Nasal pillows + CA's

[tuzacat]

I have been having some issues with my sinuses and also inside my nose lately to the point where I had to stop wearing my Swift FX. I tried my Hybrid mask but found that anything blowing up my nose was really bothering me. My sinuses were closing up and it was as if suddenly I couldn't inhale. In desperation I switched to the 1st mask I ever had which was an Easylife Nasal mask and was able to breath a little better. I bought a Wisp and I really like it but I'm still having sinus problems with one nostril almost completely blocked at night. So I've been waking up and switching back to the Hybrid so if I need to breathe through my mouth I can. What I have been noticing is that my AHI for the most part mostly consists of the Clear Airway events rarely an OA. I also noticed much improved AHI when using a nasal mask as opposed to the pillows. Many less CA's. Is that normal? I'm taking a bunch of natural stuff to see if I can get this sinus thing under control so I can have a comfortable night again. I seem to find that even though my AHI can vary from .6 to 2.7 if it is too much over 1 I just feel tired. Thanks for any thoughts or responses!

[Daisy004]

Im not an expert but have you tried turning off your humidifier? That made my nose block/close up terrible. I dont have mine turned on at all now, I do keep the tank full of water though and I just let the air pass over the water. No way could I turn it back on or my nose completely blocks back up again. Sorry I odnt have any other suggestions...only been on the pap for 9 months now myself. Good luck.

[MagsterMile]

I just started using a mask that has the nasal pillows and the mouth piece. I too get the congestion but there is no set pattern for it - just comes and goes. Mostly breath through my nose. Last night I noticed how cold my nose felt so I upped the humidifier setting to 5.5. I usually have it at 4.5.-5.0. The water went down quite a bit in the humidificer - more than usual due to the higher setting. I ended up with some nasal congestion with the higher setting. Most of the comments I hear from others here are that it's better to have some humidification rather than none to relieve congestion.

[tuzacat]

Thank you, Daisy004 and MagsterMile, I have been playing around with the humidification but don't really have any conclusions. The respiratory therapist from the DME told me not to take it off the humidification totally -something to do with the lungs but I don't remember what. I have it set at 5 right now: I seem to be more comfortable at the higher settings but maybe while I'm going through this thing I should turn it way down. Last night - AHI .5 back on the Wisp. Thanks for your responses!

[khauser]

Thank you, Daisy004 and MagsterMile, I have been playing around with the humidification but don't really have any conclusions. The respiratory therapist from the DME told me not to take it off the humidification totally -something to do with the lungs but I don't remember what. I have it set at 5 right now: I seem to be more comfortable at the higher settings but maybe while I'm going through this thing I should turn it way down. Last night - AHI .5 back on the Wisp. Thanks for your responses!

Humidification is one of those YMMV issues. I think it is generally believed that humidification helps REDUCE nasal inflammation and thus reduces congestion. It definitely feels better to me. But some people swear that humidity makes their noses more congested.

[tuzacat]

Well, that's the tricky thing, Kevin, it feels better in that I'm not all dried out but my sinuses seem to b swimming. I tuned it down to 1 last night. Less congestion but one nostril was bleeding this morning. Sigh...I'm trying AYR tonight to see if it will help.