futoncouchsofa wrote: ↑Mon Jan 19, 2026 6:18 pm
Good to hear I have some company in my misery! I am seriously contemplating maxillary expansion for my nasal issues but that’s down the line.
Do you sleep in any kind of incline?
I’m thinking if I can get in a good incline, on my back, with cervical collar to keep it all in place, I might be able to get a decent night. Trying to decide if I should stick with the X30i or go back to P30i with mouth tape.
I'm aboard the congestion boat also. I have chronic allergies, a deviated septum, and narrowed nasal passages that can swell shut at any time. I use an FF mask. I used a nasal mask once for an hour or so during a sleep study 18 years ago. I use the FF due to mouth breathing, not mouth leaking.
What helps me:
1. A nasal rinse and flush is good for a few hours.
2. Azelastine spray and flush are good for a few hours.
3. Flonase spray helps during peak airborne allergen times.
4. Afrin-like sprays are a last resort when no air will pass through the nose, and 1 - 3 are ineffective.
5. Sleeping on an incline. Sleeping with the head of the bed elevated helps keep nasal passages open and acid reflux down (literally down)
6. Hypoallergenic CPAP filters
7. low humidity I don't use the machine's humidifier unless I get nose bleeds, which happen somewhere below 40%RF
8. CPAP pressure. I clear the nose and sinuses by rinse/sprays/and an action that was depicted by the young artist teaching the young lady how to spit, then don my headgear. My base therapy pressure is 13. This compresses the nasal tissues, keeping the nose open and clear until I remove the mask. It does not work during times of severe nasal congestion and swelling.
9. Change sleeping position. Lying on my right side causes that side of the nose to swell shut at times. An article claims this is blood pooling in the sinuses. It does not happen on the left side or on my back.
10. During times of severe congestion, I take 1-2 doses of Benedryl, which helps keep air flowing for up to 12 hours.
What did not work for me:
1. A cervical collar changed nothing except to create irritation
2. Chin strap. I must mouth breathe at times during sleep, so my mouth opens regardless of a chinstrap
3. Taping. Even with very adhesive, strong tape, my jaw will manage to pull from the tape so I can mouth breathe when needed
4. Keeping off my back training. None of the 3 gadgets I used keeps me from rolling to my back. On my back is when the mouthbreathing starts, and the reason I have severe apnea.
5. Over-the-nose strips and nostril inserts hold the nose open but interfere with the mask and are too irritating.
PAP keeps my nose clear except for the right side when right side sleeping. As soon as the mask comes off, here comes the congestion. Some suggest the pressure holds back tissues from swelling ( that doesn't work while on my right side for the right side of the nose.) I wonder if it is due to breathing through a hypoallergenic filter that keeps the usual airborne particulates I breathe from my airway. But the nose must be clear first. PAP does not clear my nose; it keeps it clear as long as I'm on my left side or back.
I started nasal rinsing recently, and that is helping, but I have to do it so much and for so long that I doubt if I will keep it up. I have considered a machine that claims to do it by pumping water up one nostril and out the other, but again, the hassle factor is high.
Do you get congestion just from the therapy, or is it relieved when sleeping without therapy?
Some need a very high humidity to prevent congestion. (humidity makes mine worse)
Sleeping on an incline may help.
I've spent 74 years with nasal clogging allergies that can make me very ill (sinus infection, bronchitis, pneumonia) if I don't keep them at bay.
I hope you get some relief soon.
