[CPAP] Fighting with CPAP

[Beekay]

I'm fighting with mask, pressure etc every night lately due to sinus congestion and nighttime asthma cough.
Ripping the mask off, putting it back on lately has become a nightly event.
Its driving me crazy. Doing everything I can think of to relieve my issues without success.Do you think I'm better off laying off the CPAP during these times or try to keep using. Sometimes I feel like the CPAP just aggravates my sinus and asthma issues when they
are bad.
Thxs

[wp6529]

It shouldn't become a regular thing, but taking Sudafed and/or Afrin or equivalent a bit before bedtime should get you through it, and if your apnea is bad you'll certainly be better off with a decent night of treated sleep than without. I have to do this on occasion, usually after a long day of mowing the lawn (should wear a dust mask).

[sleepybeaver]

As WP said you don't want to take Sudafed on a nightly basis...you get a rebound effect and can make things worse....it's easy to do...you take it and get a great nights sleep...then after a week or 2 of doing it....BAMB....you're blocked solid.....sometimes if you have a low starting pressure with the ramp on it's hard to breath...I have found by turing up my starting pressure to 6 from 4 and turning the ramp off it actually helps open my nose when it's stuffy....good luck...could be humidifier needs turned up or down...if it on a low setting I would bump it up by 1 or reverse if it's at a high setting...I hope you find the right settings....cause life is great when you do.

[Sleepster]

Doing everything I can think of to relieve my issues without success.

First of all, going without CPAP therapy will not help physically with your sinus issues. I know it's hard to wear the mask when you feel like you can't breathe, but the little bit of extra pressure provided by the CPAP machine actually helps clear your sinuses.

You say you've tried everything you can think of? Have you reported these problems to your doctor? There are remedies for the sinus problems and remedies for the CPAP problems. I would suggest taking an antihistamine such as generic Claritin every night. A sinus spray recommended by your doctor. A sinus rinse using the NeilMed kit. You can take sudafed in the mornings when needed. Try a full face mask.

All of this stuff is a hassle, especially when you're not getting a good night's sleep. But if you can get any of it to work you'll start feeling better and sleeping better and it will all be worth it.

When you sleep without the mask you are making it harder for yourself to adapt. And even though you may feel like you're sleeping without it, the fact is all you get is light sleep that's continuously interrupted. It just makes you feel worse and compounds your problems. It reduces the quality of your life and shortens your life span.

[AlanE]

Try a full face mask.

That would be my solution. Try a hybrid if you really like pillows.

[wordjoy]

What are you doing for humidity? If I don't have my water in the humidifier even with the heater off.. I stuff up. I will say that the longer I was on the CPAP the less chronically congested I got. Mouth breathing just lets the crud build in the nasal area. Also when I started as was still prone to stuffiness. I used to have one of this little finger shaped eucalyptus inhaler.. if I had any air flow in the nose at all it would open up enough for me to start the CPAP and that usually helped more.

[Beekay]

I do sinus meds. I told doctor, all he suggests is more saline spray.
Can't do a full face mask. Too coffin like. I go into panic mode.
I like the nasal mask.
I play with the humidifier.
I'm just frustrated. I thought every night would be great sleep.
One thing I have noticed is when I have nights like this my events go up.
Still very low which my doc is happy about.
Oh well, guess I'll just deal. :-/
Thxs for all advice. :-)

[AlanE]

Can't do a full face mask. Too coffin like. I go into panic mode.

Check out the Amara View or the Mirage Liberty. Those types of masks don't cover as much face as a typical ffm.

[DeepBreathing]

It sounds counter-intuitive but a nasal pillows mask might do the trick. Much as I hated the P10, it certainly did leave my pipes feeling fresh and clean, even if I was clogged up at the start of the night.

[OpalRose]

I've always had congestion and sinus/nasal stuffiness, even before CPAP, and thought I could never use a nasal pillow mask, but just the opposite is true. The nasal pillow mask really does open up the nasal passages.

Also use saline rinses and the XLEAR with xylitol nasal spray. If I'm real congested or am having allergy issues, I take a Claritin.