SICK on CPAP

I've caught myself a cold (or perhaps some kind of upper respiratory or nasal infection... not sure). Last night was difficult, especially with one of my nostrils always being plugged up, being that I'm a nasal pillow user. I tried using Arm & Hammer Simply Saline and Ayr gel before bed- that helped a little, but I still had breathing probs. Also taking some OTC nasal decongestants.

Laid down for a nap this afternoon (I took a vacation day in light of my 30th bday) and could not breathe w/cpap machine due to plugged up nose.

I wish I had a full face mask as a back up so I could breath through my mouth, but I don't. Should I just stop cpap while I'm sick? Or are there some CPAPing tips/advice you can share for the nasal pillow user with a cold and stuffed up nose?

Happy Birthday...so sorry you feel bad.

If you can't get your nose opened up enough to breathe through it then you can't very well use the machine can you unless you have a full face mask which you don't have at the moment. Sometimes to think about getting if you are prone to colds and can't get nose opened up.

In the past when I have caught a cold this is what I have done and I have never not been able to use my nasal pillow mask (don't like full face masks for a number of reasons). I have slept...maybe not so great but then when I get a cold I don't sleep well anyway even if I didn't have OSA
I do what I can to open the nose up with typical OTC meds.
Use lots and lots of saline spray all day long
Crank up the humidifier to max because the moisture helps me. Think hot shower and how that helps.
Finally...as last resort I cheat with a bit of Afrin..tiny bit...just enough to get the nose open enough to use the mask because once I get the mask on the humidified air really helps with my congestion.
YMMV though
I really limit the cheating with the Afrin though to tiny bit at bedtime only...I know from past experience that Afrin Rebound is ugly and much worse than the cold symptoms.

It always helps to use a "Neti Pot" to clear the passages. It can be used as often as necessary.

Sorry you're feeling bad on your birthday. No fair!

If you can get a FF mask next time you're eligible for a new mask, they're nice to have on hand. I crank up the humidity full blast and I really sleep much, much better on CPAP than off when I'm sick. The only time I really can't use CPAP is when I'm really gooey from the cold, sneezing and nose running copiously. Even then, I will sometimes hold the mask up to my face just for the comfort of the humidified air, since I'm not going to be able to sleep much anyway.

My only other advice is to put on a big pot of chicken soup and drink ALL the broth. It really, really helps. Make the real stuff with lots of bones (I throw in a bunch of wings), so you get nicely gelled broth.

WindyCityEsq wrote: Should I just stop cpap while I'm sick?

No!!! You need good sleep to fight that cold.

About an hour before you go to bed, do a throrough neti pot rinse followed up by a dose of generic Afrin, http://www.google.com/search?client=saf ... 8&oe=UTF-8.

You should not use the Afrin more than four or five nights in a row because it might cause rebound congestion when discontinued. But don't let anyone scare you with horror stories about dependence on Afrin. If you ever have this problem stop using it in one nostril and when that nostril clears up (two or three nights), then stop use in the other nostril.

While you have the cold, first thing in the morning take a generic 12-hour Sudafed (ask the pharmacist) http://www.google.com/search?client=saf ... fed&rls=en .

Finally, if sneezing is a problem, use generic Xyrtex (not Xyrtec D - remember use single-ingredient products), http://www.google.com/search?client=saf ... tec&rls=en

Stay away from multi-ingredient nasal medications. Use the single ones so you can figure out what works and what doesn't.

Heal quickly sweetie!

Happy birthday - so sorry you are sick. My trick to open nasal passages is a Vicks Nasal Inhaler stick. These are really old school. Afrin may do about the same thing for some, but for me that menthol smell opens me up. Also, follow everyone else's great advice & you will get through the night. If you still have the Eson, it might be a little easier to breathe with. When I'm sick I like either the SleepWeaver Elan or the Wisp.

Happy Birthday! So sorry you are sick.

I have asthma so I own a nebulizer which helps clear congestion pretty quickly if I get sick. I realize not everyone has one of those, but if you don't have access to one, I suggest hot water and vick's in your bathroom sink. Cover your head (and the sink) with a towel and breathe the vapor in......should clear you up pretty quickly. Neti pots are great also but not everyone has them......salt rinses with a bottle will help as well if you feel ok enough to go to your local drug store or send a friend and get a kit for saline rinses. Don't forget the chicken soup and feel better soon!