Nasal pillow masks and increased sinus irritation?

silver123 · Post by **silver123** » Fri May 30, 2008 2:17 pm

OK...so I have been CPAP'ing for two weeks. I developed an amazing cold after the first week. I had noticed some stuffy sinuses the first week, but that is normal for me and I was going to talk with doc about it next week.

But this cold is a full blown, nasty critter. I went to the clinic yesterday cause it had been a week and I wanted to be sure it's not sinusitis, which it appears not to be.

So...I called to set up my 2 week check in with the DME provider. In conversation she mentioned that some people have increased sinus problems with nasal pillow type masks cause the flow is so direct. Now, I had already planned to get a back up nasal mask but.....my question is:
Is this true in people's experience?

I like the Swift II and though I have struggled to use it through the cold, I've kept with it and hope to keep being able to use nasal pillow masks. The fit works for me. I am quite aware of the direct flow but it seemed relatively comfortable.

thanks in advance for any comments!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri May 30, 2008 3:22 pm

did you try turning up your humidifier a notch or two?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri May 30, 2008 3:29 pm

I was just going to say that!!! The only time I've had irritation was when my HH was on Zero. Turning it up a tick or two solved my problems. You'll have to experiment to find out what the optimum setting is for your nose.

No problems at all, now.

Cheers,
Babette

jsmythe · Post by **jsmythe** » Fri May 30, 2008 6:15 pm

Ditto to what Babs and Guest said. I live in East Tenn., Sinus city everywhere and the allergie capitol of the state...I use the Headrest, Opus and SwiftII, have no problems with either, only when I don't have HH on. Then,, let the problems begin...big time.

sleepycarol · Post by **sleepycarol** » Fri May 30, 2008 6:24 pm

I am the odd man out. I have severe allergies and asthma. When I first got my apap I used the intergrated humidifer and soon purchased a Fisher and Paykel 100 heated humidifier. I used it at a setting of two and found I was always stuffy at night. I turned the humidifer off and use it strictly in pass over mode. Love it that way!!!!

silver123 · Post by **silver123** » Fri May 30, 2008 6:27 pm

Thanks! On the unit I have there are 5 settings for the humidifier and I have had it set on 4. I'll try 5 and see how it goes.

I've wondered if perhaps the heater in the unit is not functioning correctly. There is barely any condensation in the hose so no rainout at all and perhaps only half the water appears to be evaporating in a 8 hour sleep period.

Hoping for a better night.....

Jere · Post by **Jere** » Fri May 30, 2008 9:39 pm

I use nasal pillows precisely because I have terrible sinus and congestion problems. The nasal mask shoot the air directly into my nose (obviously) and keeps it "inflated" all night and alieviates congestion problems. On the other hand, regular masks establish air pressure evenly over and around the nose and - for me - makes my congestion worse.

As for sinus infections and colds (which I get all too often), the nasal masks still work to keep my nasal passages open while sleeping. I have not used Afrin more than a few times since starting CPAP.

I use my heated humidifier set pretty high (especially in winter).

Also, if you flush your sinus with salt water before you go to bed (sick or not), you will find much relief.

Jerry

Fredman · Post by **Fredman** » Fri May 30, 2008 9:57 pm

Silver123 In winter you may have to turn your humidifier down as you can get rain out (water condensation) in your mask and hose because the bedroom air is usually cooler.

I have started to use the humidifier with out heat and use it as a pass over, I just find that it becomes too warm in the mask right now.

silver123 · Post by **silver123** » Sat May 31, 2008 11:10 am

Thenks everyone. I hiked the himidity up and was more comfortable sleeping. I'll get a better idea whatis going on once this cold passes.

I think I'll go ahead and order a hose insulator thingy . It gets darn cold this far north in the winters and dry with electric heat.

Thanks again!

Jere · Post by **Jere** » Sat May 31, 2008 8:04 pm

Hey Fredman - I think I used to hang out on your shoulder (before THEY canceled our show).

Great Gazoo

Fredman · Post by **Fredman** » Sat May 31, 2008 11:39 pm

Jere...Great Gazoo, Yabba dabba doo! Wasn't it a great show! Everyone can use a Gazoo, he sure came in helpful for old Fred and dumb dumb wasn't that what he called Barney?