Small Problem....

[LaurieP]

I have been a hosehead since May 5th and have been pretty successful. This last week I have been having problems with left nostril getting plugged up some time in the middle of the night. I don't have allegeries or a cold. I have gotten up and used the netti pot but has not been helpful. Every night before bed I blow my nose before hosing up. I sleep with the window open, small fan going and the heated humifier on level 3. What can I do to remedy this situation.

Any ideas will help.

Thanks....Laurie

[ems]

I take Zyrtec before I go to bed, and it seems to really help.

[apneawho]

Hi. I battle a stuffy nose. I read some posts from members who use Clear essential oil from PurSleep in diffuser form near the air intake of the machine. I ordered some but have not received yet.

[Alshain]

There are several options to you. These are pretty much in order of what to try.

1. Some people swear by aromatherapy (http://www.pursleep.com)
2. If it's short term allergies, short term otc can help (Benadril, Sudofed, etc.)
3. As mentioned, long term over the counter allergy relief can be helpful sometimes. (Zyrtec, Claratin, etc.)
4. OTC sprays can be used for VERY short term applications (Afrin) Do not use these more than a week.
5. Rx Nasal Sprays (Nasonex, must see an ENT)
6. If the Afrin works on a daily basis (again, be very careful, extended use can cause problems), you may want to consider talking with an ENT about turbinate reduction.

[LaurieP]

Thanks for the ideas....I'm going to try a few and see what works best. One at a time though. Will keep you posted.

Laurie

[robysue]

Adding a few more standard suggestions to Alshain's list:

1) Play with the humidifier setting. It's possible that a bit more OR a bit less humidity may help. I'd suggest turning the humidifier up a notch for a couple of nights. If you're less stuffy, but still not clear, turn the humidifier up another notch. But if you get more stuffy when you increase the humidifier, then turn it down to 2 for a couple of days. If you're less stuffy AND you're not dried out, you could then try reducing the setting down to 1.

2) Use the Neti Pot an hour or two BEFORE bedtime. You say: "I have gotten up and used the netti pot but has not been helpful." The thing about neti pots and sinus rinse bottles is that it can take an hour or more for all the water to drain. And if some of the excess fluid starts to drain out of your nose once you lie down with the mask on, it's very uncomfortable and can easily feel like the congestion is back or like a bad case of rainout or both. So instead of getting up in the middle of the night to use the neti pot, you might want to use it a hour or two BEFORE you go to bed.

3) Make sure that you keep yourself well hydrated. Mucous tends to become thicker and sticker when we're dehydrated. And between the open window, the small fan, and the CPAP, there's a lot of air blowing on you; so the problem may be related to some minor dehydration.

4) Use a Saline nasal spray. Right before bed, if/when you wake up congested, and as needed during the daytime. Unlike Afrin, the saline sprays do not trigger rebound congestion.

5) Use an OTC nasal spray called NasalCrom once a day. It is NOT a decongestant spray so it won't trigger rebound congestion. It does help prevent the problem if there's any allergic component to it at all.

You might also want to peruse the information available at:

• Nasal Breathing Video Series, which is from Dr. Barry Krakow's website
• Unstuff Your Stuffy Nose, which is from Dr. Sy Park's website

[SleepyT]

Have you changed the filter in your CPAP machine?

[LaurieP]

SleepT....I just changed the filter on Thursday of last week.

Thanks Again for the suggestions...def going to use/try some!!!

[SleeplessInBrussels]

I started a similar thread
viewtopic/t66916/One-nostril-blocked.html
Good to cross reference!

[archangle]

Sometimes, if you lay on your left side, the right nostril will unplug. Or vice versa.

I do this sometimes. Sometimes I seem to have to tinker with my pillow. It seems that if I get exactly the right position, with exactly the right pressure on the right spot on my face, it really helps. Sometimes I have to tinker a lot, but I can usually make it work. My nostril will start tingling and finally unplug. Unfortunately, it seems that the downside nostril will immediately plug up sometimes.

Sleeping in the recliner can also help.

May work, may not. Satisfaction guaranteed or no money back.

[guesty]

laying down causes the fluids in your body to shift and settle to the lowest point. prob due to gravity? i always use a nasal saline spray before laying down. as mentioned check your humidifier for either not enuff or too much. the cpap pressure helps to keep me open.

[CruzTerri]

I found that for a few months after starting CPAP therapy I had some congestion, this was from inflammation. I found that taking a couple of ibuprofen helped with the congestion and also using the neti pot an hour or two before bedtime. Gave me time to get used to the therapy.

[SleeplessInBrussels]

What do you put in the neti pot - saline solution? Do I just buy it at the pharmacy? Thanks.

[archangle]

What do you put in the neti pot - saline solution? Do I just buy it at the pharmacy? Thanks.

Get the NeilMed Sinus Rinse. Lots easier to use than the neti pot. You can buy premixed packets of the salt+other stuff powder to mix with water. Easily found in Walgreens and other stores.

I make up my own salt/baking soda mix. Use pickling salt because it doesn't have additives that table salt has. Use baking soda, not baking powder, same reason. You can find neti pot saline rinse recipies on the web.

[SleeplessInBrussels]

Thanks - I'll see what they have in the pharmacies here. I live in Belgium.