Posted by Dan Morrison on December 24, 1997 at 14:29:41:

In Reply to: Re: CPAP and a big, fat cold posted by Jeff Welch on December 19, 1997 at 23:42:07:

I use aggressive therapies, to include:

1. Afrin (or equal) alternating nostrils. You may be able to do this indefinitely.

2. Nasalcrom. Even though this is for allergies, it seems to help with cold symptoms.

3. A powerful oral decongestant/expectorant (entex) which does not make me jittery, like bendryl or sudafed.

4. Nasal lavage. Using a nasal lavage bulb and warm salt water - inhaling the water thru the nose. You can simply snort the salt water out of a cup or your hand.

5. Cortisone ointment (the petroleum jelly based type - sold as anal itch ointment) swabbed in with Q-tips. Hurts a little at first to stuff a q-tip into a swollen, sensitive nose, but the relief is considerable. Also helps to prevent drying and sores in the nostrils. Is it safe to use every night? I don't know - but I use it about half the time anyhow.

Dan

6. Increased pressure on the CPAP.

I have also had septoplasty which enlarged my nasal airways considerably.

All this helps me to sleep through a cold - usually. I've been on a CPAP, with nasal pillows, for about 16 months.

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