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I have had a heavy cold which has left me with a chesty cough, is it best to use cpap with the humidifier or without?
I have had the cold for a few days now and it has moved to my chest. I also have asthma so have made sure I have kept up use of steroid inhaler and reliever. I use the steroid every day.
Before I used CPAP I woke with terrible pains in my hands and arms every night. Since using my machine I have had no pain during the night until last night. My GP thinks I was being asphyxiated before CPAP. If that was the case being blocked up last night was probably doing the same.
When I woke with pains last night I couldn't settle back to sleep so I got up and I cleaned my mask and face and put my mask back on and then slept until about 9am.
I have noticed that when sleeping on my side the CPAP doesn't work as well at preventing me from stopping breathing as it does when I sleep on my back. It may be that I was so zonked with the infection that I was on my side more last night.
My husband and son are convinced that I should stop using my CPAP until I am clear of infection. I am intent on continuing CPAP. But I am not sure if it is a good idea to remove the humidifier for a few nights. I do have an incredibly dry mouth without it. When on holiday I ran out of water and was not on mains water.
Views: 1818
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Diane Baker on
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Hi, sorry to hear you are not feeling so good. The first time I had a cold (after starting CPAP) I, like you, wondered whether I should use it or not. My main concern was that CPAP would push the infection further into my lungs. I still don't know the answer to the question but in the end I decided that the risk of sleeping without the machine was greater.
I find that when I am bunged up using the humidifier helps ease the passageways and helps me breath easier - and also keeps my mouth moist, all this adds up to a better nights sleep.
Hope this helps :)
Diane
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Permalink Reply by paula jones on
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when im on holiday i just use boiled tap water..never thought that cpap could push a chest infection down to the lungs,not good, i would 100% defo use the cpap machine wotever i had,cause not breathing is greater than flu r infections..think i would still use my humidifer as well..might not sleep much but least im kinda breathing...mega hope u start to feel better soon..its not nice,nothing is with Sleep apnea..Take Care..Speedy Recovery x x x
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Permalink Reply by David on
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If you have a stuffy nose try putting some Vick ( or similar) on a cotton wool ball or tissue and lay it near the air intake ( dont obstruct it) . You will get the benefit to keep your air passages clear. Worked wonders when I had a stinking cold.
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Permalink Reply by Judith-Ann Wardlaw on
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Thank you for the advice Diane, It is my first cold since starting on CPAP and I probably wouldn't have worried if it wasn't for other family members discussing me then coming together to give me advice. I know it is because they care.
I decided to go with my own instincts again last night and used the CPAP with the humidifier. I still had lots of apnoea episodes according to hubbie but I am sure less than if I slept without it.
Diane Baker said:Hi, sorry to hear you are not feeling so good. The first time I had a cold (after starting CPAP) I, like you, wondered whether I should use it or not. My main concern was that CPAP would push the infection further into my lungs. I still don't know the answer to the question but in the end I decided that the risk of sleeping without the machine was greater.
I find that when I am bunged up using the humidifier helps ease the passageways and helps me breath easier - and also keeps my mouth moist, all this adds up to a better nights sleep.
Hope this helps :)
Diane
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Thank you Paula,
I use deionised water at home for my humidifier as when I boiled tap water and used it as recommended by the nurse it the bottom of the reservoir went slimy. My GP says I could have given myself Legionnaires disease. Now I use deionised water and wash the reservoir out every day. The pharmacist told me that she hears a lot about the water in our region causing this problem! When I was on holiday the cottage had a spring supply and I am afraid I chickened out even trying it for one night.
Last night I managed about 4 hours asleep. Better than nothing :)
paula jones said:when im on holiday i just use boiled tap water..never thought that cpap could push a chest infection down to the lungs,not good, i would 100% defo use the cpap machine wotever i had,cause not breathing is greater than flu r infections..think i would still use my humidifer as well..might not sleep much but least im kinda breathing...mega hope u start to feel better soon..its not nice,nothing is with Sleep apnea..Take Care..Speedy Recovery x x x
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Thanks for the tip too David, I will get some vick or something from our local store this afternoon. We are very rural so it will have to be whatever they have in stock.
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I don't take echinacea at the moment but have in the past. I have a tendency to chest infections so will take note and not use it in future.
