New at this having problems

[Tanna]

I have been using my cpap since Tuesday so it's only been 3 days. My problem is with my nose. I first tried the humidifier on 1, then 2 then last night on 0. I am waking up every morning with my head stuffed up and then through out the day my nose just runs and runs and I keep sneezing and I'm agitated. I thought this was going to make me feel better not worse. I know it's only been a few days but how do I make this better? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

[Janknitz]

It's going to take a while for your sinuses to acclimate to all this air being forced into the system. You might try turning your humidifier up higher to see if it helps or makes it worse.

Most of us use some sort of sinus rinse or mist to soothe the passages and keep them moist. I use a saline mist, some people use a neti pot or squeeze bottle equivalent at least once a day.

If you have allergies, remember (in the Northern Hemisphere) it is allergy season, so don't rule that out as a possible factor. You may need to take allergy meds--oral allergy drugs or nasal steriods or both, to keep things in check. When allergy season is over, things may calm down a bit so you don't need as much medication.

Drink lots of fluids, too. That will keep your secretions thin so you can blow them out isntead of being stuffy all the time.

If you are using nasal pillows or a nasal mask, you might want to try a full face mask so that the airflow is not quite so direct to your nasal passages. But FF masks come with other sets of problems (discomfort, sealing issues, claustrophobia). So you have to figure out what works best for you.

[Big Daddy RRT,RPSGT]

You may need more humidity. Try increasing the humidity each night until you feel less dry and stuffy. You describe how I feel when I don't get enough humidity.