Brand new CPAP user... is it making me sick?

[mellis]

I just started therapy, and my pressure level is 17.

I have had intermittent problems with the mask leaking, I'm assuming it's because the pressure is somewhat high? My main problem seems to be falling asleep with the thing (that makes me feel like the guy in Aliens who has the monster attack his face).

I've heard people try sleeping pills, but is that the route I should take? I don't know, I don't want to get hooked, or just have to rely on them. Once I get to sleep, I seem to be okay.

Anyway, I've noticed since I've started cpap therapy that I'm congested and have a dry cough. My heater/humidifier is set on III, so I don't know if that's the problem, or if I'm actually getting sick. I feel okay otherwise, but this cough and congestion is really bothering me.

Is this a common phenomenon? Or am I just getting a cold? Do any of you have any other tips you could give me on helping with the leaks and the falling asleep issues? I'm totally committed to this cpap thing, I know it's in my best interests.

Also, I've read every page of the post about the girl in Brazil, and I think it's awesome the way everyone stepped up to the plate to help her. Kudos to all of you.

(Sorry for the rambling post, I'm kind of in a hurry, and my thoughts are somewhat random at this point.... maybe from lack of sleep?)

[skjansen]

Is your machine set to ramp up slowly? That may help with the monster attack that is going on with your face!

Regarding the congestion issue. I think you need to look back at your medical history on this one. Do you normally have congestion and allergies at this time of year or did this just start when you started CPAP? You might want to talk to your doc about precribing something for the congestion. Being stopped up makes it incredibly difficult to breath.

Hope that helps. I am sure others will pitch in and help.

[pjwalman]

I had the same problem when I first started CPAP, too -- the coughing part, that is (congestion at bed is just a nightly thing for me) -- and (for me anyway) it had to do with having the humidifier too high. My lungs weren't used to having all that moisture, I guess, and were trying to cough it out of there. I wondered, like you, if it had to do with CPAP or was just coincidence that I was getting a cold, but once I adjusted the humidity, the cough went away. Humidity preference is such a variable thing between users -- for instance, I can't stand warm air blown in my face; if my husband rolls over and starts breathing on me, I am SO onto my other side -- so I don't know whether to tell you to turn it down or turn it up, but I would say to experiment with it for a couple nights to see if it the coughing problem goes away.

The congestion part of it, I don't know if there are long-term effects, but I take 50 mg. of Benadryl when I'm extremely clogged up. The box will say 25 mg. for allergies, etc., but my doctor recommended the 50 mg. for use as a sleep aid, so I've kept with that dosage for a combined benefit.

Good luck!! Let us know how it goes!

Peggy

[Julie]

For me a high humidity (especially heated) brings instant congestion, and I don't use a humidifier at all now (and don't miss it).

[Guest]

Is your machine set to ramp up slowly? That may help with the monster attack that is going on with your face!

Yes, I have a ramp. It's more the fact that this humongous thing is on my face in the first place. After almost 40 years without one, it's hard to get used to.

Do you normally have congestion and allergies at this time of year or did this just start when you started CPAP?

I'm basically allergic to planet earth, but I was symptom-free most of the spring. It just seemed as though the morning after I started CPAP, I was congested.

so I don't know whether to tell you to turn it down or turn it up, but I would say to experiment with it for a couple nights to see if it the coughing problem goes away.

I take 50 mg. of Benadryl when I'm extremely clogged up. The box will say 25 mg. for allergies, etc., but my doctor recommended the 50 mg. for use as a sleep aid, so I've kept with that dosage for a combined benefit.

I read this post last night, so I tried turning down the humidifier a notch and took 25 mg of Benadryl. I fell asleep a lot easier, but I was super tired yesterday/last night. In addition to the new-to-CPAP thing, I am a big-time Pittsburgh Penguins fan, and I stayed up until almost 2 a.m. watching that amazing triple-overtime game, then I had to get up at 6 a.m. So it's hard to say whether or not that helped. I'll try again tonight. I still had the coughing/congestion when I woke up, though.

Julie, thanks for your input too, based on your post, I turned the dial down on the humidifier... I may go another notch down tonight.

[BigMoose]

A few words of encouragement. I have only been on CPAP for about 2 1/2 months. Haven't missed a night! First off, I identify with your reaction to the "clunky mask". I felt the same way also. The use of a ramp feature for initial pressure buildup will benefit you tremendously to acclimate. Also the equivalent of Aflex/Cflex exhalation relief.

