New cpap user and congestion - HELP!!

[Skye77]

I have been using my cpap for a week now and love the effects! BUT! As I was starting to use it, I was getting over a cold and assumed the congestion was residual from that. Now, a week later, my congestion is just as bad as the worst day of my cold. While I'm sleeping it's fine, but it's every afternoon that my congestion gets almost unbearable. I can't get it to go away no matter what I do! I am trying to avoid oxymetazoline, as I don't want to become dependent and I am also pregnant. Anything I can do with my machine to remedy this? It's so frustrating!

[Chelle25]

I am going through the same thing. That's how I found this forum. I have been on my cpap for a little over 4 weeks now.

[Tatooed Lady]

have you tried Vicks VapOrub? I've always loved the stuff. Grandma used to smear it on my neck and chest when I was a little tyke and I was sick/congested/coughing. I also put it on my face, under my nostrils, if needed...AND, I've taken the jar and lay it with the lid off behind my APAP right by the air intake so I could get the eucalyptus scent through the night. It's a nice, calming scent...and it helps my sinuses. YMMV.

[Pugsy]

Anything I can do with my machine to remedy this?

It could be related to humidity setting on the humidifier assuming you are using a humidifier.
Please add your equipment to your profile so we can have a better idea what you are using.

Humidity needs vary among individuals and there is no right or wrong. There's just what works for the individual.
If your humidifier setting is on the low side....try increasing. If it is on the high side you might try lowering the setting. Some people need a lot of added moisture and some people need minimal to none added moisture.
Google "cpap rhinitis"

Get some Simply Saline and use it to help with the congestion during the day. It does help.
Depending on which machine and humidifier you are using there may be other options for settings but we need to know exactly what you are using before going into those ideas.

[Bennnyp]

I have been reading this forum for over a year, and I just went into my clinical setup and realized that the humidity and temp setting was on auto. I changed it to manual and now I can adjust humidity and temp settings separately. I would change temp from 60 to 80 and I am still having problems.
Looks like regardless what the temp was the humidity was always staying at 2.5. Hope this helps other people.

[LSAT]

Saline rinse before bed......NeilMed nasal rinse or a Netipot

[Bill44133]

Benadryl works well for congestion for me it is neutral and does NOT interfere with any of my other medicine that I take.
You can get the type that is less drowsy during the day.

I wish you well

[englandsf]

I use one NeilMed or other saline packets and one tablespoon of Alkolol in 8 ozs distilled water at room temp, half up each nostril. Now down to twice a day - morning and early evening (at least 2 hours before sleep). Just waiting for a Waterpik with Sinus adapter to replace my Sinugator (which will become my travel irrigation tool). But the basic Neilmed squeeze bottle is pretty good and blows neti pots away for ease and effectiveness.

[chunkyfrog]

This stuff is not cheap, but effective for many:
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/cpap-a ... aster.html
If you need a cheaper source, essential oils can be found in health food stores,
to place on a cotton ball or tissue behind the machine.
A little goes a long way--when you see how strong it can be,
you will understand why it is not recommended to put any inside the tank.

[ShelaghDB]

I am extremely stubborn person and don't take aspirins or any drugs unless absolutely necessary. For no other reason than I just wasn't brought up to take any and I have never been seriously ill in a way that required them.
I have had 2 illnesses that were different and don't really count but the point is that when people told me to use NEILMED nasal rinse, it was the last thing I was going to start using but for 2 months i tried so many different external ways to stop the nasal congestion as I was ripping my mask off every night 2 hours in due to being too stuffed up to breathe.

Last week I gave in and bought this NeilMed stuff and since the first time I used it, I have finally slept every night but one and that was for electricity problems with my plug, otherwise every night i now sleep through and don't become congested at all.

Try the NeilMed

It works wonders

Neilmed squeeze bottle is pretty good and blows neti pots away for ease and effectiveness

in my case i just do it 2 min before popping into bed and I'm so exhausted from my busy days that once the mask goes on........i barely remember hitting the pillow

But I think i will have to try that squeeze bottle for this neti pot thing has me laughing every time i try it.
it goes up and out one nostril but not the other so well