POLL: Sinus/Allergy/Congestion Increase After Starting xPAP

Curious.

My sinuses go crazy if I don't use the humidifier with my APAP, but as long as I do, I have MUCH less nasal congestion than prior to treatment.

I tried humidifier set at 1, one night. AWFULLLLLL. It gave me horrendous allergy like symptoms for 2 days.

Got that cleared up and about 2 weeks later I forgot to fill the water tank and it went dry. OMG awful allergy like symptoms again. Major congestion, runny nose, sneezes, itching so bad I wanted to use a wire brush in there.
Miserable for another 2 days. Only relief was at night on the machine with the settings cranked up to 5 to rehydrate the mucosa and sinuses.

I have not been ill with any head cold or real allergy symptoms since starting therapy so I can't say if I am been ill from it or not.

All lifes problems can't be blamed on XPAP usage.

I used to have seasonal Sinus/Allergy/congestion. Now they are worse, not because of XPAP, my XPAP makes it better by filtering out many of the causes of the problem. Mine are caused by added Meds, that were added fo keep my heart functioning. Also I moved into a damp moldy "Cave". Breathing the extra filtered air at night helps me to cope, in the daytime the problems become worse. Jim

Pugsy wrote: .... awful allergy like symptoms again. Major congestion, runny nose, sneezes, itching ....

My emphasis applied to Pugsy's very precise wording.

Too often blamed on allergic reaction, these symptoms are predictable responses to pressure (and perhaps also to flow, particularly with nasal pillow interfaces) characteristics of xPAP.

As already pointed out, the key to control is adequate humidification.

A frequent pattern is doing fine at night (the xPAP presssure reduces congestion) but experiencing rebound congestion during the day. Prescription steroid nasal spray to reduce inflammation can be very helpful.

Over-the-counter / "natural" / homeopathic remedies are often suggested, which may help and aren't likely to do any harm.

I have fewer problems since starting xPAP therapy. I've always used the humidifier so I can't say whether the help came from that or the air filters or both. I'm just glad for the improvement.

millich wrote:My sinuses go crazy if I don't use the humidifier with my APAP, but as long as I do, I have MUCH less nasal congestion than prior to treatment.

Same here.

Dan

My allergic asthma is way down. My sinus allergies are more noticeable because the mask sits on my face and I can feel it pressing, so now I pay more attention to the issue.

Velbor wrote:Over-the-counter / "natural" / homeopathic remedies are often suggested, which may help and aren't likely to do any harm.

Unless, of course, it's the one linked with loss of the sense of smell. Natural products are rarely as natural as they appear.

I know in my case, it's due to the cat living with us. My wife did without a pet for 30 years due to my allergies, and then we were adopted by this stray. She fed it, and...well.....

Does increased use of Nasacort count?

I noticed that whenI started CPAP initially I had more congestion and allergies and drainage of my sinuses.
That was pure Heck!!!!!!!!!
I now use a Nielmed Neti Pot and salt packets and irrigate my sinuses at least once a day in the shower.This has helped a lot.
I used to use nasal sprays but all they did over time was to make me even more congested.
I also use Mentholatum around my nose during the day to make me able to breathe better.Don't use with your mask as it is petroleum based and may harm mask surfaces!
Be sure to periodically check your filter in your machine and clean it and get some fine particle/allergy filters to use with your reuseable filter(white paper-y throw away kind,not wash out black foam kind which is reuseable) and change them when they need it too.
I would have to say that my sinuses are better off now that I am on CPAP.

Since I started CPAP, I've found my sinuses are clearer, and my hayfever is reduced. Not sure why, but I like it!

Oh, and I sleep better too!

K