Congestion and buying a spare FF mask

[Dog Slobber]

I have been using APAP/CPAP for 3 weeks and it has been going relatively well, I'm using :

• ResMed Autosense 10 AutoSet for Her
  Airfit N20 Nasal mask

Which I've been happy with.

For the first two weeks during my titration period, my settings were:

• Mode: APAP (7-14 cm)
  Climate Control: Auto
  Tube Temp: 81

For the last week, my settings were changed to:

• Mode: CPAP (13 cm)
  Climate Control: Manual
  Humidity Level:6
  Tube Temp: 81

The sleep technician changed the Climate controls when I told her I had been experiencing nasal dryness and slight congestion, the first two weeks.

Last night the congestion became overwhelming, which I attribute to the onset of a cold, and not the CPAP machine, as I could feel the congesting starting to build up late afternoon and early evening.

I have read here that Full Face masks are preferable when heavily congested. What are your thoughts on buying a FF mask solely when heavy congested? I'm reluctant to pay the expense for a FF mash that I may only were couple of time when congested.

I took a hot steamy shower and a neti-pot. Any other tips for heavy nasal congestion?

[rcobourn]

I have been using APAP/CPAP for 3 weeks and it has been going relatively well, I'm using :

• ResMed Autosense 10 AutoSet for Her
  Airfit N20 Nasal mask

Which I've been happy with.

For the first two weeks during my titration period, my settings were:

• Mode: APAP (7-14 cm)
  Climate Control: Auto
  Tube Temp: 81

For the last week, my settings were changed to:

• Mode: CPAP (13 cm)
  Climate Control: Manual
  Humidity Level:6
  Tube Temp: 81

The sleep technician changed the Climate controls when I told her I had been experiencing nasal dryness and slight congestion, the first two weeks.

Last night the congestion became overwhelming, which I attribute to the onset of a cold, and not the CPAP machine, as I could feel the congesting starting to build up late afternoon and early evening.

I have read here that Full Face masks are preferable when heavily congested. What are your thoughts on buying a FF mask solely when heavy congested? I'm reluctant to pay the expense for a FF mash that I may only were couple of time when congested.

I took a hot steamy shower and a neti-pot. Any other tips for heavy nasal congestion?

Sitting up can help. I use some Afrin heavily cut with sterile saline solution when necessary.

[LSAT]

DS...I sent you a PM

[Julie]

I believe your 'cold' is probably the result of such a high humidifier setting... one that probably is rarely used except by those in e.g. Arizona. It would give a lot of people symptoms of a cold and I suggest you turn it right down, if not off. Don't let others set your machine options for you... learn to do them yourself and experiment - one at a time for a few nights each - til you find what works. And don't use Afrin - it rebounds very quickly and makes things worse.

[rcobourn]

You are right about the Afrin, although I have found that diluting it heavily works for me. Also, try the sterile saline spray on its own... sometimes that is all I need.

[Pugsy]

I have been on CPAP coming on 9 years in May.
Never owned a full face mask until 2 years ago when I finally found one I could sleep with. Other than the few nights I used it to make sure I could actually sleep with it I have never needed it.
Now I have had my share of upper respiratory infections during the past 8 plus years but I found that the humidified air actually would help my congestion when ill. I often would wake up with my nose clearer than when I went to bed.

Do the best you can for now if you are coming down with a cold. Treat the symptoms like you normally would treat the symptoms and you can decide later if you feel the need for a full face mask for the times when you have a bad cold or allergies or whatever.

It is perfectly acceptable to have a full face mask as a spare for those "what if I can't get my nose clear enough"...up to you as to how important it ends up being. Heck, you might be like me and end up finding that you do a lot better than you thought you would just using the nasal mask.

If you really want to have one and money is tight and insurance won't pay....check with me privately. I just got a shipment of donated masks yesterday and I haven't had time to sort through everything to see what I might have.
I might have something you can just have for the cost of postage.

[zonker]

I took a hot steamy shower and a neti-pot. Any other tips for heavy nasal congestion?

you might try flonase, an over the counter remedy. should be available at your local drugstore. it's not habit forming.

works for me, though truth to tell, i often give my nostrils a second shot half way through the night.

[Dog Slobber]

Do the best you can for now if you are coming down with a cold. Treat the symptoms like you normally would treat the symptoms and you can decide later if you feel the need for a full face mask for the times when you have a bad cold or allergies or whatever.

And don't use Afrin - it rebounds very quickly and makes things worse.

you might try flonase, an over the counter remedy. should be available at your local drugstore. it's not habit forming.

