Nasal Irrigation

birdshell · Post by **birdshell** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 6:46 pm

OH, THANK YOU!

I am in the process of trying to collect as much information as possible about bisphenol A, phthalates, and now...phylates! As you can see, my lack of a good chemistry class is now being felt.

I had made the connection with fragrances and phthalates. I have long been sensitive to most fragrances, and believe this may be why.

I have also been allergic to thimerosal. This was since I was 14 and had local anesthetics in the dental chair. I had a reaction, was tested for an allergy to the local anesthetics and was told to avoid them.

This I have done for years, but accidentally when removing a small cherry hemangioma, my dermatologist used a TINY amount of a local anesthetic. I had no reaction, and knowing that thimerosal in contact lens solutions made them impossible for me to use--and that flu vaccine was preserved with thimerosal...we figured out that the common allergen (for me) was thimerosal.

Since, there has been a lot of controversy over the cause of autism, and thimerosal (which is a mercury compound) is often blamed. I am not autistic, but the discussion of thimerasol in vaccines has revealed some important facts for me.

Now, I develop a reaction to my mask (Breeze DreamSeal) and my breathing and coughing are affected by CPAP. What happens but...the BPA and phthalates controversy!

I am very fortunate to have these problems of mine discussed, and thankful to all who contribute knowledge. If there is anyone out there with any further comments, please feel free to PM me if it is not of general interest.

Karen

feeling_better · Post by **feeling_better** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 7:27 pm

This is a bit different from the flow of this thread. I wish to add that I have had very good results in reducing the swellings caused by nasal allergy by a combinations of

1. Claritin (OTC)
2. Pseudafed (OTC)
3. Fluticasone Propianate (prescription) nasal spray, recommended by my sleep specialist.

All 3 before going to bed. After diagnosing, while waiting for cpap machine, I had used the above 3 and the nasal congestion and swelling was reduced considerably during that 5 week wait. Now with my cpap, I am just using item 3 alone, still with good results. I had not realized that all thru my life I had bad nasal allergy to dust. Now no allergy symptoms at all.

SuperGeeky · Post by **SuperGeeky** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 11:21 am

Thanks so much for the warning about impacting the sinuses around the ear. I had not read the label that carefully.

The pressure quickly subsided and I was able to irrigate twice yesterday with no problem.

So, I'm seeing the Sleep Doc tomorrow and I'll ask some questions. He had told me at the last appointment to use a nasal spray.

I just think this is a more thorough and healthier way of doing it. Since my nostrils are packed in one form or another all the time.

Thanks for all the Posts!! Very beneficial!!

PAsnoring06 · Post by **PAsnoring06** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 12:18 pm

I have been using a CPAP for a couple of years and had the same problem-dry mouth, a lot more colds, stinky mouth and mask by morning. My doctor suggested chin strips or using a chin strap to keep my mouth closed. I tried that, but the chin strips caused skin breakouts (acne) and sores around my mouth and chin because I had to use them every night. The chin strap I bought wouldn't stay on, it kept slipping off if I moved my head even slightly. Also, because I tried to breathe through my nose, not my mouth, I discovered that my nose and sinuses were not real clear. Actually, it was "junky" with mucus. While I was on vacation, I read an article in a local newspaper about sinus problems and neti pots. When I got home I googled it to find out what other people had to say about using one and see if that might help me. I liked what I read and bought one at a local health food store. Long story short-I love it, but it does take a little while to get used to pouring water up your nose. Anyway, if you have any trouble breathing through your nose, look into using a neti pot. I found mine, as I said, at a local heath store. It cost about $15.00. I also have a chin strap that I found that works pretty well, it's called a snorender. I'm trying to lose weight and get more exercise. Maybe that will help too. The nice thing about using my neti pot is that it also seems to help with humidity or maybe it's just that I can breather through my nose a lot better now. I use it every night before bedtime.

gasp · Post by **gasp** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 12:27 pm

[quote="birdshell"]OH, THANK YOU!

I am in the process of trying to collect as much information as possible about bisphenol A, phthalates, and now...phylates! As you can see, my lack of a good chemistry class is now being felt.

I had made the connection with fragrances and phthalates. I have long been sensitive to most fragrances, and believe this may be why.

