bad cold

It's my first cold since starting treatment. I have a full face mask so the fact my nose is clogged isn't the problem. But will using my cpap force all this gunk into my lungs? Is it better to forego using it until I'm better, or will it be OK to continue.

I have had three colds this winter -- doctor said she thought it was due to the change in jobs -- I went from teaching high school to teaching elementary.

This last one was awful but I kept using my machine with the help of a full face mask. I need the most restful and restorative sleep I could obtain in order to get over the cold and I knew without my machine I wouldn't sleep soundly.

In my opinion unless instructed to do so by a doctor I would keep using my machine.

You can use afrin for a few days, it works great. Just don;t get hooked.

I have had a head cold the past 5 days. Now here is the strange part. I have used tap water in my humidifier all year
long till about 7 days ago I switched to distilled water and get the first cold I have had in almost 2 years!

I used afrin for a few days and my ff mask, but found that coughing into a ff mask kind of stinks. So I had a few nights of lousy sleep, but I think it was still correct to stay on the hose.

Tcamillemars wrote:It's my first cold since starting treatment. I have a full face mask so the fact my nose is clogged isn't the problem. But will using my cpap force all this gunk into my lungs? Is it better to forego using it until I'm better, or will it be OK to continue.

Keep PAPing. If you're using heated humidity, turn it down or off. I know that sounds counter-intuitive, but increased humidity can cause more congestion.

Try saline rinses and stay away from Afrin.


Den

I too, just recovered after a cold this weekend, and my internet was down so wasnt
able to rely on this forum for tips. Using a full face mask helps, since I obviously couldnt
breathe out of my nose, but the worst part was the cough.....and trying to function with
a mask was a challenge. Not sure what the opinions are of Zicam, but when i started sneezing
friday night, used the product, and remained on it over the weekend, and can say I'm much improved
already. (With high blood pressure, not many 'cold medicine' options available).
Luckily, I havent had a cold or anything for the last couple years, so wont complain to much.
Wish I had known of the turning the humidifier down or off....good tip, thanks.