Sneezing Solutions

I have been using my Philips Responics CPAP with humidifyer since Aug 2012. I have cycles of sneezing and running nose, etc much like a lot of people. I go through cycles where it is worse than other times. Sometimes I have to suspend using CPAP until symptoms settle down. I never had sinus type issues until I started using CPAP. I clean my machine religiously, I dont have allergies, don't have a cold and these sysmptoms only started since I started using the CPAP. Has anyone found any real solutions to alleviating these symptoms? I cannot work with these symptoms. Btw, I feel great after using my CPAP all night. What a difference, wide awake, definitely getting much needed oxygen to my brain, feels like I got real rest. Getting use to my machine was the easiest part. Thanks for any help you might share with me.

Have you experimented with higher and lower humidifier settings? Some people seem to never need the humidifier at all, others like it at the top setting year round.

What you are describing sounds like a bit of rhinitis due to moisture or lack of moisture from cpap therapy.
The nasal mucosa are rebelling...either they are dried out and want more moisture from the humidifier or they are wanting less moisture.
This area is something that each person has to figure out on their own. Some people need more and some need less..there's no right or wrong..just personal preference and needs.

What setting are you using on the humidifier? The default for the PR S1 machine that you probably have is for the new System One Humidification System and it doesn't put out much moisture. If you are using a relatively low setting...you may simply need more moisture.
You might try either more added moisture or less to see how it affects the sneezes.
I get the same thing if I forget to add water and my tank goes dry during the night. My nasal mucosa don't like being dry at all.

I found that using a moisturing nasal gel applied into my nostrils with a cotton bud really stopped my runny nose and ferocious sneezing. I only use it very infrequently now, but always have some on hand 'just in case'.

My setting for the humidifyer is currently set at 2 (settings go from 1-5). I havent seemed to get the right combination. I guess I will have to be more scientific in my approach. When going from one level to another, should it be on that level for a specific number of days before I try another setting? Does a higher level with more mositure mean more sneezing or less sneezing? Thanks.

When do you use the nasal gel? During the day or when your using the CPAP? Where do you get the nasal gel from?

Here's the deal...some people experience the same symptoms with more moisture and some with less moisture.
Since you are already using not much added moisture...I imagine you need more.
For me I found it took about 3 days before my nasal mucosa got over being mad at me when I dried them out too much.

The PR S1 new humidification system uses much less water so it is easy to get dried out and if your nasal mucosa just happen to need more moisture (the majority of cpap users will need more vs less moisture) to be happy...you likely aren't getting what your nasal mucosa want. Some people do better with no added moisture but those people are in the minority.

Try a setting of 4 tonight...if you don't see much change..give it a couple of nights to see if the sneezing reduces.
If the sneezing becomes greatly increased at 4...you are likely one of those that need less moisture but the odds are that you just need more. So if it makes it worse..it will be immediate but it isn't always immediate when we are trying to get the mucosa back to normal status.

Also...get something like Simply Saline nasal spray and use it liberally during the day to help get the mucosa rehydrated.

Use a sinus rinse to clean and moisturize your sinuses daily.

Thanks for the feedback. First straight forward information I have received. Since I am at 2, wouldnt it be better to try the seting at 3 first? I have been using Neil Meds sailine rinse, it that just as effective? Is the spray better than taking an allergy pill?
On another note, why is it that all the CPAP professionals have no clue to the information discussed here? I have spent several doctors visits discussing my problems with the CPAP professionals and they keep trying to convince me that I had pre-existing health issues.
Thank you for your helpful comments. Glad I found this forum.

I forgot...to add I am only using the nasal rinse once a day...how often should I be using it daily? Thanks again.

Runny nose and sneezing.......Need an antihistamine. Try Claritin or Zyrtec for a few days and see if that helps.

Shrek1955 wrote:Since I am at 2, wouldnt it be better to try the seting at 3 first?

Maybe but a change from 2 to 3 with what you are using isn't much of a change at all. I have a PR S1 machine and the default mode even at 5 doesn't use a whole lot of water even where I live where the ambient humidity is really quite decent. I don't live in the desert by any means.
I toyed with which number to suggest.. I figured if your nasal mucosa were actually dried out...4 stood a better chance of getting you less miserable sooner.

I am pretty sure you need more moisture and not less but if you are more comfortable going up slowly...nothing wrong with that at all. I have been in your shoes...sneezing, runny nose, itchy nose (wanted a wire brush), congestion whatever...it isn't fun at all.
If your sneezing is minor...3 might be just the ticket.

You will find that we forum members tend to suggest what works for us...it's human nature...even though we know that we are all individuals with different needs.

Do what you feel comfortable doing. I won't have my feelings hurt if you opt for a slower approach.

Where do you live and how is the humidity level in the house?

Pugsy..thank you...Appreciate your feedback....WIll try 4 tonight and let you know what happens. Do you use a nasal spray or rinse? If you do, how often and does it work for you?
Also, I hope I didn't offend any CPAP professionals who use this forum. What I should have said is in "my experience" with the few CPAP professional I have come in contact with, they don't seem to understand. ....And the idea of taking a allergy pill to lesson these symptoms caused by using the CPAP is ludicrous, in my opinion, I want to lesson my medicine intake for the rest of my life, not increase it.

Cosmo....I live in California....very low humidity in the house ....