why do I sneeze repeatedly all day long?

BrewSwain · Post by **BrewSwain** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 10:29 am

Last nite, I woke repeatedly with my mouth open and the remstar auto running wide open. Today (and many days,) I sneeze rapidly and repeatedly all day long. Does anyone else have sneezing problems? Can anyone suggest the solution?

Linda3032 · Post by **Linda3032** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 10:52 am

Mouth breathing and sneezing - obviously you are getting really dried out. You need to stop the mouth breathing by trying "mouth-taping, chin strap, or full face mask".

Assuming you use a heated humidifier, you might try turning it up a bit. I know it's been really cold and dry down there in Shreveport (I'm 150 north of you).

If the sneezing continues, you probably should see your doctor - you might have a sinus infection.

Good luck.

Ric · Post by **Ric** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 10:53 am

The Remstar running wide open is easy to explain, it is trying to compensate for a major leak (your mouth), and it will zoom up to the highest pressure you have allowed and stay there until the leak goes away. Another good reason to NOT set the upper limit to the MAX (usually 20). Solution: close the mouth, and hit the "RAMP" button which has the effect of starting back at the minimum pressure right away.

The sneezing, I've never had it quite so bad, but I do have allergies and some times during the year (now , for example) they make me sneeze a LOT. I have found that a nasopharyngeal rinse will stop it cold in its tracks. I use normal saline, or just slightly hypertonic, and a Water-Pik® attachment made specifically for that purpose. One can pump a whole litre of solution in about a minute or two. Some people that post on here do the same every night! No need do go to that expense, a simple bulb made for that purpose will do the same for about a $2. And the saline can be homemade for nearly free. (2 tsp salt, per litre or quart of wawa. That's LITTLE TEE.) Some people argue (for days) that you should add baking soda, and/or use/don't use iodized salt. IMHO it doesn't make any difference. The bulbs can be found in the infant section at a grocery or drug store.

Better yet, see your doctor or allergist, maybe you should be dealing with the allergy problem, not the symptoms. Not all sneezing is due to allergies, any irritant can start that, including a sinus infection. I suppose using your nose as a wind-tunnel for who-knows-how-long could also have that effect.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 12:41 pm

Thank you. I am stopped up and have a headache today. I am positive this is caused by the cpap machine and not allergies. Sinus? I was OK yesterday. I am positive its my machine---It must not be doing something right.

BrewSwain · Post by **BrewSwain** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 12:57 pm

oops, that post is me

Julie · Post by **Julie** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 9:32 am

Hi, you are shortchanging yourself! It may seem like the CPAP is causing your daily sneezing, but it's really unlikely, and you're not an MD. Why suffer all day when a quick visit to your MD could clear it up? BTW, apart from seasonal allergies (pollen related, etc.) have you got a new kitten, dog, etc.? What has changed in your environment that might cause sneezing? A new carpet? There are literally 1,000's of things that could acct. for an allergy, and they can start up at any time in your life. Even if the CPAP triggered something, it might be something you can control and still use the CPAP.

krousseau · Post by **krousseau** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 10:04 am

As already said there are lots of reasons for sneezes. While on CPAP you are breathing filtered air but allergies are not the only cause; dryness, vasomotor ++++. Vasomotor won't respond to the usual treatments-OTC or many RX's. See an ENT and get it diagnosed if it has been going on for awhile and not getting better. ENT because your problems are already complicated by being on CPAP.[/list]

tbad · Post by **tbad** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 11:43 am

i also have this problem... i use a nose mask and everytime i sleep with the machine i sneeze the entire next day... when i use the full face mask (i have yet to try one that won't leak or leave any marks on the bridge of my nose... i'm italian, so say no more ' bout the nose!) i don't sneeze. i resorted to sleeping with the nose mask one night, sneezing the following day then sleeping ( if ya wanna call it that) without using the machine for a couple nights... then repeating... IT'S DRIVING ME CRAZY... I WANNA SLEEP EVERYNIGHT

