Just had my first 'fitting' for CPAP machine...very sick now

[I_AM_NOT_AN_ANIMAL]

Last night was the second night of my sleep study, where they actually placed me on a CPAP machine.
After some adjustments, it seemed to go well, but today I have either a cold, or some pretty major allergies.

Nose is running nonstop and head hurts. All the signs of an oncoming flu or cold.

Is this 'normal'? And, should I proceed to buy a machine if they come back with the results...

I already know I have 'severe' sleep apnea, waking up 31 times an hour ...or so they say.
Guy said they just count the times your stomach stops moving and you 'look like you're awake'...

Seems sorta un-scientific to me, but whatever.


Are these flu-like symptoms normal when you first use the machine?

Thanks!

[SleepDisturbed]

Are these flu-like symptoms normal when you first use the machine?

No. Coincidence.

[I_AM_NOT_AN_ANIMAL]

It's def not a coincidence.
*ACCCCHHOO!!*

The humidity was too high when he first put on the machine and I was breathing through my gurgling nose.
Nose was dripping when he finally told me to take off the mask. Again, I am 100% sure it has something to do with wearing the mask.

Perhaps wearing that mask?

*ACHOO! ACHOO!*

[Pugsy]

It is possible that the symptoms are related to the humidified (or lack of) air that was used during the cpap titration.
When the nasal mucosa get too dry they react with typical allergy like symptoms. It can also do the same with too much humidity.
When the nasal mucosa get irritated by anything they respond with swelling, sneezing, congestion, drainage, pressure in the sinus area and in general make us miserable.
Google "cpap rhinits" and you will see what I mean.
This is why most people will used some amount of added moisture to their cpap therapy. While there are people who don't need it or want it...most people will need at least some. There is no right or wrong though..just what works for the individual and it's something you have to sort out as to which your nose prefers. I need a LOT...Julie and Den barely need any and there's a host of people with needs in between.

Of course it could also just be that it's a coincidence and you are getting some sort of respiratory infection but to come on so sudden after a cpap night...I gotta think it is a strong possibility that it's cpap rhinitis.
You will know soon enough if the rest of the flu/upper respiratory symptoms develop.

In the meantime go get something like Simply Saline and use it frequently during the next day or so to help rehydrate the nasal mucosa. It will help shorten the life of the symptoms and is a good thing to use even if this is a typical upper respiratory infection.

[I_AM_NOT_AN_ANIMAL]

Is it possible there was too much humidity, or that the water was 'bad'?
I once bought a humidifier and, I forget the name but, it shakes the water until a cool mist is made?
But, the mist contains the minerals and whatnot that were in the water, long story short I got sick there as well.

NOTE: When I had just the nasal part on, I felt like I was breathing in gas. Like: it burned.
I went in feeling 100% and came out sick as a dog. Just seems weird.

Thanks for all the helpful advice, Pugsy!

[LSAT]

It's def not a coincidence.
*ACCCCHHOO!!*

The humidity was too high when he first put on the machine and I was breathing through my gurgling nose.
Nose was dripping when he finally told me to take off the mask. Again, I am 100% sure it has something to do with wearing the mask.

Perhaps wearing that mask?

*ACHOO! ACHOO!*

You said that your nose was gurgling when he first put the machine on..... that means you had the problem before the CPAP.
It's a coincidence.

[Pugsy]

No...the water being bad would be the remotest possibility. Anything "bad" in water is going to be too large to hitch a ride on the water vapors (they are tiny, tiny, tiny) and irritate the nasal mucosa.

I am betting that it's the nasal mucosa reacting to the humidity or lack of (whatever it was).
If you noticed water/condensation pretty much immediately in the mask and the bedroom was cool that could have happened just because of the cooling of the air in the mask and your exhaled breath added moisture into the mask and the combination of cool bedroom and moist air in the mask could cause the air to release the moisture.
It's a common occurrence and easily dealt with at home.
You might want to prepare yourself in case that happens at home. See what I have written in the past here on how to deal with it.
Posts number 2 and 3 I think it is.

viewtopic/t94035/Pugsys-Pointers-3Deali ... -road.html

I don't know if you need more or less humidity because we have no way to know what was used in the lab but once you get your machine home you will be able to figure it out with a little trial and error.
I know these symptoms are miserable...been there and done that when I tried a lower setting on my humidifier and also when I forget to add water to the water chamber and it runs dry most of the night...but they will pass.

