Stuffy Nose Advise, Please
Question:
I had nasal congestion problems for the first several years I was on CPAP. I admit I never tried a heated humidifier, but I bought a lot of Breathe-Right strips! I finally saw an ENT about the problem and he looked in my nose — first time anyone had since I was diagnosed with OSA — and he saw that I had enlarged "turbinates" (part of the topography of the nasal passage), which is to say, I could have taken nasal steroids and so forth until I was "blue in the face" and still would have had problems because the nasal passage was just too small. The traditional solution for me would have been surgery. However there is a new tissue-reduction technique called somnoplasty (read about it at www.somnus.com) which I had done twelve days ago and although it is too early to be sure I think it is already helping me. I have had some rather long sleeps in the last week, like as long as five hours between awakenings, and I feel more rested in the morning. Of course you may not have a "structural" problem like I did. But I urge you to have an ENT have a look before you "rush out and buy nasal spray." :) Good luck. Hang in there. Get the CPAP to work for you. Gary
Response:
On Sat, 04 Sep 1999 19:30:26 GMT, dryh…@my-deja.com wrote: >I’ll try to contribute. I’m a new returnee to the CPAP >world, but I went to see an ENT M.D. He put a scope down my nasal >passages in the office and took a look at my airways. One side has a >deviated septum, which I had been told before, but I never made the >connection before to nighttime breathing, which he did. He asked if I >had ever broken my nose, which I can’t remember doing.
If I remember right, about one-third of all humanity has a deviated septum from day one.
Response:
Charles L. Perrin wrote: > If I remember right, about one-third of all humanity > has a deviated septum from day one.
Presuming that Day One for that part of humanity is more difficult for them than for the other two thirds? (Can you say "Ouch!!"? I thought you could!)
Response:
So what are you saying? I have appreciated your posts, but you sound like you are dismissing the impact a deviated septum can have. If my mouth structure affects my apnea, that is important information to me. I’m certainly not saying everyone with a deviated septum has sleep apnea. And not all deviated septums are the same. A lot of people are near-sighted; that doesn’t mean they could all benefit from the same eyeglass prescription, for lack of a better analogy. In article <8H=RNywEXDTRKSw+JyG9CRd2p…@4ax.com>, Charles L. Perrin <clper…@swbell.net> wrote: > On Sat, 04 Sep 1999 19:30:26 GMT, dryh…@my-deja.com wrote: > >I’ll try to contribute. I’m a new returnee to the CPAP > >world, but I went to see an ENT M.D. He put a scope down my nasal > >passages in the office and took a look at my airways. One side has a > >deviated septum, which I had been told before, but I never made the > >connection before to nighttime breathing, which he did. He asked if I > >had ever broken my nose, which I can’t remember doing. > If I remember right, about one-third of all humanity has a deviated > septum from day one.
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Response:
As I say I am a new returnee to CPAP with a lot to learn. The problem you describe is very important to me. If I can’t use my CPAP without all sorts of problems, I’m going to discontinue using it again. And this time it will be much harder to function in day-to-day life. So, last night and the night before, I experienced the "stuffy nose problem". However, contrary to what I said before, I don’t think it was due to the air pressure settings, although that can have a bearing , in my experience. Instead, I notice that I sleep mostly on my left side. As my left nostril is the one that stuffs up, there may be a connection. I also have allergic rhinitis and a deviated septum on my left side, so there is an anatomical component, as well. My totally unscientific opinion at this point is that sinus drainage accumulates on the left side and block breathing after about 5-6 hours of sleep. I tried to sleep thru it, but eventually took my mask off. I really don’t want to get into use of nasal sprays, but will if I have to, I guess. Once I got up and moved around, my nasal congestion cleared up and feels fine now. (I don’t have a cold). There may be some surgical modifications my ENT doc can do, I will know more once I have a sleep study next week and meet with him again. But I agree, it is very annoying to get a stuffy nose after several hours of sound sleep. I don’t know if this helps, but thanks for letting me share. In article <7qrsae$ld…@nnrp1.deja.com>, dryh…@my-deja.com wrote: > I will email you also, per your request. You have a lot more > experience and time with CPAP than me , but allow me to throw > something out. Maybe your machine needs adjusting…….??? > I am waiting for a split sleep study next week to determine proper CPAP
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Response:
Yes, it’s normal to get stuffed up on the side that is "down" when you sleep on your side. This is why I always try to sleep on my back with a cervical pillow, and only roll over on my side when my nose is clear. I’ve had good luck lately sinced I switched from Afrin to Nasalcrom. Nasalcrom doesn’t have the nasty rebound effect that Afrin does, nor does it have the 3-day limitation. And it doesn’t irritate my nose like some nasal sprays do. You might also try nasal irrigation with warm salt water before you go to bed. 1/2 tsp non-iodized salt in 2 cups warm water works well. I’ve also had much less stuffiness since taking the standard allergy precautions: use Allergy Control Covers on mattress, box spring, pillow, and comforter; remove as many "dust catchers" as possible (heavy curtains, upholstered furniture, stuffed toys); and keep a HEPA air filter running at all times. I also keep my windows closed and the central AC on whenever there’s a noticeable pollen or smoke load in the air. Andrea Frankel p.s. Allergy Control Products = 1-800-422-DUST. Excellent prices on filters and such, and the most comfortable allergy control covers I’ve found.
