Sinus congestion

Try

1. Wait and See
by rjjayrt
There's a trend among new users of CPAP that they tend to have nasal congestion for a few days after starting cpap. Most believe that this an airway reaction due to the use of pressure. It tends to last 2 to 3 days then gos away. If after 3 days you still suffer from nasal congestion then start at the bottom and work up. Start with saline nose spray.

2. Visiting the ear/nose/throat doctor
by Dejaboo and dkdc
If you have a deviated septum, nasal spray or inhalers will not help.

3. Vicks inhaler
by YawnGirl
Looks like chapstick, rub under your nose.

4. Vicks steam inhaler

You put hot water in it and add a Vicks tiny pad, put your face over it and inhale. (You're not suppose to put it in the microwave, but I did, it's like $8, I thought I could risk it)

5.Vicks shower tablets

You put them in your shower and the hot water makes a steamy vapor and opens your sinuses.

6. Flonase
by bearded_two and Autopapdude
Flonase doesn't cause rebound and it takes two or more days to start working. It is used daily.

7. Claritin
by rooster and Falcon1
Instead of Benadryl try generic loratadine (Claritin) or Zyrtec for the antihistamine effects. 'non-sedating antihistamines' (Claritin, Zyrtec, or Allegra) at night before bedtime, see the following CPAPtalk thread: Source.

Jury is Still Out

1. Neti Pot
Debate over Neti pots is provided in the following CPAPtalk thread. It begins with a posted article advocating against neti pots (details below), and is followed by CPAPtalk members reporting their success with neti pots.

definition: A neti pot is a small pot used for irrigating the nasal passages. Typically it has a spout attached near the bottom, sometimes with a handle on the opposite side.

Article posted:
by Rooster
Contrary to popular belief, irrigating the nose every day with the help of a Neti pot may actually make patients more susceptible to sinus infections, researchers said.

"I don't have anything against short-term nasal saline irrigation -- even aggressive nasal saline irrigation for three, four days or one week is totally fine," Talal M. Nsouli, MD, of Watergate Allergy & Asthma Center in Washington said. "But when we are doing it on a daily basis, we are modifying the immunological biochemistry of the nose."

That, he said, can result in a "depletion of immune elements" -- hence, recurrent sinus infections.Source

Avoid

1. Nasonex
by Lee Lee
CPAPtalk members who discontinue their use of Nasonex report their sinus congestion and mouth infections improving or disappearing immediately. If you use Nasonex on a regular basis and have congestion that has not gone away, try discontinuing it for one or more nights and note the differences on CPAPtalk forum to benefit others. You may also add your experience here. Source

2. Afrin
by YawnGirl
CPAPtalk members report having to use more each time to get your nose to clear. It can caues heart rate changes that may actually keep you from a good night's sleep.

3. Benadryl
by rooster
I recommend against Benadryl (diphenhydramine) because it has a strong sedating effect and tends to dry the nasal membranes. The sedating effect will help you sleep but it is believed the sleep architecture is not normal and leaves many people groggy and tired the next morning.