[BlackSpinner]

None of it makes a difference. Your life and health depends on using a cpap machine. A bit of nasal congestion and / or reaction does not invalidate the treatment. It is like saying a cast itches therefore I will just not use it and let the bone heal crooked.

[chunkyfrog]

Using your own machine at home will be different than the lab.
Many use NO water, because it's too much work. It is cold, people are watching.
Enough to make anyone sick. It will get better. I know.

[SleepDisturbed]

It's def not a coincidence.
*ACCCCHHOO!!*

The humidity was too high when he first put on the machine and I was breathing through my gurgling nose.
Nose was dripping when he finally told me to take off the mask. Again, I am 100% sure it has something to do with wearing the mask.

Perhaps wearing that mask?

*ACHOO! ACHOO!*

If you already know the answer, why ask? You ask if this reaction is normal. It is not "normal" But you have already decided the issue (it was the CPAP/MASK fault!!!!!!) so you are wasting your time and mine.

If you have some sinus discomfort, maybe what Pugsy said, but if you have

All the signs of an oncoming flu or cold

then it was not the CPAP. CPAP does not cause people to have viral infections.

I am going to stop wasting your time and mine now. BYE!

[palerider]

Is it possible there was too much humidity, or that the water was 'bad'?
I once bought a humidifier and, I forget the name but, it shakes the water until a cool mist is made?
But, the mist contains the minerals and whatnot that were in the water, long story short I got sick there as well.

it sounds like you bought an ultrasonic humidifier, they do indeed launch whatever minerals and critters are in the water into the air.

however, the humidifier on cpaps is a *STEAM* humidifier, it works completely differently, by heating the water, and allowing ONLY water vapor to evaporate from the heated water.

this is the first step in creating distilled water.

[I_AM_NOT_AN_ANIMAL]

Okay, thanks for all the advice.

Having a severe flu-like reaction would not be worth it, but I've heard about the cold affecting the humidity, and that may be it as it was pretty cold in there, and my nose started 'acting up' about 4-5 hours in, with just the nasal CPAP. After that, he switched it to the full face mask and turned down the humidity because I felt like I was dying. Like I was being 'gassed." Haha. You know how you can't breath through your mouth when you use the nasal one? Anyways, let's hope it was from too much steam humidity, and it being too cold.

I did sleep 7 hours!
And he said my oxygen was at 100% after we switched from the nasal only.

Thanks again.

[QualityDMEGuy]

It's not uncommon for some people to experience this from the study, and occasionally at home. As Pugsy says, CPAP rhinitis is not an uncommon effect on patients that are new to CPAP. As another user mentioned, you'll fair much better while at home. Just make sure to take notes (when your supplier comes out to demo the unit) on the adjustments to your humidifier, and consider requesting a heated hose (from that supplier) for the machine to ensure you have the best humidification possible.

Regarding the mask issue and being 'gassed' - this is not uncommon. When your mouth opens during the use of a nasal mask you experience 'mouth venting' - the air takes the easiest path possible. Some people get used to the sensation of mouth venting while using the nasal mask, but those who can't should opt for the full face mask option.

Overall, I'd suggest at least giving CPAP a shot at home. You're not likely to have this sort of outcome every time you use the machine, and if you have severe sleep apnea it's necessary to try it for yourself before making any decisions on whether or not it's for you.

[TheUglyTruth]

the humidifier on cpaps is a *STEAM* humidifier

SMH. Asterisks or not, it is not a steam humidifier.

[Gasper62]

There's almost no better place for picking up a cold/flu virus than being around a bunch of sick people in a hospital or a Doctor's office in my experience, however, I also sometimes experienced a sneezing, runny nose during the day when first I started cpap-ing . I think it may be just a matter of getting conditioned to it. Another contributor for me lately is that it's allergy season now where I am located. Clean cpap filters (fine+coarse), clean humidifier water- set to a medium humidification level and some Claritin keep me from having the sniffles and sneezing. Hopefully you didn't pick up a cold and will get used to the cpap air soon. Good luck !