cpap sinus problems/new user

[DroverEd]

I have the Resmed cpap with humidifier because I have sinus trouble. My sinuses were alright for months. Started cpap treatment last week and they went crazy. How long does this last befor you get used to it. I'm taking sinus medicine and flonase spray. I'm blowing my nose all day, sneezing, etc. But I'm getting good sleep and and I'm not waiking up three times a night to go to bathroom.

[felineperson3]

I have never had sinus problems until I was diagnosed in September of this year and started using the RemStar Auto pap for sleep apnea. I use the Mirage Swift pillows and really like them after trial and error use of the NasalAire and Comfort Select mask.
My nose now drips all day (clear water)--very embarrasing since it always happens if I tilt my head downward momentarily and unfortunately I can't find the shut-off valve to turn the water faucet off. I know it's due to irritation from the constant air pressure, but I have been offered no solutions except for a saline spray which does not seem to help the problem at all since it's not congestion, in fact the saline spray increases the dripping if anything. Benadryl helps, but since I have hypertension I have to watch taking a lot of OTC meds. I'll be watching this post for answers. Thanks for any info.
Wishing everyone healthy sleeping for the holidays!

[DroverEd]

Like you, my nose is runny all day and I go through a forest's worth of tissues a day. But when I put the mask on it clears me up. Now I'm getting better sleep but walking around with red puffy eyes and terrible feeling like I have a cold all the time. What a trade-off!

[cycling CPAP user]

About a month after I started using my CPAP I started having trouble with my sinuses cloggin up at night. I'd wake up in the morning with tremendous sinus pressure & even bad sinus headaches. I told my doctor & he prescribed Flonase & also suggested I use something like Afrin before bed time. Since I started that I haven't had a problem since.

From what I understand a certain percentage of CPAP users have this problem. It is compounded if you have a pet, especially so of the pet sleeps in the same room as you. My wife & I have a dog & she sleeps in our room at night on the floor next to my side of the bed.

[Guest]

That's the unusual thing about the problem I'm having--no nasal congestion or sinus type pressure, rather it is just clear-like water dripping from my nose, particularly when lowering or tilting my head down. Since it can happen without warning this is also very embarrasing to have my nose just suddenly start leaking this clear water (like I have suddenly turned on a faucet). I've learned to keep tissues very accessible as there certainly isn't time to locate one and be discreet about this issue at the time. LOL I can't figure this one out as I've never had any type sinus problems unless I had a cold and I feel somehow this has to be some type of response to the continuous air pressure that is causing an irritation to the nasal airways. I'm hoping it's just a sensitivity issue and things toughen up and the problem self-resolves with time. I feel like I am on the right path with finding out my diagnosis and what has to be done to treat the apnea--now it's just a matter of hanging tough and coping with these negative things that pop up as a consequence of the treatment. I guess it's similar to one having to contend with the side effects of some drugs to treat certain illnesses. Anyway, if anyone has any suggestions or has encountered a similar problem in adjusting to CPAP tx. please feel free to share. "Misery loves company".. With joking aside, I have found this site to be very informative and I thank God for good people to share and help one another. May God bless each of you and I wish the very best to all of you in the New Year! Sweet dreams and healthy breathing to all--

[felineperson3]

Oops--I lost my connection while typing my post without realizing it and when I re-connected and hit Submit I was no longer logged in under my user name. Sorry about that, but I wanted to let you know who the above post was from.

[BetterBreathinBob]

Nasal problems can really be a pain in the nose but can be managed with the right troubleshooting. The first step is the humidifer, too much or too little heat can irritate the nose which likes to warm and humidify and filter its own air. That's what the nose does! If there is a mouth or mask leak the flow through the nose will be increased adding to more problems. make sure there is no leaking by having your partnre check you at night.
Nasal sprays can help but only those that will decrease the inflamation like Flonase. Afrin should only be for short term use.
A last resort could be the use of a mouth mask as opposed to a nasal mask. These are harder to adjust to and take more patience. The Oracle is one that I've tried and it's not too bad.

Good Luck and hang in there.

Bob

[Janelle]

Since my ENT Dr. diagnosed me with deviated septum, low soft palate, uvula, she put me on Nasacort AQ spray each night to help open up the nose a bit. This really does help and since it lasts 24 hours gets me through the day too. She says this is a permanent medication, not just temporary.

I recently came down with a cold right before Christmas and the CPAP with the humidifier (mine doesn't have heat adjustment just humidity adjustment) has made the cold a piece of cake. The humidity (remember how Mom used to run a humidifier in your room when you had a cold as a kid?) really helped. I was still using OTC cold meds and sometimes had to use the Nasacort more than one spray per nostril, but it was amazing how much better I could just breath at night compared to other colds.

[Drover]

After three weeks of experimenting and spending Christmas doing nothing but sneezing and blowing my nose, I finally just turned the humidifier all the way to zero and now my nose has stopped running except for a few times a day when I'll have a sneezing attack.
But I do feel better and feel like I have more energy after sleeping with this contraption. I just can't wait until I bring my new girlfriend home and explain it to her.

[Enigmas]

I tried Afrin long ago, it worked great, only using it when I got sinus congestion. But from reading on here that Afrin can be bad for you long term, I threw out those bottles.

I read Flonase is safer, I hope that is correct ?

[Pugsy]

I tried Afrin long ago, it worked great, only using it when I got sinus congestion. But from reading on here that Afrin can be bad for you long term, I threw out those bottles.

I read Flonase is safer, I hope that is correct ?

Flonase is safe for long term use and short term use.

Afrin is also safe but only for short term use. It was never meant to be a daily long term fix. Short term use only and it's perfectly safe.
Long term use will cause the nasal mucosa to rely totally on chemicals to shrink and that's when you get into Afrin rebound issues once the mucosa physically need the chemical so you can breathe.

[Enigmas]

Thank You for your reply.. I haven't even opened the Flonase package. But feel better about buying it now..

[Pugsy]

Thank You for your reply.. I haven't even opened the Flonase package. But feel better about buying it now..

Just don't wait until the congestion is really bad before using the Flonase...you won't get the immediate relief that Afrin offers.
Use the Flonase at the first signs of congestion because sometimes it takes a few doses to really do a good job.

[zonker]

Thank You for your reply.. I haven't even opened the Flonase package. But feel better about buying it now..

if you like flonase, you might want to try the costco kirkland brand equivalent. it's cheaper. but you have to buy it in a five bottle pack.

i think it actually works better than flonase.

(tip of the zonker hat to forum member dog slobber for cluing me in on this.)

[Pugsy]

if you like flonase, you might want to try the costco kirkland brand equivalent. it's cheaper. but you have to buy it in a five bottle pack.

i think it actually works better than flonase.

You know I see you guys promoting this all the time but some of us folks don't live near a Costco....my closest is nearly a 3 hour drive one way....
Sam's Club is about an hour away and while they probably have a good deal on something similar....the Sam's membership cost would eat up any savings I might get.

So sometimes the membership cost and the distance to the store would mean we really aren't saving any money.