I went through the diagnosis, Hospital controlled test, bought the machine, bought the humidifier, bought better mask . . . .and I cannot use the machine, because I get immediate cold symptoms that do not go away until I stop using the machine for about a week. I had no trouble using the machine, falling asleep, keeping it on all night, just can't live with a constant cold. I have never been allergic to anything, but suspect(duh) that I am allergic to something in the system(plastics). Has anyone experienced this and found a solution?

Occassionally, I have a similar problem from using the machine.  Sinus infections seem to occur more often now that I'm on CPAP.  You need to check with an ENT doctor and see what he says.  I have medication that helps, but the best thing I've used is to gargle with a table spoon of apple cider vinegar (preferably from the health food store) and a teaspoon of salt in a glass of hot water.  At first I may do it 2 or 3 times an hour.  After that it naturally slows down.  It usually only takes a me a day or two to get rid of the problem.

Jimmy Tee wrote:

I went through the diagnosis, Hospital controlled test, bought the machine, bought the humidifier, bought better mask . . . .and I cannot use the machine, because I get immediate cold symptoms that do not go away until I stop using the machine for about a week. I had no trouble using the machine, falling asleep, keeping it on all night, just can't live with a constant cold. I have never been allergic to anything, but suspect(duh) that I am allergic to something in the system(plastics). Has anyone experienced this and found a solution?

Jimmy,
How I wish I had an answer to that.  I used my cpap for 5 days and have been sick for 11 days.  I had to quit using it and the doctor says to go back to it when I am completely over whatever I have.  He doesn't know what is wrong with me nor whether it is cpap related or not, but I'm betting on the cpap simply because I was feeling good again and tried it and everything came back worse than before.  I know some people experience problems if they don't use a heated humidifier, but that wasn't my problem.  I've got a few doctors looking into the problem in the next few weeks and hopefully, I'll have some answers, at least for my own case.  I suggest you contact your doctor and see what they can do for you.