Posted by phils95cobra on April 21, 2005 at 07:51:35:

In Reply to: Is this normal? posted by lost on April 21, 2005 at 07:03:13:

I had the same thing happen to me when I started CPAP about 3 years ago. First thing, your sinuses need to be checked. Using a full face mask because you ended up not being able to breathe through your nose with CPAP is unnacceptable. CPAP can be great in the short term, IMHO, but as a long term solution, it causes more problems than it fixes. Because the machine "forces" air, and in your case, at a very high pressure, directly into you nose, you run a much higher risk of sinus infection/chronic congestion. The usual treatment would be nasal steriod sprays like flonase and other prescription based nasal sprays. You should try these first, but avoid using OTC nasal sprays like Afrin and Vicks, etc. Although they work in the short term, the rebound affect when they wear off will make you miserable.

My experience with CPAP is just about identical to yours in the way that when I first started using it (pressure of 14), I would have to ramp up the pressure or I could not sleep right away because it was a very strong pressure. After about what seemed like 6 or 7 months, I no longer had to ramp the pressure, and it felt like there was something wrong with the machine. Well, the machine was and is still pumping out 14" hg, but I think what happens is that your body becomes acclamated (spelling), or used to the higher pressure, and adapts to it. Here is where alot of people will say that you should go back to the sleep lab and get re-titrated because you will probably need a higher pressure. I disagree with that notion, however logical it may sound. IMHO, again, I would start searching for alternate methods to treat your sleep apnea. First, if you are overweight, lose weight, as much as you safely can. Second, sleep on your side or stomach if possible. CPAP pretty much made me a back sleeper, and it took some getting used to to switch to my sides or stomach, but you typically have alot less apnea events while sleeping on your sides or stomach. Third, get to your ENT or a good reputable ENT and have your sinuses scoped out. Chance are, the higher CPAP pressures have aggravated your sinuses and there membranes so they are nice and swollen now. Out air intake system (car talk), was never mean't to be force-fed air at higher than atmospheric pressure. This can and will have adverse effects on your air passages (i.e. chronic congestion/infection). One more thing, not too many people realize this, but get your thyroid gland checked for proper function (TSH). This can cause excess weight gain, along with other contributing issues to sleep apnea.

I hope all turns out well for you. All the things mentioned are of my own opinion. I got to the point where I absolutely COULD NOT SLEEP without CPAP, couldn't even doze off without the mask on my face, and that really sucked. I am sure I will get blasted on here by the proponents for CPAP machines, but there are other ways to deal with this disease that are often overlooked because they require more time and maybe more $$ than CPAP, but I feel they are worth it.

Follow Ups:

• Re: Is this normal? rocket moose 14:33 4/21/05 (0)
• Re: Is this normal? SleepyTimeGal 08:39 4/21/05 (4)
  • Re: Is this normal? phils95cobra 09:05 4/21/05 (3)
    • Re: Is this normal? HAZY 09:08 4/27/05 (0)
    • Re: Is this normal? lost 09:37 4/21/05 (1)
      • Re: Is this normal? phils95cobra 09:43 4/21/05 (0)

---

Copyright ©1995-2005 Sleepnet.com., All rights reserved