Major head cold

I've come down with a major head cold just 2 weeks into my first cpap. I suppose my DME will start sending messages to me about my lack of use. My nose is so stuffed up, I'd suffocate trying to breath through my nose. Vitamin C, Vitamin C, and more Vitamin C. I'm so ready to get over this.

1,000 unit Vit C, preferably timed released, 3 times daily, I also take zinc daily. I use diphenhydramine hydrochloride tablets for relief, I never miss using my mask.

I can live thru a cold, I know better than to try to live without my XPAP, I also take aspirin 81mg daily.... jim

As Goofproof said USE YOUR MACHINE cold or no cold !!!!!!

I use an Mara View combo mask when I'm congested and my faithful P10 the rest of the time...

Use a nasal rinse like NeilMed before bed. They are available OTC at most drug stores.

JasonK94Z wrote:I've come down with a major head cold just 2 weeks into my first cpap. I suppose my DME will start sending messages to me about my lack of use. My nose is so stuffed up, I'd suffocate trying to breath through my nose. Vitamin C, Vitamin C, and more Vitamin C. I'm so ready to get over this.

Been there, got the T-shirt and cap. But, fortunately, the numbers of times since starting CPAP have been fewer and fewer.
If you're using a higher humidity level, you might try a lower one.......or vice-versa. Different humidity levels work differently for different people. For me, cool "passover", works better.


Den

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I got the Amara View for when I have stuffed up nasal passages as well; it allows you to breathe through your mouth if need be. But I haven't had a cold yet, so I'm not sure how well it will work! In theory, this is fantastic. Or, well, better than the alternatives.
I use Swift fx nasal pillows otherwise.

I too have had major head colds from my CPAP -- actually it's more like an allergy -- and I believe it was from insufficient heating of the airflow from the ResMed H5i humidifier and ClimateLine hose, especially with the seasonal drop in environmental temperature.

So -- I tried to increase the temperature on the S9, and observed a warning claiming that the hose was faulty and needed to be replaced. The power button would flash on and off. The unit could not be used in this condition unless I pulled and replugged power.

Hmm. The hose looked fine to me, but I trusted the warning and threw the hose in the trash (a mistake). Got a new ClimateLine hose and received the same warning. Now this is a new hose so something else must be the cause.

-- Warning: Techie info ahead --

Inspecting the electrical connection on the H5i, it is clear that one of the three pins had two problems:

(1) The pin had collapsed. These pins are spring loaded, that is how they remain touching the contacts on the hose. But the collapsed pin clearly would not remain in reliable contact.

(2) The orange plastic insulator had melted and deformed around that pin. Current flow in the pin had probably heated it and deformed the plastic. I'd consider this a design defect.

Wiggling the hose connector caused the warning to appear and disappear, and also caused the display to incorrectly report the humidifier status.

I got a new H5i and now need to get the old one to repair. So if anyone has trouble with the H5i giving intermittent warnings, check the connector carefully.

Many people with nasal mask or pillows keep a FF mask handy to use with head colds/stuffy noses, because it allows one to breathe with the mouth. My only mask is FF, and it's handy because I don't have to switch, but because I also had a bad cough for several days, I had to be extra diligent with daily cleaning.

I have been able to use my nasal pillows Airfit P10 with colds and congestion with an adjustable range. It may hit higher pressures to get through the congestion but I don't sleep without my APAP, cold, flu, congestion or otherwise. It helps me recover faster. I tried a full face mask or nasal mask sometime when I started APAP 6 years ago, but I haven't had to use it. I also have gotten many fewer respiratory infections and headaches since starting APAP 6 years ago. I don't know how things would go if you use a constant pressure when you have a cold. I have always found a pressure range works best for me because my needs change from day to day. I hope you are feeling better soon.

Most cup style masks compress the upper part of the nose. In my case (and some others)
this causes congestion--even if the pressure on top of the nose is very light.
I tested this with my fingers, and confirmed the effect.
The Wisp touches my nose far enough "down" so the effect is minimal.
Some masks now use the "nose cradle" design to eliminate the pinch congestion effect.

I have used a nasal mask thru several head colds. I use an over the counter nasal spray before bed. With that and the pressure helps open my nose. It's not comfortable but it is tolerable.

Finally over my head cold. I tried to sleep with the mask, no luck at all. So I slept without the apap. Now I'm trying to get back into the swing of things. I really have a rough time with the nasal mask. The hot air exhaled through my nose feels like fire compared to the cool air coming in. I love the cool air, hate the heat on exhale. Ugh!