sneezing and running nose

I didn't use my cpap for a couple of years after using it with no problems for 15 years and suddenly I had horrible dry mouth and woke up sneezing and had running nose all day. Just used regular non-heated humidifier. So doc ordered new sleep study. Got a brand new cpap with heated humidifier and the wonderful ativa mask that I love (always used nasal pillows before) and even use flonase and claritan at bedtime and STILL wake up sneezing and have runny nose all day long. Like a really bad cold. It's driving me nuts. Haven't gone back to the doc yet as it's only been barely 2 weeks. I've messed with the humidifier from off to 4. No difference. Also, the past 5 days, I've awakened with a headache everyday. Any ideas out there?

I am not a doctor but I have suffered from allergies and chronic sinusitus for my entire life. You might want to go to a ENT (ear, nose, & Throat) guy to see if you have a sinus infection.

Could also have something to do with the humidity also. Check the threads here as this problem is discussed in several threads.

I am sure that one of the more experienced CPAP users will have more input on your situation, but I've been there and it isn't any fun.

Good luck

Dave

Sounds like an allergy issue to me. I have the runny nose on occasion when my allergies are bad especially in the mornings, but to be honest I like it be cause it helps clear up my congestion. It might be time to revisit your allergy doctor since you are experiencing this with therapy but also due to the time of the year when allergies can be worse. Also, sorry probably a stupid question, but have you changed the filter in your machine lately?

Since you just got a new CPAP and mask there should be no problems with the equipment. Have you tried a Neti-pot or sailine spray before you use the flonase? This has helped many people with your problem.

It's a brand new machine so filters are good. I was checked and have not one allergy. I don't have a sinus infection. I have not tried the neti before the flonase so will try that. That might be something to try first thing in the morning also. It's such a shame to sleep so fantastically and then to feel so crappy all day. Thanks.

The last couple of days, I've had an interesting experience. All day yesterday, my nose was running and I was sneezing. I'm on oxygen therapy too, and the nasal cannula accentuated whatever the problem was. Nostril would tickle and I would sneeze. (Just happened again as I typed that.) So, I was fairly certain I would be unable to use the bi-pap machine last night. Gave it a try anyway, and to my surprise awoke with no sign of the runny nose etc.

Problem is back today, however, so I'm assuming it's allergies acting up. Used the machine for a nap this afternoon with the same result. I'm guessing the filter in the machine is removing the pollen that's setting me off. Otherwise, I have no explanation.

If you missed my intro, bi-pap was prescribed to help my chest heal from open heart surgery. Initial effort to close me up didn't work, so needed a second operation which in time resulted in severe shortness of breath. Pretty sure I do have sleep apnea, however, so this is a good experiment. Will do a sleep study if and when my chest ever heals. Think I making progress.

Ed in Virginia

I just had a week of sneezing and congestion all of a sudden, too. I woke up one night and the inside of my nose hurt so badly I took the mask off for the rest of the night. After reading many posts I changed a few things... I upped my humidifier from 2 to 3, I began using something called ayr gel around the nasal openings and in a tad before putting my mask on, switched from my nasal pillows to the mask - and my congestion and sneezing got a little better. There's also a good lanolin product (primarily used for breast-feeding moms for cracked nipples)called Lansinoh that might help. It's the best grade lanolin and supposed to be okay to use. I got some but I'm trying the ayr gel first. I also just bought a fleece sleeve for the hose with the thought it might keep the water in the hose warmer. It just arrived today. However, I don't know where you live, but here in the Bay Area (CA) the pollen is particularly bad right now and lots of people are having allergies for the first time. Spring has most definitely sprung.. I've never been affected by pollen before, but I think the newness of the CPAP especially due to the intensity of the nasal pillows combined to really nail the ol' membranes in there. The ayr gel might've helped, and going back to the nasal mask has probably allowed things to simmer down. I've read that this can be a problem for us mask folk, but hope we can find solutions to it because, as you know, the benefits so outweigh the side effects. We've gotta do it! Hope one or two of these suggestions help you. Let's keep trying! Lisa

The problem is we're now hitting into spring with an increase in pollen count, so if you have any allergies or hay fever, it will be increased with the amount of oxygen you're blowing through the hose.

Some people don't suffer from hay fever (like myself) which I'm really thankful for, however I do still suffer from clogged sinuses and over the past 3 weeks I've had 2 weeks of heavily congested sinuses and 1 week of complete relieve (sandwiched between the two congested weeks).

Thanks
Dave

The news is full of how high the pollen count is this spring. I use a neti pot to wash out my nosrils when I notice and it is so effective that I no longer have problems w/dry itchy eyes either. I've noticed that since using the autopap (humidifier too) I tend to have less problems seasonally than I did before which may be diff from what others here have experienced...maybe due to the filter working well on the machine filtering out the air I breathe at night..... Terry

bmccallon wrote:I didn't use my cpap for a couple of years after using it with no problems for 15 years and suddenly I had horrible dry mouth and woke up sneezing and had running nose all day. Just used regular non-heated humidifier. So doc ordered new sleep study. Got a brand new cpap with heated humidifier and the wonderful ativa mask that I love (always used nasal pillows before) and even use flonase and claritan at bedtime and STILL wake up sneezing and have runny nose all day long. Like a really bad cold. It's driving me nuts. Haven't gone back to the doc yet as it's only been barely 2 weeks. I've messed with the humidifier from off to 4. No difference. Also, the past 5 days, I've awakened with a headache everyday. Any ideas out there?

Is it a nasal mask only or does it cover mouth too?

Nasal pillow does the same thing to me. I just googled, "nasal pillow sneezing" and found this thread. I used my nasal pillow last night and I'm sneezing constantly and nose is running like crazy. lol I think my mouth opens at night and the air blasts thru and dries out my nose really bad. I think the flow is way too much for the humidifier to keep up with.

I have a mask also, that covers both nose and mouth, I never have this sneezing/runny nose problem when I use the mask. The nasal pillow thing is way more comfortable and seals much easier, but it does this to me almost every time. Mine does not have a chin strap to help keep mouth closed, that could help I think.

I'd ask doctor about a mask that covers your mouth too.

Thanks for all the input. I no longer use the nasal pillows that worked so well for me for 15 years. Now I have a great Activa mask that just covers my nose. I keep my mouth closed but it does still get really dry. I tried turning the humidity UP one notch 3 nights in a row and the sneezing and runny nose worsened so the past 3 nights I just turned the humidifier off and NO sneezing or runny nose at all!! I still took the Claritan and Flonase. Just hope it keeps up. I haven't gotten the Neti pot yet but intend to. I have no allergies or hay fever. What ever it is has to do with the cpap alone.

I have been using a servo ventilator for complex apnea, throat closes and brain stops. Before I used a CPAP unit without any problems. With the ventilator I now sneeze all day long, my nose continually runs, just clear, no mucas, I also find I am short of breath. I recently wore a heart monitor for 48 hrs and the results were normal. I was using a mask that just covered my nose, which was comfortable, I also tried the one that covers your mouth and has the pillows for the nose. Neither seem to make any difference to the problem. I am now on a saline wash and a spary Nasonex. Still nothing seems to help. Has anyone contacted Resmed or any manufacturer about these issues, or are they just part of the deal. Help