OK it was bound to happen ... advice requested.

[Simes2112]

I've got my first cold, cough & sore throat since starting CPAP. Last night I was rudely woken up to find myself coughing somewhat frantically into the mask. I pretty well ripped the mask off my face - it was about 2:00 am and so I had been asleep about 2-3 hours.

After I calmed down I put the mask back on and managed another 3-4 hours and I ended up taking the mask off about 6:00am and knowing I had to get up by 7am I just kept snoozing the alarm away :-)

OK, so today my cold is a bit worse - the main difference being that yesterday the main symptoms were the cough and the sore throat, but I could breathe through my nose OK. Today though my nose is somewhat blocked - and I am not sure that I'll be able to cope with the mask at all. My thinking being is that if my nose is blocked then I will breathe through my mouth and forced dry air won't really help my sore throat a whole lot.

Although - if I can find some Olbas Oil, I might put a drop or two on a piece of cotton wool and put it near the air intake.

So there - I would just really welcome any advice anyone may have about what they do when they're bunged up.

All the best

Simon

[threewheelweave]

Solution

Hi Simes 2112

You can use some Olbas Oil on a swob of cotton wool however if you use the pursleep holder and the absorbsion discs (available from James at Intus) these are perfect for allowing the incoming air to pass over the disc positioned near the intake - you only need no more than 5 drops on the disc as with the oils to have a great effect on your ability to breathe

I have found that by swapping sides you can use a disc several times before you need to replace it (if you PM James I'm sure he'll give you all the details)

Hope this helps - colds plus CPAP = not very pleasant!

Cheers

TWW
UK

[Simes2112]

thanks TWW - I found the Olbas Oil today. And I going to give it a try tonight - last night, feeling rather determined I did use my CPAP gear. What I discovered is that although with no mask on I felt as though I was bunged up and unable to breathe consistently through my nose, once I had my full face mask on it was clear that I could breathe through my nose better than I thought I could.

Anyway, time for bed. Tonight it will have to be Olbas Oil on cotton wool - I ordered the Pursleep starter kit (before I got this lovely cold) but I am still waiting on it arriving.

Thanks again,

Simon

[James @ Intus]

You can also ask Tigers Fan and others here about the SinuPulse we distribute. It's the most efficient ways of treating sinus discomfort, whether it's sinusitis, common cold, hayfever, post nasal drip etc. it'll tackle it with ease.

[Tigers Fan]

SinuPulse

Even without a cold, SinuPulse improves breathing through the nose by a large factor by clearing sinuses.

I use mine every day and wouldn't be without it. If you do stats, you'll probably find your 90% pressure falls after a while.

TF

[Simes2112]

I'll look into the SinuPulse gizmo :-)

[tallishbloke]

colds and cpap

Hi Simes

It is undoubtedly more difficult to use CPAP with a nasal mask when you have a cold. You could try using an over-the-counter nasal decongestant spray which can help. You could also try those nasal strips you may see some sports people wear - they help to flare the nasal passages slightly wider. A humidifier may also benefit, and there is also the option of using a full face mask as opposed to a nasal mask - generally, the lightweight nasal pillows masks tend to cause the greatest problems in terms of symptoms that imitate a cold therefore you will probably have greater probs during a cold with a nasal pillows mask too.
Good luck!

[Simes2112]

Thanks Tallishbloke - I use a full face mask all the time. I found that 5 drops of Olbas oil on a small ball of cotton wool placed close to the air intake of my CPAP machine was enough to do the trick.

Last night I had to abandon the mask completely though - not because of my nose but because I was coughing continuously from 2am until 7am and could not stop long enough to get masked up - I eventually collapsed into non-CPAP sleep then until about 10am.

But tonight is another night and my cold and cough symptoms are both much better - so I am hopeful :-)

Thanks again, Simes