upper respiratory problems with CPAP use

My dad is frustrated with his CPAP which also has a humidifier. He has severe nasal congestion and coughs all day after using it. His nose runs and he is really congested. He also hates how dry his mouth is and wakes up repeatedly to drink water. Any tips???
Thanks!

Yes, tell him to turn off or at least turn way down the humidifier, and to try a full face mask (it actually only covers your mouth along with your nose, not your whole face) because the humidifier is likely causing the congestion (happens to a lot of us and it's not actually needed for therapy, only comfort) and the dry mouth is likely because his mouth is opening when he's asleep and he's losing all the benefit of the Cpap air, also very common. Some masks to try would be the Quattro, the Ultramirage Full Face and the Liberty (all of which you can look at on Cpap.com).

If he has only a nasal mask, switch to a full face mask. It likely won't help the dryness, but will make the therapy effective.

Also, its not uncommon for new CPAP users to develop a minor lung infections.

Its also the season for colds, flu, and other respiratory infections. I've had a bug that's slowly been leaving for the past 6-7 weeks. It wasn't strep and I can't think of anything else with this kind of persistence. Based on other people's comments this has really been going around too. The first two weeks of it made CPAP therapy useless for me. I would dry out to levels of irritation that would wake me up and prevent me from going back to sleep within the first hour or two regardless of humidity. Ironically even though my throat and the part of the nasal passage that connects to the throat would dry out, my nose was runny and lungs were congested.

Why would you say it won't help the dryness? IF he's a mouth breather when sleeping, that's the obvious reason he's dry, and fixing that problem should fix the dryness - or have I missed something along the (5 yr) way? I use the Ultramirage FF myself and no humidifier at all, though that might be because I live a block from the ocean.

Julie wrote:Why would you say it won't help the dryness? IF he's a mouth breather when sleeping, that's the obvious reason he's dry, and fixing that problem should fix the dryness - or have I missed something along the (5 yr) way? I use the Ultramirage FF myself and no humidifier at all, though that might be because I live a block from the ocean.

I use a FFM now and am actually dryer than with my nasal mask/strap combo.

The air flow is swirling in my mouth causing it to dry out.

I've read that here from others. I guess you learn something new everyday no matter who you are.

I have been using the CPAP for five plus years and I have had pneumonia, or bronchitis or both every year since Each year the symptoms get worse. anyone else have this problem?

I have mild sleep apnea I also have scars on my lungs from hooping cough as a child. Therefore, I have respiratory problem and the CPAC just causes me to get sick more often. I use the nasal pillows and a humidifer. I keep the humidifer on 2. Any higher and my nose runs all day. I wake during the night very dry. Tried using a chin strap and it is too much with the head strap to be comfortable. Is there any solution? I met a girl at the gym who has the same problem--she gets a respiratory illness when she uses her CPAC and she has no lung disease. We both sterilize our equipment as instructed with warm water and a mild soap.

Not to be repetitive , but try a full face mask and try turning down the humidifier. "try" means you can always change back after all, so nothing to lose (except maybe the price of insurance at Cpap.com).

Investigate the Hybrid mask or the Liberty -- they have pillows and a mouth cushion. When I went to the Hybrid, I no longer needed heated humidity just passover. It might work out well for ypu.

I've been using a CPAP since 2005. Takes me a good two weeks to get used to every new mask. But, I'm faithful at using the machine, change out filter regularly, wash the straps weekly, nose pillows every other day. Still get facial dermatitis from the mask, so now I use a thin, microfibre sock under the part of the mask that touches my face. Problem is, I have constant upper respiratory issues. Constant. Coughs lasting 8 weeks, minimum. At least 3 a year. Every year. I haven't been to any doctor about the coughs, cuz I figure it's from smoking. I'm thoroughly congested every morning until about noon. If I increase the humidifier to more than the current 1.5 setting, the amount of phlegm and sinus pressure is worse. My pulmonologist says the CPAP cannot cause lung or bronchial infections. Yeah, I don't believe him. I've had mid-sternum pain for months. Last time I had this, I was a new CPAP user and pulmonologist told me it was costal chondritis. After about a year, the discomfort diminished to where I wasn't thinking about it with every movement. But it never completely went away, gets acute periodically, each time lasting longer, accompanied by discomfort swallowing solids and liquids. Thought maybe I had a problem with the esophagus, got an endoscopy which was clean - minor GE reflux, had it for over 3 decades. Chest XRay is clear, they tell me. So, any input for y'all would be greatly appreciated.