I have been terrified of addicting/rebound congestion medicines this is what I have:

Salinex - Nasal Saline spray
Ingredients - Sodium Chloride, polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol
I've used it a few times since starting CPAP

NeoCitran (Known as Theraflu in the US)
Have used a few times prior to going to sleep. Have used for years.

Flonase
Bought some two weeks ago, but haven't used it yet, because I've been concerned about side effects / rebound.

NyQuil
Bought some today, but haven't used yet. Once again conceded about side effect / rebound.

Vicks Vaporub
Bought some today, read on these forums to place some on cotton and place in front of air intake inlet. Will probably try tonight.

Neti-Pots with Saline Solution
Have been using fairly regularly since starting CPAP therapy. Prior perhaps one or twice a year.

I believe your 'cold' is probably the result of such a high humidifier setting... one that probably is rarely used except by those in e.g. Arizona.

My apologies, The sleep technician set it to 5 up from the default of 4. I set it up one more level to 6 last night.

[Pugsy]

The increase in the humidity setting may or may not be responsible for the cold symptoms you feel coming on.
Especially since the congestion and cold symptoms seemed to come on later this afternoon.

Here's the deal on the machine's cranking out humidity and the humidity itself sometimes causing nasal congestion.
Nasal mucosa are funny little bits of tissue and some nasal mucosa like a lot of moisture to keep them happy and some people have nasal mucosa that don't like added moisture.
When nasal mucosa get unhappy for any reason they all act the same way...from either too much moisture or not enough moisture...they swell up and give us the typical cold/allergy like symptoms that we all hate. They swell up, start to produce excess mucous, itch, etc.

We can of course simply have the bad luck to catch a cold. So if you have the other usual symptoms of a cold then maybe you just got some bad luck.
Did the change from the default humidity setting of 4 to 6 maybe cause the congestion? Maybe..maybe not.
Humidity needs are highly personal and each person needs whatever it takes to keep their nasal mucosa happy.

So if the setting of 4 seemed to feel a bit too dry...and if you don't feel like you are catching a real cold then maybe that setting of 6 is just a little too much humidity. Play with the humidity settings until you find something that works for you.
My nasal mucosa would be happiest if I simply snorted water. When I forget to top off the tank and it goes dry during the night my nasal mucosa give me a real rude reminder as to why I shouldn't do that. I use the setting of 6 myself and at times have considered moving it up even more but then I would use up all the water too soon. It barely lasts 7 hours as it is.
Ambient humidity will play a big part in what your nose is used to. My ambient humidity where I live...not dry at all...40 to 50% and I still need pretty much maximum humidity or my nasal mucosa give me fits.

[Dog Slobber]

removed to save space

[gabnina96]

I'm new to this forum- joined about 10 days ago or so.
I, Too, have nasal congestion and nasal allergies. FOr those reasons I switched from nasal pillow mask to FF mask.
I like my mask also- Paykel & "something"
FF mask allows me to breathe thru my mouth. In last 2 weeks since joining this forum I've learned that nasal congestion is BAD. I read the book Totally CPAP and the dr. who authored book has a WHOLE CHAPTER called "Stuffy Nose". He recommends:
Treating allergies
Nasal devices- like a plastic re-usable "splint" . Cant remember exact term author used!
Neti pot every evening b4 bed.

Also, i totally agree with another forum user about FLonase nasal spray- helping me alot to make it MUCH EASIER to breath thru my nose! It takes about 2 weeks of regular use to start feeling benefit- don't expect instant relief to nasal stuffiness. i use 2 nice squirts in ea nostril right before bed.
Good luck to you!!!- i am still trying to get my mild OHA under better control- my avg AHI is about 5.5.
My goal is to have that number be lower!!!!! and recently my pressure range was set to 9 to 15 (max)
I have dr appt later this mo and will take from there!

[gabnina96]

I recommend the book Totally CPAP by the way. Very informative!

[Hopeful50]

When I was brand new to CPAP and was using a nasal mask, I purchased a FFM for "just in case," because I normally get bad colds at least a couple times a year. The reality for me, is that even with my worst cold, I've been able to continue using the nasal mask - there's enough pressure to get past the congestion comfortably.

I have a cold right now, and yesterday evening was getting really frustrated with the dry mouth from only being able to mouth breathe all day. So I masked up, watched TV for an hour or two with my CPAP running, and felt much more comfortable.

Good luck!

P.S. I never have used that FFM, but it's still nice to have in reserve.

[dreamingofdreaming]

I have a back up full face mask and am just getting over a cold. During the worst of it, I tried my full face mask. This cold also had a lot of coughing with it, which caused me to have to pull the mask off with every cough. I ended up just using my nasal mask. I was able to lay on my side and at least breath through one side of my nose. The humidity and air blowing through helps.