Can’t sleep because of congestion

[dantetheinferno1]

What can I do about congestion? I Neto pot, use Flonase, sometime an antihistamine spray, homeopathics - nothing helps. I’m ok during the day when I’m vertical. At night, I wake 3-4-5 times totally parched from mouth breathing. I’m so tired!!!!!!

[mrsjsmith]

Hello Dante,

you have my sympathy, before I was diagnosed I used to be afraid to go to sleep ! I used to walk around all night.

Two thoughts - have you seen an ENT specialist ? It may well be sinus related ? Try lots of pillows and sleeping on your side. A dry mouth may well mean you are snoring.

I hope you find some relief.

regards

Colette

[dantetheinferno1 in reply to mrsjsmith]

Thank you for your reply. Yes, I’ve seen an ENT, I sleep on my side on a wedge. Nothing helps so far.

[Jm954 Administrator]

Hi dantetheonferno1,

Can you actually breathe through your nose? If so the problem may not be congestion.

If you also feel tired despite apparently having enough sleep I would check that you don’t have sleep apnoea. Check your sleepiness on the Epworth Sleepiness Scale and see if you’re likely to have apnoea.

Here’s a link: blf.org.uk/support-for-you/...

[starsafta]

You have my sympathies. I recently had an attack of sinusitis, with prolific post-nasal drip as well as nasal dripping that resulted in sore nostrils. Used a Netti Pot 2-3 times a day. At night, I stacked a bunch of pillows against the headboard and slept propped up so I didn't wake up coughing. It was such a relief when I could finally sleep lying down again.

Do you snore when sleeping? If so, I agree that you might want to be checked for sleep apnea. Is this a temporary thing or long lasting?

[Ellieoak]

Go see the ENT and tell him about your problems with sleeping. He will probably want to do surgery. It is the best thing that ever happened to me.

[opal11uk]

My husband suffers this problem too so he now has a rising bed so he can go to sleep semi reclined and this has really helped him. If you don't have such a bed maybe you could put something under the mattress to tilt it up. I believe it is due to dripping sinus, he also uses a nasal spray from the doc when it is really bad.

[MsLockYourPosts Passed Volunteer]

There are foam wedges that you can use to raise your head or feet. They don't work for me, because where the angle starts throws my back out. There are also "blocks" designed to raise the head of the bed, mostly for acid reflux, but that might help. I think they were 4 inches high and designed to use two if you wanted things higher. I saw them at Bed, Bath, and Beyond in the US. A similar type store might have them in other countries or you could do something with just bricks or cinder blocks.

I also agree about having a sleep study done if possible. There are now dental appliances for sleep apnea if dealing with a machine wouldn't work for you.

[G1llHa1n in reply to MsLockYourPosts]

Amazon can provide the stacking bed blocks if you want to go that route. They come in sets of 8 and stack in 1 inch increments.

[JigFettler Volunteer]

...hmmmm

If your congestion is mainly at night...better in day... and further to the great advices above...

Think House Dust Mite. Worth dealing with... you'll need to Google how. Relatively easy. Cheap to do!

This is common. Mites feed off our skin flakes. Occasionally causes allergy.

Any form of cardiac congestion can causes this sort of pattern. That is something for your doctor to check.

Def worth discussing with a GP.

Best wishes.

Jig

[MsLockYourPosts Passed Volunteer]

Hmmmm - or night blooming scented plants. Star jasmine does me in. Magnolias also. Mine is gone.

[mrsjsmith in reply to MsLockYourPosts]

Oh no I have a lovely star jasmine just outside the kitchen door plus a large Osmanthus!

Colette x

[wmay13241]

I have the same problem - nothing helps. I now have a LazyBoy recliner that I sleep in every night, I have not slept in my bed for 3+ years.

[olympia53]

Hi,

An old wives tale that works all the time. Before going to bed, rub Vicks vapor rub on your feet, put on a pair of socks and go to bed, I mean sleep, sleep, sleep. Ahhhhh

[wmay13241 in reply to olympia53]

I tried it last night - seems to help.

[Big_Dee]

I have same problem, but I have had it for years before diagnosis of CLL. I had bronchitis, but doctors were not sure a couple of months ago. I did have chest x-ray and ruled out pneumonia. It took me 1-1/2 months to get over it. I took antibiotics and Nyquil which helped, but did not really get any relief until I took antihistamine tablets.

[Fant1924]

Ask for a check of your IG. I guess you require IVIG. It stopped my sinus issues.

Dennis, 71, Ibrutinib

[dantetheinferno1 in reply to Fant1924]

My Ig is low, but my dr doesn’t want me to get tx unless I have 3-4 infections a Year requiring Antony. I don’t have an infection, in fact, I was very pleased with myself this summer recovering from intestinal flu and a bad cold without medical intervention.

[Yuck]

Try using an over-the-counter approved antihistamine to avoid normal sinus bacteria making its way into your lungs which happened to 2 family members and caused bacterial pneumonia.

[dantetheinferno1 in reply to Yuck]

I do take Zyrtec every morning. I have a spray antihistamine Azelastine, which I sometimes use at night. Not real effective.

[wmay13241 in reply to dantetheinferno1]

I agree - neither Zyrtec nor Azelastine work for me.