CPAPtalk.com

I started using Flonase on the advice of my doctor about a year ago and now a rarely forget to use it before bed. Before that I was ALWAYS a mouth breather: one nostril or the other was always closed due to allergies even though I took Claritin or Zyrtec every day. After going to an allergist and that awful testing, dust mites were on my list of allergens. I bought special covers for pillow and mattress but the real trick was Flonase. I hesitated using it because of fears it was harmful (steroids are bad!) but the doctor assured me that it was really a topical treatment and wouldn't enter the bloodstream. I've since recommended it to my teenage son (who may be on his way to a CPAP one day) and he did have a little trouble with slight nose bleed. That could be due to dryness in his bedroom and nasal passages that are exposed after years of "isolation".

Just in the last few days I've added Nasacort in the morning, still taking the Flonase at night. Not sure if it's safe, so not recommending it, but boy was I breathing well last night.

Thanks everyone for the information. I thought the thread was dead a few days ago, but then I checked back. I see the doctor tomorrow and can ask if there is any long-term downside to use, but other than a small risk of nose bleeds it sounds like there isn't. I guess I'm ready to give nasal pillows a try.

My ENT didn't think twice when she prescribed a twice-a-day use of Fluticasone propionate and Azelastine, and on a continuing basis, so if there were any reasonable risks associated, she would have probably restrained. The Fluticasone propionate is $27.58 for six bottles at Sams's club (cheaper than with insurance), and I get the Azelastine with insurance. It has made immediate difference, even though I've had the most-thorough tests for allergy and they are all negative; they both have some anti-inflammatory and vasoconstriction effects, so that is what helps, I guess.

McSleepy

Yes, my ENT says there is no problem with indefinite use of fluticasone. She wants me to use it because she says I have an eardrum issue that demands that I keep my eustachian tube in good working order, so I will. Less welcome, she asked me to start using my humidifier, which I stopped doing because I am the laziest man in the world and prefer a slightly scratchy throat to filling and cleaning a reservoir.

PST wrote: ↑

Thu Aug 02, 2018 9:45 am

she asked me to start using my humidifier, which I stopped doing because I am the laziest man in the world and prefer a slightly scratchy throat to filling and cleaning a reservoir.

You can mimic my routine (or really lack of) if you wish....I wash my water chamber when I think about it which isn't all that often at maybe once every month or two...even less often if I were to drain the tub and air dry the next morning but that takes more work than I really am keen on doing so I just top off the tank and wash it whenever I think about it.

And yes...I know some people will roll their eyes and say "gross" but I have been doing it this way for 9 years now and it hasn't killed me yet or made me sick...in fact less colds on cpap than before cpap.

But I do use distilled water 99% of the time and only use tap water in emergency when I have forgotten to buy distilled.

My routine is similar, and to keep it simple I do everything on Monday morning. I wash the mask cushions every Monday morning. The first Monday of the month, I wash everything (masks, strap pads, head gear, water chambers) and check the filters and change if necessary.

Pugsy wrote: ↑

Thu Aug 02, 2018 12:10 pm

[...]I wash my water chamber when I think about it which isn't all that often at maybe once every month or two...even less often if I were to drain the tub and air dry the next morning but that takes more work than I really am keen on doing so I just top off the tank and wash it whenever I think about it.

And yes...I know some people will roll their eyes and say "gross" but I have been doing it this way for 9 years now and it hasn't killed me yet or made me sick...in fact less colds on cpap than before cpap.

But I do use distilled water 99% of the time and only use tap water in emergency when I have forgotten to buy distilled.

I actually never wash my humidifier's tank. Sometimes, when I travel (about once a year) and have to empty the tank, I may rinse it, and I think I may have used soap once or twice, but I rarely do. The reason: I can clearly see it is perfectly clean. I never have issues that may be attributed to it. I only use distilled water and my house is quite clean.

McSleepy

McSleepy wrote:

Pugsy wrote: ↑

Thu Aug 02, 2018 12:10 pm

[...]I wash my water chamber when I think about it which isn't all that often at maybe once every month or two...even less often if I were to drain the tub and air dry the next morning but that takes more work than I really am keen on doing so I just top off the tank and wash it whenever I think about it.

And yes...I know some people will roll their eyes and say "gross" but I have been doing it this way for 9 years now and it hasn't killed me yet or made me sick...in fact less colds on cpap than before cpap.

But I do use distilled water 99% of the time and only use tap water in emergency when I have forgotten to buy distilled.

I actually never wash my humidifier's tank. Sometimes, when I travel (about once a year) and have to empty the tank, I may rinse it, and I think I may have used soap once or twice, but I rarely do. The reason: I can clearly see it is perfectly clean. I never have issues that may be attributed to it. I only use distilled water and my house is quite clean.

