I've been a cpapper for 16 months. I came to this forum shortly after starting and was amazed with all the problems others were having. I have a mustache/beard with no leakage problems. I could sleep quite well on my back or either side. I even learned to talk (which is kinda weird since I live alone) and sip water with the mask on. Well now it's finally caught up with me. About 2 months ago I encountered a problem with breathing through my nose with the mask on. There is no problem until the mask goes on. It doesn't seem to be congestion so much as a mild constriction in the nasal passages. I had my unit (cpap) checked out and it was fine. There is also an oxygenator hooked into it. I've seen my dr. and he prescribed Allegra-D twice a day at $3 a pop with little effect. Cheap OTC anti-histamines are out because they interfere with all the other meds I take. I'm wondering if it might be a low-grade allergy. The only new item in my environment is a cat that I got 3-4 months before I started having a problem. It coincided with the week I had him declawed and neutered. Now some of you might say see an ENT but I also suffer from rhinoswabophobia (fear of having a 12" Q-tip shoved up my nose). My next step will be to ask the dr. if an allergy shot is viable. I'm wondering though if that would also affect my other meds. Anyone else run into this problem? Wow, I just realized I wrote a small book here! Sorry for being so long-winded but I tried to include all info I could think of.
Regards,
Bigguy
nasal passage problem
Maybe you have to change filters more frequently, now that there's a cat in the house?
Have you tried to add a fine particle filter to you the normal (foam) filter? Adding that might help too.
O.
Have you tried to add a fine particle filter to you the normal (foam) filter? Adding that might help too.
O.
_________________
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| Additional Comments: Machine: Resmed AirSense10 for Her with Climateline heated hose ; alternating masks. |
And now here is my secret, a very simple secret; it is only with the heart that one can see rightly, what is essential is invisible to the eye.
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Good advice is compromised by missing data
Forum member Dog Slobber Nov. 2023
Antoine de Saint-Exupery
Good advice is compromised by missing data
Forum member Dog Slobber Nov. 2023
You might try a sinus rinse. A favorite around here is the NeliPot, or the easier and more effective NeliMed squeeze bottle (both made right here in beautiful Sonoma County). Designed to relive allergy and sinus symptoms, it is also used by hoseheads to relieve dryness. Helped me with sinus headaches caused by dry sinuses in the morning.
It uses a simple saline solution and is good for allergies, cold and flu symptoms, nasal irritation from dust fumes, smoke etc., and for post nasal drip and nasal congestion. (If you can stand squirting the water up one nostril and having it flow out the other!)
Actually, after you get used to it is is quite pleasant, and you'd be amazed how much gunk it cleans out.
It uses a simple saline solution and is good for allergies, cold and flu symptoms, nasal irritation from dust fumes, smoke etc., and for post nasal drip and nasal congestion. (If you can stand squirting the water up one nostril and having it flow out the other!)
Actually, after you get used to it is is quite pleasant, and you'd be amazed how much gunk it cleans out.
Re: nasal passage problem
I understand the nasal problem all too well.
Mine got to the point of bad sinus infections.
Things that help me:
1) a full face mask - love it.. You can breathe by mouth.
2)Heated humidifier - helped a lot
3)Rhinocort nasal spray used 1 hour before sleep. It is RX but cheaper from Canada.
Good luck.....
Mine got to the point of bad sinus infections.
Things that help me:
1) a full face mask - love it.. You can breathe by mouth.
2)Heated humidifier - helped a lot
3)Rhinocort nasal spray used 1 hour before sleep. It is RX but cheaper from Canada.
