Miserable :(

MissAmethyst2U · Post by **MissAmethyst2U** » Fri Oct 21, 2005 6:24 pm

Well, its gonna be a long weekend. Anyone have any tips for CPAP'ing with a cold? I am miserable. Yesterday I started with a sore throat said I would give it through the weekend to see if it was just that or Tonsillitis as I have recurrent Tonsillitis a couple times a yr. Well, woke up this morning at like 6am cause I was in pain my throat hurt sooo bad and the air from the cpap wasn't helping. I knew I had tonsillitis called doc and went in she gave me a Z-pack as usual. I didn't really feel all that bad besides the sore throat but now I took the med and I feel like crap! Tried to lay down to rest but I seem to have a cold on top of it and well cant breathe through my nose plus add in my Asthma with the weather changing right now and I spend more darn time trying to breathe with the machine on than sleeping...I am waiting for my dad to get home so I can get my FF mask. He had borrowed it to try one night and never gave it back...Well I sure hope everyone has a better weekend than it looks like I am gonna have....

Rod · Post by **Rod** » Fri Oct 21, 2005 6:36 pm

Hi sorry to hear your sick. I'm new to this but was told if I get a cold or get sickto try to treat it or see the Doctor, and get it treated , and get back on the machine as soon as your able to. Rod

MissAmethyst2U · Post by **MissAmethyst2U** » Fri Oct 21, 2005 6:45 pm

Hey! thanks for the reply, I won't stop using my machine while I have a cold, I will just switch to my FF mask and I am taking antibiotics too. It just sucks lol...

JimH · Post by **JimH** » Fri Oct 21, 2005 7:11 pm

MissAM2U,

Usually they recommend a tonsellectumy if you get tonsilitis that often during the year. Is you apnea obstructive or central? I see getting tonsellitis could be very bad not only from hurting but closing the throat up more. Maybe you should consider getting them removed?

Jimh

MissAmethyst2U · Post by **MissAmethyst2U** » Fri Oct 21, 2005 8:46 pm

JimH,

I have considered it...I can have them out anytime I wish...I was referred to an ENT in Jan and he said anytime I want them out he will do it. I just have th schedule it when my docs can coordinate their schedules cause my pulmonologist doesnt want me to have surgery without him being there cause I have asthma with the sleep apnea. They have never said if its obstructive or central I am thinking mostly obstructive with maybe some central. I say obstructive cause when I sleep on my back I notice it. Umm, I have had tonsillitis up to like 5 times in a yr but like then again this is the first time I have had it in like almost a yr. My biggest problem is I am a chicken lol. I dont want to have surgery yet I dont want to keep this up either. I am working on going back to work right now and finishing up my degree so I dont really have the time to be laid up. I know poor excuse...I will consider it though. If I get another episode this yr I will diff go ahead and have them out after the first of the yr I think...

Barb (Seattle) · Post by **Barb (Seattle)** » Fri Oct 21, 2005 9:07 pm

I'm sorry Colds really "suck" when you're on CPAP, don't they? hate em!
What I've done during colds is just spray one spray of Afrin...and it seems to work all night. I figure that just a few days of this is no big deal, as long as I don't use the full dose. I am afraid of getting "addicted" to it, so don't use it much...but it can really make the difference when you're so sick of not being able to breathe. Not sure you can use that though with asthma. I full face mask would work though too...take care and you'll get well soon, I'm sure {{{hugs}}}}

WAFlowers · Post by **WAFlowers** » Fri Oct 21, 2005 10:02 pm

I found laying down was the worst! I banished myself to the family room for a few nights to sleep in my La-Z-Boy recliner. My sympathetic son (amazing for a 15-year old) got out a fitted sheet and stretched it over so it was like a bed ... sort of.

That, Rhinocort Aqua, a box of tissues and a waste basket. BLAH! .

wading thru the muck! · Post by **wading thru the muck!** » Fri Oct 21, 2005 11:14 pm

MissA,

Do you have a heated hose? With my heated hose I am able to crank my heated humidifier up to 5 and turn the inside of my nose into a sauna. I have been able to blast though the worst cold and breathe using only my nasal pillow interface. Unfortunately I have to remove the mask in the morning and head off to work with my mouth hanging open (to breathe) LOL!

