cpap with sinus and allergies

jodisue · Post by **jodisue** » Sat May 27, 2006 7:10 am

I have a problem. I have the cpap machine and haven't been using it like I should in the past. Now, I want to use the machine due to waking up with massive headaches from stopping breathing. The problem is I have bad sinuses and allergies. The mask I have is the comforter gel thing with the cpap and hunidifier that warms the water. ( As you can tell I'm new to sleep apnea and don't know all the proper names for the equipment. lol) Okay, the mask goes over my nose, but I can't breathe due to congestion. I've been trying to live on decongestants in order to use the mask but it's not helping. When I use the mask now , I feel like it's suffocating me. I REALLY need to use this machine again, I'm falling asleep in the middle of the day, irritable and stressed out.
A little background about me...I'm 32, overweight, happily married (when I'm not ready to snap from lack of sleep) and have 3 children all under the age 5. If that's not enough, I work mornings at a restaurant and my hubby works afternoons, so there is no time to rest in the evenings or take a nap. If anyone can give me some advice, reccomend a different mask or how to remove sinuses ( ) I'd greatly appreciate it. Thanks!

GoofyUT · Post by **GoofyUT** » Sat May 27, 2006 7:37 am

Lotsa folks have this problem and have found solutions, so DON'T FRET!!!!

First thing is to get a full-face mask that works for you. that'll allow you to breathe through your mouth and still get the pressure benefits from xPAP treatment. Lotsa folks have tried and like the Ultra-Mirage Full Face mask (UMFF) from ResMed. Others like the HC431A full-face mask from Fisher&Paykel (its the one I use for back-up in case my nose gets plugged with my Mirage Swift nasal pillows system). Still others like the ComfotFull 2 from Respironics. Hans Rudolph has an interesting mask that is all silicone.

Anyway, there are LOTS to choose from, and you ought to spend as much time as you need with a good and knowledgeable durable medical equipment (DME) supplier trying out as many masks as you can until you find the one that works best for you. Make sure to take the time to try the mask hooked up to a machine at the pressure that you normally use, and preferably, lying in the position that you normally sleep in. Masks that might feel OK just strapped to your face can become MONSTERS that will bite you if they aren't properly fitted, in the middle of the night. You have to live with the mask night after night after night, so make sure to demand the time and attention from your DME to get the mask that is right for you.

You m ight also want to check with a good ENT doc about your congestion. MAny folks have had lots of relief from long-standing nasal congestion and sinus problems with the new nasal steroid sprays. A good ENT that you trust will be able to advise you about your best options.

Above all, DON'T FRET!! You've got lots of options, and lots of support and experience here.

Hope this helps.

Chuck

DME_Guy · Post by **DME_Guy** » Sat May 27, 2006 8:28 am

I had the same problem. I use the Grossman HP 100 Hydro Puls Nasal Irrigator about an hour before going to bed. At first, I also used it in the morning. It's made a huge difference for me and now I can use any mask I choose.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0001A ... e&n=284507

Hope this helps. In the mean time, try a full face mask. The Resmed Ultra Mirage is the most poplular.

NightHawkeye · Post by **NightHawkeye** » Sat May 27, 2006 9:54 am

Sinus congestion and apnea seem to go together. A full face mask doesn't work for everyone. Some can tolerate it, some can't. I can't use one because a full face mask actually increases my apnea.

Things I've found that help relieve congestion are:
- Breathe-rite strips (They open your nostrils.)
- Grossan nasal irrigator (I use it every night. It's the #1 best thing I've found for congestion.)
- Nasal pillows interface (Even better than Breathe-rite)
- Antihistamines (when you're desparate for relief)

Try the Breathe-rite strips first. They're cheap. If that helps, then nasal pillows will probably also help. The constant pressure inside the nostrils (but not outside) with nasal pillows makes a lot of difference for folks, at least judging from comments here and my own experience. Neither a regular nasal mask, nor a full-face mask can accomplish the same result as the nasal pillows interfaces can to defeat congestion all night long.

Hope this helps.

Regards,
Bill

Bellcrest · Post by **Bellcrest** » Sat May 27, 2006 10:09 am

I agree with Nighthawkeye.

For me, the nasal pillows work the best. Full Face masks cause me to be even more congested and I had to use a breathrite strip with FF mask.

My problem is that I just can't keep my mouth shut....no comments please <grin>

So I thought I was stuck using the FF mask until I got adventuresome and tried pillow interface along with taping my mouth. Wow, what a difference in my numbers and in how I felt the next day. My breathing is much improved even during the day following the use of nasal pillows.

TiredPrincessMom · Post by **TiredPrincessMom** » Sat May 27, 2006 4:09 pm

I have found that by using the nasal pillows, my allergies and sinus are much better. After a couple minutes (if even that long) I can feel my sinus open up and I am able to breath with my nose like my nose wasn't all swollen and puffy directly before putting my mask on. In fact I have almost always been a mouth breather because if I had to depend on breathing with my nose I would have been dead long ago (that is how swollen my nose/sinus have always been), but since using my nasal pillows I can even breath with my nose most of the day now.

I did try (at the insistance of sleep study tech) a full face mask and that was not fun. I hated it! But I did learn that I could breath with my nose because I was using humidifier. That is about the only good thing that came out of using the full face mask.

Linda3032 · Post by **Linda3032** » Sat May 27, 2006 4:38 pm

Welcome to the forum, Jodisue. Please keep coming back and reading, reading, reading. It has a wealth of information and the people here are always friendly.

First of all, if you will complete more information in your "profile", then we might be able to help you even more. Please list your equipment - the full name of the cpap machine you are using and the pressure you are using.

Secondly, if you are using an Auto (APAP) machine, your lowest pressure setting could be too low. That could cause a suffocating feeling when you first put it on. But that's probably not the case -

All of the suggestions above are excellent. Many of us have sinus problems - I keep mine under control with antihistimine tablets.

I too like the nasal pillows. You might try the newest one called the Comfort Lite 2. If you do a search for CL2 on this forum, you will get lots of info. My feeling is that if you feel claustrophobic, a full face mask might be too much for you - but keep it in mind if the nasal pillows don't work for you.

Lastly, what is your humidifier set at? You might get out your manual and change the setting - probably higher. But if it's already high, then lower it and see if that helps.

Good Luck and hang in there. We're all here to help each other.