Nasal Irrigation

[SuperGeeky]

Hi: I've been on CPAP/BIPAP Therapy now for over two months. BiBap for 32 days.

Anyway, when I had titration at the Sleep Center, done with four hours of sleep, I felt like I have never before.

My head was very clear, body was like a well oiled machine. I was prescribed a Respironics CPAP Pro with pressure of nine. After thirty days, didn't feel nearly as well as I did from the Sleep Study.

Asked the Sleep Doc, if in fact, I used a BiPap during the titration. Answer was yes, and prescription was changed. Started BiPap, with better results.

I can't remember the pressure settings, could be eight and eleven. Memory is not too good these days.

Data has been good. AHI range from .7 to 2.9 as of late, leakage is about 27 and increasing. Hours of sleep have increased to about eight. Sleep doc thought the Bipap numbers were excellent.

I'm focusing on oxygen in the blood. Have been entertaining the thought of a Oximeter. And will ask Sleep Doc about oxygen levels on Sleep tests next week.

I'm on a BiPap with low settings because of needing breathing assistance. I take Advair for asthma and Zertek for alergies (Now, right before bed)

Big Eureka moment, realized I have never breathed clearly from nostrils. Either mildly restricted, or one nostril clogged. Sleep Doc did recommend using decongestant of my choice.

I want to take it a step further! I've been reading the Nasal Irrigation sticky at apneasupport.org I think I should try the NeilMed Neti Pot. See if the air flow improves, better oxygen saturation?!!

If I improve airflow, does it affect the BiPap and it's setting, since the BiPap acts to assist breathing. If I'm understanding correctly!

My entire focus is now making sure I've got enough oxygen in my blood. I don't want to face additional brain damage and whatever else.

Thanks so much for the support, it's had a huge impact on my therapy success!

Gratefully,

Mark

[gasp]

I have had such a good experience from the Neti Pot that I have had VERY little stuffiness since using it - and have also went through pollen season without any medications! Wow - nice.

Hope you find it as helpful. Don't forget to use the right salt and the right amount of salt. I buy mine at Amazon:

Neti Pot Salt, 8-Ounce bag (Pack of 3) for $8.50

[canuck88]

I find that using it twice a day (morning, evening) makes a huge difference over just using it in the evening before bed. It clears me up so much (most of the time) that I feel I barely need the cpap machine

[birdshell]

My doctor recommends twice a day nasal washes...and he is an allergist. He will look into my nostrils at a routine visit and tell me if I haven't used the nasal wash for a day or two...how is that for monitoring compliance?

(Yes, I am more compliant with cpap than nasal washes... )


Here is an interesting video from the Mayo Clinic:

Click Here for Nasal Irrigation Instructional Video

I would suggest adding a pinch or two of baking soda as well, to avoid that "pool water up the nose" feeling.



Neti pots and needle-free syringes are also options for delivering the saline solution. My doctor recommends the syringe. When I started this, because of MULTIPLE (say, 6-8 per year) sinus infections, he gave me a prescription for a low dose addition of 3 antibiotics along with the commercially available saline. This was compounded at the pharmacy; he found the idea from Mayo Clinic research. The antibiotic saline had to be refrigerated...and came with a no-needle syringe. Now, that chilly nasal wash always seemed to help with congestion!



Best wishes, and breathe easily,

Karen

[Magnum]

After my nasal surgey the ENT that removed my packing in my nose (my ENT was sick) suggested I use NeiMed Sinus Rinse. Seems to work good, but it does take some getting used to. Just make sure you don't use cold water or you will end up with instant sinue infection, or at least I did. I normally warm mine in the microwave for about 20 seconds and that is the right temp.

http://www.neilmed.com/usa/sinusrinse.php

[Needsdecaf]

After my nasal surgey the ENT that removed my packing in my nose (my ENT was sick) suggested I use NeiMed Sinus Rinse. Seems to work good, but it does take some getting used to. Just make sure you don't use cold water or you will end up with instant sinue infection, or at least I did. I normally warm mine in the microwave for about 20 seconds and that is the right temp.

http://www.neilmed.com/usa/sinusrinse.php

I use the sinus rinse as well, albeit more like a couple of times a week. I think I might start to go daily.