Good luck.....
bigguysez wrote:I've been a cpapper for 16 months. I came to this forum shortly after starting and was amazed with all the problems others were having. I have a mustache/beard with no leakage problems. I could sleep quite well on my back or either side. I even learned to talk (which is kinda weird since I live alone) and sip water with the mask on. Well now it's finally caught up with me. About 2 months ago I encountered a problem with breathing through my nose with the mask on. There is no problem until the mask goes on. It doesn't seem to be congestion so much as a mild constriction in the nasal passages. I had my unit (cpap) checked out and it was fine. There is also an oxygenator hooked into it. I've seen my dr. and he prescribed Allegra-D twice a day at $3 a pop with little effect. Cheap OTC anti-histamines are out because they interfere with all the other meds I take. I'm wondering if it might be a low-grade allergy. The only new item in my environment is a cat that I got 3-4 months before I started having a problem. It coincided with the week I had him declawed and neutered. Now some of you might say see an ENT but I also suffer from rhinoswabophobia (fear of having a 12" Q-tip shoved up my nose). My next step will be to ask the dr. if an allergy shot is viable. I'm wondering though if that would also affect my other meds. Anyone else run into this problem? Wow, I just realized I wrote a small book here! Sorry for being so long-winded but I tried to include all info I could think of.
Regards,
Bigguy
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Guest
I love your "Rhinoswabophobia"!!!!!!
Definitely try the NeilMed Sinus Rinse twice a day. At $10 initial investment, it's so worth it. I've heard great things about it. I'm terribly lazy, and find it hard to maintain the ritual, but I believe it will help you. I also believe it helps me when I keep doing it, but the lazy factor wins alot in my household.
I too suffer from that same congestion that feels like it's just swollen nasal passages. I've been told to get religious with the sinus rinse.
BTW, I find the squeeze bottle easier to deal with than the neti pot. I bought mine at the local Walgreen's. And I just use warm tap water. Did I mention I'm lazy?
BTW - Have you tried Claritin (same drug as Allegra, I think) straight without any pseudophed (The D part) that might irritate your other meds? I buy mine from Costco and it's CHEAP - like under $10 for 100 pills. I just take one every morning. If you don't have access to Costco, lemme know. I might do a deal with you. PM me at "Babette". It's non prescription.
(You might also try costco dot com)
You learned to talk so you could keep yourself company. Makes perfect sense to me. If I didn't chatter at myself when alone I'd be lonely.
Your Evil Female Twin (though without the beard),
Babs
Definitely try the NeilMed Sinus Rinse twice a day. At $10 initial investment, it's so worth it. I've heard great things about it. I'm terribly lazy, and find it hard to maintain the ritual, but I believe it will help you. I also believe it helps me when I keep doing it, but the lazy factor wins alot in my household.
I too suffer from that same congestion that feels like it's just swollen nasal passages. I've been told to get religious with the sinus rinse.
BTW, I find the squeeze bottle easier to deal with than the neti pot. I bought mine at the local Walgreen's. And I just use warm tap water. Did I mention I'm lazy?
BTW - Have you tried Claritin (same drug as Allegra, I think) straight without any pseudophed (The D part) that might irritate your other meds? I buy mine from Costco and it's CHEAP - like under $10 for 100 pills. I just take one every morning. If you don't have access to Costco, lemme know. I might do a deal with you. PM me at "Babette". It's non prescription.
(You might also try costco dot com)
You learned to talk so you could keep yourself company. Makes perfect sense to me. If I didn't chatter at myself when alone I'd be lonely.
Your Evil Female Twin (though without the beard),
Babs
nose problem
Book 2: The Snuffling Ok, I guess there was more info that I didn't include in Book 1. My cpap has a heated humidifier (cranked up). It has a hepa-type filter behind the sponge. I tried changing it every 2 days for 10 days with no discernable change except in my bank account. I tried a friend's teapot and nearly drowned. He refused to give me mouth-to-mouth. Can't say I blame him. I tried saline spray and it had no effect. All the medicated sprays I have seen contain one goodie or another that disrupts my current meds regimen. I will check out Claritin though. Glad to hear about the beard Babett. That reminds me that I'm at the age where every hair I lose on my head is reincarnated as a nose hair so I've been very diligent with my nasal grooming. After all the wind doesn't blow so much in the jungle, right? My next move will be to look into a full-face mask. Hopefully the beard won't be a problem with sealing because it's not coming off! Many years ago I got drunk in college and got myself a tattoo on my chin and it's something I don't want my mother to see.
