Yucky head cold..help

I'm 5 weeks into my Cpap therapy, alternating 3 different masks till I find the right one. For the past 4 nights I have been using the Swift FX, with not a whole lot of success. Now I have developed a nasty head cold, my nose is totally blocked. I am sneezing a lot too. I'm not sure saline mist is gonna cut it tonight, would an antihistamine affect my readings, I guess I'll try my ff mask tonight, but I feel like I'm going to suffocate. What do you do when you are really congested?

trytryagain wrote:I'm 5 weeks into my Cpap therapy, alternating 3 different masks till I find the right one. For the past 4 nights I have been using the Swift FX, with not a whole lot of success. Now I have developed a nasty head cold, my nose is totally blocked. I am sneezing a lot too. I'm not sure saline mist is gonna cut it tonight, would an antihistamine affect my readings, I guess I'll try my ff mask tonight, but I feel like I'm going to suffocate. What do you do when you are really congested?

Hi,

I have been sick twice since starting on CPAP. The first time was about 6 days. I limped through with a full face mask. I don't get along well with any of the full face masks that I have tried, so I didn't have one handy when I got sick in July. This was the worst head cold that I remember having. It went on for 3 weeks, and I still felt weak for another 3 weeks. Since I will not attempt to sleep w/o the machine, I used a nasal mask, and slept for 2 to 3 hours at a time. I ended up like a zombie after a few days of that. I plan to try a few more full face masks so I have a viable option in case this happens again.

-john-

Neti pot and full face mask. I also use a lift pillow to raise my head. Laying flat makes it worse for me. Sometimes the humidifier helps too. Hope you get well soon.

trytryagain wrote:...What do you do when you are really congested?

Nasal irrigation, then Nasonex, wait 15-30 mins...if still congested, 1 spray Afrin in each nostril (on day 2, pick a nostril 1 spray; day 3 same nostril 1 spray, day 4 switch nostrils 1 spray, day 5 same nostil 1 spray...day 6 no more Afrin for a wk). Turn humidifier up to midway. Drink lots of steaming liquids. Use saline spray at least every hr, several sprays to loosen gunk.

I expect this to be a problem at some point during the approaching winter. Since I have only one mask, actually nasal pillows, I am thinking that I should get a full face mask to be prepared for when I need it. My face type is round. Any recommendations for a full face mask to be used while sick?

Breathe Jimbo wrote:...Any recommendations for a full face mask to be used while sick?

Try the RespCare Hybrid, it comes with 3 sizes of oral cushion & three sizes of pillows that can be adjusted to 2 heights.

good thread -- i needed this info before it happens -- i'll print it out and p ut in cpap binder for when i need it. thanks muse for the info on afrin and how much. I use a Quattro and while still a newbie, I am getting used to it -- and I do have a very round round ROUND face. I find with the strap adjustments along with the dial on the forehead piece I can get it comfy. The trick for me is to not let it be too low on the bridge of the nose. If I get the mask UP there, where the bottom of mask is just barely below my lower lip, it's pretty comfy.....like breathing in a small room. haha -- and i'm saying that and i'm claustropobic -- it's amazing what you can used to in 9 days when you believe you are saving your life!

Sounds verrrry familiar..just got over my cold. I wore my quattro mask and added a calm essential oil to my clear purr-sleep wafer and it helped to keep my nose clearer. I switch up my purr-sleep oils frequently depending on how I'm feeling.
The calm is pepperminty and the clear has eucalyptus, so both together did the trick for me.
Nan