My grandmas nose starts running the minute the mask goes on.

My wife's grandmother just got a Cpap and says that she can't use it because her nose constantly drips once she puts the mask on. She says she's tried adjusting the humidity but that doesn't seem to help. She is just really frustrated with the whole Cpap thing and it doesn't seem like her doctors are really trying to help her with her problem. She is scheduled to return the Cpap on Monday because of this issue. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated so she doesn't end up returning it and never using Cpap again. Thanks so much.

Is the machine sitting below her head or above it (water can't run uphill)?

I've had a similar situation occasionally, so I just remove the mask - when lying down - and use a Kleenex, then replace the mask and go to sleep. Lying down even without the mask seems to set things off, but once 'fixed' it seems to be ok.

prefer2breathe wrote:My wife's grandmother just got a Cpap and says that she can't use it because her nose constantly drips once she puts the mask on.

Yes. I can understand because occasional drippy nose is one of my issues too. Controlling rain-out in the hose and mask has helped a lot. Does she have a heated hose? If you look at the FAQ Pugsy has written some best practices for rain-out. I like high humidity because my sinus and nasal passage benefit the entire day ... doesn't get dried out. I'm always adjusting to get the most humidity with least moisture collection near my nose and face.

Egads, my nose starts dripping as soon as I take the mask off and continues to drip all day. Annoying!. But I have been on cpap for years and I'm not quitting over a drippy nose.

@P2B: You might have her try it with the humidifier completely off, just to see if it makes a difference.
Also make sure all parts are clean and aired out, because residual scents from manufacturing may irritate.
Mask choice may be an issue, for you and the other 80-year-old-grandma.
@"80 yr old grandma": When I wear nasal pillows, I have to use Kleenex right away, and may sneeze once or twice during the day;
My Wisp nasal cushion mask does not do it.

prefer2breathe wrote:My wife's grandmother just got a Cpap and says that she can't use it because her nose constantly drips once she puts the mask on. She says she's tried adjusting the humidity but that doesn't seem to help. She is just really frustrated with the whole Cpap thing and it doesn't seem like her doctors are really trying to help her with her problem. She is scheduled to return the Cpap on Monday because of this issue. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated so she doesn't end up returning it and never using Cpap again. Thanks so much.

Perhaps you can suggest that she spend some quality time with the machine during the day learning to match the normal levels of breathing she uses while at rest and in bed without the machine.

Part of it should be in bed, learning to relax, checking out mask fit and hose management in all the usual positions.

Part of it should be with light distraction such as music, a book, or possibly light TV.

You need to develop new breathing reflexes with CPAP as it has pressure and so tends to make you breath more.

While learning to eucapnically breath I have noted that the first thing that happens (the first thing I notice) when I am over breathing is a stuffy nose. So now I enjoy the smells of the flowers in the spring and summer rather than racing to the pharmacy for "allergy meds".

prefer2breathe wrote:My wife's grandmother just got a Cpap and says that she can't use it because her nose constantly drips once she puts the mask on. She says she's tried adjusting the humidity but that doesn't seem to help. She is just really frustrated with the whole Cpap thing and it doesn't seem like her doctors are really trying to help her with her problem. She is scheduled to return the Cpap on Monday because of this issue. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated so she doesn't end up returning it and never using Cpap again. Thanks so much.

We really know nothing about gramma cept her nose drips.

How long has she been on cpap?
How bout make/model of the machine?
Where is the machine located/positioned? On the floor?
Does she have known allergies?
Getting into machine & humidifier settings might be helpful also.