So, Claritin, full-face mask and search for a latex bodysuit for my cat.
I'm good to go. Seriously though, thanks for your inputs.
Regards,
Bigguy
So, Claritin, full-face mask and search for a latex bodysuit for my cat.
I'm good to go. Seriously though, thanks for your inputs.
Regards,
Bigguy
nasal passage problem
Claritin is loratadine, Allegra is fexofenadine.
_________________
| Mask: AirFit™ P10 Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear |
| Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control |
-Shirley in GA
Life's too short to spend it worrying about the small stuff - after all, it's just small stuff.
Life's too short to spend it worrying about the small stuff - after all, it's just small stuff.
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Guest
Ah! Good to know! Thanks Sal!
Big Guy, I am soooo enjoying your posts, I almost don't want you to get better.
I think I know an internet site for that latex cat suit for the cat... Lessee.... Do you need the tiny stilletto boots and whip too?
Try the squeeze bottle instead of the teapot. I about drowned the first couple of times I used the bottle, but I've since figured it out, and gotten it down pat. Now, realize I'm pretty stupid (Note my Idiot's Guide and Dummy's Guide recent threads). If I can figure out how to breathe through my mouth while shooting warm saline up my nose, anyone can.
And I'm CERTAIN that those canned saline sprays aren't good enough. You have to really shoot a significant amount of water up there to flush whatever it is out.
BTW, one thing about trimming nose hair I've noticed - sometimes it makes me feel worse. Don't get too eager beaver with the trimmer. Nose hair is there for a reason. But you have to die before God will tell you what it is.
One thing I've been doing lately when feeling clogged but not mucus-y is to mask up, turn on the machine, and hold one nostril closed, and inhale like a big dog through the other nostril. Then switch, then repeat. Then I just lay there and breathe and read my book. I usually find myself breathing freely by the time I'm ready to close it and roll over for the night. I posted this, and some others chimed in that this works for them, too.
Good luck!
Babs - who compensates for no facial hair with dense foliage in other unladylike places....
Big Guy, I am soooo enjoying your posts, I almost don't want you to get better.
I think I know an internet site for that latex cat suit for the cat... Lessee.... Do you need the tiny stilletto boots and whip too?
Try the squeeze bottle instead of the teapot. I about drowned the first couple of times I used the bottle, but I've since figured it out, and gotten it down pat. Now, realize I'm pretty stupid (Note my Idiot's Guide and Dummy's Guide recent threads). If I can figure out how to breathe through my mouth while shooting warm saline up my nose, anyone can.
And I'm CERTAIN that those canned saline sprays aren't good enough. You have to really shoot a significant amount of water up there to flush whatever it is out.
BTW, one thing about trimming nose hair I've noticed - sometimes it makes me feel worse. Don't get too eager beaver with the trimmer. Nose hair is there for a reason. But you have to die before God will tell you what it is.
One thing I've been doing lately when feeling clogged but not mucus-y is to mask up, turn on the machine, and hold one nostril closed, and inhale like a big dog through the other nostril. Then switch, then repeat. Then I just lay there and breathe and read my book. I usually find myself breathing freely by the time I'm ready to close it and roll over for the night. I posted this, and some others chimed in that this works for them, too.
Good luck!
Babs - who compensates for no facial hair with dense foliage in other unladylike places....
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Guest
I am new to this forum and CPAP, but one thing I am not new to is CAT allergies.
I am highly allergic to CATS. I was married 2 years ago and I thought I could go back to getting allergy shots and become -non allergic since my wife and step daughter had cats and cats and cats.
After 1 year of trying my allergist said, the cats must go!
