Did cpap help my cold??

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
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Rainmom17
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Did cpap help my cold??

Post by Rainmom17 » Fri Nov 10, 2017 4:20 pm

Just had my first cold since starting cpap therapy. I was worried it'd be hard to use my FFM with a cold. But, turned out that with this cold I had NO problems breathing. My nose wasn't very runny, didn't get plugged up. The cold resolved in about 3 days, rather than dragging on like they usually do. I'm wondering if using the cpap with humidifier was the reason, or maybe it was just the nature of this particular virus. Thoughts?

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Bertha deBlues
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Re: Did cpap help my cold??

Post by Bertha deBlues » Fri Nov 10, 2017 4:27 pm

Rainmom17 wrote:Just had my first cold since starting cpap therapy. I was worried it'd be hard to use my FFM with a cold. But, turned out that with this cold I had NO problems breathing. My nose wasn't very runny, didn't get plugged up. The cold resolved in about 3 days, rather than dragging on like they usually do. I'm wondering if using the cpap with humidifier was the reason, or maybe it was just the nature of this particular virus. Thoughts?
I used to get miserable colds several times a year. Since using my cpap with humidification, I haven't had one that I would classify as miserable. They are of shorter duration and not as severe. I personally believe it is because my nasal passages aren't as dry.
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Janknitz
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Re: Did cpap help my cold??

Post by Janknitz » Fri Nov 10, 2017 7:03 pm

I think it helps! I crank up the humidity and sleep way better than I ever did with a cold before CPAP.

Overall, I have far fewer colds (1 every year or two vs. 8 - 10 per year!) and get over them quicker. That makes CPAP worth it even if it didn't have other benefits.
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Goofproof
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Re: Did cpap help my cold??

Post by Goofproof » Fri Nov 10, 2017 7:07 pm

No, but it helped your body fight it off. It also makes you better off at catching everything else. Jim
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RicaLynn
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Re: Did cpap help my cold??

Post by RicaLynn » Fri Nov 10, 2017 9:14 pm

Rest is restorative. Since you get better rest with the CPAP you are bound to be restored to good health faster, and the extra humidity definitely doesn't hurt -- there's a reason Mom used a humidifier when we were little! (And yes, I too have had far fewer colds of shorter duration since starting CPAP. )

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Arlene1963
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Re: Did cpap help my cold??

Post by Arlene1963 » Sat Nov 11, 2017 4:26 am

Agreeing with other posters here.

About six weeks ago I had my first cold since I started using CPAP and was dreading the idea of a FFM. I didn't need that it turns out, my nasal pillows were fine. I posted about it here at the time.

My husband had the same cold and was still feeling sick weeks later. The other members of our travel party who all got the same virus had hacking coughs for weeks, but in my case it was basically all over within the first week or so, I believe thanks to CPAP for whatever reason.

aspen
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Re: Did cpap help my cold??

Post by aspen » Sat Nov 11, 2017 5:32 am

I was concerned about the nasal pillows if I ever had a cold. For me, one are the days when you I no sleep because I'm all stuffed up -- the CPAP air keeps nasal passages open. I get a good night's sleep and rock a three day cold now. Lack of sleep makes viruses drag on and on, because you're immune system is compromised.

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Islandwoman
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Re: Did cpap help my cold??

Post by Islandwoman » Sat Nov 11, 2017 1:44 pm

I have use a little therapeutic quality Eucalyptus essential oil when really . otherwise humidity and airflow seems to keep me breathing well.

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Sheepish
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Re: Did cpap help my cold??

Post by Sheepish » Sun Nov 12, 2017 12:08 am

Same experience here. I've noticed that the length, frequency and severity of colds has deceased since I started CPAP, this from a guy who used to get long, frequent and bad ones.

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Rainmom17
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Re: Did cpap help my cold??

Post by Rainmom17 » Sun Nov 12, 2017 12:30 am

Well, there definitely does seem to be something to it. At least this is one clear-cut benefit of cpap I can appreciate. Even though I still feel just as exhausted, I'm glad it's making viruses less of a problem.