Asking if anyone out there has any remedies for nasal congestion once laying down for the night to sleep. During the day I have no issues. I am still wondering if I have a nasal congestion issue and not sleep apnea. Have used nasal pillows and a nasal mask for years. Sleep experts look at my data and say everything is working fine then proceed to try and sell me more equipment. Completely frustrated with them, they could not care less about my health, their only concern is lining their pockets with over priced equipment (I can buy the same equipment online for about 35% of what they are asking for it). Don't need medical experts to figure out that if my nose is plugging up while I am sleeping and I cannot breathe through my mouth to compensate because of the escaping air from the positive air pressure created, I may be slowly choking myself each night. I have been trying to use a full face mask now and am noticing some results now after using it for a couple of weeks. When I first tried to use the full face mask, the leakage would wake me up immediately once it ramped up. Tried multiple times to adjust mask tightness with no change. Finally turned pressure completely down to 7 and have been able to stop the leakage. Just being able to occasionally breathe through my mouth has made a huge difference. Not sure if I need breathing assistance or I need to address sleep apnea. I do a nasal rinse each night, take a prescription anti-histamine, use prescription nasal spray before going to bed, raised the head of my bed 3 inches, and use an extra pillow when I sleep but still get congestion each night that completely blocks off one nostril. Once I get up, it usually goes away in about 20 minutes without me having to blow my nose. Completely uncomfortable and wakes me much sooner than I would like to wake up. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
I have what sounds like similar nasal congestion issues. It gets worse when I get a cold, but it is always there. I am not a medical professional, just a CPAP user, but here is how I have addressed it. When I am getting ready for bed, I blow my nose to make sure it is clear. If there is a congested side I will use one squirt in that nostril only of Walmart generic Otrivin (xylometazoline). I try not to use the nasal spray in both nostrils or every night as I understand this drug will create a rebound effect, and if used too often it will actually make congestion worse. I read an article by a sleep doctor that recommended the use of a corticosteroid nasal spray intended for allergies. I tried Nasacort 24 hour, and never noticed any improvement so discontinued use of it.
For a mask I now use the ResMed AirFit P10 nasal pillow type. I tried the AirFit F20 full face but could not sleep with it due to leaks blowing in my eyes, and nose irritation. I also would breath through my mouth and wake up with a dry sore throat, even though I have a heated hose and humidifier. For a few months now I have been using mouth taping with my nasal pillow mask to solve the mouth leak problem. My wife thought I was crazy, but she finally admitted she also had a mouth leaking problem and tried the mouth taping too. She is now also sold on it. Leaks are way down, and her AHI is also significantly down. My theory is that with mouth taping and a nasal pillow type mask, your nose essentially is forced to stay clear all night, and that is my experience. Yes, when I wake up one nostril may be plugged, but of course the other is open. It seems to make no difference breathing through one nostril. The amount of air we breathe once we relax and go to sleep is much lower than during the day or when doing exercise.
I have heard stories from others about having to go to a full face mask when they get a cold. So far that has not been the case for me. I have the F20 mask in my closet collecting dust, but so far have never been forced to use it.
Hope that helps some,
Hi sleepchaser63
Is it always the same side?
Have you spoken to your doctor or sleep specialist about this? (I don't mean the sleep tech who sells gear)
Did you have the same problem when you were using the nasal mask or pillows?
What was the pressure before you turned it down?
What type of nasal spray were you prescribed and what were the instructions on the prescription and the box?
Could you talk to your doctor or pharmacist about switching sprays?
I have been to see nose specialist, sleep technician , and of course, my doctor. Nose specialist has told me that I have narrow passages in my nose, sleep tech seems not to care, and my doctor has sent me to both these specialists and prescribed the anti-histamine and nasal spray. I believe my setting was around 12.5 with the nasal mask before I turned the pressure down for the full mask. Have it set at 7 now. Going to 7.2 creates way more leaks. Using Resmed products. Have had this issue with all types of masks and it can be one or both nostrils that plug. Being able to "catch up" with my air supply by being able to breathe through my mouth seems to be helping. Have my machine humidifier set at 6 and do not seem to have any sore dry throat issues. When I go to bed there is no congestion to blow out just as there is no congestion to blow out when I get up in the morning.
