Stuffy Nose only when laying down....

I did a search on "stuffy nose", but have not really seen anything that fits my husband's situation, so I'm posting in hopes of getting some suggestions from the experienced members here. He does not have a chronically stuffy nose, chronic sinus problems, or anything of that sort. At times, he will go to bed with his nose perfectly clear and feeling fine--but 5 minutes after starting up the CPAP, his nasal passages become totally blocked. The mystery is that does not happen every night, and he hasn't changed his humidifier or pressure settings, so there's nothing I can point to and say "THERE'S the problem". We have changed the filter, and that's not the problem either. We run an air cleaner in the room at night as well. Any ideas?

He is using a F&P Sleepstyle 200 series CPAP w/heated humidifier, and a Respironics Comfort Gel nasal mask, with a Resmed full face mask for backup when he's got a cold. He doesn't like to wear the FFM, though--he doesn't like the warm humidified air hitting his face. Any suggestions or leads would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Le_Wif

Any ideas what could be causing this?

I have the same problem. I've cleared up some of it by rinsing every night with a Neti Pot.

I have always had constant drainage down the back of my throat (Post-Nasal Drip). I must have had it most of my life because I don't notice it very often. An ENT I saw a few years back mentioned it.

Here's my simplistic theory: Your head is upright most of the day. If you have Post-Nasal Drip, then it collects to the side that you are laying instead of going down the back of your throat.

The Neti Pot doesn't take it away every night, but it helps. I don't want to take drugs, so that's why I've approached my problem in a simplistic manner.

And here I thought that I was the only one who could possibly have experienced this! It happens to me frequently, just like your husband describes. I have never had allergy/sinus problems but for whatever reason when it's time to go to bed, my sinus blocks right off and it drives me crazy.

The one thing that has really saved me here is using the Clear essential oil (pur-sleep). This might sound self-serving (I am the one who developed the product) but I would be happy to include your husband in the beta test offer that has been on the boards over the last several days (it's actually closed now but I'd be glad to see if the stuff helps your husband as much as it helps me with this particular issue). Send me a PM if you're interested.

SG

My guess:

Your sinuses are draining from the maxillary sinuses into the Ethmoid sinus cavity (or from one sinus cavity to the other), when it hit the other it blocks off the airway.

http://www.sjo.org/Clinical_Services/Na ... blems.aspx

Using the Rhino rinse will help with that condition, breaks it all down and flushes it out.

Snoredog wrote:My guess:

Your sinuses are draining from the maxillary sinuses into the Ethmoid sinus cavity (or from one sinus cavity to the other), when it hit the other it blocks off the airway.

http://www.sjo.org/Clinical_Services/Na ... blems.aspx

Using the Rhino rinse will help with that condition, breaks it all down and flushes it out.

Snoredog, how is it that you seem to know everything about everything? Makes sense to me--glad to know I'm not the only one with this exact problem. It's extremely frustrating!

Thanks for all the suggestions, everyone! I just about didn't post that question at all, it seemed so weird to only have the problem occasionally. As usual, you all were very kind and had good, real life suggestions. Sleepguy, thank you for the kind and generous offer. Snoredog, you are amazing. I'm going to go do some vocabulary work so I can understand exactly what you were saying....

Thanks,
Le_Wif