I'm sick, should I continue therapy?

[cyberfiche]

So, I have a cold. I feel like crap. I'm congested and I've been coughing and I have a slight fever. Should I continue with therapy tonight, or should I skip it for now? Thanks for any advice!

 - cyberfiche

[OpalRose]

If it helps you breathe better, then yes, continue using it. If it's not helpful, then back off until you feel better.

I know for myself, sick or not, I'd try to use it. But everyone's different, so go by how you're feeling.

And don't fret over your AHI numbers, as they are bound to be erratic when you're sick, especially if taking any medications.

[G. Szabo]

I also recommend using the device even if you are having a cold.

[Dormeo]

First, could I suggest you take a Covid test? I started out with just your symptoms and wound up with a roaring infection.

I find that some upper respiratory symptoms mean CPAP causes me to cough pretty much incessantly. So I stop using the machine until I have a reasonable chance of getting some sleep with it.

[Deborah K.]

I used it right through Covid with no problems, so I say use it.

[cyberfiche]

Thanks so much for all the advice. (And, yes, I did take a COVID test and it was negative.) I tested out the machine before bed to see how I felt with it. It felt better than without it, so I used the machine through the night. And I actually had a pretty peaceful night. I'm glad I decided to continue with it.

- cyberfiche

[WisNaeMe]

You might find you benefit from using your humidifier or cranking it up a bit for the duration of the cold - maybe tube temp too if using a heated tube.

[carrawa]

You might find if you have a blocked nose or nostril that the pressure keeps it open and it is easier t breather and sleep.

[junior ravine]

I was off for more than a week because of a bad cold around Thanksgiving. Just couldn't do it because of the coughing and gagging. This has happened before, and I just did without. 

Both times, I tried to go back "too soon" and ended up having to abort the session in the middle of the night. But then, both times, the next night therapy went smoothly - despite still coughing. And even though the Thanksgiving cold is still hanging on and I'm really congested at night (it's the week before Christmas now) my AHI has been sub 1 for the past week and a half. The coughing and gagging has subsided for the most part, and that's really the worst part of trying to do CPAP therapy with cold/flu/COVID symptoms for me, anyway.

But a hiatus for more than a week didn't seem to create any issues when I resumed the therapy, and I think I actually slept "relatively" better as a result.

YMMV

[StratCat48]

Tested positive for COVID this past Monday with fever and congestion. Continued to use CPAP with the humidifier which I think helped with breathing.