99 said:do you take echenacea, then stop as to much will produce those symtems
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I use boiled water, and even on occasion unboiled water. Where you have water and heat there will always be a danger of germs etc, regardless of what water you use. I clean the tank EVERY day without fail to stop any build up. I soak the bath in boiling water whilst I clean the mask rubber and if necessary use a soft toothbrush for those hard to reach areas. I then leave it all to air dry throughout the day before re-assembly in the evening.
Apart from keeping the machine potentially germ free it always smells nice and fresh when I go to bed :D
Judith-Ann Wardlaw said:Thank you Paula,
I use deionised water at home for my humidifier as when I boiled tap water and used it as recommended by the nurse it the bottom of the reservoir went slimy. My GP says I could have given myself Legionnaires disease. Now I use deionised water and wash the reservoir out every day. The pharmacist told me that she hears a lot about the water in our region causing this problem! When I was on holiday the cottage had a spring supply and I am afraid I chickened out even trying it for one night.
Last night I managed about 4 hours asleep. Better than nothing :)
paula jones said:when im on holiday i just use boiled tap water..never thought that cpap could push a chest infection down to the lungs,not good, i would 100% defo use the cpap machine wotever i had,cause not breathing is greater than flu r infections..think i would still use my humidifer as well..might not sleep much but least im kinda breathing...mega hope u start to feel better soon..its not nice,nothing is with Sleep apnea..Take Care..Speedy Recovery x x x
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Permalink Reply by The SleepGuide Crew on
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Have only had chance to skim-read this post Judith as it's a mega busy week and I have another appointment in 10 minutes, but as the others have said, I would always continue to use my CPAP with a cold/infection, as it is even more important (if that's possible) when you have congestion etc.
I NEVER use deionised water, even though I did for the first 2 years, for two reasons - the first is that my GP pointed out that it's for car batteries and irons etc., and not for human lungs, and secondly I read this following statement a while back and saved it on my computer:-
"I used to work in a factory that made deionised water. Whilst doing so I had to wear rubber wellies, a full length rubber apron, rubber gauntlets and a full face gas mask. (very alluring I looked too, not!)
It is tap water that has hydrochloric acid and caustic soda passed through it. Lethal fumes each but if the two mix....
it is for car batteries, please please no one ever use it in their humidifiers."
De-ionised is not the same as distilled, and bearing in mind I can't get my hands on distilled water easy, I now just buy large 3 or 5 litre bottles of mineral water from the supermarket, which works out quite cheap.Finally, if your hubby is still noticing apnoeas happening it sounds like you need to contact your clinic as an increase in pressure might be in order.
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Permalink Reply by Kath Hope on
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Hi Judith
Just to say that the last post from The SleepGuide Crew was from me (I was signed is as administrator, as was doing some 'behind-the-scenes' work). Yes, I still get lots of brain confusion :-D !!
The SleepGuide Crew said:Have only had chance to skim-read this post Judith as it's a mega busy week and I have another appointment in 10 minutes, but as the others have said, I would always continue to use my CPAP with a cold/infection, as it is even more important (if that's possible) when you have congestion etc.
I NEVER use deionised water, even though I did for the first 2 years, for two reasons - the first is that my GP pointed out that it's for car batteries and irons etc., and not for human lungs, and secondly I read this following statement a while back and saved it on my computer:-
"I used to work in a factory that made deionised water. Whilst doing so I had to wear rubber wellies, a full length rubber apron, rubber gauntlets and a full face gas mask. (very alluring I looked too, not!)
It is tap water that has hydrochloric acid and caustic soda passed through it. Lethal fumes each but if the two mix....
it is for car batteries, please please no one ever use it in their humidifiers."
De-ionised is not the same as distilled, and bearing in mind I can't get my hands on distilled water easy, I now just buy large 3 or 5 litre bottles of mineral water from the supermarket, which works out quite cheap.Finally, if your hubby is still noticing apnoeas happening it sounds like you need to contact your clinic as an increase in pressure might be in order.
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Kath, I was a bit worried when I saw who the message was from. I thought I was going to be reprimanded for doing something wrong :)
Thank you for the warning. The pharmacist told me to buy deionised water because our mains supply is so bad. I will definitely not use what I have bought tonight or ever again after reading your information on it. . Luckily I have done without quite a lot as we haven't been able to buy it easily locally.
I thought maybe the apnoeas are being caused by my cold. Hubby says he Has no idea what is going on really and what is caused by the cold, asthma etc. Soon be over it all though. He says he will attempt to be more observant tonight. I do feel a bit more human today despite the recent sleepless nights.
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