Use with a Cold?

[lindakay]

Hi Everyone! I get so much more help here than from anyone else and I'm so glad this forum exists! I have an escalating cold. I didn't use the CPAP last night because of it and I was miserable and didn't sleep well at all (neither did my poor husband).

Does it hurt to use the CPAP and have the humidified air going into my head? Does it increase chances that this will turn into a sinus infection?

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Well, I looked around at some other posts and I see there is an answer and that it won't hurt to try to wear it tonight. Guess I should keep myself better educated on these things by checking back here more frequently!

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

[mikemoran]

Actually my last cold the heated humidifier seemed to make it go away faster. My wife who so graciously donated it to me was down for days. I didn't even have a coughing fit. Where most of my colds move from head colds to chest colds that one stopped at my head. The only I did do was use a full face mask so I didn't have to worry about my nose stuffing up and limiting my breathing.

[lindakay]

I slept with the CPAP and nasal pillows last night and am now on my way to the endodontist for a - believe it or not - root canal! And I actually think sleeping with it has helped! With nasal pillows, the air was forced right into my nose - it seemed to keep things more dried up in my head - and my throat feels much better today. And to think I've been doing without it with colds for the past year since I had to start using it!

[rested gal]

Heated humidification sure can help. Glad that worked for you, lindakay.

Some people (I, for one!) keep a full face mask stashed away for nights when nasal congestion just won't clear up no matter what you do. A FF mask covers nose and mouth, letting you breathe through the mouth if necessary. Actually, I haven't had a cold or congestion for well over a year. Knock on wood!

[thewebbie]

I just got over a cold and I agree about the cold stopping in the head. I think the treatment helped me feel better.

I just had to load up on nasal decongestant before bed.

[sleepy_knitter]

I get colds where I'm basically fine after the first week but coughing for a couple weeks after. I've been trying to wear the CPAP but I have to take it off to cough... I was just getting used to the darn thing & now I really miss it.

[Guest-Ramona]

I have a head cold now and my APAP has certainly helped me. I'm usually so clogged up that I can't breathe. I take meds that prevent me from taking any cold medicine except Tylenol and cough drops so I've been doing sinus irrigations too. You can tell I have a cold, but with the heated humidifier and the sinus irrigations, I may even be better off than with all the cold meds!

[rested gal]

I've been trying to wear the CPAP but I have to take it off to cough... I was just getting used to the darn thing & now I really miss it.

Hi sleepy-knitter. Glad to hear you were getting used to CPAP. How come you have to take it off to cough? I don't take mine off. Heck, I even have my lips taped shut, and I just lift a corner of the tape when I feel a cough or sneeze coming on.

If I were coughing a lot as you said you've been doing for several weeks, I'd leave the tape off, of course, and would use my full face mask. Sounds ugly, the idea of coughing into a FF mask, but I'd do it, anyway. But your profile mentions that you're using just a nasal mask (covers only the nose), so I don't quite see where there's any need for you to stop your treatment or even take the nasal mask off to cough.

At any rate, I hope it all clears up for you soon.

[arabrab]

I have found that by using Breathe Right Nasal Strips when I have a head cold work great.

[yo]

I also have to remove my nasal mask to cough. If I cough with it in place I feel tremendous pressure in my ears. I am afraid I will pop an eardrum from the increase in pressure. I am sick now with a head cold and have not been able to tolerate the mask. I have tried by cleaning out my nose carefully and then applying mask but within a half hour I am clogged again. Hopefully, I will be better soon. I also cannot take any antihistamines or decongestants because of heart problems. I plan to order the full face mask eventually.

[Bonnie]

How about the opposite? I think I'm coming down with a cold, sneezing a lot but have a dripping nose! Any suggestions for that? I use the nasal pillows and the thought of it running back into the hose is not a pleasant one.