stuffy nose

I've had my cpap about a month and still am not getting much use out of it. I have allergies and my nose is stuffy most of the time. I take antihistamines, decongestants, asthma meds, and allergy shots. Even though my mask is a soft gel it is still painful across the sinus area. I feel like I am suffociating when I have the mask on. I usually wake up in 2 - 3 hours and discover that I have removed the mask during my sleep. What can I do to improve this?

Susan,
When you use your antihistamines/decongestants, are you able to breath through your nose? If so, my suggestion would be to try a nasal pillow interface, such as either the Swift, Breeze or Aura, where nothing at all rests on your sinuses. Also, are you using a heated humidifier, if you can't breathe? Some folks swear that helps open up their sinuses. But I realize the problem you're writing about is pain.
In the meanwhile, buy some Dr. Scholl's mole skin and cut a small piece to wear under the area that is getting irritated at night. It helps pad the area and won't/shouldn't cause your mask to leak at that spot. It saved me when I was using the Activa (same problem) and didn't cause leaks. As a matter of fact, I used to use it to stop some leaks by placing it under where the mask goes over the "smile lines" to fill in the gaps.
Please do yourself a favor and use your mask. Taking it off won't help your condition and your health is too valuable not to be compliant. Sounds to me as if you just have a common case of the wrong mask or the wrong adjustments on it.
Good luck.

Susan, Lori's advice is excellent. I do think that you should try a different mask. If you cannot spend some time testing a mask at your DME look for another DME. Take your pillow and machine with you. Lay down and spend several minutes tossing, turning, and getting up to see how each masks feels and works. I would also be sure that the headgear does not touch your sensitive areas of your face and head. If you sleep on your side I would try the Aura or Breeze. Be aware that the Breeze has two different interfaces. If the pillows irritate your nares, try the dreamseal. I had some problems with the nasal pillows at the high pressure that I sometimes need, but the comfort of the Breeze headgear was great. I have a dreamseal on order now. After you get the mask problem solved you can see if a humidifier is also needed.

I'm a big fan of NasalCrom, the over the counter mast cell stabilizer nasal spray. It has to be used several times/day for a week or so before it kicks in, but it keeps my nose unstuffed.

Probably not the whole answer for you, but it might be a useful extra boost.

You might also want to consider one of the low dose prescription steroid nasal sprays: They take a few days to be fully effective, and supposedly the amount of steroid is so tiny that they are safe to use long-term.