vasomotor rhinitis with cpap

[AMESS]

That means nose membranes swell up and cause headaches. Need to take sick days off. Believe the pressure of air is the culprit. This condition can be set off by numerous things like perfume, cold, weird smells etc.  If there is anybody dealing with this situation please let me know. 

[Sleeprider]

If you think a lower pressure might help, there are a couple things you might try. First, nasal pillows really focus pressure to the nostrils and a nasal mask or full face might distribute your pressure. I have no idea if the cup-like shape of the Brevida mask might affect this compared to more open styles. You don't say what machine you are using, but it seems you are using fixed CPAP pressure. An auto CPAP machine would allow you to use lower pressures, and would only increase pressure as needed. Another option would be bilevel with lower exhale pressure and higher inhale pressure would potentially give you significant pressure relief. Given your complaint an argument might be made the change or upgrade is medically necessary. Finally, it seems humidity settings are an important component to avoiding this problem. I assume you have tried various settings.

It would help to know the actual model of Resmed you are using. The series are S8, S9 and Airsense 10, and the models are CPAP, Escape, Elite and Autoset.

[AMESS]

Hi and TY. Yes resmed 10 autoset. Just returned from the resp. therapist office. She gave me a second mask to use. Phillips--sits under the nose. But she told me first to coat inside of nose with vaseline and use a saline AYR nasal spray in the day. Use the Brevida first with the coating the nose  before going to the Phillips under the nose. . 

I am using the brevida nasal pillows mask right now.

[chill]

Have you seen an ENT doctor?  That seems like the logical place to start.

[Sleeprider]

I would strongly urge you to disregard the Vaseline advise. If you have physical irritation, the Lasinoh creme is used by some members. I feel any greasy material put on a nasal pillow will interfere with the fit and feel. The odor and texture of petroleum jelly is just a bad idea, and if it causes a breakout, it's not going to be easy to hide. I prefer the nasal pillow washed free of even facial oils using Dawn. Your congestion does not sound like skin irritation and you should avoid adding anything to your skin or nasal pillows. Saline spray can relieve ordinary congestion, and does not have side-effects. With the Resmed Airfit P10, the headgear is more secure when the straps are together over the crown of your head, and looser as you spread the straps. It does not require a tight fit to prevent leaks. Most people usually need a larger pillow size than they or their DME thinks. If you were given small pillows, I would urge you to try the medium if you don't find them comfortable.

Since you are using the Resmed Airsense 10 Autoset, let's take a look at your data and see if there might be an opportunity to find a more comfortable set of pressure settings. You can download #Sleepyhead software for free and install on a Windows or Mac laptop or computer. The charts offer a wealth of information. The first two links in my signature line show you what that software looks like, how to organize charts and post them for the forum. You have an auto machine that is capable of not only producing lower pressures that will rise as needed, but it also offers exhale pressure relief. What we might suggest really depends on what your current results look like.

[trish6hundred]

Hi AMESS,
WELCOME! to the forum.!
Good luck to you with CPAP therapy and getting used to it.

[AMESS]

I made a mistake. it is not vaseline. The doc (board certified  pulmonologist and sleep dr) told me to use K-Y jelly. I coated the inside of my nose with it last night for the first time. I did NOT wake up sick today.  Yay! Hopefullly I am on the right track and will not get swollen nasal membranes that cause headaches. .

[AMESS]

using res med 10 auto. But have changed humidty to  7. Maybe go  higher?

[Sleeprider]

Everyone has their own humidity needs. A setting of 7 is very high, but higher humidity is possible using manual settings.