new to cpap - have a cold - what to do?

I am new to CPAP - about 3 weeks - I think I am doing fine - seem to be getting the hang of the mask and tubing and the humidity setting that works the best for me. I told my husband that I now know what it feels like to be an elepant. Anyway, I am getting a cold and I am concerned about using my nasal mask - any suggestions??

There are a couple of short-term solutions you could use:

1 - use a neti-pot (or any other sinus rinse) about an hour before bed. Follow all instructions that come with the rinse, and use only distilled water - NEVER tap water. This should clear out your nose enough for things to work.

2 - Use an over-the-counter nasal spray. WARNINGS: This can sometimes make you jumpy and therefore harder to get to sleep. Everyone is different, so try it during the day to see how you react to it. Also, you should use nasal sprays like this for NO MORE THAN THREE DAYS. It is critical you don't use them for longer, or you risk a phenomenon called rebound congestion where you're not sick, but your nose is clogged anyway. Three days should get you over the worst of the cold though.

In either case, crank up the humidifier higher than you normally would. This keeps the nasal passages extra-moist, which many have reported will help with congestion.

For longer-term planning, many xPAP users keep a full-face mask around for these occasions. You can get one from your DME when you get new supplies (typically once every 3-6 months). Just tell them you want a Mirage Quattro FFM (closest one to your nasal mask) next time you need to order. Remind the DME that you're on a nasal mask the time you order after that, so they send you the right replacement parts for your day-to-day mask.

Remember that while you have a cold, you're going to have lower-quality sleep anyway, so even if your nose is clogged, you can still get some benefit from therapy and some better sleep than if you had a cold and weren't on the blower.

Get well soon!

For me, the issue is having my nasal passages clear when I mask up. The pressure seems to keep things open all night. I just need to be able to breath when I go to bed. Once the air go away in the AM, things close up fairly quickly. I use a nasal pillows mask.

Also just treat the symptoms like you normally would...decongestant of some sort. If cough..treat with cough meds.
Drink lots of fluids.
You may find that you breathe better than you think you would. If the mouth comes open..well it just comes open...some therapy is better than no therapy (as in not masking up at all).

I have had 2 colds in 2 1/2 years. I use a nasal pillow mask. Don't own anything else. Both times I was able to treat the symptoms well enough to get to sleep. Slept okay for having a cold which isn't all that great but better than I would have thought.

The previous replies pretty much covered it - just wanted to add that I am in the same boat, have a nasal mask that I can't use if I get too congested. If cold remedies etc including nasal spray don't work, I use a full face mask until I can breathe freely through my nose again.

Thank you for all the helpful hints - I do have one other question - if I am not eligible for a new mask until the 6 month time
period - is there a way to get a full face mask thru insurance or would it just be better to buy one myself?

By the way - I have been reading the posts on the a few different message boards for sleep apnea and I am very sure that this is by far the most helpful and friendly one. Thank you again for making me feel so comfortable and not alone in my new way of life.

Well, if you call your sleep doc, they may have a sample mask (don't worry, it would be unopened) that you could use when you have a cold. Not all sleep docs have samples though.

You could also ask him/her if they can write an RX for the Full Face specifically. That may or may not work with your insurance, so I'd call the insurer too just to be safe.

Your insurance probably will not foot the bill for a new mask until specified time is up even if doctor writes a specific script. Just because a doctor writes the order doesn't guarantee insurance company will pay. You could check with them though. If you don't ask the answer is "No".

It is too late to get a full face mask for this cold unless your DME would be willing to help out right now. Again you could ask.

In the meantime.. do what you can with what you have. If you wish to have a full face mask in the future and DME won't help then I would suggest utilizing the mask trial here and find one that works for you http://www.cpaplibrary.com/mask-trials.html then you can find out best place to buy one out of pocket. Finding the right full face mask can be rather tricky as fit, comfort and leaks can be more problematic.

To order a mask online (would likely be cheaper than buying from DME if insurance won't pay) you will need an RX. Full face masks are pretty pricey though especially if insurance won't pay.

If you find you can manage the cold symptoms well enough with nasal mask you may not even want to go the FFM route.

Wow, talk about timely. I am also fairly new and am starting to feel a cold coming on. What great advice. Thanks