struggling with CPAP

[Haresear55]

After 8 months still struggling with the CPAP. Switched to nasal mask but still waken with cough and congestion after about an hour. Humidity does help. Tried saline spray and cortisone nasal spray. Next visit is with ENT. Sleep doctor thinks I am non-compliant. I want the CPAP to work!

[Delilahmy]

hello Haresear

I’ve been on cpap since September and had full face mask under nose mask and nose mask medium size - now on small nose mask which seems best of a bad bunch but has bought apneas down. Feel it’s been a difficult journey and not completely resolved but I am getting more used to it. I am seeing ENT hopefully as I have requested this myself. I feel that I might have a polyp or some physical obstruction that has not been checked out. Good luck with it ….. finding a suitable mask is a bit of a quest …. But the change in fit is quite different from one to another

[Haresear55 in reply to Delilahmy]

Thank-you, Delilahmy. I am happy that you are getting it sorted. I had nasal surgery and turbinate reduction in 2013 which improved snoring but CPAP was ordered after sleep test by cardiologist last year. I hope our ENT visits will provide helpful advice . All the best to you.

[nossib in reply to Haresear55]

I am the same after several years of trying to conquer CPAP, considered non compliant but fortunate enough to have a Sleep/ Respiratory Specialist understanding enough to let me keep my Resmed machine for the times I am able to use it.

I had both a septoplasty & turbinate reduction done , after they discovered I must have had a broken nose many years before but to my disgust, at my follow up post surgery appointment the Registrar didn't remove sufficiennt scar tissue and the resulting buildup pushed my septum into my right nostril! My Surgeon was horrified, saying the only way to fix it was a further, lengthy surgery which because I'd since had a pulmonary embolism and was not in good health wasn't considered safe any longer to pursue.

I therefore struggle all the more now, so will be asking if I can have at least just a small nasal mask, instead of the full one [ because I am a mouth breather] ....better than nothing, surely. Good luck at your ENT meetings girls, all the best. Susan.

[Haresear55 in reply to nossib]

Hi nossib,

Oh, that is quite challenging! I tried the full face mask, too, as I am a mouth breather, but had a sore throat so nasal mask is what I now use. My sleep specialist gave me a chin strap but I cannot sleep with it! My maximum time on the CPAP is 2.5 hours. I usually remove my mask while asleep at about 1.5 hours due to congestion and swallowing air. All the best to you and we will soldier on.

[Rubymurray25]

I have to totally agree CPAP is a real challenge and even now 4 years on I have a few blips, (sore nose, marks from tight chinstrap and a very runny nose with occasional nose bleeds ,but I do feel I am on top. I was having 68 episodes an hour when tested and now down to 1 or 2 all the time ( except on certain antibiotics ) and feel I have a life and it has definitely helped my Atrial Fibrillation. I struggled so much in the early days with a mask, I just couldn't do it so persevered with a nose cushion and a chin strap the latter being a real challenge to find especially in the UK and but Ruby ones from the USA. What I now find really helps are really cheap thin cross plasters that go across your mouth in the center, I was surprised how quickly I got used to them. I use my machine now for 8 hours at a time and find I have a good combination, but as I say it has been a challenge. Wishing you well.

[Haresear55]

Thank you Rubymurray25 for the encouraging words. Truly appreciated! I will try the thin plasters. May be the ticket for more time on my CPAP. All the best to you.

[Haresear55]

Update on CPAP: last night spent my first 6 hour period on CPAP! The difference is use of a nasal spray antihistamine, azelastine. Had to use it for about two weeks before reducing nasal congestion and post nasal drip. One spray in each nostril in AM and PM. I have been struggling with the CPAP for over a year. Hopefully, good results will continue.