Rookie question

Just got my APAP and ComfortCurve.
I Googled several equipment supplier sites, and decided to go with cpap.com. I'm not using a DME. Cpap.com linked me up with you, and I have spent a bit of the last month lurking and learning from you. Thank you all very much!
Last night I sat after dinner adjusting the ComfortCurve and got a good seal!
But I did not take the equipment to bed because I have a cold and my sinuses wouldn't let me breathe much through my nose for very long.
My question is.....What do you do in the event of a cold?...Do you have a backup full face mask to use?....Do you forget about therapy during sinus trouble times?....Do you have another solution?
I would appreciate any advice you have.
HP

I have a full face mask i use as back up. I crank up the humidity and suprisingly I find myself breathing through my nose. My therapist originally suggested I use a nasal decongestant and a sinus wash if I found myself clogged up.

I am on week three of a cold. The 1st 2 1/2 weeks was with a stuffy nose. In August my doc suggested I have Afrin on hand for when my hayfever made me stuffy. (I use a Swift mask) I didn't need the stuff for hayfever but when I got the cold I used it right before bed. Cleared me up enough to fall a sleep and I believe the air blowing up my nose keep me clear. Unfortunately I didn't read the package directions about using it only for a few days. But I did sleep very well despite feeling miserable from the cold. I had to see my sleep doc last Thursday and told him what I was doing. He about had a fit. Said I could do a lot of damage by using it for long periods of time. He gave me a script for Flonase and said it would take a day or two to work. In the mean time I then sucked on a cough drop to temporarily clear up and took Niquill and fell asleep in 5 minutes. Did that for a couple of nights while using the Flonase during the day. Used the Flonase for 3 days and all my stuffiness is gone. Now I have a hacking cough but the Niquill makes it easy to fall asleep and I can cough with my mask without too much problems. Having a horrible cold is a hosehead's worse nightmare. Thing is I haven't had a cold in many years, go figure. Check with your doctor about the Flonase it supposedly works well with sinus problems too.

Hmmmm, don't know why I wasn't signed in for the above post

My question is.....What do you do in the event of a cold?...Do you have a backup full face mask to use?....Do you forget about therapy during sinus trouble times?

A full face mask to use during congested times is an excellent idea. I usually use a nasal pillows interface, but on the rare occasion that I have a bad cold, I use my ResMed Ultra Mirage FF mask. Then I can breathe through my mouth and still get treatment. I definitely would not stop cpap treatment while fighting a cold. A FF mask in your stash makes it a whole lot easier.

Most people need heated humidification when using a FF mask and mouth breathing. If the heated humidifier has to be turned up higher than usual and you start getting "rainout", the Aussie heated hose from http://www.sleepzone.com.au is the best answer to stop condensation (rainout) problems.

I've had a cold and was having trouble sleeping. I've been putting a little Vicks Vapor rub around my nose before I put my mask on at night!!! Probably not good for my mask, but I'm breathing alot easier and sleeping well!!!!
Carolyn

Same here with the preparations - my "when I get a cold" preparedness kit includes a FF mask, Afrin, and extra distilled water to crank up the humidifier. Also lots of wishing and hoping that I never get the experience! I've used a Vick's inhaler in the past to clear a stuffy nose and that works well but doesn't last through the night. I'm also a believer in zinc gluconate tablets such as Cold-Eeze, but you have to start at the first symptoms. It might knock a day off the duration. Just an opinion, of course. YMMV

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