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CPAP Sinus Infection?
This is from a correspondence I've been having with Susan McCord, who gave me permission to share it with all you on the forum. Italicized emphasis is my own... Will be interested to hear what you guys think she should do:
"I've been sicker than a dog with this CPAP/sinus stuff since the day after Christmas. Nobody, including my sleep doc will really discuss it with me or else they just dismiss it. This has been going on, off and on, since shortly after I started CPAP in July.
Today I was at my cardiologist for a checkup, and was telling him about all this ongoing. Usually it goes away spontaneously in 2-3 days--this time it's hung on for 10 days so far. Can't stand it.
Anyway, cardiologist, who's also an internist prior, told me it's not uncommon at ALL for pts. on CPAP to have this and that I have an infection. I asked him why the MDs don't tell us about it--he and I have a VERY open relationship and he knows I can't stand having smoke blown up my ass--he told me it's because the sleep docs are so worried about compliance that they don't tell pts. about the possibility of sinus complications AND that it's not uncommon for them to avoid talking about it even if pts. bring it up. They tend to assign the sinus problems to something else.
I was mildly horrified and, frankly, I think he is too. He told me to talk to my PCP and get started on an antibiotic and whatever else PCP recs. He also said people usually stay off CPAP for a week or so till the infection clears. THAT scares me to death. I don't think I'm gonna do it. Internet says to d/c too, but I don't think I can......what do you think I should do???"
"I've been sicker than a dog with this CPAP/sinus stuff since the day after Christmas. Nobody, including my sleep doc will really discuss it with me or else they just dismiss it. This has been going on, off and on, since shortly after I started CPAP in July.
Today I was at my cardiologist for a checkup, and was telling him about all this ongoing. Usually it goes away spontaneously in 2-3 days--this time it's hung on for 10 days so far. Can't stand it.
Anyway, cardiologist, who's also an internist prior, told me it's not uncommon at ALL for pts. on CPAP to have this and that I have an infection. I asked him why the MDs don't tell us about it--he and I have a VERY open relationship and he knows I can't stand having smoke blown up my ass--he told me it's because the sleep docs are so worried about compliance that they don't tell pts. about the possibility of sinus complications AND that it's not uncommon for them to avoid talking about it even if pts. bring it up. They tend to assign the sinus problems to something else.
I was mildly horrified and, frankly, I think he is too. He told me to talk to my PCP and get started on an antibiotic and whatever else PCP recs. He also said people usually stay off CPAP for a week or so till the infection clears. THAT scares me to death. I don't think I'm gonna do it. Internet says to d/c too, but I don't think I can......what do you think I should do???"
Views: 23942
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Terry Vella on
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Amber, sorry your still having problems, I think CPAP probably helps more than the ones like yourself that have problems. Personally it saved my life, literally. Have you spoken to your sleep specialist or an ENT about your sinus problems. You may have another problem which is effecting why CPAP is not working for you. Also, your using pillows, have you tried a nasal mask of FFM to see how you go?
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Permalink Reply by David Bruskin on
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This may sound like heresy, but I never clean my mask or hose and I never use the humidifier -- and I never get a sinus infection. I really think that keeping the air dry, if it doesn't bother you, is much better than humidified. (I live in Southern California, so that helps, too.) But the REAL key, I believe, is that I keep my sinuses unblocked as best I can. I use lavage only when I'm really congested, but I do have an allergist. A couple of nasal sprays -- Astelin and Nasocort (or generics thereof) -- plus Allegra D, all before bed, and I am in great shape. I'm supposed to take the Astelin and Allegra D every 12 hours, but I don't and it almost always works fine every 24 hours. (I do the correct dose during the height of allergy season.) Unless you're wealthy or have health insurance (I'm the latter), it's probably prohibitively expensive, but if you have the resources and haven't looked into some pharmaceutical help yet, I highly recommend it. I've been on that regimen now for about seven years.
