What to do about sinus congestion

[whoslucky]

Even when I don't have a head cold I have a problem with sinus congestion. I'm one of those people addicted to nasal sprays and have been for a couple of years. This might seem like a foolish question but is there something that I could put in my humifier water that would help with the congestion problem?
Also, I'm new to this site and haven't figured out how to add a profile. I would appreciate some advice.

[RandyJ]

If you are using a decongestant nasal spray like Afrin, stop using it immediately and try nasal irrigation. Afrin and its ilk are not meant to be used for more than 3 days since they cause rebound congestion.

Search this forum for "nasal irrigation" and "NeilMed" and you'll find lots to read.

[big_dave]

I have had lifelong sinus trouble until I started rinsing my sinuses with saline solution using a neti pot. Some people prefer using a saline spray bottle. My congestion has mostly cleared up and I'm no longer a mouth breather.

[lorraineg57]

I have had lifelong sinus trouble until I started rinsing my sinuses with saline solution using a neti pot. Some people prefer using a saline spray bottle. My congestion has mostly cleared up and I'm no longer a mouth breather.

How often do you have to do that to maintain results?

[big_dave]

I have had lifelong sinus trouble until I started rinsing my sinuses with saline solution using a neti pot. Some people prefer using a saline spray bottle. My congestion has mostly cleared up and I'm no longer a mouth breather.

How often do you have to do that to maintain results?

I use the neti pot each evening. I also occasionally use it in the morning if I wake up congested. If I skip a day, I'm guaranteed to be congested all day the next day.

[DavidCarolina]

Thanks for the neti information. Ive GOT to get one of those darn things.

[Julie]

Also try turning down the humidifier - it can cause congestion and if you can get by without it, or at least a lower setting, try it.

[Tino2You]

Even when I don't have a head cold I have a problem with sinus congestion. I'm one of those people addicted to nasal sprays and have been for a couple of years. This might seem like a foolish question but is there something that I could put in my humifier water that would help with the congestion problem?
Also, I'm new to this site and haven't figured out how to add a profile. I would appreciate some advice.

I will try to walk you through the profile confgiuration.
1. Clink on the "User Control Panel" button near the top right of the page
2. Click on the "Profile" tab.
3. Click on the "Edit Equipment" button (left side of window)
4. Use the drop down menus to select your machine, mask, Humidifier and software (if you use it)
5. Answer "Yes to "allow other to see...."
6. Answer "Text" to "How would you like your equipment to be displayed" (descriptions are easier than pictures to identify)
7. Click sumbit

As for stuff to use, talk to your doctor. There are sprays like Nasonex which will help and can be used more long term. My sinuses were always clogged as well, I found that the humidity from the machine seems to have cleared them up. I still have to use the spray about once a month when I am particularly clogged. Who knows how all this stuff works. For some it is opposite. "Your mileage may vary" about sums it up.

-tino

[whoslucky]

Thanks for all the great information

[Pugsy]

If you have the S9 Escape machine then you have a machine that doesn't offer any data beyond how many hours you have used the machine. No way to monitor effectiveness of your therapy...can't even check for leaks which is real important because if you are having bad leaks your therapy effectiveness goes right out with the leaks.

Might want to read this page...be sure to read all the way to the bottom.
http://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/

There is software available that can be used with cpap machines that offer more than compliance hours of use data.
See the links in my signature for examples.
SleepyHead and ResScan work with the S9 machines.
The Escape gathers nothing but hours of use.
Data may not be important to you but if you have problems how will you know what to fix?

[Tino2You]

Thanks for all the great information

does your machine have a label that says "Escape" around the power on/off button? The three models are Escape, Elite and AutoSet.

[Pugsy]

There is a 4 th model in the plain cpap/apap machines (as opposed to bilevel models).
Escape Auto....which has APAP capabilities but the data that is collected is severely limited to AHI only and pressure.
No leak numbers or graphs and no AHI event category breakdown.

[whoslucky]

Even when I don't have a head cold I have a problem with sinus congestion. I'm one of those people addicted to nasal sprays and have been for a couple of years. This might seem like a foolish question but is there something that I could put in my humifier water that would help with the congestion problem?
Also, I'm new to this site and haven't figured out how to add a profile. I would appreciate some advice.

I will try to walk you through the profile confgiuration.
1. Clink on the "User Control Panel" button near the top right of the page
2. Click on the "Profile" tab.
3. Click on the "Edit Equipment" button (left side of window)
4. Use the drop down menus to select your machine, mask, Humidifier and software (if you use it)
5. Answer "Yes to "allow other to see...."
6. Answer "Text" to "How would you like your equipment to be displayed" (descriptions are easier than pictures to identify)
7. Click sumbit

Thanks, you told me exactly what I needed to know. Now I'm trying to figure out how to post my snapshot.
As for stuff to use, talk to your doctor. There are sprays like Nasonex which will help and can be used more long term. My sinuses were always clogged as well, I found that the humidity from the machine seems to have cleared them up. I still have to use the spray about once a month when I am particularly clogged. Who knows how all this stuff works. For some it is opposite. "Your mileage may vary" about sums it up.

-tino

[Pugsy]

How to post snap shots in forum posts discussed in this thread.
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=81072&p=737779#p737779

[Uncle_Bob]

I used a nasal irrigation system with the neilmed sinus rinse

http://www.amazon.com/SinuPulse-Elite-A ... ords=nasal

But i still got frequently congested. I visited my ENt doctor who told me i have a deviated septum so I had the surgery done. I have not been congested since and i have the humidifier on full blast becuase i'm in Arizona where its very dry. The surgery was the best thing i've done to help with my therapy, its also lowered the pressure i needed by 2cm.

~UB