I have also been allergic to thimerosal. This was since I was 14 and had local anesthetics in the dental chair. I had a reaction, was tested for an allergy to the local anesthetics and was told to avoid them.

This I have done for years, but accidentally when removing a small cherry hemangioma, my dermatologist used a TINY amount of a local anesthetic. I had no reaction, and knowing that thimerosal in contact lens solutions made them impossible for me to use--and that flu vaccine was preserved with thimerosal...we figured out that the common allergen (for me) was thimerosal.

Since, there has been a lot of controversy over the cause of autism, and thimerosal (which is a mercury compound) is often blamed. I am not autistic, but the discussion of thimerasol in vaccines has revealed some important facts for me.

Now, I develop a reaction to my mask (Breeze DreamSeal) and my breathing and coughing are affected by CPAP. What happens but...the BPA and phthalates controversy!

I am very fortunate to have these problems of mine discussed, and thankful to all who contribute knowledge. If there is anyone out there with any further comments, please feel free to PM me if it is not of general interest.

Karen

feeling_better · Post by **feeling_better** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 12:28 pm

PAsnoring06 wrote:I have been using a CPAP for a couple of years and had the same problem-dry mouth, a lot more colds, stinky mouth and mask by morning.

Different people have different ideas and views, is that not wonderful! My doc suggested for dry mouth (which leads to mouth breathing, in his view) to increase the humidifier level until it starts causing other discomforts. This seems to have helped me. Hey, it was very easy to try, just move the dial up one notch at a time every night

Magnum · Post by **Magnum** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 3:29 pm

[quote="gasp"]
Sometimes I think it would be great to have a thread index folder system in this forum so we can watch topics and all the threads that relate to a topic instead of just watching individual threads. Oh well. It's voted down every time it's brought up. Anyway, in lieu of the index, maybe we could atart a thread addressing allergies to the materials in XPAP headgear, masks, etc.
[quote]

I am running 2 forum boards myself, and I know form experience that breaking things into different similiar subjects generally increases the chances of lookers reading and posting. I don't want to sidetrack this topic, but did want to say that is one thing don't like about this board is having to look through all the new post topics to see if I am interested in something. Then again, more categories also requires more moderators and time. But, you have my vote:)

SuperGeeky · Post by **SuperGeeky** » Wed Jul 09, 2008 10:07 am

Well, I'm pretty pleased! I just got back from Sleep Doc. We talked about the Respiratory issues and decided to focus on one part of the breathing test.

A significant jump in respiratory strength! My bet, nasal irrigation. Could be the BiPap therapy, but I feel it's the irrigation.

I'm no doctor but I would assume that whatever collects in the nasal passages makes their way to the lungs as well.

If the cilia and the nasal passages are working as they are supposed to, I'm sure the whole respiratory system benefits as well. How could it not?

I was taking my allergy Med before bed, get the most while using BiPap. I've been forgetting, doesn't seem to make a difference after the nasal irrigation.

I really think this is critical to the BiPap Therapy.

Take care,

SG

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Wed Jul 09, 2008 10:52 am

There are several forum posts re: favorable results with the Grossan irrigator ... I use it and have not had a sinus infection or congestion or allergy issues in over 2 years (I used to get a sinus infection/allergy/congestion events 3 or 4 times a year). I don't know if it is due to use of CPAP, Grossan irrigator, or both (I started using irrigator a few months after CPAP).

http://www.hydromedonline.com/

BTW - For the record, I have no financial or any other affiliation with hydromedline or their products.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Jul 09, 2008 11:02 am

PAsnoring06, I too suffer from acne and the irritation caused by chinstraps.

I cannot BELIEVE you like this product!!!!
http://www.snorender.com/

It looks HEINOUS to me!

Have you looked into the PAP-CAP, made out of cotton, by our own SleepGuy?

http://www.pur-sleep.com/content/?id=44

and here:

http://www.pur-sleep.com/products/produ ... category=6

Good luck!!!!
Babs

birdshell · Post by **birdshell** » Wed Jul 09, 2008 5:30 pm

Anonymous wrote:PAsnoring06, I too suffer from acne and the irritation caused by chinstraps.

