Hi I am new here

[Sleepystella]

Hi I am new here and also new to using a cpap. Hopefully there are some knowledgeable people here who can help me with it all. I just got my first machine about 2 weeks ago and have used it faithfully since, but I am having issues with severe congestion now that I didnt have before I started using the machine. I tried upping the humidity but all that did was make my nose run like a drippy faucet. Oh I didnt use my machine last night and the congestion is way better now but dont know if its going to make it worse or not if I use it tonight. I am also dealing with a baby powder like smell right after I take my mask off in the morning that I can smell for like 15 mins or so. Never smelled it before till I started using the machine. I have been using only distilled water in the humidifier and have been cleaning how they told me to. Does anyone have any tips or tricks for me. Thanks!

[Julie]

Hi - turn the humidifier way down or off altogether - it can certainly cause congestion if the prevailing humidify is high enough so that you don't need the machine one... it's there for your comfort and some people never use it at all... I'm not sure about the baby powder smell, but hopefully someone else can address it... Welcome to the forum.

[brock5ga]

Hi Stella. Sounds like we started about the same time. I am new here also. Also smelling something after removing my mask in the morning, but only for about a minute or two. My sniffer isn't very good either. If the long term users aren't smelling it, maybe it is the new equipment. I wash my mask, hose, and water container every morning with dishwashing liquid, but still have the smell. I haven't changed the humidity settings since getting the machine, but mine is using very little water. When I first put on the mask, it seems to loosen up everything in my nose and irritate me, but when I wake up my nose is clear. With my allergies, this is a good thing for me. I usually wake up congested, even with the regular use of Flonase. I may try to reduce the humidity based on Julie's reply and try to find a happy medium that keeps my nose clear but isn't as irritating when trying to go to sleep. This is the best I have felt in years. Hopefully you find something that will work and I look forward to hearing the replies also, as I am still in the learning stage.

[Sheriff Buford]

Welcome Sleepy and Brock!! Hopefully, you get all your issues answered here. Do a search. If a search doesn't work... ask away... What do clean your mask with everyday? When I first started, I was told to wash my mask in soap and water daily, but you really don't need to... unless you really NEED to. I use non-alcohol and non-aloe baby wipes (for sensitive skin baby-butts) to wipe my mask down... then I wash and soak the mask in baby shampoo on weekends. I notice if I don't rinse very well, I'll get the baby shampoo scent in my mask. Some folks here like the scent, but I don't.... it upsets my tummy.

I don't have sinus problems (thank you, Lord!). But some folks here do... and maybe they can hep' ya'.

Sheriff

[zinkemomx2]

I keep my tank filled but never turn the heater on. The few times I have tried to use it I felt like I was drowning.

It is funny that you mention the baby powder smell. I've been noticing it the last 3-4 mornings as well and was coming to ask. I'll be waiting for some of the senior members to chime in.

[archangle]

Sometimes NeilMed Sinus Rinse is a miracle cure, sometimes it doesn't help. You can get it at Walgreens and similar stores. It's cheap and easy to try.

Others have reported changes in smell like that. It doesn't seem to be a problem. Maybe airflow in your nose changes with CPAP and that's how you perceive the difference.

[chunkyfrog]

I have noticed a baby powder smell in the past--turns out it was dryer sheets used on the bedding.
The machine air comes from a little further away, so the smell was not apparent until I took the mask off.

[kwcrnp]

I'm newer too....I have a little congestion in the AM as well but actually like my humidity as I'm a chronic mouth breather and for the first time
I'm waking up with a dry mouth (just like before) but no sore throat! I do the baby wipe daily clean and baby shampoo wash every Sunday. Hubby makes fun of me for taking my mask/hose to the shower with me every Sunday!! I have a "baby" smell but just figured it was related to the wipes and weekly cleaning.

[teknomom]

Welcome! I ended up turning my humidity down to 0 and then taking out the water before I was comfortable. It's so personal.

[CruzTerri]

Regarding congestion when you wake up and remove the mask. That happened to me when I was just beginning last year. There's a period of time where you need to get used to this. My sinuses would get swollen, not congested, but would feel like they were. What helped was a couple of advil or similar to help with with swelling when I woke up. I found this to help me tremendously and I knew I wasn't congested (mostly because when I blew my nose, nothing would come out!) After a while, I woke up without the "congestion."

Wish you many good sleeps.

[chunkyfrog]

--Another thing: some 'unscented' baby wipes do have a faint fragrance.

[dmb4me]

Hi - I'm a new user too, and the baby powder smell is really intense right after I take the mask off. It dissipates quickly. Just wondering what it is, I will ask the doctor. I am glad I'm not alone with this!

[SleepGuy]

I suffered from the same problem for a long time but it was due to a deviated septum, not CPAP. The deviated septum made CPAP really hard to work. Eventually my good side (one was totally blocked) started to break down and I had surgery to correct the deviated septum. It was life-changing. My average AHI is now 0.1. And congestion / colds / sinus infections are rare and when they do happen, they go away in a few days instead of weeks and weeks. Good luck with your therapy--keep at it. It's so worth it when you get it figured out.

[knothead]

Never had the baby powder smell, maybe its the smell of your new mask. I have smelled bacon & eggs when taking off my mask though...

[chunkyfrog]

--and freshly brewed coffee?