all about the nose!!

[andy5805]

Hi all

wonder what people's thoughts are on this - I'm 100% compliant and many many times better since having adjusted to CPAP. I'll never look back to the times I was without it - life was just misery - I can say now that 19 nights in every 20 I awake supercharged, my work has gone from strength to strength, line managers have commented on my new energy levels. I also love the way it gets better over time. I felt better very early on but only now months later am I really starting to see what this does for me -it's as if your body needs that long to heal after that much bad sleep. I'd urge anyone thinking of quitting to have that end in sight.

I use a FFM, pressure no lower than 9 but on auto - however - my experience of it is still very much if I can breathe through my nose I will sleep but if I can't I won't. Does anyone have experiences otherwise? for me I think if the nose is congested then it's game over. This is somewhat disconcerting as people in the office have foul personal hygiene, they come to work sick, they have no idea what that means for me, if they did, they'd do it anyway, meanwhile I'm washing hands washing cups doing avoidance behaviours just because I know the moment I get a cold, I'm sleep deprived for a week. It shouldn't be like this - does anyone have any survival techniques they can share for when the inevitable cold happens?

regards
Andy

[JDS74]

I use a FFM, pressure no lower than 9 but on auto - however - my experience of it is still very much if I can breathe through my nose I will sleep but if I can't I won't. ... because I know the moment I get a cold, I'm sleep deprived for a week. It shouldn't be like this - does anyone have any survival techniques they can share for when the inevitable cold happens?
regards
Andy

It might be possible to learn how to mouth breathe in a FFM for periods when the nasal passages are closed. I suggest that the otherwise unusable nose plugs that come with an Oracle 2 mask might be used as a training aid in the process.
Also, soft ear plugs inserted into the nostrils might serve the same purpose.
I sent you a PM on the subject.

Nasal rinsing just before bed time might be another method of coping.

[JMyers]

I have also wondered about what I will do when I have a cold. I use a nasal mask so I wonder if it would be a good idea to get a full face mask for those times.

[library lady]

Many people do keep a FF on hand as a backup for when they have colds.

[BlackSpinner]

I have also wondered about what I will do when I have a cold. I use a nasal mask so I wonder if it would be a good idea to get a full face mask for those times.

I have my battered old quatro for those nights.

I also use a decongestant nose spray when I have a cold so I can breathe on those nights.
It is actually easier to deal with a cold with a cpap machine then not. The warm moist air and the pressure usually clears enough to let me sleep comfortably.

[chunkyfrog]

I have found that most of the "colds" I used to have--were really allergies (or started as such);
because they stopped happening when I began taking a Claritin (loratadine) every night.
I suspect that most of the "colds" I observed around the office--were also allergies;
as I did not "catch" them. Most "real" colds I catch from children in elementary school.
Grandparents need to be at least as vigilant as teachers about hand washing.