This is my second time posting about this, but I'm having major issues with waking up with a lot of mucus in my system. No matter how hard I try I can't get expel it from my system throughout the day. It's nearly 7 p.m. and I'm still coughing nonstop (I'm not sick). I can only assume it is the CPAP because I haven't had this issue until I was on a CPAP. I don't want to take a decongestant everyday as it seems like that's a lot of medicine.

If other people experience this, what do you do?


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Previous Mask: F&P Zest (did not like)
Current Mask: Resmed Swift LT for her (nasal pillow)
CPAP: F&P Sleep Series 234

I've been trying to figure that out as well. the coughing is really draining my energy. i did searches online and there seems to be no solution or straight answers. i am going to try to talk to my dr. monday will keep you posted. hang in there.

Have you tried.. or do you use nasal irrigation?


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Just a truck driver with sleep apnea

I have not tried nasal irrigation, but it doesn't seem to be nasal...more in my throat. Will nasal still work?


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Previous Mask: F&P Zest (did not like)
Current Mask: Resmed Swift LT for her (nasal pillow)
CPAP: F&P Sleep Series 234

I bought Sinus Rinse -- haven't used it yet. Probably should wait to post this until after, but thought I'd share...

It specifically says in the instructions: Great to use after sinus surgery & for CPAP patients.


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Previous Mask: F&P Zest (did not like)
Current Mask: Resmed Swift LT for her (nasal pillow)
CPAP: F&P Sleep Series 234

My two cents - I haven't started cpap yet, but when I found out that it was going to be necessary, I worried about congestion, so began rinsing my sinuese every night.  It has made a tremendous difference in the amount of "stuffiness" in my nose.  It will probably take a week or two before you notice an appreciable difference, but I think you'll be happy with the result.

Good Luck

I did it last night and this morning and I'm noticing a difference already. I think it will take more rinsing to REALLY notice a huge difference but there's definitely a small difference.


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Previous Mask: F&P Zest (did not like)
Current Mask: Resmed Swift LT for her (nasal pillow)
CPAP: F&P Sleep Series 234

I have been using my C-Pap for about a year now.  When I first got it, every time I used it, I would get an awful sinus infection, then have to stop my C-pap and go on 10 days of antibiotics.  I found I simply could not use my C-pap, at all, without the following.  This has stopped my mucous / sinus infections completely!!  Try:

You have to have a hot water reservoir that has a heater in it.
Even though the directions says not to use hot water, use hot water.
Add about 1 tsp. of Vicks Vap-o-steam in water, just before you use C-Pap.

You have to do this every time - you canot reuse any vaposteam, either.
Make sure your water chamber has a dial for steam intensity - mine has to be at level 3 to work well.

Also, you have clean your machine, hoses, etc at least every 4 days.  I have tried every technique on the book, but what works for me really well is:

You will need a plastic dish pan that is deep enough to hold all of your equipment.  Rinse all equipment first by just running hot water through it:  mask & all pieces, hoses, water reservoir, etc.  Then, put all in plastic pan.  Pour in about 1/4 cup of liquid Pine Sol, and fill pan with hot water.  Let soak for about 15 minutes.  Rinse out all pieces completely with water.  Then, to dry:

Buy a $10 steel, metal fan from Walmarts.  Trust me on this, it works!  Set up the fan on medium high.  Lay all pieces on a heavy towel in front of fan.  Take a gallon water or milk container - run both ends of the hose thru the handle to hold, so the air will go down the hose.  Let everything dry - it will only take an hour or so.  You're done!

truckerdad57 wrote:

Have you tried.. or do you use nasal irrigation?

Nasal irrigation does not work at all, especially with a C-Pap.
Use a hot water resevoir and use Vicks Vapo-steam in it every time you use it.
Check my other remedies posted for this and cleaning.  They work great!

I just noticed there is a sticky about Sinus Irrigation. Thought I'd share in case anyone missed it (I did). I've had decent success with this. Also, my doctor didn't really have much of a suggestion but to mess with the humidity. She said some people may need it lower, some may need it higher. I had it on 1.5 because I was getting sweaty around my mask. I bumped it up to 2.5 and the mucus wasn't as bad.

Sinus Irrigation Sticky


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Previous Mask: F&P Zest (did not like)
Current Mask: Resmed Swift LT for her (nasal pillow)
CPAP: F&P Sleep Series 234

In your throat or in your chest, sounds more like asthma or something like that.  Mucinex sometimes works.  I would see a doctor on this one.

Actually, there is plenty of peer reviewed medical research which shows that sinus irrigation is highly effective.  The anecdotal evidence in the 17 page sticky post at the top of this forum should be convincing if peer reviewed medical studies aren't enough.

Vicki


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Being defeated is often a temporary condition. Giving up is what makes it permanent.
Marilyn Von Savant

That which does not kill you makes you stronger-Friedrich Nietzsche
Friedrich must of had apnea.

Cool, just saw an old bottle of Vapo-steam in the pantry and was wondering if it was safe to use in the humidifier.  I'll have to try it, both nights I've used my new machine so far I wake up repeatedly with a bad stuffy nose.

So glad I did some research and discovered this forum.


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Resmed S8 AutosetII w/ H4i humidifier & ResMed Mirage Micro nasal mask

Don't put VapoSteam in your CPAP humidifier.  See the VapoSteam warnings at http://www.vicks.com/products/vaposteam.  Not to mention the User Guide for your machine.


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Marie
Newbie with Severe OSA
ResMed S8 Elite II CPAP with EPR and H4i humidifier
ResMed Mirage Quattro full face mask
Contec CMS 50-E Pulse Oximeter