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Hi, I sturggled with sinus issue since going on CPAP a year ago. A lot of it was night time congestion that I have always suffered from before even going on CPAP. I also, think a lot of it is due to addiction to Afrin type sprays. The ENT has put me of a generic Flonase and i have pretty much gotten off Afrin. But lately I seend to be congested and again and my have a minor infection. I am currently playing around with humdifier settings. I have a Remstar Pro with the System one humidfier and there are just number 1-5 with no indication of what the setting really means. I clean the water box out thoroughly once a week but admit that I donot always empty it in the morning but poiur it out and rinse and refill before going to bed.
I have heard that nasal pillows and mask are not the best thing for chronic sinus suffers but that a full face mask is better. This allows you to breath through the mouth if there is to much sinus congestion. I currently use a nasal mask and do not find myself breathing through mouth but would like to sometimes when i am stuffy.
I am still not fully complaint due to these issues and still figuiring out what works for me. I do howver have some really good night where I get a full 6 to 7 hours on it. Never have had an 8 hour night, I usually do not allow for it.
I have even tried these filters that you put inline with the tubing but find that at the low presure setting I am currently at, they do not work well and are to restrictive. FYI: I am currently at a setting of 7, which is pretty darn low. My apena is mainly due to have a small airway.
As far as stopping for a week, I have done that but I do not think it is wise, but are we to do? That is why I might try a full face mask next time.
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After my first night of the CPAP (just titrate check for now), I wrote you that I got sick, sick, sick with sinus infection. This is just the pits. I got an antibiotic, which has helped, but there is no way I'm going back on that mask yet. My internist said to wait until the infection was gone, since we don't even know where my numbers will be at yet. I'm still sick today, 2 days later, and I'm just not having any fun!!!! The equipment I used was brand new shiny clean.
Another question: the outcome of my test said I never reached stage 3 or REM stage for the 6 hours. Also my oxygen got down to 86 several times, and I had periodic limb movement. How serious does this all sound to you experts? I won't be seeing my PCP for several days. I am so glad I found this forum.
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Hi I had to respond to this posting here in particular and will address other areas afterwards.
First, I found Linda Lund interesting because I tried "not" regiment cleaning of my tubing and just wet wipe the nasal pillows at night for at least a month. I am very clean! The humidifier would naturally be turned to OFF position if the AC is on. Remember that dry is best for rooms with AC. Lately the weather here in NJ has been very hot and then back to cold again.
It is "springtime" and the air quality will just kill you once you take the mask or pillows off. You have had the benefit of a filtered sleep and then you start breathing in the polutions and pollen and mold, grass etc. I found that the pulmonologist encouraged me to increase my "Zyflo" to two pills at twice daily and the allergens/sneezing and congestion are gone.
As far as not cleaning the system, I do empty the humidifier left-over distilled water and towel dry the container and cover the entire system unplugged during the day. I disconnect the tubing from the main and hang it in the closet after I have wet wiped with plain water the nasal pillows. I also have found that I have had less sinus issues by cutting down the amount times I clean the tubing.
Also, keep in mind if you at all use tweezers to pull hairs from your nose you are increasing the chance of nasal infections from the open plug holes that will obtain moisture from your night time treatment. As far as alternating with a mask rather than nasal pillows, the physician has already determined that you are a nasal breather. The machine has a SD card in it or something with regulated measures. You will not achieve the same results. Believe me I thought of that. If you find that you have several bad nights, then try not using it for a night or two and return to it. Sleep upright in a chair for a night or two.
Presently I am using the ResMed SwiftFX for "Her". It seems to work better and more comfortable for me. If you are hearing noise then you are probably losing some air somewhere. The nostril pillows from the store usually come in S M LG. I found this is most inconvient when finding the one that fits you, then you end up with two that are not good for you to throw away. The CPAP People dot com I can buy most anything I want within reason and can buy the nostril pillows the size I like. Children would use the small and women the medium and ment the large.
It is important to face the nostril pillows in the correct position. You can see the the pillows tilt a bit so upward is correct for you. make sure that the inside of the pillows are completely open. Meaning that if you were to inspect the pillows, you would find that each nostril has an outer and then an "inner" liner which you need to have not accidently tucked in. I found one time that one of my liners was pushed back and blocked my airflow. MY LEARNING CURVE. Remember, there IS A Learning Curve.
