CPAP problems

[marky mark]

I was diagnosed with sleep apnoea December 2008. I was given a CPAP machine ( ResMed full face mask ) I cannot get on with it. My nose gets blocked very easily during the evening. Even with the CPAP mask on continually blowing air I wake up during the evening feeling claustrophobic and suffocating as my nose is blocked. I have tried nose sprays and vapours but I find after 1-2 hours of having my CPAP mask on I am ready to take it off. How can I overcome this blocked nose feeling? I am desperate to give it a go. I have not used it for more than 2 hours at any one time. I have to sleep with the window open 24/7 all year round. If I get cold air it helps my blocked nose. If I slept outside I would have no problem. I was wondering if there are any attachments you can get to reduce the air temp on the CPAP machine. I suppose having continual cold air would give me a dry throat. Any thoughts?

[Tricia]

A humidifier might help. If you search for humidifier on this forum you should find lots of info on them.

[marky mark]

Thankyou Tricia much appreciated.

[jippity]

Hi Mark

As Tricia already suggested, a humidifyer could help. Speak to your sleep clinic about trying one. Also if you're finding the mask claustrophobic you could try other masks. The mirage liberty in particular is designed to help this problem.



I couldn't get on with it but I know someone who uses it and loves it so it is worth trying

Also, as regards to the blocked nose, have you tried nasal irrigation before bed? I too suffer with a constantly stuffy nose and have found this really helpful. I use a cheap neti pot that I bought on ebay for £3. Here is a link with more info about it

http://www.netipots.co.uk/using.asp

It sounds awful but it really isnt, it's actually fairly pleasant. I promise

[marky mark]

Jippity

Thank you.

Much appreciated I will speak to my clinic.

Regards

Mark