McSleepy

For kicks, try this: run your fingers around inside the humidifier. Mine looked perfectly clean, but had a very noticeable slime going on.

rcobourn wrote: ↑

Thu Aug 02, 2018 6:31 pm

For kicks, try this: run your fingers around inside the humidifier. Mine looked perfectly clean, but had a very noticeable slime going on.

I had the slime sometimes with my S9 but so far not with my AirSense machines.
My experience with the S9 is why I do wash the water chamber every month or so..and I always check for the slime but haven't found any yet.

rcobourn wrote: ↑

Thu Aug 02, 2018 6:31 pm

For kicks, try this: run your fingers around inside the humidifier. Mine looked perfectly clean, but had a very noticeable slime going on.

You will not believe me but I just went and did that, and there is no slime or anything disturbing. It may have something to do with the air quality (I use MERV 13 to 16 filters on my HVAC) or other factors, but it is just clean. If had detected any issue with the cleanliness, I would have addressed it. As always, your mileage may vary. But I also feel that people are a bit too paranoid with their air quality when it comes to the CPAP machines, while it is often the case that that is the cleanest air they ever breathe.

McSleepy

McSleepy wrote:

rcobourn wrote: ↑

Thu Aug 02, 2018 6:31 pm

For kicks, try this: run your fingers around inside the humidifier. Mine looked perfectly clean, but had a very noticeable slime going on.

You will not believe me but I just went and did that, and there is no slime or anything disturbing. It may have something to do with the air quality (I use MERV 13 to 16 filters on my HVAC) or other factors, but it is just clean. If had detected any issue with the cleanliness, I would have addressed it. As always, your mileage may vary. But I also feel that people are a bit too paranoid with their air quality when it comes to the CPAP machines, while it is often the case that that is the cleanest air they ever breathe.

McSleepy

I believe you! I was shocked to find the slime in mine, for some reason I figured using distilled water would keep it clean. Turns out, bacteria don't mind distilled water. Stay vigilant. Your HVAC filter is probably making the difference, but nothing is 100%.

I have a substantial amount of nasal congestion, plus asthma.

Flonase and nasacort are nasal spray steroids. Don't use both without talking to your doctor first. Afrin is very effective, but there is a rebound effect (after a couple of days use it causes congestion); don't use it for more than a few days without a break. Sudafed works well if it doesn't keep you awake. Guaifenesin works well for me, either Mucinex (time release version) or non-time-release (generic, cheaper than Mucinex) https://www.amazon.com/Guai-Aid®-Guaife ... AY20KBKP33

What helps as much as the medicines is a saline nasal wash. I use a Neilmed squeeze bottle: http://shop.neilmed.com/Products/Sinus- ... egular-Kit

My night time routine is:
Sudafed (half hour before everything else)
Guaifenesin or Mucinex.
Nasal rinse with saline 2X8oz neilmed bottle.
Flonase nasal spray
Astelin nasal spray
Azelastine nasal spray
If I'm really congested I'll use Afrin once or twice a week (max).

In the past I had lots of problems with sinus infections. Since I've had sinus surgery that happens rarely.
Most people will not need my full regimen. Before you use a fraction of my regimen, see an ENT specialist (Eye,nose throat).

WalterC wrote: ↑

Fri Aug 10, 2018 1:41 pm

My night time routine is:
...
Astelin nasal spray
Azelastine nasal spray

Astelin is a brand name of azelastine. Sounds like you are accidentally using a double dose of azelastine under two different names.

rcobourn wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 08, 2018 7:16 pm

McSleepy wrote:

rcobourn wrote: ↑

Thu Aug 02, 2018 6:31 pm

For kicks, try this: run your fingers around inside the humidifier. Mine looked perfectly clean, but had a very noticeable slime going on.

You will not believe me but I just went and did that, and there is no slime or anything disturbing. It may have something to do with the air quality (I use MERV 13 to 16 filters on my HVAC) or other factors, but it is just clean. If had detected any issue with the cleanliness, I would have addressed it. As always, your mileage may vary. But I also feel that people are a bit too paranoid with their air quality when it comes to the CPAP machines, while it is often the case that that is the cleanest air they ever breathe.

McSleepy

I believe you! I was shocked to find the slime in mine, for some reason I figured using distilled water would keep it clean. Turns out, bacteria don't mind distilled water. Stay vigilant. Your HVAC filter is probably making the difference, but nothing is 100%.

That and the dry air - here in the Colorado mountains the air is much drier then in most other places, so the concentration of bacteria may be much lower in the first place. I wonder if anyone in Arizona or Nevada can contribute their experience.

McSleepy