Nasal passages closing

[Reen]

Hello,
I start the night using my nasal mask and i can breath freely but once i take it off to go to the loo my nasal passages go into sort of like a shock state.
They close up so much so that i cant even breath through them, if i try to use my cpap machine again i feel like im suffocating and end up switching to full face. Id rather use nasal because my AHI is way lower.
Ive tried upping the humidifier, nasal sprays as well.
Any suggestions??

[Hannibal 2]

Bare in mind that you will likely need to increase your pressures with a FFM to achieve the same AHI as a nasal mask or pillows.

[CarCulmer]

Have the same issue - fighting it all the time. Luckily one nostril will remain open when the other one closes up! But the congestion can give me a headache. Don't know what the answer is - I use all kinds of products which help temporarily and some days are better than others. Since I'm not sick, I assume it's some sort of allergy that stuffs me up. I know that red wine will do this

[Hannibal 2]

Have the same issue - fighting it all the time. Luckily one nostril will remain open when the other one closes up! But the congestion can give me a headache. Don't know what the answer is - I use all kinds of products which help temporarily and some days are better than others. Since I'm not sick, I assume it's some sort of allergy that stuffs me up. I know that red wine will do this

You should have a Full Face Mask for such occasions, if your nose is blocked you'll be opening your mouth and hence receiving little or no therapy. Again, you'll probably need to increase your pressures with a FFM.

[ChicagoGranny]

gain, you'll probably need to increase your pressures with a FFM.

They both are using AutoSets. If they are using the Auto feature and have set reasonable min and max pressures, they should not have to change pressure when switching to a FFM from a nasal interface.

[ChicagoGranny]

Hello,
I start the night using my nasal mask and i can breath freely but once i take it off to go to the loo my nasal passages go into sort of like a shock state.
They close up so much so that i cant even breath through them, if i try to use my cpap machine again i feel like im suffocating and end up switching to full face. Id rather use nasal because my AHI is way lower.
Ive tried upping the humidifier, nasal sprays as well.
Any suggestions??

What are your pressure settings? What position(s) do you sleep in?

Ive tried upping the humidifier

Are you aware that a high humidifier setting causes congestion in some people?

[zonker]

Hello,
I start the night using my nasal mask and i can breath freely but once i take it off to go to the loo my nasal passages go into sort of like a shock state.
They close up so much so that i cant even breath through them, if i try to use my cpap machine again i feel like im suffocating and end up switching to full face. Id rather use nasal because my AHI is way lower.
Ive tried upping the humidifier, nasal sprays as well.
Any suggestions??

what CG said about humidity.

also, you've tried nasal sprays, but have you tried flonase? works for me and it may work for you.

[prodigyplace]

gain, you'll probably need to increase your pressures with a FFM.

They both are using AutoSets. If they are using the Auto feature and have set reasonable min and max pressures, they should not have to change pressure when switching to a FFM from a nasal interface.

They do need to change the mask type setting on their machine though.

[greatunclebill]

if it takes for instance 12 to open your airway, that doesn't change if you switch masks.

[Hannibal 2]

if it takes for instance 12 to open your airway, that doesn't change if you switch masks.

It does in my experience. If you take a hose pipe and restrict the water flow by pinching the end, you'll get higher pressure. If you're using a larger mask you'll need a higher setting to achieve the same result. Not convinced that changing the mask type setting on the machine does anything.

[Julie]

Why not let them find out for themselves if anything needs changing?

[Hannibal 2]

Why not let them find out for themselves if anything needs changing?

Ultimately they will, just addressing the OP's comment that they cannot achieve as good AHI with a FFM and trying to offer some guidance. Learning and helping is what this forum is all about, I think

[ChicagoGranny]

They do need to change the mask type setting on their machine though.

Good point. That's easy to forget when changing mask types.

[ChicagoGranny]

If you take a hose pipe and restrict the water flow by pinching the end, you'll get higher pressure. If you're using a larger mask you'll need a higher setting to achieve the same result.

Only for a brief second. Then, the pressure will equalize to whatever pressure is being supplied by the water company. The stream from the hose will shoot farther because the velocity coming out of the hose is increased.

Not convinced that changing the mask type setting on the machine does anything.

Try to mismatch settings and masks. You should notice immediately that something is wrong unless you use a very low pressure.

[ChicagoGranny]

if it takes for instance 12 to open your airway, that doesn't change if you switch masks.

It changes for some people because their jaw position changes depending on which type mask they are using.