So I told my wife either the cats go or I go! Got my divorce papers served to me the next day
If you have not been tested, go get tested, but until then keep the CAT out of the bedroom and wash your hands everytime you pet it.
I am still taking allergy shots, but I do not go to any of my friends houses that have cats without having the sniffles.
My nephew had good luck with Zertec-D but not me.
I am highly allergic to CATS. I was married 2 years ago and I thought I could go back to getting allergy shots and become -non allergic since my wife and step daughter had cats and cats and cats.
After 1 year of trying my allergist said, the cats must go!
So I told my wife either the cats go or I go! Got my divorce papers served to me the next day
If you have not been tested, go get tested, but until then keep the CAT out of the bedroom and wash your hands everytime you pet it.
I am still taking allergy shots, but I do not go to any of my friends houses that have cats without having the sniffles.
My nephew had good luck with Zertec-D but not me.
I'm a nose-breather again! I looked up the loratadine contained in Claritin and it listed no warnings about other conditions or meds that I'm currently dealing with. The past two nights have been great sleeping again. I'm using the Walmart Equate brand. Just under $18 for 60 tabs. Saved beaucoup bucks. Never seen or heard of costco. In the boonies here I guess. Babette, I may have overstated my nosehair trimming regimen. I only really do it when it starts interfering with my eating. Also, I shall try in earnest to acquire another cpap-related malady for your enjoyment.
Regards,
Bigguy
Regards,
Bigguy
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Flatulence is a fun one!bigguysez wrote:I'm a nose-breather again! I looked up the loratadine contained in Claritin and it listed no warnings about other conditions or meds that I'm currently dealing with. The past two nights have been great sleeping again. I'm using the Walmart Equate brand. Just under $18 for 60 tabs. Saved beaucoup bucks. Never seen or heard of costco. In the boonies here I guess. Babette, I may have overstated my nosehair trimming regimen. I only really do it when it starts interfering with my eating. Also, I shall try in earnest to acquire another cpap-related malady for your enjoyment.
Regards,
Bigguy
President-pretender, J. Biden, said "the DNC has built the largest voter fraud organization in US history". Too bad they didn’t build the smartest voter fraud organization and got caught.
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YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!bigguysez wrote:I'm a nose-breather again! I looked up the loratadine contained in Claritin and it listed no warnings about other conditions or meds that I'm currently dealing with. The past two nights have been great sleeping again. I'm using the Walmart Equate brand. Just under $18 for 60 tabs. Saved beaucoup bucks. Never seen or heard of costco. In the boonies here I guess. Babette, I may have overstated my nosehair trimming regimen. I only really do it when it starts interfering with my eating. Also, I shall try in earnest to acquire another cpap-related malady for your enjoyment.
Oh I'm so happy!!!!!! See God, there is a use for me in this world!
I'll check and see if I can get it cheaper at Costco, my memory isn't what it once was. And I didn't have a Wal-Mart near me until a few months ago. So the prices between Wally and Cost-y may be equal, I just don't know.
Meantime, try W W W DOT costco.com and look up loratidine. Might be there online. Last time I bought from there, I got free shipping, and I didn't HAVE to be a member - I just paid 5% more. I finally bought a membership though. so I could spend my Thursday evenings buying lifetime supplies of vitamins and toilet paper.
LOL,
Babs
PS - SOOOOO Looking forward to the essays on Flatulence or Cat Shaving...
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Guest
speaking of flatulence...
...my sister asked me to make some of my world-famous bbq beans for her buffet table. These beans are not to be confuzzled with your run of the mill baked beans. I smoke a pork shoulder ( the hard part is keeping it lit) chopping up a bunch of the meat and putting it into the beans. The pot of beans then goes into the smoker for hours. You could launch the space shuttles with these suckers! Thank God for that hepa filter on my cpap! Now if I could only find some asbestos bedsheets.
Regards,
I. B. Tootin
Regards,
I. B. Tootin
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Guest