Nasty Cough

[ScrappinMom]

We have had the flu at our house, and now I have a nasty cough. Of course it is worse when I lay down. Meds don't really help. I tried last night but just could not use my mask. I don't think I coughed more with it on, but it was definitely a harder cough...I guess from "going against the flow" of the cpap air coming in. I tried several pillows, nothing helped. I finally gave up after a couple of hours, as I wasn't sleeping anyway

Any suggestions? I did a search but didn't really find anything. Most suggestions related to sinus congestion, but this cough is not from sinus.

Thanks.

[elg5cats]

We have had the flu at our house, and now I have a nasty cough. Of course it is worse when I lay down. Meds don't really help. I tried last night but just could not use my mask. I don't think I coughed more with it on, but it was definitely a harder cough...I guess from "going against the flow" of the cpap air coming in. I tried several pillows, nothing helped. I finally gave up after a couple of hours, as I wasn't sleeping anyway Any suggestions? I did a search but didn't really find anything. Most suggestions related to sinus congestion, but this cough is not from sinus. Thanks.

Sorry about your household flu, I also have the flu with mega congestion & tornadic coughing winds,......My MQFF mask is impressive during this unpleasant time. When my coughing awakes me (and the neighborhood), I secure my mask with my hand and cough and go back to sleep. It's almost APAP as usual. I'm somewhat surprised at the ability to use any mask with the horrific nasal and chest congestion. So, I think a FF mask may be a good investment. You might want to check cpapaution for a back up FF mask.

Hope you are soon well.

elg5cats

[Pugsy]

If it were me I would just do the normal anti cough stuff like lots of fluids and try to find some sort of cough suppressant that works at night. You use the nasal prongs?? I would just let the coughs come if they need be and try to use the prongs and not worry about having the "perfect" night. Some treatment is better than no treatment if you can get any sleep at all.

If can't sleep with mask and the coughs, maybe trying sleeping upright in a recliner of sorts to minimize events if you just can't manage the mask.

I haven't had to face this problem yet so I am just supposing here. Something like Nyquil might help and I wouldn't obsess over it being less than ideal med to take with OSA. Again, I would think some therapy is better than no therapy. Most likely any really good cough suppressant is going to probably make OSA a little worse but I would opt for it over no mask if I had a choice.

Sure caught between a rock and a hard place when it comes to coughs. Will be interesting to see what others say that have gone through it.

[2ndGenCPAPgal]

Sorry about the flu, it sure seems to be spreading quickly.

I am (finally) getting over bronchitis myself and I have to agree on trying a full face mask (I also use the quattro). Once I got used to coughing against pressure I was able to sleep through all but the most severe coughing fits. And I suspect that CPAP may have actually helped suppress some of them that would have normally been triggered due to apneas.

Unfortunately I didn't have much success w/ cough suppressants (never have) but I did find that Mucinex (or the generic equivalent) was a big help at reducing and clearing the chest congestion.

[ScrappinMom]

Thanks for all the suggestions! Maybe try some Nyquil...already doing the mucinex, sudafed, etc. Maybe if I can actually get to sleep...

I've thought about a FFM, but not sure I can handle it, claustrophobia and all that business. I might try a Hybrid.
I really tried my darndest to avoid this flu, but with 2 little ones in the house having it, I really was just a sitting duck waiting to be shot!

Maybe tonight will be better...
Thanks for the help.

[elg5cats]

Thanks for all the suggestions! Maybe try some Nyquil...already doing the mucinex, sudafed, etc. Maybe if I can actually get to sleep...I've thought about a FFM, but not sure I can handle it. Maybe tonight will be better...Thanks for the help.

You might want to be careful adding additional OTC cold medications together........may get some accumulative side effects or drug interactions!!!! I personally would not use Nyquil and Musinex together. I used to would not consider a FF Mask due to not wanting my mouth and nose covered....When I decided to give it a try, once I could breathe with ease with machine off, I was no longer concerned. It's actually more comfortable than the comfortable nasal mask I have. Also, one thing I've notice with XPAP and cold, I'm having more 02 desats than normal for me w/o apnea's. Not sure if this is typical with others, but I suspect it may be just because colds/flu challenges breathing!

elg5cats

[kdiverson]

I had the flu too... didn't know how i was going to us my nasil mask, ended up using lots of nyquil, and did pretty well. i did try sleeping sitting up, and one night, i probably was only able to use cpap for about 5 hours... over it now, lasted about 6 days. still have some congestion, still using nyquil at night.

[Muse-Inc]

First cold wearing the Hybrid...working great! Turned humidifier up to about he 2/3 max with just a bit of condensation in pillows, not enough to change setting. However, last night was the first night of coughing (not so bad during the day)...gross, can't get the clips undone in time to remove oral cushion...germs all over the inside of the mask, gross! Thank goodness, I can boil the silicon oral cushion! Have some Tussionex ER suspension which I took at half dosage last Dec for bronchitis that turned into asthmatic bronchitis...thinking I might take 1/4 dose before bed tonight...it does depress the CNS which controls breathing so I'm using very cautiously.

Pugs, I may go back to my beloved OptiLife pillow mask if the coughing continues unabated...at least I can easily cough wearing it... a la your suggestion that some therapy air is better than none . And the generic Afrin keeps my nasal congestion to a minimum (got 2 more nights on nostril 2 to go before I hafta stop using the spray).

[ScrappinMom]

can't get the clips undone in time to remove oral cushion...germs all over the inside of the mask, gross!

well......maybe I won't try the Hybrid!

[Muse-Inc]

can't get the clips undone in time to remove oral cushion...germs all over the inside of the mask, gross!

maybe I won't try the Hybrid!

Would be the same with any FFM...just can't undo headstraps fast enough compared to how fast ya gotta cough