new to CPAP and congested

[mercedes]

I'm new to CPAP and I have become extremely congested. Is this common? What causes it and what can I do?

[Dan01]

I was also and turned off the heat on the humidifier.

[IWannaSleep]

Typically the extreme congestion is caused by "Lack of Humidity". When I first started i was extremely congested also. After my first night i coughed and sneezed for 2 straight days, and could hardly breathe. The solution was to buy a machine with heated humidifier. It worked like a charm. Now the only time I am congested is if my heat gets turned off to my humidifier by user error in the night

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[JimH]

The heated humidifier helped me. I am always stuffy though. I have a deviated septum.

[littlebaddow]

Hi mercedes
This does seem to be a common problem and I certainly struggled with congestion during my first few weeks with CPAP.
Two things helped me:
1) the doc gave me a nasal spray to use, which i foundhelped. It was called nasonex, but as I'm in the UK I don;'t know whether it's the same name over there, or whether you can buy it over the counter.
2) The biggest improvement came when I started using a heated humidifier.

If all else fails, a full face mask (ie one that covers the nose and mouth, not the whole face) is an option. Whilst more prone to leaks, they do allow mouth breathers to get treatment!
Good luck

[rpalmer]

I had the same experience when I 1st started with CPAP & like others, a heated humidifier made a big difference.

My Dr. also suggested an over the counter nasal spray: Afrin, which helps some & he has also prescribed Zyrtec-D. Zyrtec is an antihistamine used for allergy relief. Zyrtec-D includes a decongestant specifically for treatment of nasal allergies.

Even with those though, some time during the night I often still feel like I'm suffocating & can't breathe through my nose. I've recently changed from a nasal mask to a full face mask & that seems to help, too, but littlebaddow is right, they're sure more prone to leaks.

I don't even know what a deviated septum is, but maybe I have one, if I still can't breathe through my nose after all the above. Maybe Jim H can educate me.

[IWannaSleep]

....I don't even know what a deviated septum is, but maybe I have one, if I still can't breathe through my nose after all the above. Maybe Jim H can educate me.

A deviated septum is just the cartilage that makes the divided area between your 2 nostrils. If it's deviated that means it's shifted to one side. Here is a link that explains it further:
http://www.entnet.org/healthinfo/sinus/ ... septum.cfm

I also have a deviated septum but I don't think it really has much affect on this issue in my case, even though I do fight congestion.

Also note that turning off the heat on your humidifier would be more likely to make your congestion worse, not better.

ron

[Dude]

I found my nasal congestion gets worse as the humidity increases.

[rested gal]

Dude, I've read of that happening to some people, too, if you're talking about more heated humidification.

While some find that increasing the heated humidified air helps clear up their congestion, others find there's a point at which more actually causes more swelling/congestion. I suppose it's a trial and error matter with each individual as to how much heated humidification helps - or starts going the other way.

I use heated humidification on the low heat side most of the time.

However, if I have a cold and absolutely can't breathe easily through my nose, I just use my ResMed Ultra Mirage FF mask so I can breathe through my mouth while I sleep. I do raise the temperature of my heated humidifier then, simply because breathing through the mouth is very drying, even with a FF mask.

Possibly the Aussie heated hose I have is why I get plenty of humidification (without rainout) at whatever setting I need to use.

[unclebob]

For me the issue is "am I breathing freely or not". The xPAP unit does not correct the "not". When I am breathing freely I adjust the HH (heated humidifier) to my comfort level - usually low setting.

When I am really congested I feel like "take the damn mask off" - I have the Activa nasal only and am not a mouth breather.

I have always been somewhat to severe congested for any number of reasons. Since I got my xPAP in January I felt I was not getting full benefit from it. Congested during the day and battled the unfamiliar mask at night.

Previous threads on this forum regarding nasal congestion urged me to do something. I have started using Flonase and it has made a significant difference for the better in my case. Other posters have indicated pro and con on this medication and others have suggested alternative products.

My advice is - if you are congested and it seems to be continuous xPAP is not the cure all. Proper humidification will help dryness but for downright congestion you should seek other remidies. OTC nasal sprays are only short term solutions and will help if your condition is short term. Otherwise consult your doctor and look for a longer term fix.

So far, Flonase is working for me and I have never breathed better.

Breathing should be fun, find out how and let us know.

Bob F

[JimH]

They say a deviated septum makes you more conjested. In my case, there is always one side of my nose that is conjested. It shifts frequently during the day.

My nose and cartilage was real swollen and I sneezed uncontrollably for the first 3 months on the machine. then I stopped using the CPAP. 3 weeks later, I went to an ENT (my CPAP doctor is a pulmonologist) and he gave me nasocort to take and told me to breath in steam through my nose before bedtime to prep my nose. Did that for awhile and wondered why the heated humidifier wasn't doing the same. The water would barely budge during he night. I would stop the machine for a couple of days, the sneezing would stop ( oh and the damn runny nose-- I couldn't complete a simple task without having to stop to wipe my nose several times).

Finally, I read somewhere on here about people changing the heat levels of the humidifier and the 25 watt bulb I got in my head shined dimly. What is mine set at after all?? The machine came pre-set and I got no instruction on how to use. So I fooled around with it and discovered my humidifier was set on 1. I was so ticked off about that and the fact that neither doctor thought to have me check it. Well, I set the level to 4 and I have been in virtual wonderland since. I sneeze only occasionally. Usually at night shortly before bed. I still spray the nose but that is it. Now I got my chinstrap and my dry mouth has gotten soooo much better.

I am glad this sight is here and you all are so knowledgable in this. I have gotten good tips here.

Try sticking your head over a sinkful of hot water before putting the mask on. It helps to prep the nose. and check your settings

[Guest]

A deviated septum is just the cartilage that makes the divided area between your 2 nostrils. If it's deviated that means it's shifted to one side. Here is a link that explains it further:
http://www.entnet.org/healthinfo/sinus/ ... septum.cfm

Thanks, Ron -

I checked out that link & it was very informative. That's why this forum is so valuable for all us laypeople out here trying to make sense of it all.

I can't believe I'd have gone all through life with a deviated septum & it was never diagnosed, but I am going to have my PCP look up my nose next time I see him. In the meantime, I'll just have to keep sucking up Afrin.

Thanks again.

Rol
___________________________________________________________________

“The best cure for insomnia is to get a lot of sleep.”
— William Claude Dunkenfield
(W. C. Fields) 1880 – 1946

[rpalmer]

Sorry, Ron. That last "guest" post was from me. Obviously forgot to log in. Thanks again.

Rol
____________________________________________________________________

I don't feel old. I don't feel anything until noon. Then it's time for my nap.
— Bob Hope

[lindas88]

rested gal...Every year when I get a cold it always goes into my sinuses and then I get a sinus infection which is so hard to heal ...I end up being really sick for about two weeks when this happens. Do you think that the heated humidifier I use might possibly help this? I am hoping. What do you think?