Still having problems with nasal congestion -Update- Pg 1 at the top-

Neilmed-squeeze-bottle use one hour before lights out helps me in allergy season. But addressing year-round and seasonal allergy causes by avoidance and treatment are also keys for me.

That said, I am sure there are some who may need to resort to surgical approaches.

I can't skip PAP. My sleep-breathing condition is too serious for me to take that chance.

LLrry wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 21, 2018 7:55 am

I've had issues with stuffy nose off and on. It's gotten worse and need a temporary solution if anyone has suggestions.

PET tablets. (Suphedrine PE) Little red tablets to "unstuff". Over the counter. Cheap enough that you can use it all the time if you need.

Dr. Barry Krakow has a video session on nasal breathing that takes about an hour to run through. It deals with allergic rhinitis and non-allergic rhinitis and both in combination. If you would like to learn more here is the link.

http://sleeptreatment.com/index.php/training-education

LinkC wrote: ↑

Sun Aug 26, 2018 9:25 am

PET tablets. (Suphedrine PE) Little red tablets to "unstuff". Over the counter. Cheap enough that you can use it all the time if you need.

"Sudafed PE" is a deliberately misleadingly named brand of phenylephrine, which doesn't actually work.

"Phenylephrine Is No More Effective Than Placebo for Nasal Congestion"
https://www.jwatch.org/na39054/2015/09/ ... congestion

Real Sudafed is pseudoephedrine, which is an effective decongestant but also a stimulant, so taking it to get to sleep is a bit of a mixed bag.

LinkC wrote: ↑

Sun Aug 26, 2018 9:25 am

LLrry wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 21, 2018 7:55 am

I've had issues with stuffy nose off and on. It's gotten worse and need a temporary solution if anyone has suggestions.

PET tablets. (Suphedrine PE) Little red tablets to "unstuff". Over the counter. Cheap enough that you can use it all the time if you need.

If the congestion is allergy related you need an antihistamine not a decongestant like Sudafed PE

Your replies are very helpful. I am checking out the links and keeping a list of things to try.

I should clarify sleeping without the CPAP. There have been times due to stuffy nose that I just couldn't use it (only have the nasal pillows and not a FFM). At first, I mostly just didn't sleep well. Now I get bad headaches even if I miss one night and medication doesn't help the headache. If I go too many nights without it, I get other symptoms. Last winter, I would miss a couple of months due to stuffy nose at night. My sleep doctor was okay with it. She said my sleep apnea is moderate. I reached out to her and the equipment tech trying to find solutions. Symptoms were mainly not getting any sleep/rest. Eventually it developed into a headache every day for about 2 months until I figured out what the problem was. When I first started on the CPAP, I didn't have any problems using it for maybe the first year and then the stuffy nose issue came along.

The doctors haven't been able to help much since I had tried most of what they suggested so I finally came here and it's been very helpful. I guess what they don't tell you in the beginning is that these issues are common.

I use Ocean spray in the can, much better for cleaning out sinuses than the squeeze bottle. If that's not sufficient or I get stuffed up right away, I drag out my Grossan Hydro Pulse Nasal and Sinus Irrigation System and use it. https://smile.amazon.com/Grossan-Hydro- ... ion+system

Thanks! I didn't know they made Ocean Spray in a can. Is this different from the Simply Saline in a can? I've used the Simply Saline before. How do you use the can products as a rinse? I've tried but don't think I did it successfully. I've heard many good reviews about these products.

I canceled my appointment for allergy testing. The doctor's office was supposed to check with insurance and let me know what I would have to pay. I have no idea what it costs but probably not cheap.

Are the sinus irrigation systems ( machines) easy to clean?

LG34 wrote: ↑

Sun Sep 02, 2018 7:38 am

Ocean Spray in a can...How do you use the can products as a rinse?...Are the sinus irrigation systems ( machines) easy to clean?

Ocean in a can comes with 2 tips: use the orange tip for cleaning the nose and sinuses. I have the Grossan nasal irrigator; it is easy to clean, I just dry the machine and wash the removable tank and tips in original Dawn and let air dry.
https://smile.amazon.com/OCEAN-Complete ... spray&th=1

Thanks, I will give the Ocean can a try.

Where do you buy the Ocean in a can? I found the NeilMed nasal wash in a can. Looks like it might be similar. Walgreens says it's not sold in stores. Rite Aid (now Walgreens) and CVS did not have the Ocean brand.

I had been doing okay and taking Zyrtec in the morning and Benadryl at night. Yesterday, my nose got very congested and couldn't get Afrin in last night. Totally blocked on one side. I looked at pollen counts and it said ragweed was very high yesterday. I was out running errands. Today ragweed is high and tomorrow will be high again. Nothing I've tried has worked - heat, steam, saline spray, menthol stick, Nasacort, Flonase.

Are these pre-mixed sinus washes safe? You have to assume they are if they can sell them. I am one who asks what kind of water were they made with and hesitant to try.

LG34 wrote: ↑

Thu Sep 13, 2018 6:41 pm

Where do you buy the Ocean in a can? I found the NeilMed nasal wash in a can. Looks like it might be similar. Walgreens says it's not sold in stores. Rite Aid (now Walgreens) and CVS did not have the Ocean brand.

I had been doing okay and taking Zyrtec in the morning and Benadryl at night. Yesterday, my nose got very congested and couldn't get Afrin in last night. Totally blocked on one side. I looked at pollen counts and it said ragweed was very high yesterday. I was out running errands. Today ragweed is high and tomorrow will be high again. Nothing I've tried has worked - heat, steam, saline spray, menthol stick, Nasacort, Flonase.

Are these pre-mixed sinus washes safe? You have to assume they are if they can sell them. I am one who asks what kind of water were they made with and hesitant to try.

You must have missed the link earlier..
https://www.amazon.com/OCEAN-Complete-S ... 01IAIACJC/

*NOPE*