Breathe Right Strips

[katztoy]

I have been having a horrible problem with a stuffy nose ever since I started cpap. It probably doesn't help that where I live we are the worst in the nation for air pollution right now!! Yuk! Anyhow a few days ago I thought I'd try the breathe right strips to see if that helps. Wow, what a difference! I could actually breathe for a change. Unfortunately my AHI actually went up. This seems opposite of what I would expect, I would think that you would need less pressure and have a better ahi if you could breathe better. Has anyone had any experiences with these? I don't know if I should raise or lower my pressure to accommodate the strips. I can definitely breathe better so that is nice, but I don't want to affect my treatment.

Thanks!

[SleepyT]

My guess is the breathe right strips are affecting the seal of your nasal pillows. You might need to try the next size up...say a small pillow instead of an extra small pillow...since your nares are possibly larger now.

I would also say to make sure you change the filter on your CPAP regularly...as a dusty filter can cause nasal congestion.

Good luck!

[katztoy]

Thanks for the response.

Oddly enough I thought it would be a leak as well, but my leak data actually reports 0.00 for the night. I rarely have leaks or at least the data shows 0.00 most of the time, since going to the small pillow. Maybe I'll try the next size up and see how that goes. I have only had my machine about 2 months so I am not sure about the filter. I think it said every 6 months, but now that you mention it, I do have pets and I wonder if that clogs it up more. I'll have to check it. Do you know if there is a filter that pulls out some allergens? I have minor allergies normally and I wonder if that is a problem too.

Thanks so much! I'm going to try a larger pillow to see if that does anything to the AHI, and check the filter.

[montana user]

I'm not sure the strips would make a difference, since the apnea issue comes from the throat/airway closing down, not the nose. But will be interesting to see what happens in a few days of wearing them. Hope the AHI calms down again.

[SleepyT]

Thanks for the response.

Oddly enough I thought it would be a leak as well, but my leak data actually reports 0.00 for the night. I rarely have leaks or at least the data shows 0.00 most of the time, since going to the small pillow. Maybe I'll try the next size up and see how that goes. I have only had my machine about 2 months so I am not sure about the filter. I think it said every 6 months, but now that you mention it, I do have pets and I wonder if that clogs it up more. I'll have to check it. Do you know if there is a filter that pulls out some allergens? I have minor allergies normally and I wonder if that is a problem too.

Thanks so much! I'm going to try a larger pillow to see if that does anything to the AHI, and check the filter.

I buy my filters at CPAP.com...and just the garden variety type...but there may be some hypoallergenic ones for sale there...don't know. I change the filter in mine every month...makes a difference for me. And I tend to forget the furnace filter too....and THAT makes a huge difference when it's clean.

[dwsupt]

I double filter, and that makes a huge difference for me. By that, I mean on a repironics machine they sell the foam filter and the white superfine filter. I use both. I replace the white one every 4-6 weeks and wash out the foam one, replacing with a dry spare. The cost is minimal and the differnce is huge!

[Julie]

A lot of people become congested when starting Cpap, but if you turn down your humidifier (do you need it at all?) you might find it really helps.

[ltzavalanche]

I've started using the breathe right strips for a while now, and find them to be a tremendous help in keeping my nose open better. They work great for me, I wouldnt discourage you from using them.

[sunrunnerdave]

you need a prescription for flonase