Response:
I’m probably not the best person to make this suggestion, since I am only recently on a CAPA and have yet to complete taking my own advice, but I do know something about industrial respiratory protection devices, which would seem to overlap here a bit. I would not recommend any of the options you listed. How about getting a full face mask. Then you could do some mouth breathing while sleeping and perhaps your nasal congestion would subside during the night without your having to rouse yourself. I am in the process of doing this myself, but have yet to get my hands on a full face mask. Peter Zavon Penfield, NY PZa…@worldnet.att.net Jim wrote in message <2hAz3.11816$k4.255…@news4.giganews.com>… >Currently, I am having a problem and need your advice. I live in a very >warm and humid. As long as I am sitting or standing, I get through the day >alright….maybe just one use of a nasal spray. Then, before bed, I’ll >spray my nose once again to help keep my nose open during the night. (I use >a Respironics Remstar CPAP with a GoldSeal-type mask, no humidifier.) >Recently, I’ve been waking up after about 4 or 5 hours, my nose totally >blocked and my mask blowing air into blocked nasal passages (and, as one >would imagine, this just blocks the nasal passages even more). I saw my >doctor and got a new mask (it had been over a year), but the problem >persists. He knows little about CPAP machines….it’s a tiny town.
[snip] – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->I have a slight cold and I know that this will pass after a few days or >weeks (probably "off" and "on" for weeks, as it is the "cold and flu >season"), but until that wonderful day comes, which of the above remedies >work best when you are having the same type of problem? >Thank you for your time and consideration. >I live in a tiny town with no local ISP (I have to log onto the internet via >long distance phone call), so if you could email me a Cc:, I’d appreciate >it. >Jim jrob…@intcomm.net
Response:
In article <JIIz3.308$sC1.15…@midsouth.rr.com>, "Hoffman" <the_redh…@hotmail.com> wrote: > I always seem to have a stuffed up nose, but I find that sometimes the air > flow helps clear me up. One thing that I have noticed, I seem to be able to > breathe better if I am lying on my right side…not the left, but the right. > If anyone has any insight on that, I’d love to know. > I’ll try to contribute. I’m a new returnee to the CPAP
world, but I went to see an ENT M.D. He put a scope down my nasal passages in the office and took a look at my airways. One side has a deviated septum, which I had been told before, but I never made the connection before to nighttime breathing, which he did. He asked if I had ever broken my nose, which I can’t remember doing. But maybe one side of your face is shaped differently than the other??? thx Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/ Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.
