My life has become living hell [nose blockage]

[Stom]

Also I have dreamwear nasal mask right now. Is nasal pillows gonna be better really??

Seems to be a personal choice. But it really seems like pillows are better at opening my nasal passages than my dreamwear cushion. I say seems because I'm not sure if it's really true or not. But if you have the dreamwear frame and headgear you can just buy a nasal pillows cushion to try them.

(I use a medium frame for my nasal cushions but I wound up buying large frame for the pillows because the pillows make the cushion a little taller. I don't know if others use different frame sizes though.)

I'd use the pillows all the time if it weren't for the large being a little too small and the soft frame not being quite as stiff as I'd like to keep the pillows in place.

[GuppyDRV]

Had the same problem. I take Allegra as needed during allergy season and I use a Neti Pot nightly. I boil the water for 5 minutes pre-use and add a small amount of salt. Without these steps the Neti stings the sinus a small bit and I guess the boiling helps with bacteria etc... I read somewhere that the boiling evaporates chlorine if your water supply is chlorinated. I have no proof of this or reference to link with but can say when I don't boil I get the feeling like I just jumped into a chlorinated pool. Maybe some of our chemistry inclined members could comment.

The Neti has been my life saver.

GuppyDRV

[PollCat]

Have you considered going to an ENT (Ears, Nose, Throat) specialist to see what they would recommend for your issues?  When I started this journey (way back in the late 90's) I had a blockage that had to be removed before the xPAP machines would work.  Since that time, I've had to have my nasal passages reamed out about every 5 to 8 years.

[arc0509]

Oh so u use neti pot daily?? Does that fix your blocked nose for you???

I mean now even when you lie down both your passages are open???

[arc0509]

Actually yes.. I visited a doc with almost 40 years of experience.  He said there is nothing wrong with my passages. Suggested fluticasone and saline nasal spray. But i am not sure if they work.

[Molly]

I had an issue with getting a blocked nose and skin irritation when using a nasal mask.  My GP prescribed a nasal spray as it appeared it was an allergy issue.  What I didn't realise is, the allergy was being triggered by the nasal mask.  I changed to a hybrid FFM and no more blocked nose and I no longer needed to use the nasal spray.  My AHI isn't as low as it was, but it is usually under 4.

[arc0509]

How did you know that mask was the culprit in the allergy??? I think i should wash my mask more often now. It maybe my issue too.

[arc0509]

Reading all the comments. I can see that allergy is the most common cause coming up. This means i will keep taking fluticasone nasal spray now on. Will also order a neti pot off amazon and will wash my mask more frequently. Changing the mask is not an option right now. I am pretty confortable with the mask. I don't even realise its there on my face.

[Molly]

How did you know that mask was the culprit in the allergy??? I think i should wash my mask more often now. It maybe my issue too.

I didn't until I changed to a hybrid FFM and discovered I no longer had the issue with the allergy.  

My sleep tech originally told me to wash my mask more often and that should help so I did, but it made no difference at all.

[DoubtFire61]

If this is a recent problem, then I'd suggest a trip to an ENT to see if you have any obstructive condition caused by an aggravated turbinate or possibly a Haller Cell or Nasal Polyp.