Nasal congestion try 1,547

[fidelfs]

I had try almost everything and nothing seem to help.
I was using a saline nasal spray from walgreens with no results. I changed recently to Ocean saline spray (the real one, walgreens is copying the product). Wow, what a difference has made to my sinus. It is almost clear by now. I use one bottle in 2 days, to keep my sinus moist, even stopped the nose bleeds common in Denver.
I had nasonex, astelin, afrin, netti pot and nothing really helped, until I started the Ocean spray I can breath with nose and I can use my nasal mask.

Just try it, it is an investement of just 3-4 dollars but it really works.

[abev]

I had all of the same problems as everyone else. I would pull off my mask from not being able to breath. Vicks makes a little inhaler that looks like a tube of chapstick. Just a couple of sniffs before putting the mask on has worked wonders for me.

[cb808]

I have used the Nasopure nasal irrigation system for years and had great results! I rinse out my sinuses once a day and notice that I can breath more and generally just stay healthier because of it. I can really notice if I forget to do it. There is tons of great information on the website!

[Bear100]

What I like about this site is all the experience.

I too have had a life long nasal congestion problem, I thought it was all due to allergies. The CPAP, especially high levels of humidity seemed to make it worse. I could not use my mask the whole night simply becasue I was congested. Turning down the humidity helped, but did not stop the issue. After consultation with my sleep Doctor, I tired several nasal rinses, better but not 100%. He sent me to a specialist, we tried more nasal rinses, no luck. We also tried a number of allergy medications and found a combination of two over the counter ones was the best. Finally I had the turbinates surgery done, wow - I wish I had done that years ago, my breathing during the day, exercise and at night is much better.

Even with all of that, I have nasal congestion problem about 25% of the time. The specialist simply points out that my nasal passages are small and my allergy problems. We tried prescription nasal sprays, 3 of them - did not help. Finally he said, I know this goes against what doctors usually tell patients, but try the over the counter (there are two major types of active ingredient but both do the same thing) nasal decongestion sprays - such as Afrin. Use them before bed at night, and do not use them in the day (rebound effect), you might have nasal congestion during the day but at least you can sleep. Well it works beautifully for me. Experiment and keep trying.....

Bear100

[fidelfs]

SAme here. When I tried anything and I still congested then Afrin is your best friend. I have never had rebound effects from afrin, always able to stop cold turkey for months until winter comes back and I get allergies. This time is different because the allergy is caused by CPAP.

[Autopapdude]

Nasacort is my best friend. I don't get rebound stuffiness, as I don't use it all the time. Also, saline mist works nicely for me (generic cheap CVS brand), and I don't use a humidifier any more--haven't in a long time. If one can deal with no humidifier as a comfort option, it can prevent some congestion. I was worse with a humidifier when I first started, and if I need any humidification, I use a room machine and the humidistats on my heat pumps.

[Fred D]

I am glad this thread got bumped back up as the question of nasal congestion and what everybody does for it has crossed my mind before.
There are two things I can count on by bedtime and both of them is that my nose will be stopped up.
I buy the double pack of Menthol No-Drip Afrin from Sam's Club and use about thirty minutes before I go to bed. I recall someone telling me years
ago that using nasal spray on a regular basis was not good for you but not sleeping BECAUSE of nasal congestion can't be good for you either.

Fred

[SuperGeeky]

Rhinotip, WaterPik and Neilsmed packets....

[lillypat]

The information posted about nasal congestion is very helpful. I have been upping the humidity and never thought to try sleeping without it. I live in coastal NC and our humidity now is in the 80s. I'm going to try my BiPap ASV without humidity tonight. I have been waking up every night with congestion and taking the mask off. I'll also try a nasal spray before bed. Thanks to all who are thoughtful enough to share experiences. :D

[ww]

The information posted about nasal congestion is very helpful. I have been upping the humidity and never thought to try sleeping without it. I live in coastal NC and our humidity now is in the 80s. I'm going to try my BiPap ASV without humidity tonight. I have been waking up every night with congestion and taking the mask off. I'll also try a nasal spray before bed. Thanks to all who are thoughtful enough to share experiences.

Try to stay away from the nasal spray. It is very destructive in the long run and very difficult to quit. An ENT will tell you how destructive it is to your nasal tissues.

[nobody]

I use a neilmed nasal irrigation. I use their pre-made packages so the ph and all that is right.I also use a nasal steroid spray because I have allergies and it helps. I don't think it's necessary to use distilled water for the nasal irrigation. That seems like a lot of work for no real benefit. I just take the bottle into the shower with me and fill it up with the shower water, I get the right temp every time doing it that way. I have used sea salt before when I was out of the packets and that works ok, but the packets are the best I think.