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Not the best 3 nights...now I have a full blown cold
I reported earlier that I met with the DME on Monday and went home with a ResMed apap machine
(with humidifier) and a FP Zest nasal mask and a Respironics chin strap. After 4 hours I was waking up alot, realizing the chin strap was not keeping my mouth shut plus the mask was not comfortable. The next morning my throat hurt really bad only to find out it was the beginning of a bad chest cold (and I am one that usually never gets sick). Yesterday I went back to the DME to try the ResMed Swift LT for her mask. I tried it last night and was very pleased with the comfort. However, after laying there for 2 hours and not able to fall asleep because of this cough, I took the mask off. Today my cough is worse and I've decided there's no way this is going to work until I'm over this. I am also ordering the chin-up strips to keep my mouth shut. Hopefully by the time I get them, I will be over this and can have a fresh start.
(with humidifier) and a FP Zest nasal mask and a Respironics chin strap. After 4 hours I was waking up alot, realizing the chin strap was not keeping my mouth shut plus the mask was not comfortable. The next morning my throat hurt really bad only to find out it was the beginning of a bad chest cold (and I am one that usually never gets sick). Yesterday I went back to the DME to try the ResMed Swift LT for her mask. I tried it last night and was very pleased with the comfort. However, after laying there for 2 hours and not able to fall asleep because of this cough, I took the mask off. Today my cough is worse and I've decided there's no way this is going to work until I'm over this. I am also ordering the chin-up strips to keep my mouth shut. Hopefully by the time I get them, I will be over this and can have a fresh start.
Views: 133
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by 99 on
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sorry to here that you have a cold or whatever be sure to be extra careful with a clean mask until you are well again
try vicks vapor rub at the intake of the pap machine
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Permalink Reply by sleepycarol on
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Do not put Vicks vaporub directly on the filters of you machine. I have used the Vicks by placing a small dab on a cotton ball and then placing the cotton ball a ways from my machine. The vapors are still picked up but the Vicks does not come into direct contact with my machine.
You may also try a little eucalyptus essential oil on a cotton ball. You can find it in most health food stores among others. You may also find that the Calm essential oil sold at www.pur-sleep.com is a help. I am not afflitated with that site, but do like his essential oils and recommend them to those that are struggling with their therapy.
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i agree with carol donot put vick directly in contact with your machine mask or any other component but let the vapor do its job
sleepycarol said:Do not put Vicks vaporub directly on the filters of you machine. I have used the Vicks by placing a small dab on a cotton ball and then placing the cotton ball a ways from my machine. The vapors are still picked up but the Vicks does not come into direct contact with my machine.
You may also try a little eucalyptus essential oil on a cotton ball. You can find it in most health food stores among others. You may also find that the Calm essential oil sold at www.pur-sleep.com is a help. I am not afflitated with that site, but do like his essential oils and recommend them to those that are struggling with their therapy.
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Permalink Reply by Steven B. Ronsen on
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It's unfortunate that you've contracted a bad cold so early in your treatment. Developing a strategy for minimizing the effects of respiratory infections is really important when you're on CPAP because untreated infections can prevent you from using the CPAP. I use a prescription steroidal nasal spray every night. When I do get stuffed up, I add a nasal anti-histamine spray, and if it gets worse, a prescription decongestant, all prescribed by my doctor, of course. This has enabled me to use my nasal pillow mask every night for almost ten years, despite chronic sinus issues which predate my CPAP treatment.
I realize that this doesn't help you right now, but I suggest that you discuss this with your primary care physician at your next visit and get a referral to an ENT if your doctor isn't responsive to this need. Once you get used to the CPAP, you will likely not be able to sleep at all without it, and a bad cold with no sleep can lead to worse things.
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Permalink Reply by Andy on
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Hi Steven,
Before I started on CPAP, I always had a stuffy nose, due to some year-round allergies. When I started CPAP, my doctor gave me some Nasonex spray, which I used during the first week. Since then, my nose is generally not stuffy at all, except for maybe one or two times per week.
I believe that the Nasonex is some sort of steroidal spray, and I'm wondering if that's what you're using?
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I have used Nasonex as my nightly spray. I have to change it every few years as it seems to lose effectiveness after a while. There are several similar sprays on the market I can switch to. I use it every night, even if everything seems fine. Question is, what do you do when your allergies flare up enough to effect your CPAP. Thats what I'm armed for, so that I have something to escalate to until I can get to the doctor's office.
Are you using a humidifier? I think that a little humidity helps prevent problems, although I haven't used one until recently. I think that a lot of people overdo it, which is not to healthy. I don't know how they breath with their humidifier running at maximum. It's like visiting a tropical plant conservatory in mid-summer.
Andy said:Hi Steven,
Before I started on CPAP, I always had a stuffy nose, due to some year-round allergies. When I started CPAP, my doctor gave me some Nasonex spray, which I used during the first week. Since then, my nose is generally not stuffy at all, except for maybe one or two times per week.
I believe that the Nasonex is some sort of steroidal spray, and I'm wondering if that's what you're using?
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they all have better advice than mine listen to them
visit your doctor or sleep advisor
make sure your equipment is clean and sterilised
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Permalink Reply by Dave on
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Not many people do this, but if you have OSA, perhaps a dental appliance for when you can't tolerate the mask? Just a thought (although, probably an expensive one).
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Have you tried using a neti-pot. You can purchase them at Wal-Mart, Walgreens, most drug stores, and other outlets. Often that will help relieve the congestion and make it easier to breathe.
No matter how good our hygiene is, there will be times when we are sick and must deal with it in the best fashion we can. So have a plan on hand to help.
You may try sleeping at incline to reduce the number of apneas, stay off your back, sleep in a recliner -- try different things.
Hope you get to feeling better soon.
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Permalink Reply by Carolyn on
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My problem is not really a stuffy nose but trying to keep my mouth shut when using the mask. I am a mouth breather but now have developed a dry cough.
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