How you feel better soon. It's easy to get sick of being sick.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Oct 22, 2005 12:01 am

I have a cold and sore throat that started on Thursday. It's 1:00 a.m. and I can't sleep, that's why I'm here. I eat plenty of cough drops and drink plenty of water, which helps but my throat still dries out and hurts real bad.

I hope you get better.

sleepyred · Post by **sleepyred** » Sat Oct 22, 2005 8:09 am

MissAmethyst2U,

My doc always advised me to use afrin only once a day and use it only at night. He said instead of using it for 3 days, I could then use it for 6 or 7 since I am only using 1/2 the usual dose. Luckily, by day 5 or 6, I forget to use it! Hope this helps! I have only been on my cpap for 2 weeks and had to for a few days after having my wisdom teeth taken out.

I know it's hard to think about surgery, but maybe after you get your degree, you could take the plunge. Good luck with you studies and take care of your yourself! I've just found out it's much better to have surgery when you are younger - even just with wisdom teeth!

LoneRider · Post by **LoneRider** » Sat Oct 22, 2005 8:41 am

MissAmethyst2U wrote:JimH,

I have considered it...I can have them out anytime I wish...I was referred to an ENT in Jan and he said anytime I want them out he will do it.

About 10 or 12 years ago, when I was 26-28 (dam I'm getting old ), I had mine out. It was kinda fun, well at least the reactions I got from the doctors.

You see, I kept on giving my GF at the time a sore throat. She insisted that I go and see the doc. It turns out that she was right, I had a couple of good little Strepacocal (sp?) factories in the back of my throat. My tonsils where constantly somewhat infected, but large. One was about 80% the size of a golf ball.

So I go into the doctor on campus (still at University) and ask him about getting them out. He looks down my throat and asks how long I've been sick. My responce is I was feeling fine, why would you ask. And of course he said, "Well your tonsiles are very inflamed", and of course I said, no, not really, that is their normal size. He left the room, came back with an appointment for one of the best ENT surgeons at University's hospital. (BTW, University of Western Ontario has/had a well repsected medical program).

So 3 or 4 days later, on the Monday IIRC, I go and see this ENT, same thing happens again, although this time he brings in a couple of other blokes. And of course he asked me about 4 times about how I was feeling. Again out the room, comes in and asks what I was doing Thursday morning, um, open I guess I said. Cool, he said, be here at 7:30 for sugury, um okay! Overnight stay and all. Got my own room in the kiddy ward no less, yup, 15 feet away from the freezer full of popsicles I will add he did ask if I minded if students where present, and of course I said, no problem, as long as you where the one doing the work, he agreed. I guess they don't get many teaching cases that good

Sorry, just had to relate. BTW, got Tylonal 3's out out of the deal, nice buzz!

They have never said if its obstructive or central I am thinking mostly obstructive with maybe some central. I say obstructive cause when I sleep on my back I notice it.

According to your profile you have the 420S, have you gotten Silver Lining 3.6 yet and downloaded the data. From what I understand (still a newbie at all this though), you can see all the session data like the 420e, just no auto feature. I think taking the data over several normal nights of sleep (at home) would be exceedingly valuable in determining the types and problems you are having.

I believe a few people have suggested that to high of a pressure can cause some Central APNEA events, so you might have to find a sweat spot in between.

If the 420S is not capable of collecting the detailed session data, I would suggest upgrading to the 420e. If they are still trying to see what is happening in your sleep on an on going basis, sleep studies can't be the best way. But that is just my opinion, althought I am guessing Lori and other would agree. [/quote]

My biggest problem is I am a chicken lol. I dont want to have surgery yet I dont want to keep this up either. I am working on going back to work right now and finishing up my degree so I dont really have the time to be laid up. I know poor excuse...I will consider it though. If I get another episode this yr I will diff go ahead and have them out after the first of the yr I think...

