Allergy hades

rvbcave · Post by **rvbcave** » Mon Jan 23, 2006 4:28 am

Hey Gang,

I have allergy problems from hell when on my cpap. Before CPAP I only had minor problems. Even on a clear night I wake up with the mask blowing or severe sinus pain because one passage is fully closed. I ordered a FFM so hope that can be an alternative. I have tried afrin, saline rinse, nasal four and several others. They only give temporary relief allowing me to get started on CPAP in the evening. I seem to always wake about 2 or 3 am so clogged up I have to discontinue therapy. Any ideas?

You guys are great, thanks,
Robby

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Mon Jan 23, 2006 8:28 am

Afrin is one of the things tha can cause rebound congestion if used too long.

1. Stick to the nasal rinses and to them twice a day (see this video for the technique http://www.sinucleanse.com/why_video.htm)

2. Have you been cleaning your main filter as religiously as recommended?

3. Have you been using a pollen filter?

4. Some people need lower humidity to fight their congestion.

O.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jan 23, 2006 8:49 am

ozij wrote:Afrin is one of the things tha can cause rebound congestion if used too long. (Yea, don't use this for more than 3 days in a row.)

1. Stick to the nasal rinses and to them twice a day (see this video for the technique http://www.sinucleanse.com/why_video.htm)

2. Have you been cleaning your main filter as religiously as recommended?
(As religously as a cult!)
3. Have you been using a pollen filter?
(I use the white fine secondary filter in my respironics unit.)
4. Some people need lower humidity to fight their congestion.
(I will give this a shot. We have all the humidity we need in Florida!)

O.

____

Thanks so much for the input!_____________

CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): video

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 10:47 am

I had really severe stuffy nose problems when I started using CPAP also. My doctor put me on allergy meds, and even added asthma medication. I finally went to an allergy specialist and got tested. I had never had any particular allergy problems prior, but perhaps the serious lack of sleep before I got my CPAP had taken a toll on my immune system.

Anyway, started proper allergy treatment and kept using the CPAP--I was desperate and very sleep deprived. After about three months I was able to cut back on the allergy meds. After six months I started allergy shots.

It's two years latter--no meds, although I am still getting the shots, and I love my CPAP.

NOLONGERTIRED · Post by **NOLONGERTIRED** » Sun Jan 29, 2006 8:23 am

Allergies to latex, a component in many masks, are common. Have you been tested specifically for that?

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Sun Jan 29, 2006 9:37 am

NOLONGERTIRED wrote:Allergies to latex, a component in many masks, are common. Have you been tested specifically for that?

Nowadays many masks are latex free, and state so clearly.

O.

rvbcave · Post by **rvbcave** » Sun Jan 29, 2006 9:54 pm

I found out that my problems are sinusitis directly affected by the positive pressure of CPAP. If I go on the machine I get sick from sinusitis (recovering from a severe infection right now...) and feel horrible. If I am not on the cpap I get severely hypoxic (around 72%) This makes me disoriented and dulls my mind. What gives? My pulm doc has been worthless. I am looking for another one. An apap would likely lessen the chances of sinusitis because it used only the lowest pressure needed. Not sure though. Anyone had any similar experiences? I have been off cpap for a week now and feel horrible.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Sun Jan 29, 2006 10:56 pm

Robby, maybe mouthbreathing through the FF mask you've ordered will let you continue to get treatment. Hope so.

You might do a search for posts by snork1. He had massive sinus problems that had to be roto-rootered out before he was able to use cpap treatment effectively. Even a FF mask didn't get the job done for him. He had to have extensive nasal and sinus surgery. He reported that CPAP works great for him now.

By the way, I went to your website in your profile. Great site. You've done so much for others. Hope this treatment gets better for you soon!

snork1 · Post by **snork1** » Sun Jan 29, 2006 11:06 pm

Seeing a good ENT in ADDITION to seeing the pulmonary sleep doc was the best move I have made in CPAP, with maybe the exception of finding forums like this.

Get the nose working!

But, Are you using a heated humidifier and heated hose? I forgot to check your profile to see if those items were listed. Those two items are VERY important also.

rvbcave · Post by **rvbcave** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 3:39 pm

Thanks so much Rested Gal and Snork! BTW the sinuclense works fantastic! I occasionally have to use afrin or the like to open the sinuses so that I can use it but it is a little better. As soon as I get insurance I am going to see an ENT doc to try to clear up this problem.

My best to all!

Robby

Humidifier