what happens when you get a cold?

[walking coma]

I'm 4 months into cpap and I am finally starting to feel alot better. I'm terrified at the thought of getting a cold because it usually lasts a month. Will I still be able to use my machine? My mask is the Pilairo which I absolutely love.

[Ford Guy]

When you get a cold it's hard to breathe through your nose. If you breathe through your mouth you will not get the therapy you need. This may require a full face mask to use during that period. Nasal sprays and nasal rinses are also helpful. With a FF mask you can breathe through your mouth and still get the therapy you need. It would be a good idea to look for a good fitting FF mask now...while you don't need it, so you will be prepared when a cold appears.

[Kenneth P.]

Have had a cold this week.I'm using the Quatro now.I'm glad I got this one extra this go around with supplier.I really don't care much for the full face.But,it has been nice to have with the cold.Alway's good to plan ahead.If you are dealing with insurance then it would be better to let insurance cover the most expensive.

[roubai]

Are Breathe-Right nasal strips available in Canada? They are really helpful when I have a cold! It opens things up just enough to let me breathe.

I also turn up the humidifier a bit, raise my pillows, make sure I drink enough water, and take a cough suppressant at night. And realize that I'm going to be taking the mask on and off to blow my nose a few times, and probably I won't be sleeping quite as well as usual. I get by though.

Based on some medical studies that I read, I've also been using sublingual zinc lozenges to keep colds from developing (I work with international students and we get a new group every 8 weeks, so the risk of colds is high). It's been working really well! I get some mild symptoms but nothing too annoying.

[Kenneth P.]

The strip's work'd Ok.Problem I had was in the middle of the night they would start coming off&when I would take my nasal mask off they would get hung on the mask.I've been really lucky the past couple year's not getting a cold.Well,I finally got it over the weekend.Went on to the Doc Yesterday.I'm in&out of a truck all day long.We are a little slow now&been taking a couple day's off.Rain Thurs now.I know I need to get back to work just crazy to get back out in the mess&make it worse.

[RandyJ]

Ditto what Ford Guy says above. If you can't get a full face mask, the only way to use your cpap at night will be to clear your nostrils any way you can: decongestants, Afrin, whatever, so long as you can close your mouth and breathe freely with your nose.

[JeffL]

I just have some minor residual symptoms left from my cold. I had to go 3 nights without CPAP last week. It just wasn't possible to use it with all the coughing and nasal problems I was having.

[kaiasgram]

I just have some minor residual symptoms left from my cold. I had to go 3 nights with CPAP last week. It just wasn't possible to use it with all the coughing and nasal problems I was having.

Me too, Jeff ( I assume you meant to say you had to go 3 nights without CPAP). The first sneeze and my mask would have been slimed so bad that would have been the end of it anyway. Slept on my recliner for 3 nights until it was more realistic to use the machine.

[JO'M]

I just came off a upper respiratory virus. This is what I did

I used my regular nasal mask (ESON) and cranked up the humidity and the heat on my hose, I think i had it at 5.5 and 25 for the hose.
Used pilliows to create a wedge so that I stayed propped up at night.
Took a decongestant before bed.
Used some eculyptus oil on a cotton ball near the air intake.
Put some salve in my nostrils.

I woke up a few times in the night to blow my nose but other than that I was able to sleep and my numbers were pretty good all things considering. I even used my machine during the day just for the extra humidity.

[ChicagoGranny]

I'm terrified at the thought of getting a cold because it usually lasts a month.

A cold should not last a month. Have you seen a doctor about this?

My husband's colds were greatly reduced in severity and length once he started CPAP. He says you need sleep and oxygen to fight a cold and now he gets both and throws the cold off easily and quickly.

When he gets a cold he uses 12-hour generic Sudafed to keep the passages open during the day and 12-hour generic Afrin at night.

[chunkyfrog]

I agree with granny; "colds" that last that long need medical attention.
I found out most of my "colds" were allergy-related, often leading to severe respiratory infections.
Since I'm allergic to something or other all year long, I take generic loratadine every night.
If I skip a night, I sneeze all the next day. (sometimes my eyes water, too)

[DiverCTHunter]

If you have claustrophobia issues, you can use a hybrid mask instead of a full face.

There's an old homeopathic nasal rinse called Alkolol that might help as well. It's essentially a saline rinse made from Menthol, Eucalyptus, and Pine extracts. Mix a few teaspoons into a neti-pot rinse and it should clear out your sinuses for a while without feeling too disturbing.