Bad Cold...nose blocked...help!!

[Marco]

Hi Everyone, I'm new here. Been on CPAP for almost 8 years now, and it's hit me again...I have a cold. My nose is just completely blocked and I'm not looking forward to going to bed since it will be next to impossible to use my machine.

I have the Resmed Nasal Pillows, and I also have a back-up Mirage FX Nasal mask...but when my nose is stuffed up, I have a really hard time using the cpap...even with my humidifier turned all the way up.

I used to rely on nasal sprays; however, I would prefer to not get back into using them again, as sometimes the rebound congestion is even worse...

Does anyone have any advise on how to clear your nose just before using the machine? (if I start with a clear nose...my nose usually stays clear all night until I take the mask off)...

Thanks!

[Marco]

Ok, so being new to this forum I just went to review my post and at the bottom of the page it shows "possibly related threads" with all sorts of topics around this....I can just read through those

Sorry everyone

[me50]

Ok, so being new to this forum I just went to review my post and at the bottom of the page it shows "possibly related threads" with all sorts of topics around this....I can just read through those

Sorry everyone

no need to say you are sorry. I use nasal sprays and also AYR nasal gel but that is more for dryness. I don't use the sprays all the time but only when my nose is stopped up. I use a nasal mask. hope this helps. I am sure others will have other suggestions

[Marco]

Ok, so being new to this forum I just went to review my post and at the bottom of the page it shows "possibly related threads" with all sorts of topics around this....I can just read through those

Sorry everyone

no need to say you are sorry. I use nasal sprays and also AYR nasal gel but that is more for dryness. I don't use the sprays all the time but only when my nose is stopped up. I use a nasal mask. hope this helps. I am sure others will have other suggestions

Which nasal spray do you use? I found Otrivin sometimes makes it worse...I tried Drixoral as well and that works for 1 night, but then I get all blocked up again when I try to use it again...makes sleeping brutal...

[trish6hundred]

Hi Marco,
WELCOME! to the forum.!
Glad you found the information you were looking for. Yeah,there's lots of GREAT information on this board.
Best of luck and I hope you get to feelin' better.

[Sleepster]

The decongestant nasal sprays do have that rebound effect and so should be avoided, for the most part. Nasty stuff!

There are steroidal and antihistamine nasal sprays that one uses as a maintenance or preventative. Talk to your doctor.

Best choice in this situation is the wonderful NeilMed sinus rinse kit. Available in drug stores, get the least expensive original kit. Costs about $10 at Walgreens here in the US. If you can't get your hands on one and you're in a pinch use a bulb syringe. Mix up a fresh solution of warm water and salt. Add a bit of baking powder as a buffer if you like. Fill the syringe and squirt it into each nostril while standing over the sink.

It works wonders. Feels weird at first but you get used to it. I use mine whenever I have a cold or any kind of congestion.

[me50]

Ok, so being new to this forum I just went to review my post and at the bottom of the page it shows "possibly related threads" with all sorts of topics around this....I can just read through those

Sorry everyone

no need to say you are sorry. I use nasal sprays and also AYR nasal gel but that is more for dryness. I don't use the sprays all the time but only when my nose is stopped up. I use a nasal mask. hope this helps. I am sure others will have other suggestions

Which nasal spray do you use? I found Otrivin sometimes makes it worse...I tried Drixoral as well and that works for 1 night, but then I get all blocked up again when I try to use it again...makes sleeping brutal...

most of the time Patanase

[me50]

I just read about cutting the top and bottom off of an onion and put it on a saucer in the room

[Marco]

I just read about cutting the top and bottom off of an onion and put it on a saucer in the room

Really? I can imagine it would smell...but it would clear the nose? Not sure how my wife would feel about this idea

---

The decongestant nasal sprays do have that rebound effect and so should be avoided, for the most part. Nasty stuff!

There are steroidal and antihistamine nasal sprays that one uses as a maintenance or preventative. Talk to your doctor.

Best choice in this situation is the wonderful NeilMed sinus rinse kit. Available in drug stores, get the least expensive original kit. Costs about $10 at Walgreens here in the US. If you can't get your hands on one and you're in a pinch use a bulb syringe. Mix up a fresh solution of warm water and salt. Add a bit of baking powder as a buffer if you like. Fill the syringe and squirt it into each nostril while standing over the sink.

It works wonders. Feels weird at first but you get used to it. I use mine whenever I have a cold or any kind of congestion.

This sounds like a great idea and readily available for me to try. I remember seeing the NeilMed kit at the drug store here...goes for around $15CAD....I might head out now to buy one. Thanks!!!

[PaulaO2]

I am getting over really bad bronchitis. I was not nasally congested from it until I laid down then whatever side was down would block up. Then just the air coming in one nostril would hit my throat wrong and I would wake up coughing my head off. So I started doing the nasal rinses every night before bed and my nose never blocked in my sleep.

I use the squirt bottle with the Neill saline packets. Works wonders.