Response:
I will email you also, per your request. You have a lot more experience and time with CPAP than me , but allow me to throw something out. Maybe your machine needs adjusting…….??? I am waiting for a split sleep study next week to determine proper CPAP settings. Until then, I have been changing air flow settings and find that if it is too high, I have an experience similar to what you describe. My nose rejects the higher pressure by closing off. In article <2hAz3.11816$k4.255…@news4.giganews.com>, "Jim" <jrob…@intcomm.net> wrote: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I’ve been using a CPAP machine for several years now and thank all of you > who first told me to check it out. Over the past three years, it has > changed my life for the better in great ways. > Currently, I am having a problem and need your advice. I live in a very > warm and humid. As long as I am sitting or standing, I get through the day > alright….maybe just one use of a nasal spray. Then, before bed, I’ll > spray my nose once again to help keep my nose open during the night. (I use > a Respironics Remstar CPAP with a GoldSeal-type mask, no humidifier.) > Recently, I’ve been waking up after about 4 or 5 hours, my nose totally > blocked and my mask blowing air into blocked nasal passages (and, as one > would imagine, this just blocks the nasal passages even more). I saw my > doctor and got a new mask (it had been over a year), but the problem > persists. He knows little about CPAP machines….it’s a tiny town. > So, I now have the choice of either: > Getting up after 4 or 5 hours of poor CPAP sleep and feeling lousy and > sleepy all day; > Waking up after 4 or 5 hours of poor CPAP sleep and then spraying my nose > and going back to bed using the CPAP (and have to interrupt a 2 or 3 hour > CPAP sleep with a loud alarm); > Waking up after 4 or 5 hours of poor CPAP sleep and then spraying my nose > and going back to bed using the CPAP and wearing the mask very loosely; > Trying to sleep at an angle on the bed, instead of flat, which might allow > for enough sinus drainage to keep my nose from blocking up; > or, Trying to get back to sleep without the CPAP, which usually ends up > being like the first choice. > I have a slight cold and I know that this will pass after a few days or > weeks (probably "off" and "on" for weeks, as it is the "cold and flu > season"), but until that wonderful day comes, which of the above remedies > work best when you are having the same type of problem? > Thank you for your time and consideration. > I live in a tiny town with no local ISP (I have to log onto the internet via > long distance phone call), so if you could email me a Cc:, I’d appreciate > it. > Jim jrob…@intcomm.net
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Response:
I always seem to have a stuffed up nose, but I find that sometimes the air flow helps clear me up. One thing that I have noticed, I seem to be able to breathe better if I am lying on my right side…not the left, but the right. If anyone has any insight on that, I’d love to know. I would suggest waking up and doing a good ‘nose blow’ and ‘nasal spray’ in the middle of the night, and then putting that CPAP back on for the rest of the night. Good luck, TL Memphis, TN Jim <jrob…@intcomm.net> wrote in message
news:2hAz3.11816$k4.255470@news4.giganews.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I’ve been using a CPAP machine for several years now and thank all of you > who first told me to check it out. Over the past three years, it has > changed my life for the better in great ways. > Currently, I am having a problem and need your advice. I live in a very > warm and humid. As long as I am sitting or standing, I get through the day > alright….maybe just one use of a nasal spray. Then, before bed, I’ll > spray my nose once again to help keep my nose open during the night. (I use > a Respironics Remstar CPAP with a GoldSeal-type mask, no humidifier.) > Recently, I’ve been waking up after about 4 or 5 hours, my nose totally > blocked and my mask blowing air into blocked nasal passages (and, as one > would imagine, this just blocks the nasal passages even more). I saw my > doctor and got a new mask (it had been over a year), but the problem > persists. He knows little about CPAP machines….it’s a tiny town.