I have not had ANY issues with using room temp water...I just use the same jug of distilled water that I fill my CPAP humidifier from.

It does take getting used to.

[birdshell]

Needsdecaf, do you use PLAIN distilled water, or do you add some salt? Maybe you mean that you use the NeilMed Sinus Rinse? I don't know what is in that, but I did try it once and it was a WHOLE new tingly experience. It almost seemed to have an astringent quality.

Karen,
Who has an inquiring mind

[Needsdecaf]

Needsdecaf, do you use PLAIN distilled water, or do you add some salt? Maybe you mean that you use the NeilMed Sinus Rinse? I don't know what is in that, but I did try it once and it was a WHOLE new tingly experience. It almost seemed to have an astringent quality.

Karen,
Who has an inquiring mind

No no no no no, not plain water. I used the NielMed Sinus Rinse. Sorry, thought that by quoting the NielMed post above that it would be obvious.

What's in it? Salt. I don't think it's any different from Netti Pot, but I like the delivery device myself.

It is tingly....much like snorting up a bunch of ocean.

[Magnum]

NeilMed Sinus Rinse is kinda like being hit in the ocean with a big wave. Water goes everywhere in your sinus...

[mellabella]

I use an inexpensive neti pot I bought online, and just normal sea salt (1/4 tsp for 8 oz water). I use warm water from the tap.

I started doing it when I switched to using the Hybrid mask on some nights, because I have times when I'm only breathing out of one nostril as well (not that uncommon).

Not only does it feel really really good afterwards, but....this is the first year in at least 8-10 years I had no allergy symptoms with the spring season changes! NONE. (And I usually end up on claritin for at least a month, once the trees and grasses start to bud and flower.) I don't have an auto pap or a data capable machine so I honestly don't know what it does for flow limitations, but this side effect alone has been awesome.

[birdshell]

No no no no no, not plain water. I used the NielMed Sinus Rinse. Sorry, thought that by quoting the NielMed post above that it would be obvious.

What's in it? Salt. I don't think it's any different from Netti Pot, but I like the delivery device myself.

It is tingly....much like snorting up a bunch of ocean.

I am sorry for not discerning your meaning. That is why I asked, though!

The NielMed Rinse has SOMETHING unique about it, because I make my own saline and I KNOW what is in that. The NeilMed is stronger and more irritating, at least for me. The instructions for it do say to use it at half-strength for a while...and that was more than enough for me. The package says it contains saline and baking soda in a balanced pH formula. So, what is the tingle?

Thanks for the clarification. BTW, I've never snorted the ocean water when I've swum in an ocean, so I guess I cannot evaluate the NeilMed experience fully.

I actually bought and tried the NeilMed because I wanted the included neti pot. After seeing a neti pot used on Oprah, I really had a yen to have that experience. So, IMHO, there isn't a lot of difference in the needle-free syringe or the neti pot. I've not tried the bulb shown in the Mayo Clinic video, though.

Yours for clean sinus cavities...
Karen

[mellabella]

You also want to make sure the water is warm, as others have emphasized above. But yeah, non-iodized salt is all you need (proportions may differ, depending on whether you are using sea/kosher salt or non-iodized fine/table salt) .

The use of other substances is painful and to be discouraged (though otherwise this is a great illustration of proper technique):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQm7YpxgOnA

[clancy2]

I bought the Netti pot and the salt packets but must admit haven't used it yet but after reading these posts I will start using it as I am usually congested at night and have to spray degongestant in my nose.

[Magnum]

The NielMed Rinse has SOMETHING unique about it, because I make my own saline and I KNOW what is in that. The NeilMed is stronger and more irritating, at least for me. The instructions for it do say to use it at half-strength for a while...and that was more than enough for me. The package says it contains saline and baking soda in a balanced pH formula. So, what is the tingle?

For me the tingling was when the solution was not the correct temp. Generally when it was too hot, or really, really cold. I practiced heating water up one night until I got it at the right temp and can tell by testing it like you would a babby bottle.

[sleepngo]

I also use the NielMed rinse packets with the 8oz squeeze bottle. I find it much easier to use than the pot, just turn my head side to side and gently squeeze into the nostrils, works great.

Dan