I think you’ll find folks here who use every kind of mask. But the nasal pillow with the mini is definitely the worst culprit. In fact, that’s the highest common denominator.
These are exactly the type of experiments I want to see on here. Unfortunately, I have had some false hopes that were eventually dashed when I decided to adopt them wholesale. The congestion you had in one nostril is a great example. You were on the verge, but it didn’t get pushed over the edge. I have been there, but it just takes one time being pushed over the edge that makes it not worth taking with me on any of my travel.
Great question. I don’t know if we’ve talked about nasal pillows vs full mask. I know for me I use the same nasal pillows I do with my AirSense10. Since I’ve had these symptoms with the HumidX filters and without them, I’ve started to zero in on an air pressure issue as well. I had the pressure lowered by 20% and still had the reaction, which was my final straw for putting that infernal device in the storage closet for good.
I still think, given the high rate at which this occurs, and with the fact that we’ve all reported different attachments, medications, filters, hoses, and other variables, there still must be something in common that is causing this for us. That something could be air pressure, or maybe something internal to the device that we haven’t identified.
Maybe it’s time to do a device tear-down.
Great hypothesis, but in my case, I was on no medications or supplements. Of course, after the first few times I took antihistamines to counter what I thought was a massive allergy attack (which had zero effect, of course).
I simply stopped using my AirMini a year ago. I either go without it when I travel for work (I don’t have apnea, but use CPAP for shoring therapy), or take my AirSense10 when traveling with my wife. Haven’t had an “AirMini” attack in that year.
With the attacks, they happened with the HumidX filter and without.
I am on day 14 of a 14 day trip through Portugal, Spain, Morocco, and UK. I hauled my big ResMed Airsense10 with me in its travel bag the whole trip just because of this issue with my mini machine. Pain in the butt, but of course I had zero problems. Just filled the basin with tap water (except Morocco). We shouldn’t have to lug our home machines on the road, but it worked. So, all is not hopeless. I’ll still like my $1K back for the mini, though.
This happens with or without the humidx filters. It’s the device itself somehow. It’s happened in humid Florida, arid Colorado, and temperate San Diego. None of those times was I using a humidX filter. Ind even tried using it without an actual air filter. Same issue.
I’m glad (under the crappy circumstances) that we are all experiencing this issue. It’s time we need to think about a class action lawsuit. A $1000 purchase that makes us worse isn’t something to sneeze at, so to speak.
I don’t have apnea. I snore, and to keep my marriage happy, I bought the ResMed AirSense10 (which is flawless) and the Mini, which makes me sicker than a dog. Only I’m not sick. It’s a reaction to this awful device.
If I were to write a letter outlining our issues, how many of you would sign? And no, I’m not a lawyer.
I can’t believe I finally found my people. I don’t have apnea, but use this device for snoring when I’m traveling with my family. Every single time I use it, I get the same violent reaction in one nostril. The devilish tickle starts deep within my sinuses and develops into full fledged cold symptoms with violent sneezing over the next 24-36 hours. I do NOT have this problem with my ResMed Airsense 10 at home.
Since there are no answers to the problem here, I’ll offer my theory. I believe the issues lies within our sinuses. Specifically, something from the device is irritating our sinus cavity, causing inflammation that produces a full storm reaction within your mucous and tear ducts. The body thinks there’s a foreign body, and it responds accordingly. It burns/itches/tickles and gets worse a few hours after waking up. There’s nothing that stops it.
Humidity levels make no difference. Pressure levels make no difference (I’ve tried). Allergy pills the night before don’t help. Saline sprays don’t help. Once it starts, there’s no remedy that stops the cascade effect.
Sleeping position might make a difference (no way to know). It has happened to me using the device in all climates all over the world. I’m done using it. I can’t function when it sets off my sinuses.
I’m following this thread to see what solutions folks have come up with. Sucks for all of us, but at least we know we’re not crazy. At least, not on this. :)