(snip) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I have a slight cold and I know that this will pass after a few days or > weeks (probably "off" and "on" for weeks, as it is the "cold and flu > season"), but until that wonderful day comes, which of the above remedies > work best when you are having the same type of problem? > Thank you for your time and consideration. > I live in a tiny town with no local ISP (I have to log onto the internet via > long distance phone call), so if you could email me a Cc:, I’d appreciate > it. > Jim jrob…@intcomm.net
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->I’ve been using a CPAP machine for several years now and thank all of you >who first told me to check it out. Over the past three years, it has >changed my life for the better in great ways. >Currently, I am having a problem and need your advice. I live in a very >warm and humid. As long as I am sitting or standing, I get through the day >alright….maybe just one use of a nasal spray. Then, before bed, I’ll >spray my nose once again to help keep my nose open during the night. (I use >a Respironics Remstar CPAP with a GoldSeal-type mask, no humidifier.) >Recently, I’ve been waking up after about 4 or 5 hours, my nose totally >blocked and my mask blowing air into blocked nasal passages (and, as one >would imagine, this just blocks the nasal passages even more). I saw my >doctor and got a new mask (it had been over a year), but the problem >persists. He knows little about CPAP machines….it’s a tiny town. >So, I now have the choice of either: >Getting up after 4 or 5 hours of poor CPAP sleep and feeling lousy and >sleepy all day; >Waking up after 4 or 5 hours of poor CPAP sleep and then spraying my nose >and going back to bed using the CPAP (and have to interrupt a 2 or 3 hour >CPAP sleep with a loud alarm); >Waking up after 4 or 5 hours of poor CPAP sleep and then spraying my nose >and going back to bed using the CPAP and wearing the mask very loosely; >Trying to sleep at an angle on the bed, instead of flat, which might allow >for enough sinus drainage to keep my nose from blocking up; >or, Trying to get back to sleep without the CPAP, which usually ends up >being like the first choice. >I have a slight cold and I know that this will pass after a few days or >weeks (probably "off" and "on" for weeks, as it is the "cold and flu >season"), but until that wonderful day comes, which of the above remedies >work best when you are having the same type of problem? >Thank you for your time and consideration. >I live in a tiny town with no local ISP (I have to log onto the internet via >long distance phone call), so if you could email me a Cc:, I’d appreciate >it. >Jim jrob…@intcomm.net
Jim, I have constant problems similar to yours and found that I cannot get relief from "over the counter" meds. Only Nasacort, prescribed from my doc gives me anything like a decent time where my congestion allows some sleep. I also sleep on my belly, hanging my head over the side of a pillow so my mask can work without blocking the air outlets or moving it out of position. Trevor
Response:
I have great trouble with a stuffed up nose, particularly in the hayfever season. I try all manner of sprays, to little effect. The oral decongestants like Sudafed and Dimotapp (the names may be different in the USA) do a great of keeping my nose clear, but they keep me awake – they are classified as ‘non-drowsy’. [If anyone knows a 'drowsy' decongestant, please let me know!] Have you thought of getting a full-face mask? Also, if you do not use a heated humidifier, I VERY strongly recommend one. geoff – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Jim wrote in message <2hAz3.11816$k4.255…@news4.giganews.com>… >I’ve been using a CPAP machine for several years now and thank all of you >who first told me to check it out. Over the past three years, it has >changed my life for the better in great ways. >Currently, I am having a problem and need your advice. I live in a very >warm and humid. As long as I am sitting or standing, I get through the day >alright….maybe just one use of a nasal spray. Then, before bed, I’ll >spray my nose once again to help keep my nose open during the night. (I use >a Respironics Remstar CPAP with a GoldSeal-type mask, no humidifier.) >Recently, I’ve been waking up after about 4 or 5 hours, my nose totally >blocked and my mask blowing air into blocked nasal passages (and, as one >would imagine, this just blocks the nasal passages even more). I saw my >doctor and got a new mask (it had been over a year), but the problem >persists. He knows little about CPAP machines….it’s a tiny town. >So, I now have the choice of either: >Getting up after 4 or 5 hours of poor CPAP sleep and feeling lousy and >sleepy all day; >Waking up after 4 or 5 hours of poor CPAP sleep and then spraying my nose >and going back to bed using the CPAP (and have to interrupt a 2 or 3 hour >CPAP sleep with a loud alarm); >Waking up after 4 or 5 hours of poor CPAP sleep and then spraying my nose >and going back to bed using the CPAP and wearing the mask very loosely; >Trying to sleep at an angle on the bed, instead of flat, which might allow >for enough sinus drainage to keep my nose from blocking up; >or, Trying to get back to sleep without the CPAP, which usually ends up >being like the first choice. >I have a slight cold and I know that this will pass after a few days or >weeks (probably "off" and "on" for weeks, as it is the "cold and flu >season"), but until that wonderful day comes, which of the above remedies >work best when you are having the same type of problem? >Thank you for your time and consideration. >I live in a tiny town with no local ISP (I have to log onto the internet via >long distance phone call), so if you could email me a Cc:, I’d appreciate >it. >Jim jrob…@intcomm.net