tbad · Post by **tbad** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 11:45 am

i also have this problem... i use a nose mask and everytime i sleep with the machine i sneeze the entire next day... when i use the full face mask (i have yet to try one that won't leak or leave any marks on the bridge of my nose... i'm italian, so say no more ' bout the nose!) i don't sneeze. i resorted to sleeping with the nose mask one night, sneezing the following day then sleeping ( if ya wanna call it that) without using the machine for a couple nights... then repeating... IT'S DRIVING ME CRAZY... I WANNA SLEEP EVERYNIGHT

tbad · Post by **tbad** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 11:46 am

i also have this problem... i use a nose mask and everytime i sleep with the machine i sneeze the entire next day... when i use the full face mask (i have yet to try one that won't leak or leave any marks on the bridge of my nose... i'm italian, so say no more ' bout the nose!) i don't sneeze. i resorted to sleeping with the nose mask one night, sneezing the following day then sleeping ( if ya wanna call it that) without using the machine for a couple nights... then repeating... IT'S DRIVING ME CRAZY... I WANNA SLEEP EVERYNIGHT

WAFlowers · Post by **WAFlowers** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 3:48 pm

tbad,
possibly your mouth is dropping open in the night. This would allow air to rush through your nose and out your mouth. The side-effect of this would be to dry your nasal passages, causing them to be tender and easily irritated. If I'm right, I'm not suprised that you are sneezing, and not surprised that a full-face mask eliminates the problem.

BrewSwain · Post by **BrewSwain** » Thu Mar 02, 2006 8:40 pm

I'm sorry its taken me so long to read your responses. I appreciate the info. My problem is not allergys or sinus. Its caused by the cpap machine. I am getting a leak which causes my nose to run and it wakes me up. Some nights I wake up frequently. Some nites my mouth falls open. I cant stand to sleep on my back but when I do, no leaks, no open mouth, no sneezing the next day! I have tried the chin strap and air leaks out of my mouth anyway.

krousseau · Post by **krousseau** » Sat Mar 04, 2006 9:56 am

There are treatments for non allergic rhinitis even if it is caused by/triggered by CPAP. A runny nose on CPAP would not be fun. You may need a full face mask. Don't know what chin strap you have but it does need to be made of a "fabric" similar to mask harnesses. It looks like fabric covered neoprene-but whatever it is is more breathable. Most of the ones I looked at were really flimsy things- until I found the Tiara series of chinstraps.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Mar 12, 2006 7:21 pm

[quote="BrewSwain"]Last nite, I woke repeatedly with my mouth open and the remstar auto running wide open. Today (and many days,) I sneeze rapidly and repeatedly all day long. Does anyone else have sneezing problems? Can anyone suggest the solution?

roztom · Post by **roztom** » Sun Mar 12, 2006 7:44 pm

Hey Sneezoids:

MY nose had an armed rebellion when I went on xPAP.

For me it was on the Swift mask which is a nasal pillow.

About 30 min after I took the mask off I went into a sneezing rage AND was draining clear liquid all day. I was a mess.

MY nose was SOOO sore and tender from the pressure. I was at 9 cm - mid range for most - definitely not the high end.

COnsider you've got pressure being forced up your nose. Your bodies response is to blow it out. Also your sinuses are sensitive to the cold air being forced past them.

You need, IMHO, to take care of those sinuses until they adjust.

IT's been a month for me and I am using AYR Gel during the day AND putting it on before Hose time. It is making a difference.

How long have you been at this?

What pressure are you at? Higher is tougher to adjust to, can take longer?

What about mask or mouth leaks? - you must address those.

Humidifier - use it but it is not a cure-all.

There are many angles to getting this therapy adjusted to yourself. Other than the pressure, the machine is not causing your sneezing - you need to help your Nose adjust to the changes.

Good Luck,

Tom

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): humidifier, hose, nasal pillow, swift

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): humidifier, hose, nasal pillow, swift

why do I sneeze repeatedly all day long?