Trying full face mask tonight...plus, sinus trouble...

Went in today to see about getting a different mask b/c my nasal one kept leaking as I moved around/smooshed my face against my pillow at night (stomach/side sleeper here), plus I have sinus problems frequently and I'm guessing I open my mouth in my sleep, as I kept waking up with tons of gas in my stomach.

They suggested a full face mask because of my sinus problems and the fact that I seem to be "gulping" air. So I'm trying this one out tonight for the first time. Wish me luck! Hopefully I can get used to my mouth being covered now too...and hopefully it will stay sealed as I thrash around at night.

On another note, I also had a CT scan of my sinuses today, as I have a long history of sinus infections (and have had FOUR just in the last few months)! I've only been on CPAP for about three weeks, so I can't blame the infections on that...I'm hoping the CT will provide some info about what's going on with my damn sinuses. (My sleep study showed many RERAs - respiratory "efforts" - not very many apneas - so I'm hoping the CT will show the reasons for that...)

Good luck Zigs! Keep us posted about your new FF mask and the results of the CT scan. I don't use cpap, my husband does, but I'm going through a doozy of a sinus infection now with 2 enlarged polyps that were seen by nasal endoscopy, that are blocking the meds prescribed by nebulizer, so today I just started heavy doses of Prednisone for 2weeks in order to shrink the polyps so meds can do their job, hopefully. You'll get lots of good help and support here and we will be interested in updates.

30+ yrs allergies, sinus congestion, rhinitis issues. Been using Xclear nasal spray...made with Xylitol so it starves the bugs...and it really seems to be helping. When I'm really congested, I use the Grossan nasal irrigator and his BreathEase powder which also contains Xylitol. The Xclear spray seems to be improving my congestion issues...a bit to early to tell if it's more than a temporary improvement. I was a pillow wearer for about 18 months until I started losing precious therapy air via little puffs of air from my loose lips...now I wear the RespCare Hybrid FFM which is quite comfy. One of the members here is a stomach sleeper (Falcon sleep position) who also wears this mask...something to consider. Quite a few of us, all with varing pressures, wear this mask.

DoriC, sorry 'bout the polyps! Best of luck getting it healed.

Muse, just ordered the xlear nasal spray, looks like it might be better than the Ayr Saline Nasal Mist I've been using. Thanks for the tip.

Thanks! Well, the CT sinus results showed I have chronic sinusitis and some possible other issues that are causing lack of drainage, so I'm off to the ENT next. In the meantime, my doc put me on a month's worth of antibiotics. Good times. She also told me I should really consider trying to eliminate dairy from my diet to see if that helps, as apparently dairy products can result in overproduction of mucus in those who are sensitive to it? I don't know if I can part with my cheese, but I'll try, I guess Also recommended irrigation, i.e. Neti pot, which I did in the past and seemed to help a little at least.

Didn't get to use the mask last night as I ran out of distilled water and didn't want to use the crappy city water we have, and I don't dare go without a humidifier in this dry house when I have a sinus infection.

So, tonight will be the first night with the full mask. I'll be sure to report back! Thanks!

I'm glad that you are trying the FFM. I'm three years successfully using the Quattro, and I like the fact that if I want to breath through my mouth I can if I'm stuffy. One thing that has really helped is to irrigate my nose before bedtime with a solution of 1 tsp baking soda/1 tsp sea salt/12 oz of distilled water. I use one of the large plastic syringes that are used to apply marinate(without the metal tip, of course) and tilt my head back (near a sink) and do both sides. It will clear things up, and can do some good as to keeping infections at bay. There are commercial solutions, and you can get a "Nellie" pot to do the same thing if you don't want to mix up your own. Regards

Try Breathe Right Advanced Strips, good tip from M.D. Hosehead. I'm using them now and they really help open up the nasal passages.

Thanks! Did the Neti pot tonight - I've done it before with limited success. It did seem to clear out a little bit tonight. And I'll try the nasal strips soon - my mom swears they help her breathe better at night.

Used the full face mask last night. Wasn't a good night, went to bed at 11:30 and took it off by 2:30. I'm sure it has to do with my sinuses being extremely plugged up right now. I kept waking up to find myself trying to take deep breaths through my mouth. And I still had the gas pain/bloating when I woke up. Do people with FFMs have the air swallowing problem? I thought they were supposed to help...but I guess it could be because my sinuses are all messed up right now.

Going to the ENT on Tuesday. Hoping to get some of this sorted out so I can sleep!!!!

Haven't swallowed air yet, one of the few problems I've managed to avoid. The FFM works for me because I know with my sinuses, I would never be able to tolerate anything not involving my mouth when it comes to breathing. The neti pot will help your sinuses if you are diligent with use and your sinuses are open enough to let it drain. Sometimes mine aren't and I end up with additional problems. Also, be careful with some of the commercial saline solutions. They could have the ingredient benzalkonium chloride which is used as a preservative and leads to nasal congestion with long term use. Kaz's formula looks like a good one and is simple. Are you able to sleep sitting up? I sometimes resort to this when my sinuses are at their worst. Good luck and I hope you're feeling better soon.

[quote="Zigs"]...chronic sinusitis...
Welcome to the club, no fun

...doc put me on a month's worth of antibiotics....
Get a pearled-form of probiotic, get one that says it has both an s.... and an l.... strain of bacteria.

...eliminate dairy from my diet to see if that helps
Did that from 1st wk of Aug to just a few wks ago when I started to re-introduce some dairy proteins (cheese, half and half) -- have to admit, it did help my chronic congestion issues. So far, what little I've added back isn't causing me increased congestion.

...ran out of distilled water and didn't want to use the crappy city water we have, and I don't dare go without a humidifier in this dry house when I have a sinus infection....
Keep a couple of extra bottles of distilled water around or some bottled spring water...it'll do in a pinch and a short soak in water+white vinegar will dissolve any minerals that may have settled out in the humidifier.

I don't have a gas issue, thank goodness -- is your exhale relief set high enough with the increased congestion? I second the sugestion to be careful regarding additives to saline, some of 'em are really irritating to nasal tissue.

Good luck with all this!

Wow, lots of good tips there!

The nasal wash I got from Walgreen's says it has sodium bicarbonate and sodium chloride, and no inactive ingredients. Does that sound OK?

My CPAP is on an auto setting right now, and I believe they said they would set the exhale setting low so I could get used to it. I go back for my first doc followup on Jan. 4.

This a.m. I took a hot shower and then did the Neti Pot. It worked great...but of course it didn't last for more than a couple of hours. But still - any relief is good right now!

The wash sounds right on. I think you can use as often as you are willing. Good luck and keep moving forward.

Muse, update on the Xlear nasal spray. I've been using it for the last 2 days and it's very soothing and I'm feeling some relief of my congestion. Too early to tell as you say but it's sure worth a try. Thanks for the tip.

I'm really struggling with the CPAP lately. I went to the full face mask and I'm still having major air swallowing/gas issues. I woke up last night and felt like I was going to throw up. I took the mask off and belched out about a blimp's worth of air...haha. Seriously though - I'm guessing it's because my sinuses are extra messed up right now. I have an appointment tomorrow with an ENT. We'll see how that goes - I will tell them about the CPAP issues as well.

DoriC wrote:Muse, update on the Xlear nasal spray. I've been using it for the last 2 days and it's very soothing and I'm feeling some relief of my congestion. Too early to tell as you say but it's sure worth a try. Thanks for the tip.

You're welcome! I've discontinued it as my head cold congestion is bad enough to need my Grossan nasal irrigator and his powder contains Xylitol. Keep us posted...maybe others with chronic congestion will be encouraged to try it.