I know this is really easy for me to say, but just do it, it will cost you about 4 to 6 days. My case was almost as difficult as they come, and I was only loopy on the Tylonal 3's for about 2 days, and then add in the the day of the procedure. Trust me, I am as big of a wus as there is when it comes to intentioanlly infliction pain. For that very reason I have not seen a dentist in about 8 years. The thing that amazes me, is when accidents happen I am cool. My last good one, speeking of table saws, I took a small chunk of skin and nail from my left index finger, good bleader, did not really bother me, other than I should of had a stitch or two. But bring a needle my way and I want to run. go figure.

Really, the only PITA things about getting the tonsiles out was getting the IV put in, and having to watch what I ate for the first 4 or 5 days afterwards. The Anastesiologist (sp?) put in the needle when I was looking the other way and I did not know he was going to do it until he put the tape on my arm.

good luck,
Tom

(sorry about the length of the post)

tlc95066 · Post by **tlc95066** » Sat Oct 22, 2005 10:03 am

I know this won't be popular advise, however it really helped me when I had a bad cold. My sleep doc told me that it was ok to use nasal spray for a few days, just at night, until the major congestion passed.

While he doesn't advocate using nasal spray on a regular basis, when you have a bad cold getting good sleep and plenty of fluids is essential to getting better.

I hope you feel better soon!
Teri

WAFlowers · Post by **WAFlowers** » Sat Oct 22, 2005 10:06 am

LoneRider wrote:Trust me, I am as big of a wus as there is when it comes to intentioanlly infliction pain.

And he's not kidding! One time he had cut or scraped himself while visiting, and he was worse about having it treated with hydrogen peroxide than my kids! (Sorry Tom, I probably shouldn't give your secrets away, but you brought it up.)

If Tom can get his tonsils out, anyone can!

The thing that amazes me, is when accidents happen I am cool. My last good one, speeking of table saws, I took a small chunk of skin and nail from my left index finger, good bleader, did not really bother me, other than I should of had a stitch or two. But bring a needle my way and I want to run. go figure.

Sounds like you're getting better with this!

Miss Amethyst, look at a tonsillectomy as a great way to get people to pamper you for a while. You get to play the victim and have people bring you jello, popsicles, etc. all day long. Milk it for all you can!

And after you recover (which isn't long) you'll be a whole lot healthier.

Think about it.

MissAmethyst2U · Post by **MissAmethyst2U** » Sat Oct 22, 2005 12:00 pm

Hey you guys! Thanks for the post...

I had a rough rough night, lordy up many times and switched masks all night long. Not for sure I can use the Afrin spray I know i used it when I was younger a few times and it made my nose bleed, I will call my pharmacy and ask just to make sure since I am a bunch of allergy and Asthma meds. Gosh my asthma is making me miserable I feel like I cant breathe I really think the cold I have is worse than the darn tonsillitis.

The more I think about having my tonsils out the more it sounds like a good idea...either I would have to do it VERY soon like the first week in Nov or wait til after the 1st of the yr cause I dont want to interfere with the holidays and family and all and dont wish to be laid up during that time either. I am thinking moreso right after the first of the yr. I can go ahead and get it set up...Like Tom, I have had kinda enlarged tonsils for a long time, they arent imflammed or anything I guess its moreso just where they have been infected so many times. I am worried though about onice I have them out will my body fight off stuff as easy or will it be harder and I will end up sick more?

Also, Tom, or anyone who can answer this...Do they do a tube for airway while they do the surgery? I cant remember if I asked the doc about it. I have a HUGE fear of waking up with the tube still down my throat. I cant handle that. As long as it would be taken out before I wake up its fine.

Umm, hmm, cant think of what else I was gonna ask...Well, I think I will call the pharmacy abotu the Afrin and see if my parents will pick some up and a Strawberry/Banana like Blizzard or depending oin where they get it from what its called lol. I will talk to ya'll later...Thanks for all the advice

Ohhhhh I came back to edit this,,, The software yall are talking about? Is that the kind used for my machine? I was wondering about that I would love to get the software (well after I save up some money lol when I saw some of the prices before it looked VERY expensive) I knw my doc downloads the stuff from my machine and we look at it on the computer...WHatss sad is last time I was there I was showing her what was what and like if you click there wont that tell you things like that I thought she was the doc and she should know this stuff made me wonder there for a min...Bu tyes, would love to know what software works for my machine...

Mask

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

Miserable :(

Miserable :(

get well soon

Re: Miserable :(