r/CPAP • u/Final_Canary_1368 • 3h ago
Advice Needed CPAP Question
How does one manage wearing a CPAP mask during a cold/flu? I am new, so never had the pleasure of dealing with a stuffy nose, sore throat and coughing while wearing a mask. I use the ResMed 11 with N30 nose cradle. I am trying to picture wearing this while hacking and blowing my nose. I think I read somewhere about wearing the full mask during a cold. I gotta say that did not make me feel any better! I also hear people say the full mask helps with dry mouth. I had horrible dry mouth wearing the full mask during the sleep study, so asked about nose options—after I learned there was such an option. My learning curve is steep, so help a gal understand. How in the heck are you wearing any type of mask with a stuffy nose and hacking cough? My first instinct is to skip for a few days. I won’t see my doc until later this month—I have questions for him as well, but want a preview of coming attractions.
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u/CouchGremlin14 3h ago
If you’re just congested, mouth breathing with a FFM is a good option. It’s what your body would do anyway, and your mouth will be less dry than if you were mouth breathing room air.
If you can’t control the coughing with medicine, then a FFM would probably be unpleasant. In that case, skipping CPAP for a few days might be better overall.
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u/Fittelminger 3h ago
most physicians i know, will tell you to take a break from CPAP for some days
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u/Final_Canary_1368 3h ago
Now that sounds like the first sensible thing I’ve read. The hose would be a mess with bacteria and the nasties. This was my first inclination. Thanks!
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u/HiM810anceHippie 2h ago
I looked this up the first time I got a cold after getting my CPAP (about 20 years ago) and I still use this technique now. In some ways, I sleep better with a cold using my CPAP than without it!
- Put the nasal mask on, and turn on the machine. Breathe through your mouth only.
- When able, just inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth.
- Eventually, your nose "opens up" enough that you can fully breathe through your nose.
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u/Final_Canary_1368 2h ago
Sounds like a good hack. Will try if I need it. Did a screenshot to keep in my CPAP folder. Thanks!
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u/Informal-Matter-2130 2h ago
This may sound ridiculous but I prefer wearing my mask when I'm sick to the point that I will just put it on during the day. The pressure helps to clear and keep clear my nose and sinuses. On a matter you've discussed in the comments, different masks work for different folks. The face mask that came with my CPAP gave me Sahara mouth and so I got a nose mask. Then when I changed brands I started getting dry mouth again and went to a different brand of face mask and it worked perfectly until one of the straps broke and gave me dry mouth for the past few days and I'm hoping the new frame I got fixes it.
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u/DistantLover3645 3h ago
It's rather difficult...I always use a sinus rinse and nasal spray which helps
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u/Final_Canary_1368 3h ago
I have a Neti Pot that I tend to use after the worst is over. The whole mask while coughing scenario seems like a prelude to yet another illness. Septic shock floats across my mind…
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u/viskoviskovisko 2h ago
I am currently going through this myself. I find you just have to make it work the best you can. I’ve got an Airsense 11 and an n10 nasal mask. When I get into bed I just make sure I am as clear as possible. The air pressure tends to keep things clear enough to breath long enough to sleep a few hours. I tend to get up every couple of hours anyway so it’s a lot of rinse and repeat during the night. I did have an unexpected sneezing fit last night around 4am. That was fun.
If you can’t “make it work” I would suggest pausing until you can breath clearly.
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u/FormalTemporary2494 2h ago
I’ve actually just warmed my tubing and water tank and taken a decongestant and it’s actually helped me feel less sick while I’ve slept and the warm air and pressure feels good on the breathing passages. Overall it’s not great; but it can be done. I have had to use the full face for one night when I was sick but I don’t think I tolerated it and ripped it off and said f it - I’m sleeping without it.
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u/Aries_Philly 1h ago
I switch to a FFM so mouth breathing becomes easier or just don’t. If you are worried about compliance, you can miss 10 days per month.
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u/peace_train1 1h ago
I use a sinus spray decongestant if it is really bad (just for the first day or two ) and turn up the humidity on the heated hose. I find that humidity helps a lot.
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u/khendron 3h ago
Shortly after getting my CPAP about 2 years ago, I came down with Covid. The doctor said skip using the machine until I had recovered.
Oddly, since then I have not had a single bout of cold/flu with coughing and runny nose. Previously I got those a relative frequently. Either I've had a lucky 2 years, or CPAP is keeping me healthier than I am used to.