Nasal congestion

[SBarrett]

Approximately 7 days in, had almost 6 hours of sleep last night with one wake-up. Normally there could be 3 or more. Checked for allergen levels here in Spartanburg and supposedly there are none, but this doesn't seem to be a cold either. For certain I'm having trouble breathing, with virtually no air coming/going RT side. Went to bed. Got up and unhooked everything half an hour later. Have been on the forum since, in particular reading situations like mine and suggestions to try. It looks like it will be a no-CPAP night. Saline spray hasn't done it for me.

[Pugsy]

Is the nasal congestion something new for you that just started when you tried to use the cpap or is it a problem that you have had prior to starting cpap?

What setting for humidity are you using on the cpap?
Are you using a heated hose or a non heated hose?

[SBarrett]

Hi, Pugsy. I noticed the congestion after my longest sleep Wednesday night. Lots the next day. Not as bad last night or today. My allergies tend to be worse in the fall, but that shouldn't be a problem now, after several frosts. Still not sure what's going on.

Don't know about the humidity setting. The tech who delivered the machine had everything set up. Water reservoir is almost dry after 6-7 hours. Heated hose.

Tonight's issue, difficulty placing the mask without leaks. After several tries in half an hour I was wide awake, so have watched YouTubes about using nasal masks. I rarely sleep more than 5-6 hours and the night is slipping away.

Thanks, Pugsy.
P.S. Persevered and used the CPAP even though breathing seemed impossible. It wasn't!

[Julie]

Turn down, if not off, the humidity setting for a couple of nights - I bet the problem clears up. If your local climate is not very dry, you're going to get cold symptoms and congestion if too much humidity is used.

[SBarrett]

Thanks, Julie. I'll try no water tonight. I appreciate your reply. Still feeling my way by trial and error, but with increasing success with sleep and comfort with the clean/care routine.

Last night, once the mask was satisfied (mostly) with positioning around the nose, I didn't wake up till 6:30 a.m. this morning! Normally it's is as much as an hour earlier. Outstanding! :-}

[Wulfman...]

Thanks, Julie. I'll try no water tonight. I appreciate your reply. Still feeling my way by trial and error, but with increasing success with sleep and comfort with the clean/care routine.

Last night, once the mask was satisfied (mostly) with positioning around the nose, I didn't wake up till 6:30 a.m. this morning! Normally it's is as much as an hour earlier. Outstanding! :-}

I think Julie was saying to just turn the HH setting down or off but leave water in the tank. That's what we refer to as "passover" humidification. The air passes over the water and picks up some humidity. It still provides some cool humidity that may help open the nasal passages.
It's what I've been using for nearly 13 years.


Den

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[SBarrett]

Thanks, Den. Good to know. I'll take a look at the humidifier manual and see if I can figure out how to do turn it off. Wish me luck. Following tech-written manuals are not my strong suit. More like CPAP for Dummies.
susan

[SBarrett]

I found a video. Have reset humidity from 3 to 0.
Thanks again, Den.

[Wulfman...]

Thanks, Den. Good to know. I'll take a look at the humidifier manual and see if I can figure out how to do turn it off. Wish me luck. Following tech-written manuals are not my strong suit. More like CPAP for Dummies.
susan

Here's a link to some instructions:

viewtopic/t157796/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=1 ... l#p1210292

And, specifics to humidifier settings from Page 4 of the Provider manual:

Humidification
This setting allows you to select the Humidification Mode being used. You can choose between Fixed or Adaptive (A) Humidification. If a heated tube is attached to the device, then the device will automatically switch to Heated Tube

Humidification Mode.
Fixed mode applies a constant heat on the humidifier heater plate. Under certain conditions and settings, this mode can allow condensation to occur in the tube. Adaptive mode adapts the heater plate temperature to the ambient conditions in the room, and is designed to not allow condensation to occur in the tube.

Humidifier
This setting allows you to choose the desired humidity setting for the humidifier: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5.

Tube Temperature
This setting allows you to choose the desired temperature for the heated tube: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5.


Den

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[Wulfman...]

I found a video. Have reset humidity from 3 to 0.
Thanks again, Den.

OK. I didn't see you had posted that until after I posted my previous one.


Den

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[SBarrett]

Den, I'm grateful you're out there willing to help. As I write my messages I realize the time you and others give to helping people like me. I appreciate everyone who has responded. I hadn't slept through any night in at least 4 years without multiple trips to the B-R, and, of late, very little sleep. In contrast, with CPAP, four consecutive one-wakeup nights. I didn't know much about Sleep Apnea...had no idea that every two minutes breathing stopped (I did think insomnia was involved). Only when I mentioned to my doctor 7 trips out of bed in one six hour period did he suggest a sleep study. I've been a mouth breather/snorer f.o.r.e.ve.r. Picture gaping, open-mouthed carp. Forgive me. I have no idea where I was going with this. Except I was overwhelmed by what appeared to be the complexity of the system and care required...well, so far, I'm doing better than anticipated. Pleasantly surprised. Help from this forum and my compliance team have gotten me through, big time. Wouldn't be where I am otherwise.
I've edited and re-edited the daylights out of this, and it's that time. Good night. :-} My smilies don't work ( ). I made my own.