Posted by Kassy May on June 13, 2009 at 09:33:45:In Reply to: Upper Nasal Passage Congestion posted by sleepapnea2 on September 28, 2008 at 16:25:32:
I have had sleep apnea since 1998. At the beginning, I took to the machine like a duck to water. As the years went on, I was bothered more and more by nasal congestion. For a long time I did not relate this congestion to my CPAP machine. I went from doctor to doctor, trying to get relief from a congested or runny nose and constant sneezing that would go on for days. I even had to curtail my social life because it seemed like I had a heavy cold about five days out of every seven. I tried five different prescription nasal sprays and drops, several allergy tablets and even saw an allergist who said I wasn't allergic to anything. My sleep doctors (both of them) had no idea what could be wrong. I FINALLY figured out for myself that the draft from the air escaping from my nasal pillows was getting into my eyes and causing all this grief. Since that time, I have worn an old winter scarf tied tightly over my eyes and down to about halfway down my nose under my CPAP mask every single night or even when I have a short nap. Problem solved about 99% of the time. The other 1% when I still have the problem is a direct result of the scarf coming loose during the night and then I find it has crept up my face and my eyes are right in the firing line of the draft again. The problem has literally been taken care of without any medication. I hope this will help someone else as I know it is a miserable condition with which to live.