Common Cold + CPAP = incompatible

[Millicent]

Has anyone else had these problems with the common cold? I'm having the worst week of sleep, because my CPAP and sore throat are incompatible. The CPAP irritates my throat, the air pressure irritates my sinuses, and I am sleeping extremely poorly. I have turned the humidity way up. I've taken a sleeping medication that has a pain reducing component. Now I have a nose bleed that keeps bursting open. Sorry for the gory details, I just wanted to know I was heard by people that would understand. I've lost more work days this week than in my whole adult life. Tonight I will try an over the counter throat anesthetic before I put the CPAP on. This is my 6th year on CPAP every night of the year. My pressure is set at 8mm.

[White Beard]

Millicent it isn't fun trying to sleep when you have a cold without XPAP, and it is at least a hundred times worse with it. You have been heard and you have my empathy and then some! Hope you GET WELL SOON !

[Tracy]

I have learned the hard way - over the years - that I do not want to miss one single night using my BiLevel. I need to count on waking up every morning with the energy it provides.

So.....in the past, when I had a cold and / or could not breathe through my nose - I would not be able to use cpap on that night or until I was able to clear the nasal passages with some medication or nasal spray. But you know, you cannot always count on nasal sprays when you have a nasty sneezy miserable cold

On those nights, I used to just resign myself to the fact that I would have to sleep sitting up in a recliner chair or propped up on pillows. It was bad enough feeling yucky with a cold, but to have to miss several nights of good sleep on top of that was down right unfair. I don't know about you, but for every night of sleep I miss, it seems to take 2-3 more to pay back sleep debt!

This is how I solved the problem....I bought a full face mask. Any night that I cannot breathe through my nose, I wear the full face mask....it assures me the best sleep I can possibly get when I have a cold or nasal congestion from allergies etc.

My insurance will not pay, so its an out of pocket expense for me - BUT HEY- I NEED MY SLEEP - ESPECIALLY when I am sick. I need restorative sleep and the full face mask helps me get it.

Now you may be thinking - OMG - not one of those huge masks.....
visit your home healthcare supplier and try them on. Find the one that best fits your face.... Here's some to view - http://shop.talkaboutsleep.com/?action=section.display&category=full-face-masks

I prefer the ResMed Mirage Liberty because of its simplicity and small size.
http://shop.talkaboutsleep.com/resources/resmed-mirage-liberty-fitting-guide-usa.pdf
note that there is no forehead pad and nothing that lies above the nostrils. Also - with any full face mask, you can breathe through the mouth alone, the nose alone or both at the same time.....so whatever your congestion problems are - any full face mask will be helpful.

Hope this info is helpful!

CPAP, Live Long and Prosper!!!
Tracy

[White Beard]

Have you ever tried sinus nasal wash when you have a cold, I know I thought it was kind of crazy too.But a person on one of the other SA forums suggested trying a stuff called ALKALOL you can use it full strength or diluted, I dilute it half and half with a mixed up bottle of Neilmed saline nasal wash. This stuff is not only a mucus solvent and helps clear blocked nasal passages but it also kills germs. and you can use it as a gargle too! It has been around since 1896 and it works! at least for me anyway. You can get it on line, there web site tells you what stores carry it, but but none I checked had it, so I went to our local compounding pharmacy and they ordered it and it only took a day for them to receive it. You can also get a little reusable nasal wash cup with instructions, they recommend using it warm. I am not a fan of using nasal wash, but I have had the nasal and sinus surgery before and I still have problems and I take allergy meds every day, and now I use this Nasal wash every night. This stuff is recommended for colds and it is all natural no drugs. I don't usually like like mentioning products, but I do like this one. And no I have no vested or unvested or anything to do with this product or its company! Type alkalolcompany dot com.to check it out. Might be worth a look? Good Luck to You

[okie-girl]

One wonderful thing about cpap for me has been that my formerly frequent colds, and chronic bronchitis are now very seldom.
However, when I do feel a sinus infection/cold coming on, I immediately go to the doctor and remind him I must use cpap nightly. He is very aggressive in treatments, starting with an injection of decadron, and oral prescrition decongestant and cough medications. I also keep Astelin to use during these times, astelin should also improve your nose bleeds. See your doctor at the first signs, don't wait a few days.
I also turn up the cpap humidifier, but we also breathe all day, and need to keep our household humidity up in the winter. Dry winter air makes us more susceptible to colds. Just a pot of water simmering on the stove on low heat can add a great deal of humidity to your house, even your skin will notice the difference.
While I have not yet tried one, the Nettie Pot with normal saline rinse should also be very effective, and I am thinking of buying one before this winters cold season.
I also always take a flu shot, and if you need one also get a new pnuemonia shot.

[Millicent]

Great ideas, everybody. Too bad I've started a new sore throat, and last night the CPAP was impossible, it caused a cough, even with the humidifier at 3. I didn't wear CPAP all night for the first time in years! I was okay until noon, then the rest of the day has been bleary, and may as well be forgotten. I'm hoping for the best tonight. Will try to use the CPAP again.

[ahr]

I'm having the same problem. My cold started with a really bad sore throat - my oracle mask and my nasal pillows made my throat itchy - thus producing a dry cough. Talk about scary - coughing with a cpap on. Each night I've ripped off the mask after about an hour or two of sleep from waking up feeling like I can't breathe. Now my cold/flu has turned into scratchy throat, dry cough and stuffy nose. I coughed so hard last night I almost threw up. I think I've had an average of 6hrs of sleep since the cold started. I thought that my problem would be the stuffy nose - but it's really the throat being itchy and sore that make the cpap impossible.

[Tracy]

When I have a cold with sore throat, runny nose etc - I grab my full face mask - I ALSO turn my humidifier temp up a notch. This might cause excessive condensation in the tubing, so make sure your tubing is covered - that works for me.
http://shop.talkaboutsleep.com/?action=item.display&category=filters-tubing&page=90505


If you don't normally use a full face mask, you should consider getting one - even if you have to pay "out of pocket". I do know patients who discuss this with their physician and many are willing to write a prescription for a ff mask - this way your insurance will pay. But even if you have to buy one, its well worth it....especially if you are a working person and must go in to work during recovery of your cold. At least you have better quality sleep than not having used cpap at all!

Cold and flu season is upon us - it's inevitable, lets be prepared!

Tracy

[ahr]

Thanks for the recommendations! I'll definately look into a full face mask as my sick-night back-up mask. I tried the Oracle again last night and put the humidifier up much higher than I usually have it. I slept great and took it off at some point after about 4 hours and don't remember why. But I feel a ton better today than I did yesterday-as though I actually had a better nights rest. I also slept with my head propped up higher with pillows.

[kristin]

I'm jealous.

I have a cold/allergies/sinus infection and I use Astelin, and I have a full face mask. I have not used my CPAP in close to a week and I miss it.

On the gore issue, I have a runny nose and most nights sleep with Puffs Plus pressed against my nose so I dont wake up to that runny feeling. I tried my mask last night and the pressure on my sinuses made my nose run even worse

I get allergy shots and I am taking a very good prescription allergy medication. NOTHING helps. What little sleep I am able to get is not very restful.

I wish the weather would quit changing.