Dealing with allergy season

[cinnerz]

This is my first allergy season with CPAP. Are there any tricks to help make the mask more bearable with a runny nose and sneezing?

[sleepycarol]

Are you taking anything for your allergies? It is miserable to be sneezing, coughing, runny nose, etc. even without cpap. There are several over the counter meds that were prescription that work pretty good. My choice is Zyrtec, others like Clariton or Allegra.

Good luck in getting them under control. If the OTC is ineffective, check with your doctor.

[robysue]

cinnerz

This is also my first allergy season with xPAP. I'm finding I have to treat the allergies much more seriously than I have in the past.

For the first time in over 25 years I am needing to take an anti-hystamine daily instead of on an "as needed" basis. I started out taking Zyrtec about a month or a month and a half ago. But it was drying out my mouth. So I'm currently taking Allegra, which doesn't seem to work nearly as well, but also doesn't dry my mouth out. Claritin doesn't really do anything for me. *sigh*

This year I've also started using a sinus rinse bottle (same basic idea as a neti pot) daily. I think that is making a difference. I still struggle to remember to do it a good hour or two before bedtime---any closer than that and I get a drippy nose from the sinus rinse once I lie down. But I do have to say that if I do the sinus rinse a couple of hours before bedtime, it makes a huge difference as far as congestion, runny nose, and sneezing are concerned once I put the mask on. The sinus rinse bottle I use is made by NeilMed and they also make neti pots. The bottle is a bit easier to use because you don't have to turn your head sideways.

If you're tempted to use OTC nasal sprays: DON'T! Except for OTC saline sprays, OTC nasal sprays are really bad at causing rebound congestion if you over use them. Most say not to use them for more than three days in a row. Take that caution seriously. If you really need some kind of nasal spray beyond an OTC saline spray to be comfortable, see your PCP and get a prescription for a topical steroid nasal spray that is designed for long term use.

[dae3dae3]

Watch these videos. They were really helpful for me.

http://sleeptreatment.com/allergy-video-series

[Breathe Jimbo]

I'm doing okay with a Zyrtec in the morning and Flonase before bedtime.

[archangle]

It might be worth getting a full face mask in case you end up with no nose breathing at all being possible.

I find my nose stays much clearer using the mask, humidity, and sleeping in the recliner.

I went to the allergist and started taking shots years ago. It took a year or so to make a big difference, but I'm mostly cured now, and don't need to take the shots any more.

[Breathe Jimbo]

I got shots for years and did see some improvement. However, I am allergic to some things not in the shots. Lantana, in particular, is terrible for me, but my allergist could not find Lantana extract anywhere.

[cinnerz]

Are you taking anything for your allergies? It is miserable to be sneezing, coughing, runny nose, etc. even without cpap. There are several over the counter meds that were prescription that work pretty good. My choice is Zyrtec, others like Clariton or Allegra.

Good luck in getting them under control. If the OTC is ineffective, check with your doctor.

Yes, I have Allegra-D in the morning, Benedryl and Singulair at night and Nasonex twice a day. My allergies are a lot better with all the drugs - they make them go from unbearable to just unpleasant - but they haven't found any prescriptions that actually knock them out entirely. I did allergy shots for about 10 years without any noticeable improvement.

I have a full face mask since I can't breathe through my nose even in non-allergy season, but sneezing in the mask is a bit gross

[TheDreamer]

Actually, with zyrtec being low-sedating...I usually take that before bed.

I take zyrtec for my spring allergies and claritin for my fall allergies.

I also have a script for flonase and singulair.

And, I use sinus rinse.

Though the other day I was browsing on clinicaltrial.gov and there was a trial on whether Fluticasone (flonase) results in Obstructive Sleep Apnea ... apparently some question on whether it leads to UAW collapse. They probably think its safe for us, because we're on xpap for life.... I think the insert said is shouldn't be taken for more than 6 months at a time....

The Dreamer.

[robysue]

I have a full face mask since I can't breathe through my nose even in non-allergy season, but sneezing in the mask is a bit gross

The sinus rinse (neti pot) has really helped alleviate my night time sneezing. It helps clear out most of the allergens that are present in the nose and that helps reduce the sneezing for me. If you've never tried a sinus rinse or neti pot, it's not as bad as it sounds and it's certainly a whole lot less gross than sneezing into a FFM.

[Laurelin]

I also recommend the Netti pot approach. Wash the offending pollen etc. out of your nose and clear out your nasal passages before sleeping. I do it after I come home from work, after being outside for a while, and just before bed. During allergy season, I use it more often during the day.

If the solution feels like it is burning a bit, be careful to get the saline mixture right: generally 1/4 teaspoon, depending on the size of the pot (a spoon is generally shipped with the pot). There are packets that come with the pot or that can be bought separately, but they irritate my nose. So, I mix my own solution (which is also cheaper). I recommend using non-iodized salt. If the saline solution is still too uncomfortable, try adding 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda (adjust for the size of the pot). That provides a buffering and reduces or eliminates any burning. You can play with the amount of salt and baking soda until you get the mixture that makes you feel most comfortable. Warm water also makes the experience more comfortable. I use very warm water if my nose is particularly congested.

I also take allergy shots and use generic Flonase after using the Netti pot (clean and then medicate!). If Flonase irritates too much (nose bleeds) then try a water-based alternative (ask your doctor); Flonase is oil-based, which causes irritation in some people.

Do NOT take any decongestants right before bed. Most decongestants generally interfere with sleep, keeping you out of deep sleep stages. For me, the Netti pot works just as well at clearing out nasal congestion.

The Netti pot can also help with sinus infections, I guess by mechanically sweeping out the bacteria embedded in the mucous. I don't have the citation handy, but I read about a research study in Great Britain which compared the Netti pot to antibiotics for treating sinus infections. It was a good study (I hold a PhD, so I'm trained to evaluate such things). The study found no differences between the treatments; the Netti pot worked just as well as the antibiotics.

[jimnsc]

Claritin never worked for me. Zyrtek worked for two years but am now immune to it. Currently using Alavert (OTC) and does the job - but - My nose is so dry with it the nasal interfaces kill me after about an hour and a a half. Come on summer so I can have natural moisture in my nose!!