POLL: CPAP with a cold/sore throat

[torontoCPAPguy]

Just wanted to check opinion from my CPAP.COM compadres. Woke up with sore throat this AM and have MD appointment tomorrow AM. Do I use CPAP tonight and chance blowing all that crap in my throat deep into my lungs or do I put up with a less than ideal night of sleep?

My gut feeling says don't use it. What do YOU generally do?

[BlackSpinner]

Are you planning to stop breathing in the mean time? All air goes down the throat anyway. You need the energy of a good sleep to get better.

[torontoCPAPguy]

Are you planning to stop breathing in the mean time? All air goes down the throat anyway. You need the energy of a good sleep to get better.

You are starting to sound like my mother.

[ScrappinMom]

I agree with BlackSpinner. I sleep much better with, so I think that contributes to the body healing itself quicker.

[cflame1]

The only thing that I would modify... is to turn the humidity up as high as it will go without rainout.

[Kiralynx]

If I'm stuffy, I'll switch (temporarily) to a full face mask. And crank the humidity up as high as it goes.

[Rebecca R]

I have had trouble with sinus/allergy/rhinitis chronic colds/bronchitis....most of my life. Since starting CPAP last July, I have been pleasantly surprised to discover that using cpap improves my cold and sinus related symptoms. The humidifier seems to agree with me. The flu shots probably kept viruses at bay, but of the times I have been sick with cold symptoms since cpap, I have recovered quickly and the symptoms haven't been as severe. I got a full face mask, but haven't had to use it (and can't get it to stop leaking anyway). As long as I can manage to get my nose cleared just before masking up--using some combination of nasal gel/sinus rinse/Rx nasal sprays/and limited decongestants the machine & nasal pillow mask have kept me clear for the night. I can't use most OTC cold meds because they exacerbate my PLMD.

R

[bradleyjoe]

I would never go with out my cpap.
Brad

[pb5927317]

Get some Olive Leaf Extract right away. 500mg X times a day. Take after a meal.

Drink lots of water!

[Jaylee]

I voted yes for using with a cold, but could not vote on the sore throat part because that hasn't happened to me yet. So I am not sure what I would do.

My sleep techincian told me not to wear it with a cold, but my family doctor and one other doctor I saw at an Urgent care afterhours place both told me it was okay to wear it. So as long as I can get air through my nose- I do not have a FFM- I wear it. I will usually neti pot though those days. I have found since getting the BiPap that I have less colds! I have been extra careful with handwashing this year too, though. I am a teacher so I am used to being sick all the time, but I truly think the good sleep has helped with the immune system

[katztoy]

I voted yes becaue I have had both of these issues since starting cpap. I have never had as many colds in my life in such a short time as I have had with cpap. I hope it doesn't continue. I had to switch to a full face though during my colds.

[ozij]

When I had a tonsil infections (the type than needs atibiotics) 18 moths ago my PCP said there's no problem about continuing the cpap -- so I did.

The cold virus (if that's what it is) affects your body, if you body is weakened - by the virus and in additon the lack of oxygen - you're natural immunity may be reduced, another virus, or a bacterium may succeed in infecting your lungs -- not the one in your throat. As far as I know, the cold virus does not attack your lungs.

O.

[Muse-Inc]

Those of you who seem to catch everything that comes around should get your vitamin D levels checked; this neurohormone is intimately associated with the robustness of your immune system. Since getting mine to the optimal level (66), I'm not catching everything as I used to when I was deficient.

[elg5cats]

Just wanted to check opinion from my CPAP.COM compadres. Woke up with sore throat this AM and have MD appointment tomorrow AM. Do I use CPAP tonight and chance blowing all that crap in my throat deep into my lungs or do I put up with a less than ideal night of sleep?nnMy gut feeling says don't use it. What do YOU generally do?

I like Backspinner's response............do you plan to stop breathing? I sure hope not.

I have used my APAP post surgery in a nonresponsive time, with HINI and with a GI bug......typically I would say, use your CPAP when you are sick.........but then this week came...bringing a sore throat, sinus congestion, chest congestion and a horrific cough.......2 nights ago, for whatever reason I couldn't tolerate the mask, felt suffocating and hot with the mask w/o humidity and with it, could not get my brain to be ok with mouth breathing into full face mask, kept taking it off and getting up. I didn't sleep much at all the entire night. Fortunately, the struggle was only one night, good toleration with the continued illness.

elg5cats

[torontoCPAPguy]

Get some Olive Leaf Extract right away. 500mg X times a day. Take after a meal.

Drink lots of water!

I want to thank everyone who gave input despite probably hearing the same question ad nauseum from newbies. I am a fast learner and am going upstairs to put the CPAP to use now.

As regards the Olive Leaf Extract suppositories. Have tried them and they taste awful.

Thanks again for advice my friends. It is appreciated.

Murray in Toronto (Richmond Hill actually) Ontario