Chest cold and new to CPAP

otiose · Post by **otiose** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 4:36 pm

I need some advice please.

I just got my cpap today. I also just got a bad chest cold yesterday.

I sure would like to get started with treatment right away but I'm thinking I may as well wait out the cold.

Any opinions?

Thanks

6PtStar · Post by **6PtStar** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 4:58 pm

Most of us keep a Full Face Mask in storage for times like this. I for one have gotten so used to being able to breathe if I try to sleep without it I wake myself up gasping for air in about 15 minutes or less. I guess being able to breathe is habit forming.

Since you are just starting you might be able to get away with it!

Jerry

otiose · Post by **otiose** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 5:31 pm

Thanks Jerry.

I like the spare mask idea.

I'll wait the cold out for now. One less variable to worry about.

Fredman · Post by **Fredman** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 8:48 pm

The funny thing about sleep apnea...you can have poor sleep, headaches, it also raises blood pressure, diabetes and host of other things are implicated to be worsen by sleep apnea...but people in the worse case scenario can and do die.

Why don't you ask your doc or Respiratory Tech if they think you should wait. Obviously your sleep studies indicated that you require a machine to help you breathe. If you go without glasses for a day or two not much negative medical effect may occur. But the longer you deprive yourself of air, the more damage is being done to your body.

Like 6PtStar said, "being able to breathe is habit forming".

otiose · Post by **otiose** » Sun Apr 06, 2008 8:55 am

Hi Fredman,

I did end up using it last night after all.

It actually helped with the congestion and the warm humid air felt great.

I don't remember getting much sleep but I feel much more alert today than I have in a long time.

Fredman · Post by **Fredman** » Sun Apr 06, 2008 9:26 am

Great Otiose, good to hear!

You will get more comfortable with the system over time. Some nights your mask may drive you crazy and others you will hardly notice that you are connected!

Eventually you come to a place where you forget what it felt like to wake up without CPAP...until for some reason you are forced to do without it. Instant feedback...all the symptoms you had will be present.

The interest that people here have in their therapy is because they have come to appreciate the positive outcomes of using their machines and also by sharing information perhaps lessen some of the issues we all face and to help each other achieve good results and compliance.

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