CPAPtalk.com

cpax wrote:Last night my nose was closed on one side a severely restricted on the other. I could draw a breath only with conscious effort...Today I made an appointment with the supplier to talk about full face masks next Tuesday. In the meantime I will continue to work with the nose mask...

tvnation runs free trials of masks...might try the mask I and quite a few others here wear (click on the one shown in my signature to see it), the RespCare Hybrid. Pillows and an oral cushion, quite comfy. Think I posted earlier about my severe claustrophia and fear of suffocation -- this mask works very well for those of us who experience these types of fears/phobias. I have terrible sinus/allergy issues and this mask handles my periodic, unpredictable nostril blockage (both sides) without a hitch...I rarely wake up when that occurs since switching to this mask.

Before CPAP, I could not jog a couple hundred feet without getting winded.
Now, I run a block and a half with the dog; and I feel wonderful--not even panting.

cpax wrote:Last night my nose was closed on one side a severely restricted on the other. I could draw a breath only with conscious effort

Have you tried adjusting your humidifier setting? Some people get stuffed up if that's too high or too low.

Last night at bedtime was nose was all but plugged. I moved the machine next to my favourite armchair, cranked the humidity and even put some Vicks near the intake. Wow, best night to date. I had two four-hour periods of fairly solid rest. This morning I'm thinking, this thing could work! The machine is actually the best thing I could do for a plugged nose. It was fine all night long, no constricted breathing, no panic. I feel like I made a breakthrough but I'm still cautious, I know there will still be good nights and bad nights. That said, though, I'd rather have a bad night on the machine, than without it.

Thanks again to this community for its support and great suggestions.