Oral Masks vs Nasal

So, with the problems I'm having and ENT wanting to jump to Turbinate Reduction, and resetting nose, etc to try and stop the CPAP blown up issues I've had for years, (allergies , throat killing me, etc).

Should I side track a min and try an oral mask before we 100% say "CPAP aint for me(right now?)" ?

I don't see how cpap could be related to allergies. Not like it is giving you different air than you would be breathing anyway. I don't think the filter on the cpap machine would help....or hurt that either.

Throat problems might be due to air temp and/or humidity. There is a difference in how those options make your nose and throat feel. If you are able to use a nasal mask now, I also don't see how nose surgery will change that very much. I have had nose surgery similar to what you describe.

There are either other issues at play here, or maybe you could improve your therapy by getting a machine with heated hose and good humidification, or simply optimizing the machine settings you have now.

I have similar issues with nasal passage swelling and have been using the CPAP for over 15 years. I’ve been planning to have the turbinate reduction for a while as a solution. According to the ENT, if Afrin eliminates your symptoms then the turbinate reduction might be a very good solution. I have chronic Rhinitis. It will not eliminate the need for the CPAP as that is a totally different issue at least for me

Cardinalphan wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 03, 2019 11:35 am

I have similar issues with nasal passage swelling and have been using the CPAP for over 15 years. I’ve been planning to have the turbinate reduction for a while as a solution. According to the ENT, if Afrin eliminates your symptoms then the turbinate reduction might be a very good solution. I have chronic Rhinitis. It will not eliminate the need for the CPAP as that is a totally different issue at least for me

I've always felt like someone was sand papering my throat, beating me in the sinus/face (ALWAYS.. even the few hours with it on the first time during sleep study) , and going on and beating me in the right lung (left lung quit joining the party sometime) and coughing up snot. Then I wake up taking it off with a stopped up nose and feels like hot lava rocks up in the bottom of my throat (tonsils?) .

And the classic runny nose, sneezing , etc.

It took about 5 days to get over the second sleep study with the mask and to quit feeling like someone was beating my face.

Then of course the classic "It's hard to transfer off of the machine to breath on your own" I see so much.

TheWeehawky wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 03, 2019 3:01 pm

feels like hot lava rocks up in the bottom of my throat (tonsils?) .

You might be mouthbreathing with your nasal mask. This could dry out your throat and your mouth. Do you have dry mouth?

Do you know that mouthbreathing with a nasal mask often causes the CPAP pressure to drop and apneas to occur?

Why do you think to jump from a nasal mask to an oral mask? The usual transition is from nasal to full face mask.

Did your ENT perform a nasopharyngoscopy? Did you have a chance to discuss all the issues you presented here with your ENT? Or, did she rush through the appointment?

ChicagoGranny wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 03, 2019 3:56 pm

TheWeehawky wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 03, 2019 3:01 pm

feels like hot lava rocks up in the bottom of my throat (tonsils?) .

You might be mouthbreathing with your nasal mask. This could dry out your throat and your mouth. Do you have dry mouth?

Do you know that mouthbreathing with a nasal mask often causes the CPAP pressure to drop and apneas to occur?

Why do you think to jump from a nasal mask to an oral mask? The usual transition is from nasal to full face mask.

Did your ENT perform a nasopharyngoscopy? Did you have a chance to discuss all the issues you presented here with your ENT? Or, did she rush through the appointment?

Pretty much looked up in to nose, didn't address nose bleeding, sinus infection,feel of throat, none of that.. etc that I talked about.. and went to surgery, looked in ears, saw wax.. said see me in a week with ear drops (The carbasomething something peroxide ones , wax removal drops ) , came back in, got ears sucked out of wax.. Well.. what about surgery?

Basically how it went.

I can tell you, I'm about ready to be done with these rounds of doctors all together, specialists included.

edit: nasopharyngoscopy: no. I thought I been needing one for years since I started puking up food after eating sometimes. (Doctor said eating irritates the sinus drainage going on is why, and may have hernia)

What about seeing a different ENT? One who comes highly recommended and will spend some time taking a comprehensive approach to your issues and will perform a nasopharyngoscopy.

A nasopharyngoscopy is standard in many practices where the patient presents with your symptoms or less. They do it in the office, and it only takes a few minutes. You can watch on a monitor, and the ENT will explain what you are seeing and what the condition of each element is.

ChicagoGranny wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 03, 2019 7:52 pm

What about seeing a different ENT? One who comes highly recommended and will spend some time taking a comprehensive approach to your issues and will perform a nasopharyngoscopy.

A nasopharyngoscopy is standard in many practices where the patient presents with your symptoms or less. They do it in the office, and it only takes a few minutes. You can watch on a monitor, and the ENT will explain what you are seeing and what the condition of each element is.

I'll have to call doctor and see about a different ENT then and go through the referral process , about 2 weeks again, with insurance. I'm going to run in to PAP compliance soon if they don't figure out what the problem is and I can get back on it.

TheWeehawky wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 03, 2019 8:10 pm

I'm going to run in to PAP compliance soon if they don't figure out what the problem is and I can get back on it.

Here is just a thought with hoping that some other members can suggest things. What about talking to your insurance company? They may be still renting your machine. Tell them you are seeking further medical advice. Ask them about returning the rental and suspending the service with the idea that you will return to CPAP. They might say no, but it probably won't hurt to ask.

Personally, I would like to see you get a FFM and just plan on breathing through your mouth. In the longer run, see a new ENT, maybe get some major relief for the nasal passages and eventually return to a nasal interface.

ChicagoGranny wrote: ↑

Mon Mar 04, 2019 9:49 am

Personally, I would like to see you get a FFM and just plan on breathing through your mouth.

The profile shows the Simplus FFM.
I have no idea what is actually being used or tried though....but I assume there is at least the Simplus there unless it was physically swapped for another mask and if that's the case then the profile needs correcting.

I was taking it from his Subject that he is actually using a nasal mask. TheWeeHawky should clarify what he is actually using.