vasomotor and cpap - any ideas

Hi
I am new to the site and recently diagnosed with vasomotor rhinitis and sleep apnea. I know that vasomotor rhinitis has been discussed somewhat and that the symptoms and treatments are mixed but wondered what some people found that worked.
There are a number of medical papers that claim that CPAP can induce congestion in patients that do not have existing problems. I am not sure if this implies that CPAP creates any worse congestion in people with vasomotor rhinitis or not. I found some other papers that indicate that pass over humidifiers using heat will reduce congestion levels as compared with systems using cold passover or no humidifier. In light of this, I have been trying to use my heated humidifier with a full face mask, where the temperature is set at maximum. I do feel that I become more congested the next day if I don't get enough humidity within the mask on the prior night.

I have several problems relating to vasomotor rhinitis and CPAP use that I would to hear advice on.
1. Vasomotor Treatment -
I tried the following while not on CPAP:
I use saline irrigation 1-2 per day with saline mist occasionally.
I have been using Nasacort daily for the last three months, and tried the following with it:
I tried Astelin - this drove my heart pulse out of control
I tried Patanase - I got some minor nose bleeds that lead to infection. Someone suggested that my nose was too dry during use. (? - not sure how to hydrate or if this is true)
I tried Nasacort, Zyrtec, and Singulair as a combined approach - my nose dried up within a week and then got congested (seems like the mucus thickened by then). I seemed ok but had a burning nose and got off all the drugs. I seemed OK for a while and then started to use the CPAP. After a day or two, my congestion returned. No clue, could be the lack of treatment during this time or CPAP use. The combination seemed OK for a while but was exhausted every day.

2. CPAP use
Philips Respironics BiPap PR One System : pressure set to 10 cm H2O inhale and 9.5 exhale with CFLEX at 3
with heated humidifier set at 5 (max)
Mirage Quattro full face mask

I find that the lower the pressure, the better the humidity and the better I feel. When it gets to about 9-10 cm, I feel that I am loosing humidity. I check for air leaks with my finger and I cannot find any or hear any. If I put my finger over the mask vents, the humidity will increase to levels similar to the lower pressure setting.
Does anyone think that there is something wrong with the mask exhaust (the flap inside the mask inlet tube) or something else? Or is this natural at higher settings?
What else should I consider?
And thanks

What climate do you live in? What is your bedroom humidity?

If I were to make a bet, it would be that you have the humidifier set too high. A maximum setting is good for desert-like conditions but not good for other climates.

[img]What climate do you live in? What is your bedroom humidity?

If I were to make a bet, it would be that you have the humidifier set too high. A maximum setting is good for desert-like conditions but not good for other climates.[/img]

Live in Houston, TX: hot and humid
Bedroom AC: low humidity

But I want to increase the humidity --------

JuanBoy wrote:
But I want to increase the humidity --------

In my experience, as long as the humidity in the bedroom is around 40 (%r/h) or higher, no supplemental CPAP humidity is needed. In the coldest parts of our winters when the central heat runs a lot and the humidity in my bedroom drops to 35% or lower, then I use humidity.

Are you aware that too much CPAP humdity causes nasal congestion in some people?

I recommend you get a hygrometer for the bedroom and make some observations.

Buy Ocean saline spray and use it several times during the day and see if it provides enough moisture. You live in a swamp...challenging for any form of rhinitis. I have vasomotor, had it for yrs. I use the RespCare Hybrid FFM (pillows and covers mouth): lotta humidity in winter but I'm down to passover now (temps high 70s-80s in the day). Needed max humidity all the time when I used a pillow-only mask.

My congestion issues are my biggest CPAP therapy challenge...30 yrs of allergies, chronic sinusitis, vasomotor & gustatory rhinitis...no fun.

Gotta find the right balance of humnidity for current conditions, then the right mix of nasal steroid sprays, supplements, drugs, saline spray.