I cannot BELIEVE you like this product!!!!
http://www.snorender.com/

It looks HEINOUS to me! <snip>

Good luck!!!!
Babs

I cannot believe that our own Babs

has dissed the Snorender...when it looks suspiciously SIMILAR to the Tiara Ruby

Click Here for Ruby Chinstrap

and Tiara Topaz

Click Here for Topaz Chinstrap

*Please note: both Babette and I have found the Tiara chinstraps to be hot and the neoprene rubber of which they are made SMELLS! Nay, STINKS!

Talk about acne...I would sweat and wake up to just bend back the upper half of the chin part, so that the upper chin (lower face) could just cool off for a while. Wherever I tend to sweat, I also tend to break out. Dang, why did I have to get my cpap in late spring, and try the Tiara Ruby Chin Strap in HOT WEATHER?

Ah, well, just my own ramblings about the luck I seem to experience with such devices. Those straight chin straps with the circle hole MUST work for SOMEONE! C'mon, 'fess up you folks!

Click Here for Basic Chinstrap

I personally cannot believe that cpap.com's review average is as high as 2.7 stars!

Yours for a comfortable anti-mouth breathing method that is effective,
Karen

Oh, wait!

That might be mouth taping...

Gerryk · Post by **Gerryk** » Thu Jan 01, 2009 4:33 pm

I have terrible allergies and daily I take three meds year round for them. I had problems with dryness when using my humidified CPAP. Someone suggested I try nasal irrigation. I thought yeah right I am going to stick a garden hose up my nose and turn the water on, figuring the person who recommedend I do this would be around a corner someplace with a video camera. I did look into it and saw several posts on another site about it. I used one of those squeeze bottles. I was so happy with the results that I went out and purchased a grossan hydro pulse. There were other ones that were recommended but I researched and like this one better.

Now I have had the hydro pulse for almost a week and I am wondering why no doctor has ever mentioned this to me before. I can breath through both sides of my nose. I don't ever remember being able to do that.

My son who is 9 years old has allergies just like I did at his age. He started nasal irrigation too and loves it.

Gerry

allinknots · Post by **allinknots** » Thu Jan 01, 2009 8:19 pm

DreamStalker wrote:There are several forum posts re: favorable results with the Grossan irrigator ... I use it and have not had a sinus infection or congestion or allergy issues in over 2 years (I used to get a sinus infection/allergy/congestion events 3 or 4 times a year). I don't know if it is due to use of CPAP, Grossan irrigator, or both (I started using irrigator a few months after CPAP).

http://www.hydromedonline.com/

BTW - For the record, I have no financial or any other affiliation with hydromedline or their products.

I'm on my second Grossan irrigator. I love it! (I wore out my first one.) I used this item even prior to being on cpap and reading about it on the forum. You can learn about it through the reviews on Amazon.
Another good thread similar to this thread is the thread: Nasal Rinse Schmazel Vince! on this forum.

If I ever wear out my current Hydropulse, I'll immediately purchase another.

Also, just want to mention--as I understand it, the idea is *not* to rinse out your sinuses--you are to rinse out your nostrils. Some of the moisture from the saline/baking soda solution makes its way up to your sinuses. This moisture causes your nasal and sinus cilia to become more active, and to move mucus and irritants down and out through your nostrils.

All in Knots

All in Knots

Gerryk · Post by **Gerryk** » Sun Dec 27, 2009 5:06 pm

One year of using the grosan nasal irrigator and I am hooked. I was using it daily, but now only use it when I need it. It sure did help this past spring and fall with my allergies.
Gerry

jlgwinn · Post by **jlgwinn** » Sun Dec 27, 2009 8:21 pm

sleepngo wrote:I also use the NielMed rinse packets with the 8oz squeeze bottle. I find it much easier to use than the pot, just turn my head side to side and gently squeeze into the nostrils, works great.

Dan

I too use this method..I feel that if I'm stopped up, the pot will not do as good as job as the "squeeze" botttle. I did this for the first time last not and worked a miracle with how I was breathing through out the night.

Jeff

Nasal Irrigation

CPAP & mouth breathing

Re: CPAP & mouth breathing

Re: Nasal Irrigation

Re:

Re: Nasal Irrigation

Re:

Humidifier

Additional Comments: Cozy Hose, Hose Boss Management System, PapCap F Series

Mask	Humidifier

Additional Comments: Pursleep, Padacheek, Regenesis™ Pillow, Neti Pot, Travel Buddy hose hanger