CPAP vs. Cold

sleepyred · Post by **sleepyred** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 4:58 pm

I have a cold - should I still use my cpap or will it make matters worse? It seems logical to use it with the humidity and so I can sleep - or will it spread the germs to my lungs?

Sleepyred

SelfSeeker · Post by **SelfSeeker** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 5:07 pm

Hello sleepyred,

In the manual for the Remstar it says not to use it if you have a sinus or ear infection.

I never thought of germs reaching the lungs. Intresting thought. I have a cold and still using it. (over a week of this cold, has me exhausted)

I would like to hear some thoughts on this very intresting question.

sleepyred, I hope you are feeling better soon.

Linda3032 · Post by **Linda3032** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 5:16 pm

It seems to me that if you have a cold, and are breathing, then you already have the germs in your lungs.

A full face mask usually is recommended if you have a cold because most times your nasal passages are congested.

The one bad cold I had (when I only had nasal pillows) convinced me to get a full face mask on standby.

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 5:20 pm

I always figure if I have a cold I still need to breath and I'm going into day 7 of a humdingger, Still hosing up. It's not pretty but I sleep and breath. Jim

NiteCap · Post by **NiteCap** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 5:58 pm

I have skipped the cpap machine when I have a cold. I'm just too stuffed up to breath through my nose.

bdp522 · Post by **bdp522** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 6:13 pm

I would think that the problem with a sinus or ear infection would be the added pressure of cpap aggravating the already inflamed tissues. With a simple cold this probably wouldn't be an issue. When you can't breathe through your nose you need a full face mask.

Brenda

DME_Guy · Post by **DME_Guy** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 9:58 pm

It's a question for your Dr. but in general it's usually recommended that you not use the CPAP with a cold. Of course, depending on the severity of your sleep apnea, your Dr. may want you on the CPAP regardless. A full face mask would help.

birdshell · Post by **birdshell** » Thu Oct 19, 2006 3:30 pm

DME Guy,

When all xPAPers are warned to be compliant, or all those terrible things can happen....

What happens to protect one from the terrible things if not using an xPAP during a cold?

Plus, does one not need some quality sleep when ill, especially?

Thank you.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Oct 20, 2006 6:35 am

OK, I think I've mentioned this before. The discovery I made several years ago was a product easily available over the counter at most drug and even basic stores (like Walmart, Target etc.). It is called Zicam. Now before you dismiss it as it is a homeopathic remedy for colds and other viral infections, it is not a drug (a good thing). It is simply a gel of zinc gluconate. This seemingly harmless product allows you to pump some of the gel into your sinuses every 4 hours. It had been found, in tests, that viruses don't replicate in the presence of zinc well. I've both avoided colds and knocked out colds over the last 3 years with this product (had ONE cold in the last 3 years with it). The last cold I had only lasted 3 days as I stayed on it during the cold. I HIGHLY recommend you get some of this. The BEST thing to do is right when you feel punky or sense a sore throat coming on......start hitting it.....Generally I've found after a day or so it thwarts it and you're good to go. We need more help in the battle with this nasty bug (rhinoviruses) and as it seems most people don't give a rats patootie about spreading it around, you have to arm yourself with something. I've found this to be the best alternative. Needless to say diet and exercise helps the immune system to stay in top form. I'm on planes every other week so you can imagine how I feel when all the people get on coughing up a lung and sneezing all over the place. Makes you want to don a space suit Frankly there is NO reason you should have to suffer more than 3-5 days max with a cold....unless there is a secondary infection at work there. Knock down more hot green tea and orange juice as well..........

mikemoran · Post by **mikemoran** » Fri Oct 20, 2006 11:07 am

I have always used my CPAP when I had a cold. The humidity not only helped me breath better but the duration of the cold was alot less than my wife suffered through. I chalk it up as a benefit of the therapy. If my nose is really stuffy I use the FF mask, but generally I stick with nasal spray and a nasal mask. Mileage always varies for everyone using a mask. For myself, I consider the CPAP part of my cold remedy.

Vader · Post by **Vader** » Fri Oct 20, 2006 3:32 pm

Anonymous wrote:OK, I think I've mentioned this before. The discovery I made several years ago was a product easily available over the counter at most drug and even basic stores (like Walmart, Target etc.). It is called Zicam. Now before you dismiss it as it is a homeopathic remedy for colds and other viral infections, it is not a drug (a good thing). It is simply a gel of zinc gluconate. This seemingly harmless product allows you to pump some of the gel into your sinuses every 4 hours. It had been found, in tests, that viruses don't replicate in the presence of zinc well.

A while ago, I had heard various news reports stating they were considering taking that product off the market because of various lawsuits against the company that makes it.
I use Zicam Allergy Relief, and it is an excellent homeopathic product, but the formula that you're talking about is the one with suspected problems. This is *supposedly* due to the zinc formulation process. Several people claim to have lost their sense of smell from using it.

I don't know if this is in fact true, but many lawfirms are pressing for claims against Zicams maker:
http://www.yourlawyer.com/topics/overview/Zicam

_________________

CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): news

ThunderSnorem · Post by **ThunderSnorem** » Fri Oct 20, 2006 4:39 pm

I have had a cold this week, and haven't been able to tolorate CPAP at all. Most nights I find the mask coming off, and when I look at how long I used the machine each night, it varies from minutes to just a few hours. I can't seem to keep even the FF mask on, and the nasal mask is useless right now.

Agggh, I am sooo tired. I can't wait to be better and back on cpap!

Mask

Additional Comments: Aussie Heated hose for rain out/PapCap Headgear and chin strap