Julie wrote:Why would you say it won't help the dryness? IF he's a mouth breather when sleeping, that's the obvious reason he's dry, and fixing that problem should fix the dryness - or have I missed something along the (5 yr) way? I use the Ultramirage FF myself and no humidifier at all, though that might be because I live a block from the ocean.

I too am a mouth breather, and the FFM help you to retain pressure while mouth breathing, but a FFM doesn't cause one to close their mouth nor does it make ones mouth any more moist. Even with the humidifier cranking, I've woken up many times with a mouth so dry I've almost had to pry my tongue from the roof of my mouth.

I am fairly new...one week...to using nasal CPAP/nasal mask and I am really really congested. Granted the allergen level is an 11 out of 12 here in Roanoke, VA, but I take an allergy tablet daily, run a Neti pot through my nose at least twice a day, and by the end of the day I have to shoot Afrin up there just to get the Neti to run through and to be able to breath with the mask. (I know that Afrin is just a bad idea and not a long-term solution at all but....) I have regular saline and saline gel also. I have cracks inside my nose and a dry throat in the morning, but I do keep my mouth shut all night long. I tried the humidifier on 1 and 2 but ended up calling DME and she moved it up to 4 saying that the more clogged your nose the higher the humidification should be, despite popular belief that humidity is CAUSING the congestion. Still no relief. I have dusted/wiped down/vac'd my bedroom...washed filters...covered equipment...I am fairly concerned that this will be a constant battle. I just don't know what else to do...help me! What else can I do?

BUT I WILL SAY THIS...I have slept better in the last five days than I have in 15 years. The trade off is well worth it and then some. I am still a little tired during the day but the sleep is solid and sooooo nice. I feel calmer, more together, less emotional/irritable, and just plain GOOD.

I know that we are all different so I've been amazed that I've had relatively minor sinus problems post CPAP and I had major problems pre CPAP. When I did have a bad cold I raised my humidity to 4 and 4.5 (it is usually at 3) and I got along fine. The Olbas oil on a pad under the air vent on my machine is wonderful and I look forward to going to bed at night and experiencing the soothing scent. I usually have several bad sinus infections per year and I've had none on CPAP. I hope that you get yours cleared up soon!

Alaun - costal chondritis is like arthritis, and is very likely to wax and wane, especially with your environment (temperature and humidity) so it's not surprising that you still have it, but I'm also hearing little signs of denial about smoking in terms of your respiratory problems... just because a chest x-ray is clear does not mean other problems are not present and I think you need to look into it further... not just blow off the possibilities or blame Cpap.

I use a FFM, and when my nose is stuffy causing me to mouth breathe, my mouth gets really dry, even though I'm using a FFM. So it's important to tackle the cause of congestion, to reduce that and alleviate the dry mouth symptom by being able to breathe through the nose as much as possible.

Humidity can help or hinder. Some people do better with more humidity, some with less or even none. So you have to experiment. A DME who insists the humidity must be turned up is WRONG--it varies person to person, so unless the DME is clairvoyant he/she cannot be certain what will help a particular individual. You have to play around with it to find your own sweet spot, and do nasal hygiene to prevent congestion from other causes.

If you keep your machine and supplies relatively clean (I'm a bit of a slacker on this and I've been fine), it can only HELP lung conditions. First, you are breathing clean, filtered air all night. That's a good thing. Secondly, with your airways open, you are getting good oxygenation to your lungs and other tissues. Once you get the humidification dialed in so that you are not getting nasal congestion from it, you should feel much better.

I have asthma and chronic bronchitis, and after several bouts the year before CPAP I didn't get so much as a cold the first year on CPAP. I did have a few bouts later, but they were caused by my asthma triggers, NOT by CPAP. In fact, about the only time I felt some good relief during a bout of bronchitis was when the CPAP was on. I slept well despite the bronchitis, and used it during the day when my coughing got out of control--it feels great when your lungs are stressed..