

sleepycarol · Post by **sleepycarol** » Thu May 01, 2008 7:03 pm

Jethro

You stated earlier that you had had your cpap for 3 years and had been suffering from allergies for the last year.

Were you able to successfully use your cpap for the first 2 years? If so what changed to make you think that it is now related to your cpap?

Did you purchase your machine new? Could it have been a "loaner" machine that maybe had been used in a smoking household? Is your household a smoking household?

I have year round allergies and according to my allergist they are severe. When the pollen count is high I have been advised to stay indoors with the air conditioner on to filter the air. I take allergy meds year round. During peak allergy season for me I wind up usually on three different meds to keep them in check. Did you try any allergy meds to see if that would help?

I know for me, I would personally rather have the allergy symptoms and sleep easier knowing that I will wake up in the morning instead of the alternative. Sleep apnea causes too many health related problems in my opinion that I would rather suffer allergy symptoms instead of giving up my cpap.

RipVW · Post by **RipVW** » Thu May 01, 2008 7:11 pm

Assuming you're using a heated humidifier, try turning the heat OFF. I had the same problem until Den suggested passive humidified air (i.e. NO HEAT). The heated moist air just caused me be very congested, almost immediately after I'd put my mask on after the wter warmed. Worth a try if you're using a heated humidifier. Good luck!

cflame1 · Post by **cflame1** » Fri May 02, 2008 5:20 am

have you changed/cleaned your filters?

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Fri May 02, 2008 5:36 am

[quote="Jethro"]I'm new to the board, and I too have been suffering from allergies since being on a cpap machine. I had never suffered from allergies before, and have been struggling with this in the last year.(3 years total on the cpap).
When i found this forum, i was releaved to find that i was not the only one with this problem. I have read every topic and found some real good advice and product information.
I have just purchased the inline bac-tee filter and the concentrated wash, and as soon as i clear up with my last episode of allergies i will start using my machine again and give everyone a heads up if it is working!
Thank's to everyone in this topic.....I'm home.

Jethro · Post by **Jethro** » Fri May 02, 2008 4:40 pm

[quote="ozij"][quote="Jethro"]I'm new to the board, and I too have been suffering from allergies since being on a cpap machine. I had never suffered from allergies before, and have been struggling with this in the last year.(3 years total on the cpap).
When i found this forum, i was releaved to find that i was not the only one with this problem. I have read every topic and found some real good advice and product information.
I have just purchased the inline bac-tee filter and the concentrated wash, and as soon as i clear up with my last episode of allergies i will start using my machine again and give everyone a heads up if it is working!
Thank's to everyone in this topic.....I'm home.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri May 02, 2008 5:50 pm

But HAVE you turned off the humidifier? It really makes some people very congested.

allen476 · Post by **allen476** » Fri May 02, 2008 7:56 pm

Do you use a humidifier? If so, do you empty it every day? The bacteria can build up in it if you don't. I was like you a few weeks ago and couldn't figure it out. I changed hoses and replaced my mask and still suffered. Then I changed humidifier tanks and the problem was gone. I went through a spell of forgetting to empty the tank in the morning just before this and believe that it was the cause.

Allen

pmnorth · Post by **pmnorth** » Sat May 03, 2008 8:58 am

I am new to all this CPAP thing, only been doing it for about a week but I have been having the same problem. I'm not congested during the day but as soon as I go to bed with CPAP I'm congested. Then sometime during the night I get unblocked.

What I have noticed is that when I turn onto my side I get congested again. Last night the congestion was terrible for the first half of the night. I was trying out another mask and it was not going well. About 1/2 way through the night I had dry mouth and was claustrophobic. I started from scratch making adjustments to the mask, this time higher up on my face and felt immediate relief of the nasal congestion.

At least in my case it seems to be the mask that is putting pressure on my sinuses. The nasal rinse only seems to help when there is something else going on, boogers or whatever. This mask is still a big problem with leaks all over & requiring to be very tight to stop the fart noises, air shots to the eyes and general all around hissing. But at least I seem to have gotten the nose clogging sorted out to the point that I was able to sleep on my side for a good stretch of the night. Now I’m going out to get some of that ear plug stuff to see what I can do about some of these leaks.

Jethro · Post by **Jethro** » Mon May 05, 2008 11:52 am

I stopped using the humidifier this past weekend and it's working YEAHHOO!
Thanks!

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): humidifier

Julie · Post by **Julie** » Mon May 05, 2008 12:00 pm

You're welcome (that 'Guest' was me not logged in).

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Mon May 05, 2008 1:38 pm

is your machine a AutoSet Spirit?

You say it is a S7, similar function to the S8 but the older machine.

I would:

Remove the filter at the rear and clean it with water, dry with a towel.
Wash out the humidifier tank putting in a teaspoon of bleach and sloshing it around letting it sit for 10-15 minutes then rinsing it really good.

I would also run water through your hose for a while soapy if you can, they can begin to smell like a dead rat if a loop is allowed to remain for any time.

You need to find out your machine type (autoset vs non-autoset) and pressure settings. You have no EPR with a S7. So it is either a auto or its not.