In closing I found also that the noise could be due to that little box that looks like a transformer connecting the wall plug to the machine. When it starts to "go" and they DO, the CPAP machine is struggling to work so please have it checked. I got shocked a little and mine made noise like heck. Chances are that the noisy CPAP is either a leaky tubing/escape from mask. If you change that and the noise continues, then call the dealer and tell them you may need a new transformer or whatever that box is. Solved my problem for now. JMO..
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I tried the mask. It was terrible. It leaked at the top and blew air in my eyes. Trying to make it more snug pressed into my sinus cavities beside my nose. I git really sick after using the mask only once. I have wasted a lot of money trying different stuff. The Swift for Her works the best for me do far. I know it does help a lot of people and I am still trying. Last night was thevfurstbtime I tried it again after about a month. I was ok this morning....keeping my fingers crossed!
Terry Vella said:Amber, sorry your still having problems, I think CPAP probably helps more than the ones like yourself that have problems. Personally it saved my life, literally. Have you spoken to your sleep specialist or an ENT about your sinus problems. You may have another problem which is effecting why CPAP is not working for you. Also, your using pillows, have you tried a nasal mask of FFM to see how you go?
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Permalink Reply by Jan vanNiekerk t SnoringElephant on
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I have been following the discussion.
I sense a lot of resistance to the CPAP.
Yes, sinus problems occurs. I am on a CPAP for 15 years. My sinus problems came under control the moment I was able to control the temperature of the air entering my nose.
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In winter I tends to have normally more sinus than in the summer. I am a singer, and cannot afford having a sinus infection. I rinse my nose twice a day with the saline mixture obtainable from the pharmacy, and use a heated tube machine (Resptronics and Fisher and Paykel) suppllies them. if you cannot afforrd them, heating the room with the heat souce closer the user helps.
The first 3 - 6 months are the difficult time.
I have gone through all those phases. don't give up
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Sorry for bad spelling....my ipad changes my words as I type! I need to proof read before replying!
Amber Anderson said:I tried the mask. It was terrible. It leaked at the top and blew air in my eyes. Trying to make it more snug pressed into my sinus cavities beside my nose. I git really sick after using the mask only once. I have wasted a lot of money trying different stuff. The Swift for Her works the best for me do far. I know it does help a lot of people and I am still trying. Last night was thevfurstbtime I tried it again after about a month. I was ok this morning....keeping my fingers crossed!
Terry Vella said:Amber, sorry your still having problems, I think CPAP probably helps more than the ones like yourself that have problems. Personally it saved my life, literally. Have you spoken to your sleep specialist or an ENT about your sinus problems. You may have another problem which is effecting why CPAP is not working for you. Also, your using pillows, have you tried a nasal mask of FFM to see how you go?
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Permalink Reply by Lesley Ludden on
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I agree with Susan McCord, you must listen to your body and then find a doctor who will also listen. In April, 2006, my mother went to her PCP with c/o general malaise and SOB on exertion. She was not a smoker, did not have COPD or any heart problems. After his rushed evaluation of her, he proclaimed her healthy. When she protested this, he said she was fine and needed to see a psychiatrist, that her "illness" was all in her head. A week later she literally dropped dead of a massive pulmonary embolism. I was there. I watched my mother die due to a doctor's complacency and his practice's '10-minutes-per-patient' rule. She was 67 years old.
Keep looking until you find a doctor that will listen to you.
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When my mask suddenly isn't fitting well, and assuming the straps have already been adjusted to the right tension (not too loose, but not too tight, either), I can usually fix it by either adjusting the pivoting padded bracket that rests on my forehead, or by readjusting up or down where the straps lay around the back of my head.
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I hope you sued his a**.
Lesley Ludden said:I agree with Susan McCord, you must listen to your body and then find a doctor who will also listen. In April, 2006, my mother went to her PCP with c/o general malaise and SOB on exertion. She was not a smoker, did not have COPD or any heart problems. After his rushed evaluation of her, he proclaimed her healthy. When she protested this, he said she was fine and needed to see a psychiatrist, that her "illness" was all in her head. A week later she literally dropped dead of a massive pulmonary embolism. I was there. I watched my mother die due to a doctor's complacency and his practice's '10-minutes-per-patient' rule. She was 67 years old.
Keep looking until you find a doctor that will listen to you.
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