Congestion and natural mouth breathing

Big_Generator_Guy · Post by **Big_Generator_Guy** » Thu Jul 06, 2006 8:16 pm

Hello All,

This forum seems to have some very knowledgable members, so I'm hoping you could send a little my way....

I've been struggling with apap and lately cpap for the last 4 months and have never really been able to use the machine. I have for all of my 39 years had mild to moderate congestion and until now have just dealt with it by mouth breathing. Because of this, my approach to therapy was to get both a fullface mask (Ultra Mirage) foe use during congestion and a nasal mask (Activa) for the rest of the time. What I'm finding is that I basically can't use the nasal mask as for some reason my sinuses are irritated by the therapy no matter what heat/humidity setting I use. I am also having no luck with the full face as it tends to just lift up off my face and leak unless I make the headgear painfully tight. I have explored the possibility of nasal surgery, but everyone I talk to including some cpap users at work has told me that after having had their sinuses opened up that the surgery was not worth it, So I'm not inclined to procceed.

I realize this post sounds pretty negative but that's where I'm at, I'm hoping perhaps one of you folks might have a mask or other suggestion that may work...

Thanks in advance

MandoJohnny · Post by **MandoJohnny** » Thu Jul 06, 2006 8:35 pm

I have had sinus problems all my life and I have experienced irritation with a nasal pillow mask. I find that cranking up the humidifier definitely helps. Also, will use Afrin when I have to. I only use as little as I can and only in the side that is blocked, because I don't want any re-bound effect. I also do nasal washes when I am really congested. There are some other threads on this you can find with a search. The washes really help. I imagine I will have to get a full face mask at some point, though, for the same reasons.

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Thu Jul 06, 2006 8:56 pm

What pressure are you using? A F & P 431 is more comfortable, and their is Mole Skin to line problem areas. It's work but it can be done. Jim

snork1 · Post by **snork1** » Thu Jul 06, 2006 9:58 pm

I have had a totally positive experience from going the surgery route to fix my sinuses and nose.

My philosophy since then is:
"If your nose doesn't work, CPAP won't work."

But you do need a GOOD ENT that does an endoscopy and CT scan before whittling away up in there.

I am also a strong believer in doing daily saline FLUSHES of the nose. Nothing fancy, just lots of warm salt water up the nose with a squeeze bulb and blown out again. Then hang your head low and then up to drain out ALL of it.

Combined with the tiniest shot of flonase, the saline flush will work miracles for keeping down allergies and congestion.

NightHawkeye · Post by **NightHawkeye** » Thu Jul 06, 2006 10:16 pm

I can tell you the two things that resolved my congestion issues with CPAP.
1) Nightly nasal irrigations using the Grossan nasal irrigator
2) Nasal pillows interface

FWIW, the nasal pillows actually help open the nostrils up the same way that Breathe-Rite nasal strips do. If Breathe-Rite strips help you, then you're a good candidate for nasal pillows. A regular nasal interface applies air pressure outside the nose as well, whereas the pillows interfaces apply pressure inside the nostrils only, thereby holding them open.

Good luck. Please keep us informed.

Regards,
Bill

snork1 · Post by **snork1** » Thu Jul 06, 2006 11:13 pm

[quote="NightHawkeye"]I can tell you the two things that resolved my congestion issues with CPAP.
1) Nightly nasal irrigations using the Grossan nasal irrigator
2) Nasal pillows interface

FWIW, the nasal pillows actually help open the nostrils up the same way that Breathe-Rite nasal strips do. If Breathe-Rite strips help you, then you're a good candidate for nasal pillows. A regular nasal interface applies air pressure outside the nose as well, whereas the pillows interfaces apply pressure inside the nostrils only, thereby holding them open.

Good luck. Please keep us informed.

Regards,
Bill

kurtchan · Post by **kurtchan** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 6:09 am

I agree with NightHawkEye about the nightly nasal irrigation. It has helped to clear up both my congestion and my post-nasal drip. Unlike my pre-CPAP days where my left nostril would close the minute I got into bed, my recent experience has been that the CPAP actually keeps that passage fairly clear all night. When I've tried to nap without it, I always end up putting on the mask to get rid of the congestion, if nothing else.

Kurtchan

oldgearhead · Post by **oldgearhead** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 7:26 am

Recently, in addition to my trusty CL2, I have used three FF masks: ResMed Ultra Mirage, F&P HC431, and the Hybrid. At this point, I agree with Jim. The HC431 supports mouth breathing much better than the other two.