annoying blockage in back of throat

EatBBQ · Post by **EatBBQ** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 3:22 pm

it develops right below my sinuses, behind the uvula. This is also the same area that vibrates causing me to snore. I am assuming it's renegade mucus since I can get a quick swallow of water and it goes away. Anyway it's causes an obstruction and I don't know how to stop it. It usually takes a few hours to form.

Since I know the next question:
I have a Resmed VPAP III, with Activa interface and HH.
I usually have the HH set high since I have my pressures at 12 insp. and 16 exp. and I get dry throat easily.

I have trained myself to not mouth breathe so I know that is not the cause and my leakage data backs this up.

Any ideas???

Thanks in advance,

Bryan

krousseau · Post by **krousseau** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 3:54 pm

Sounds like you already known the most probable cause. Drink lots of water during the day to keep mucous thin and less likely to collect (2 qts/day minimum). You are pushing more air through your respiratory tract and your body moisurizes that air and then you exhale it. The loss is 1 to 1 1/2 qt of fLuid normally so say 2 cups of fluid lost at night-then you add the extra air from CPAP and the loss is greater-but the most I've been able to get through the humidifier is about 1 1/4 cup at best. That leaves me with a net loss. You could try nasal rinses-they are a big help. Also try elevating the head of the bed/or use wedge pillow. Oh and do you have allergies or low grade sinus problems going on??

EatBBQ · Post by **EatBBQ** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 4:05 pm

Very mild seasonal allergies, I just did not think it an issue since it is winter.

I will try the water consumption route since I do drink ALOT of coffee during the day. (well too much for most anyway)

krousseau · Post by **krousseau** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 4:09 pm

Could also have mite, dust, and mold allergies that make the rhinitis year round.Caffeinated drinks and most alcohol does not count in the daily total-fortunately or unfortunately beer does.

Snoozing Gonzo · Post by **Snoozing Gonzo** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 5:18 pm

Krousseau is good at tracking this stuff down but I've noticed that at a higher humidity setting I get a congested feeling in my throat somewhat similar to what you describe. If I go even higher, I get upper chest congestion, kind of like a really bad chest cold. It sounds a little backward but you may want to try a night or nap at a lower humidity setting just to see what happens.

Good Luck

Chris

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 5:23 pm

EatBBQ
Post subject: annoying blockage in back of throat

Eating too much BBQ?

(sorry, couldn't resist)

Have you tried LESS humidity (or passover/no heat)?

Den

EatBBQ · Post by **EatBBQ** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 5:33 pm

Wulfman wrote:EatBBQ
Post subject: annoying blockage in back of throat

Eating too much BBQ?

(sorry, couldn't resist)

It is not possible, in this universe, at any time........to eat too much BBQ

If God didn't want to us to eat animals....why did he make them out of meat???

Have you tried LESS humidity (or passover/no heat)?

No, but I do think I will try tonight.

Den

krousseau · Post by **krousseau** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 6:39 pm

Den & Chris are right. My advice is often a reflection of my personal preferences and I forget to present the other side. Some people do better with less humidity; so if your humidifier is set low-raise it; if you are already set high try lowering it.

GoofyUT · Post by **GoofyUT** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 6:51 pm

Or, how's about this as an idea;

YOUR PRESSURES ARE INSUFFICIENT AND YOU ARE HAVING UPPER AIRWAY COLLAPSES. Those "obstructions" you report may be just that. OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA!!!

Go see your sleep doc. SOON!

Chuck

Linda3032 · Post by **Linda3032** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 10:31 pm

I'll go along with Chuck and throw another "how about this" at ya.

How do you KNOW you have "trained yourself not to mouth breathe"???

Unless your numbers show you have a low leak rate, how do you really know what you do when you are asleep? You say you have "dry mouth".

Sounds to me like MOUTH BREATHING.

krousseau · Post by **krousseau** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 10:53 pm

pressures at 12 insp. and 16 exp.

I'm don't have any recent experience with Bi Level machines but I think you got that reversed. That is moving a lot of air that will dry you out. What does your data show for OA's/AHI/HI?

Agree with Linda on the idea of training oneself not to mouth breathe. And you may not be mouth breathing. When you relax the jaw drops-mouth opens-air takes path of least resistance and comes back out mouth. You don't have to be trying to mouth breath.See the other thread today about training.

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 11:33 pm

when I had that my doc prescribed Claritin-D, said you want a decongestant.

EatBBQ · Post by **EatBBQ** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 7:54 am

GoofyUT wrote:Or, how's about this as an idea;

YOUR PRESSURES ARE INSUFFICIENT AND YOU ARE HAVING UPPER AIRWAY COLLAPSES. Those "obstructions" you report may be just that. OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA!!!

Go see your sleep doc. SOON!

Chuck

No to be defensive, but I like to be informed and active about my treatment. I take advice from MD's because they are experts, but everyone should understand that MD's are not exclusively right. A patient should be involved and able to make informed decisions in their treatment.

My pulmonologist is the only within a 30 mile radius. Even if there were another, my insurance would likely not cover that MD because they are not "in my network". It usually is a 2 month wait at the minimum to get in for an appointment. Will call is the only option, but I work 74 miles from my home. See where this is going?

The DME, also the only in the area, is abso-freaking-lutely clueless. No follow up on my machine calibration for over a year. Do you think I trust those clowns?

I know I have OSA. I have been diagnosed. I also know enough about my own affliction to know when something is wrong enough to have to see a doctor. I survived undiagnosed with OSA for years. I don't think if I go to sleep one night without XPAP I am going to die.

I know this is mucus because I can swallow it. I know what an obstruciton is as well, I have felt it happening.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 8:00 am

krousseau wrote:
pressures at 12 insp. and 16 exp.
I'm don't have any recent experience with Bi Level machines but I think you got that reversed. That is moving a lot of air that will dry you out. What does your data show for OA's/AHI/HI?

Agree with Linda on the idea of training oneself not to mouth breathe. And you may not be mouth breathing. When you relax the jaw drops-mouth opens-air takes path of least resistance and comes back out mouth. You don't have to be trying to mouth breath.See the other thread today about training.

You are right I had it backwards, thanks for your comment. AHI for last night was 4.0.

I made a few changes last night. Raised my expirated pressure up a few tenths because I have awaken in the last few days with obstructions when trying to exhale.

The last few days, I have seen an increase in my AHI, so I decided to figure out what was going on.

I used to get mouth leaks, my wife would tell me when it happened as it is quite loud when a pressure of 16cm escapes through the mouth. She is a light sleeper and has not reported hearing this happen or being awakened by this for months. That coupled with my leakage data is indicative of not having mouth leaks, correct? I could be on the wrong track here.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 8:04 am

Linda3032 wrote:I'll go along with Chuck and throw another "how about this" at ya.

How do you KNOW you have "trained yourself not to mouth breathe"???

Unless your numbers show you have a low leak rate, how do you really know what you do when you are asleep? You say you have "dry mouth".

Sounds to me like MOUTH BREATHING.

I don't have a dry mouth, I have a gob of mucus in the back of my throat. These are different. My leak rate is less than 1, isn't that low? See previous post on my opinion on training yourself to keep your mouth closed.

annoying blockage in back of throat

annoying blockage in back of throat

Huh???

Re: Huh???