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Permalink Reply by BeeAsleep on April 18, 2009 at 3:38pm

It must bee that time of year. Both my toddler granddaughters were sick over the weekend, and now I am sick as well. I didn't use my nasal pillows because I couldn't breathe at all. I haven't slept with the CPAP for 3 days now. I am going to try again tonight. Getting a full face mask is a good idea for times like these.

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Permalink Reply by Belinda Haman on April 27, 2009 at 7:33pm

This may be a silly question but what is a neti pot and where can I get one I suffer from allergies badly in the spring and summer.....


Thanks

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Permalink Reply by wlenz on April 27, 2009 at 9:17pm

I found the NeilMed Neti Pot in my local Walmart. I believe it was in with all the sinus/allergy meds.
Bill

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Permalink Reply by amott1973 on April 27, 2009 at 10:32pm

I don't have a full face mask to fall back on, so on those stuffed up days I try sudafed, saline nose spray, and a neti pot, and if even that doesn't work...I resort to the juice of the devil. Otherwise known as afrin. I don't recommend it, coming off the addiction that it WILL do to you is almost worse than sleeping without the mask for me, but if I'm desperate enough I'll do a 1/2 dose (one squirt) in one side, see if that works and if not, I'll go ahead with the second squirt.

The problem with devil-juice is that it can dry up your nasal passages so bad that the air HURTS to go in your nose. Double-edged sword in deed.

I do find that using my nasal pillow mask seems to force the air up in there better than my nasal mask though. That's good for me because I'm pretty chronically stuffed (during the day I always breathe thru my mouth because of it actually) and yet the nasal pillows usually can let me breathe.

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Permalink Reply by Mike on April 27, 2009 at 11:30pm

ah, my arch nemesis: Afrin! for anyone who isn't aware, here's some info on why Afrin is evil

amott1973 said:

I don't have a full face mask to fall back on, so on those stuffed up days I try sudafed, saline nose spray, and a neti pot, and if even that doesn't work...I resort to the juice of the devil. Otherwise known as afrin. I don't recommend it, coming off the addiction that it WILL do to you is almost worse than sleeping without the mask for me, but if I'm desperate enough I'll do a 1/2 dose (one squirt) in one side, see if that works and if not, I'll go ahead with the second squirt.

The problem with devil-juice is that it can dry up your nasal passages so bad that the air HURTS to go in your nose. Double-edged sword in deed.

I do find that using my nasal pillow mask seems to force the air up in there better than my nasal mask though. That's good for me because I'm pretty chronically stuffed (during the day I always breathe thru my mouth because of it actually) and yet the nasal pillows usually can let me breathe.

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Permalink Reply by cathy huffman on April 28, 2009 at 12:06am

Not using our cpap isn't a really good option for any of us. Though it sometimes comes down to doing so.

I have severe allergies to just about everything and take benadryl and Aleve cold and allergy meds nightly.

I asked about a full face mask for such times that I can't breathe, and the response I got was no. I could only get the one that is on my "list"

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Permalink Reply by Beverly Sutton on April 28, 2009 at 12:17am

sleepycarol said:

I started out using a full face mask. The night of my titration I was told many have trouble with air rushing out the mouth and I said well we might as well try a full face mask then. I have learned I do not mouth breathe and switched to the nasal pillow masks. I have the software where I can monitor my leak rate and if I see a problem it is taken care of immediately.

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Permalink Reply by Beverly Sutton on April 28, 2009 at 12:23am

Hi...... I am a respiratory therapist and I also have sleep apnea. People who are doing sleep studies and trying to get a titration in one nights time will always slap a full face mask on anyone "because they breath through their mouths" because it is the simplest thing to do so they can get their data. They simply do not have time to work with the patient to find the best option in masks for them, and it really is not their job. Unfortunately, quite often, no one else will take the time to work with the patient either. Practically everyone who has sleep apnea breaths through their mouth, until they get the correct therapy to alleviate the problem. Most of us can learn to breath through our noses, once we have the pressure to keep our airways open, and even discovery that we actually like it better that way. AFter using your CPAP for a time, you will find it is even easy to breath through your nose!! Just keep doing what ever you have to do to be able to use the therapy. The benefits are well worth it.
BeeAsleep said:

It must bee that time of year. Both my toddler granddaughters were sick over the weekend, and now I am sick as well. I didn't use my nasal pillows because I couldn't breathe at all. I haven't slept with the CPAP for 3 days now. I am going to try again tonight. Getting a full face mask is a good idea for times like these.

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Permalink Reply by Beverly Sutton on April 28, 2009 at 12:27am

Yes, it is good to have a FFM for times when we have "CEMENT" in our sinuses...LOL. Saline lavage is great and I use an inhaled steroid. I have found that on the rare occasions I feel i have cement in my sinuses if I use a little Afrin, go ahead and put on the CPAP, the pressure will continue to keep me open through out the night.


BeeAsleep said:

It must bee that time of year. Both my toddler granddaughters were sick over the weekend, and now I am sick as well. I didn't use my nasal pillows because I couldn't breathe at all. I haven't slept with the CPAP for 3 days now. I am going to try again tonight. Getting a full face mask is a good idea for times like these.

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Permalink Reply by Beverly Sutton on April 28, 2009 at 12:29am

A netti pot is a little pot used to do saline lavage to your sinuses. YOu can also buy a squeeze bottle for that use as well. WAlgreens and CVS both sell them, as well as the little saline solution packages. you want to use them because the soduim is very fine and disolves well. Hope it helps.

Belinda Haman said:

This may be a silly question but what is a neti pot and where can I get one I suffer from allergies badly in the spring and summer.....


Thanks

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Permalink Reply by Mike on April 28, 2009 at 12:34am

not a silly question at all. this video will show you how to use a neti pot and what is a neti pot. also, you can buy it online at ApneaLife.com

Belinda Haman said:

This may be a silly question but what is a neti pot and where can I get one I suffer from allergies badly in the spring and summer.....
Thanks

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Permalink Reply by Beverly Sutton on April 28, 2009 at 12:35am

Netti pots or some sort of saline solution lavage for the sinuses is great. I also use an inhaled steroid for my sinuses, and recommend it to many of my patients who have chronic swelling of the sinus mucosa. I would not recommend that you quit using your CPAP for any reason. Work through it, find a way to wear it. I don't know how much your pressure setting is, but I would not recommend nasal pillows for anyone whose pressure setting is over about 8 or 10. Mine is 16 and I hated the pressure shooting directly up my nose, very irritating to the mucosa, even with a humidifier. Oh, and by the way, using the humidifier is extremely important, with distilled water only and with as high a heater setting as is comfortable. Good sleeping

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