When you are sick...

ElaineP · Post by **ElaineP** » Fri Jan 21, 2005 2:56 pm

I've read on here that it's good to have a full face mask for the times when you have a cold or nasal problems. When I picked up my CPap the RT said not to use it at all if you have a cold or sickness, because it can make it worse. I've been having some sinus and bronchitis problems the past couple of days and don't know whether to use the machine or not. Anybody know why it would make the cold worse?

wading thru the muck! · Post by **wading thru the muck!** » Fri Jan 21, 2005 3:37 pm

The RT really told you to not use your cpap if you have a cold? Anybody else ever heard this before?

jean19540_0 · Post by **jean19540_0** » Fri Jan 21, 2005 3:43 pm

hello elaine,
i cant see why it would effect anything, my technition said to me, if you get a cold & you can cope with wearing it,then do so. if you leave the mask off unnesserily ar'nt you putting yourself at unnessesary risk i would have thought so, personally. i think the best people to be talking to, are the people who have had cpap a good while, and have in that time, had a cold. they will be able to give you advise hope you cope ok jean...

chrisp · Post by **chrisp** » Fri Jan 21, 2005 3:54 pm

Elaine, I dont think the Rts theory holds water. Do you have a heated humidifier ?
Turn it up all the way if you can . Beware of rainout tho. A heated hose will fix that . Why would a Ff mask make it worse.. Probably because She doesn't sell them.LOL..I 'd try the Resmed FF mask. Dont waste your $$$ on a HC431. Its junk!
Hope ypu feel better soon. Colds are hell on cpap .

Cheers,

Chris

wading thru the muck! · Post by **wading thru the muck!** » Fri Jan 21, 2005 4:05 pm

Chris,

I think she (the RT) meant the cpap would make the cold worse.

Elaine, the untreated apnea could make you dead! I'd rather risk the cold.

Chris is right. Pumping all that humid air up your nose is great to relieve a cold.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Jan 21, 2005 4:43 pm

Hi wading, yes, he said to use it all the time, even when I nap, and gave the reason that you can get heart damage from sleep apnea, so it's important to use it - then proceeded to check my ankles for swelling, which unfortunately, they do swell. But.... he did say don't use it if I am sick, because it can make the sickness worse, but I don't remember if he said how or why it could. I have sleep apnea, hence a poor memory. lol

Thanks jean, I think you are right, those with experience know more about this kind of thing than those that have none, no matter what kind of letters they have behind their names. I did use it until I found it difficult to breathe through my nose, then took it off. I have allergies and chronic bronchitis, so this is something I'm probably going to have to deal with often.

Hi Chris, I do have a humidifier, but, shame on me I haven't used it yet. I have to find a place to set it up that's low enough, because the RT said to make sure it's lower than the bed so I don't drown myself. So I've been kind of afraid to use it. lol

jean19540_0 · Post by **jean19540_0** » Fri Jan 21, 2005 5:10 pm

CHRISP, I PERSONALY DISAGREE. I HAVE THE FISHER & PAYKEL FLEXIFIT HC431 FULL FACE MASK AND ITS SO VERY COMFORTABLE, YOU FORGET YOU'VE GOT IT ON I DID HAVE A PROBLEM WITH A BLOODY NOSE, BUT THE TECHNITION CHANGED THE INNER MASK SIZE AND NOW, ITS FINE SO I DONT THINK YOU CAN SAY A PARTICULAR MASK IS RUBBISH, IT UP TO EACH INDIVIDUAL, WHATS BEST FOR THEM HOPE YOU FIND YOUR ANSWERS ELAINE JEAN

jean19540_0 · Post by **jean19540_0** » Fri Jan 21, 2005 5:15 pm

so sorry all of you, dont mean to shout. i forgot you dont like capitals jean

Janelle · Post by **Janelle** » Fri Jan 21, 2005 5:47 pm

I had a cold about 2 weeks into CPAP therapy. It never even occured to me not to use it. I did have a bit more nasal congestion than usual, but I took cold meds through the first 4 days of the cold, used my regular nighttime nasal spray and I think the CPAP actually helped the cold symptoms.

Think of it. One of the major reasons you can't sleep during a cold (besides aching, etc.) is a stuffy nose. The CPAP helps to open that up and you can breathe easier, therefore you get better sleep and better rest to help you get over it quicker.

Regarding the humidifier. I don't know how many of you used to have your Mom put a humidifier in the room by your bed when you were sick. Humidty helps the nasal membranes, helps loosen congestion in the bronchial tubes and lungs.

Sounds good to me!

chrisp · Post by **chrisp** » Fri Jan 21, 2005 6:02 pm

Sorry , I should say the HC431 is junk because:
Its Very loud
The forehead brace isnt adjustable
The swivil at the elbow is very stiff and squeeks when it moves
The seal falls off easily
It acts as a speaker amplifying any noise that comes in the hose
The forehead brace is very narrow
The air blows directly into your mouth
If were to list how to make a crapy mask I'd show a picture of a HC431

Try a Resmed Full Face mask. You will throw that 431 away.

Cheers,

Chris.

firemarshal · Post by **firemarshal** » Fri Jan 21, 2005 11:09 pm

I do not have any personal experience with a cpap or humidifier but the sleep tech at my sleep study also has apnea and he said that he has not had any problems with allergies or colds since he started treatment with a humidifier. And the area that I live in is cold and flu central.

Peter · Post by **Peter** » Sun Jan 23, 2005 8:47 pm

IS it possible he meant not to use the nasal mask if you have a cold, and use the full face mask instead?

Peter

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Jan 23, 2005 9:41 pm

not sure about having a cold. but, don't us it if you have the intestinal flu. guest where all the air blowing into you ends up? yeah, in your stomach. you don't want to put more air into your stomach when you have the intestinal flu.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Jan 23, 2005 10:33 pm

No, I'm pretty sure he meant don't use it at all if you have a cold or flu, if I remember correctly, with fever and such. I think he said it could cause worse symptoms and maybe pneumonia. I can't remember exactly why he said don't use it. My daughter was with me and I asked her if she remembered what he said, and he did say not to use the machine if you are sick.

ElaineP · Post by **ElaineP** » Sun Jan 23, 2005 10:35 pm

I don't see anywhere to edit my post, but I just wanted to say I wish I could remember things like I used to. I hope using the cpap helps in that regard.

When you are sick...

When you are sick...

give it a go!

HC431!

CAPITALS!