head cold and stuffy nose

[corkijune]

What do you do when you have a head cold and can't breathe through your nose?
Sometimes it's three or four nights before using the CPAP again.

[nanwilson]

I actually find that using my cpap makes me better and able to breath through my nose. I that doesn't work for you use a full face mask for such occasions.

[Lorilynn610]

Good Morning
I just signed up for this forum.
Have been using CPAP for about a year and a half.
On a pretty high setting - 14.
Started out with a nasal mask but have a tendency to mouth breathe d/t a deviated septum and enlarged cartilage in the nose so I had to use a chin strap which I couldn't stand and it didn't work sometimes. Ditched the chin strap and went to the Mirage Quatro full face mask about a year ago and have stuck with it.
I thought at first that I wouldn't be able to stand the full face mask but once you get used to it, and make sure it's fitting snugly, sometimes you can't even tell it's on. It's when you get air leakage around the seal it can make funny noises and wake you up.
I also use Breathe Right Extra nasal strips, which might be helpful for you, especially while your nose is stuffed up. I find they just open the nasal passages up for me and encourage me to keep my mouth closed. Once you get a mask and a fit you can get comfortable with, having the CPAP on should make it easier for you to breathe when you have a cold.
Good luck.

[avi123]

I have not had a head cold for years. But I had a stuffy nose a few weeks ago, probably b/c of allergic sinusitis. So I put the chinstrap on, took 10 mg Zolpidem (generic Ambien) and skipped the machine. I slept well for 4 hours. Then I put the mask on and used the machine. I slept for 3 more hours, without taking more Zolpidem.

[LSAT]

I actually find that using my cpap makes me better and able to breath through my nose. I that doesn't work for you use a full face mask for such occasions.

I agree 100%....You need a Full Face mask for these occasions. Also...Use a nasal rinse like NeilMed before bed. I have had a cold for the past week with no problem sleeping.

[Lorilynn610]

Yikes! Don't know if I would recommend taking a sleeping pill and then going without your CPAP.
The problem is, most of us don't know we stop breathing during our sleep.
With the added sedation of a sleep medication, could make for some detrimental effects.

[Kennerly]

Ditto here regarding saline rinses (and sprays) and ffm to get through congested periods.

I too have good luck with the Neal Med rinse products. I prefer the squeeze bottles myself but I think the Neti Pot is best if you are new to the process and already congested. It takes a lttle while to get the hang of it.

They are both inexpensive and can help quite a bit, especially if you keep them on hand so you can start using them at the first sign of a
developing problem.

Also keep in mind that a full face mask can route some of that air through your mouth. Or all of it when you're really stuffed up.

[DEXSUZ]

corkijune:

Like almost everyone else on here, I'll state that the severity and even length of my colds has been ameliorated by use of my FF mask and CPAP. Who else has the benefit of warm, humid air coursing through the nose and throat as we sleep the way we do?

[DRONE]

My approach to a stuffy nose is a little different--I go on the attack. I start with Afrin (oxymetazoline hydrochloride) spray. That works 99% the time. If it doesn't, then I step it up and whack each nostril with a hit of the Canadian version of Dristan Nasal Mist (5% phenylephrine hydrochloride). The next step up from that is Neo-Synephrine (10% phenylephrine hydrochloride) spray. I've never needed anything stronger. The Afrin lasts for about 10 hours but the other two only last half the night. All are OTC.

Of course, goes without saying, a Zytrec or Allegra every day of allergy season.

[SleepyCPAP]

Dear corkijune,

I bump up the humidity setting on my CPAP and keep using it. I think it helps. I also take a steamy shower before bed, and might choose typical cold medicines and propping up with pillows. If it got so bad that I could not breathe on CPAP then I'd be at the doctor pretty quick for something more than over-the-counter.

--SleepyCPAP

[texasaaa]

After fighting a stopped up nose for 40+ years I had a turbinate reduction. That along with 1spray of the cortisone nasal spray - Nasonex finally cured me.
If you get addicted to that Afrin and Dristan you will highly regret it. Do anything but use that for over 3 days at a time or you will need it all the time and each time you use it, it lasts a little shorter.
Get it over with and get cured!

Sinus infections, severe post nasal drip problems? Throw in a ballon sinuplasty and you will feel like your 16 again.
Take this advice from a lifetime adult sufferer and you will be able to finally breathe without nasal strips or any other devices. I don't even hardly have to do a nasal wash anymore. But they feel so good I do try to one every day or so. It's just not "required" now.
Good luck folks!

[mon]

I have always had a problem with congestion as soon as I lie down. When I first started CPAP I couldn't breath with the machine set to start a a setting of 4. I have since put the starting level to 7 an this pushes through the congestion and allows me to breath as soon as I lie down. Perhaps you could increase your starting pressure so the air is pushed through rather than being obstructed.

[NW girl]

corkijune:

Like almost everyone else on here, I'll state that the severity and even length of my colds has been ameliorated by use of my FF mask and CPAP. Who else has the benefit of warm, humid air coursing through the nose and throat as we sleep the way we do?

I am wondering if part of the solution might be heated hoses. I already have warm air coming from the humidifier. It still doesn't solve the dry mouth and throat. I could use any suggestions out there. This is the only remaining problem I have with my new equipment. It wakes me up in a panic a couple times a night and I would like to get that in my past!
Thanks to anyone with a suggestion.
NW girl
resmed at 9.5