Response:
I’ve been using a CPAP machine for several years now and thank all of you who first told me to check it out. Over the past three years, it has changed my life for the better in great ways. Currently, I am having a problem and need your advice. I live in a very warm and humid. As long as I am sitting or standing, I get through the day alright….maybe just one use of a nasal spray. Then, before bed, I’ll spray my nose once again to help keep my nose open during the night. (I use a Respironics Remstar CPAP with a GoldSeal-type mask, no humidifier.) Recently, I’ve been waking up after about 4 or 5 hours, my nose totally blocked and my mask blowing air into blocked nasal passages (and, as one would imagine, this just blocks the nasal passages even more). I saw my doctor and got a new mask (it had been over a year), but the problem persists. He knows little about CPAP machines….it’s a tiny town. So, I now have the choice of either: Getting up after 4 or 5 hours of poor CPAP sleep and feeling lousy and sleepy all day; Waking up after 4 or 5 hours of poor CPAP sleep and then spraying my nose and going back to bed using the CPAP (and have to interrupt a 2 or 3 hour CPAP sleep with a loud alarm); Waking up after 4 or 5 hours of poor CPAP sleep and then spraying my nose and going back to bed using the CPAP and wearing the mask very loosely; Trying to sleep at an angle on the bed, instead of flat, which might allow for enough sinus drainage to keep my nose from blocking up; or, Trying to get back to sleep without the CPAP, which usually ends up being like the first choice. I have a slight cold and I know that this will pass after a few days or weeks (probably "off" and "on" for weeks, as it is the "cold and flu season"), but until that wonderful day comes, which of the above remedies work best when you are having the same type of problem? Thank you for your time and consideration. I live in a tiny town with no local ISP (I have to log onto the internet via long distance phone call), so if you could email me a Cc:, I’d appreciate it. Jim jrob…@intcomm.net
Response:
Sounds like the same problems I have been having. In my case, I find if I use Allegra and a combination of Nasanex AND Astelin nasal sprays, I can get through the night without a lot of congestion. My congestion usually results in a clogged ear passage that CPAP pressure does not help. I found that one remedy alone did not help, but the combination of all three has worked quite well dlk Jim <jrob…@intcomm.net> wrote in message
news:2hAz3.11816$k4.255470@news4.giganews.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I’ve been using a CPAP machine for several years now and thank all of you > who first told me to check it out. Over the past three years, it has > changed my life for the better in great ways. > Currently, I am having a problem and need your advice. I live in a very > warm and humid. As long as I am sitting or standing, I get through the day > alright….maybe just one use of a nasal spray. Then, before bed, I’ll > spray my nose once again to help keep my nose open during the night. (I use > a Respironics Remstar CPAP with a GoldSeal-type mask, no humidifier.) > Recently, I’ve been waking up after about 4 or 5 hours, my nose totally > blocked and my mask blowing air into blocked nasal passages (and, as one > would imagine, this just blocks the nasal passages even more). I saw my > doctor and got a new mask (it had been over a year), but the problem > persists. He knows little about CPAP machines….it’s a tiny town. > So, I now have the choice of either: > Getting up after 4 or 5 hours of poor CPAP sleep and feeling lousy and > sleepy all day; > Waking up after 4 or 5 hours of poor CPAP sleep and then spraying my nose > and going back to bed using the CPAP (and have to interrupt a 2 or 3 hour > CPAP sleep with a loud alarm); > Waking up after 4 or 5 hours of poor CPAP sleep and then spraying my nose > and going back to bed using the CPAP and wearing the mask very loosely; > Trying to sleep at an angle on the bed, instead of flat, which might allow > for enough sinus drainage to keep my nose from blocking up; > or, Trying to get back to sleep without the CPAP, which usually ends up > being like the first choice. > I have a slight cold and I know that this will pass after a few days or > weeks (probably "off" and "on" for weeks, as it is the "cold and flu > season"), but until that wonderful day comes, which of the above remedies > work best when you are having the same type of problem? > Thank you for your time and consideration. > I live in a tiny town with no local ISP (I have to log onto the internet via > long distance phone call), so if you could email me a Cc:, I’d appreciate > it. > Jim jrob…@intcomm.net
Response:
Filed under: Nasal irrigation
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