At 2 1/2 months in I no longer use the ramp feature, I have Cflex on it's lowest setting (1), I still must take care with mask leaks (but don't feel the mask/chinstrap is that much of an intrusion), and must have humidity (setting 3 or 4 of 5max) on my M-Series humidifier to preclude mouth leaks.

It's a journey, and you will acclimate. I'm a big, lumberjack 55 year ol' guy, and I'll tell you I was 100% out of my element in my sleep studies and during my first few weeks... but you do adapt/acclimate/adjust.

Good luck!

[TDog]

when I 1st started I had the WORST tickle in my throat. I was coughing all the time and it drove me NUTS!!! It went away after a few days. Who knows if it was CPAP or not, I'm just glad it stopped!

Regarding allergies, have you tried Allavert? It's OTC and doesn't cause drowsiness. I've had good success with it.

[mellis]

Thanks for the encouragement.

I'm sure I'll adjust to the clunkiness and the falling asleep parts.

But this upper respiratory thing I've got going on is what's getting me. I looked at the mask user guide, and it said that "flu-like" symptoms are a side effect of the mask. Also, I read that CPAP can cause upper respiratory infections.

If this is a constant side effect of the machine, I don't know what I'll do. I called my PCP today and had him call me in a ZPak prescription to beat down the infection. Hopefully it's unrelated and I can continue to use the CPAP.

It's just weird, I've had upper respiratory infections before, but they've always started out as a cold, then moved into my chest. This went right to my chest, and it corresponded with the beginning of CPAP.

I've also read that a lot of people discontinue CPAP during a cold. I don't know if that's more for the nose-only people, or for everyone.

I am on a few meds, Flonase (for allergies) and Pro-air (for mild asthma).

It's just frustrating. I leave for a week at the beach (our first REAL family vacation) on Saturday, and I don't want to be sick for it.

[CUatX]

Fluticasone spray has all but eliminated my nasal congestion. It's a generic.

[Sleeprider]

I didn't have a humidifier for the first week of APAP use and had some irritation and dryness. Finaly got the humidifier and started at setting 2 which led to some minor nasal congestion. Dialed it back to setting 1 and its perfect for me. Thee is some trial and error on these things.

On another note, 17 is a really high pressure. That might take some time to get used to.

[new-to-BiPAP]

I'm having the same problem. At first I had the humidifier set too low and I was dry and my asthma was bothering me. I increased it. Now I feel like I'm coming down with something. My chest is heavy (which could be my asthma) and my nose is congested. I started having these kinds of difficulties immediately after starting Bi-level CPAP. I'm not sure exactly when you are 'too sick' and should temporarily discontinue CPAP. I can breathe thru my nose...but I've been doing a lot more mouth breathing than I normally do...and have been drinking LOTs of water. Not sure what to do w/ the humidifier. Will try a chin strap tonight...maybe help dry mouth? Dunno...*sigh*

[joecm]

I'm a brand new cpap user (on my 5th night tonight). I have had a dry cough all week. I do have a humidifier, but I am not sure I am even using it. I don't turn up the heat at all because I enjoy cool air (ever since I was a kid, I loved sleeping in A/C rooms with blankets on...)

I don't know if I should give it some time to see if the cough goes away, or try turning up the humidity right away...

thoughts?

[mellis]

joecm,

Try using the humidifier, and play with the settings a little. My problem went from congestion to a dry cough, then to little if any problems.

Thanks to the people in this thread, I've kicked the congestion problem, and last night, I slept from 11:00 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. This is all after one week of CPAP therapy, and my pressure is high at 17.

I found that if I had a dry cough, my humidifier/heating setting was too low. Congestion, too high. Found a happy medium there. I took two Benadryl before bed, to help sleep, and open up the airways a little more. This has been a revelation, since I did not want to turn to sleeping pills.

Every once in a while, I have to fight with the mask, I get leaks when trying to find a comfortable position to sleep in, and sometimes in the middle of the night. I figure this is a necessary evil, since one, I'm a restless type of sleeper, and two, because as I said, my pressure is pretty high.

As I said, looking back, I'm pretty happy with where I'm at after the first week. That doesn't mean it was perfect, I had times where I was ready to throw everything across the room, but it was all just part of the trial and error.

Finally, I'd just like to thank everyone here for their comments and suggestions. My learning curve would've been a lot steeper if it weren't for all your help.

_________________

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