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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: 24007
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Silver Lynx on
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I must be very lucky as I have used CPAP for 6 years and have never had a sinus infection from the use of it. In fact I use a saline solution before bed and even when I had a cold I could breath all night long with no ill effects. What would be the cause of such an infection>
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Permalink Reply by Mary Z on
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Peter, I'm not sure if anyone has addressed this, but all my literature says don't use antibacterial or disinfectant type cleaners. I think it's similar to using antibiotics on a virus, your immune system becomes immune to the antibacterial qualities and they no longer work and then can promote the overgrowth of bacteria. Maybe someone else can explain it better if they haven't already.
Good luck,
Mary Z.
Peter Hollard said:I have been on CPAP for 5 months now and it is proving hugely beneficial for me however after about two months I developed an inner ear infection and a cough. I received treatment and the ear infection cleared but the cough remains and I am now weezing.
Could this be the result of CPAP? should I ask to go on a coarse of antibiotics? I wash my gear in soapy water, should I use a disinfectant as well?
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Permalink Reply by assholes showing my profile when on
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I just wanted to make a distinction between bacteria and virus. They are two different microbes with the virus being smaller than bacteria and only contain a single strand of DNA or RNA needing a host to survive, the other strand. Bacteria is a living cell that live around other cells, and does not require a host to survive. Viruses look for cells to infiltrate and live within the cell. They need some other living microbe to survive Just a little fyi to establish what and what will not work.
Anti-bacterials will work on bacteria but NOT viruses. Thats why when you have a cold and the Doc gives you antibiotics and it still does not work meaning the infection you may have is viral related rather than bacterial.
Mary Z said:Peter, I'm not sure if anyone has addressed this, but all my literature says don't use antibacterial or disinfectant type cleaners. I think it's similar to using antibiotics on a virus, your immune system becomes immune to the antibacterial qualities and they no longer work and then can promote the overgrowth of bacteria. Maybe someone else can explain it better if they haven't already.
Good luck,
Mary Z.
Peter Hollard said:I have been on CPAP for 5 months now and it is proving hugely beneficial for me however after about two months I developed an inner ear infection and a cough. I received treatment and the ear infection cleared but the cough remains and I am now weezing.
Could this be the result of CPAP? should I ask to go on a coarse of antibiotics? I wash my gear in soapy water, should I use a disinfectant as well?
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richard rydza said:I just wanted to make a distinction between bacteria and virus. They are two different microbes with the virus being smaller than bacteria and only contain a single strand of DNA or RNA needing a host to survive, the other strand. Bacteria is a living cell that live around other cells, and does not require a host to survive. Viruses look for cells to infiltrate and live within the cell. They need some other living microbe to survive Just a little fyi to establish what and what will not work.
Anti-bacterials will work on bacteria but NOT viruses. Thats why when you have a cold and the Doc gives you antibiotics and it still does not work meaning the infection you may have is viral related rather than bacterial.
Mary Z said:Peter, I'm not sure if anyone has addressed this, but all my literature says don't use antibacterial or disinfectant type cleaners. I think it's similar to using antibiotics on a virus, your immune system becomes immune to the antibacterial qualities and they no longer work and then can promote the overgrowth of bacteria. Maybe someone else can explain it better if they haven't already.
Good luck,
Mary Z.
Peter Hollard said:I have been on CPAP for 5 months now and it is proving hugely beneficial for me however after about two months I developed an inner ear infection and a cough. I received treatment and the ear infection cleared but the cough remains and I am now weezing.
Could this be the result of CPAP? should I ask to go on a coarse of antibiotics? I wash my gear in soapy water, should I use a disinfectant as well?
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Don't forget fungal infections. More recently Mayo has found that many untreatable sinus infections are really due to fungus, not bacteria. Worse yet, antibacterial meds can make fungus appear or make the infection worse. It costs little for the antifungal pills. Try it once to rule out fungus if for no other reason.
Michael W Gray said:richard rydza said:I just wanted to make a distinction between bacteria and virus. They are two different microbes with the virus being smaller than bacteria and only contain a single strand of DNA or RNA needing a host to survive, the other strand. Bacteria is a living cell that live around other cells, and does not require a host to survive. Viruses look for cells to infiltrate and live within the cell. They need some other living microbe to survive Just a little fyi to establish what and what will not work.
Anti-bacterials will work on bacteria but NOT viruses. Thats why when you have a cold and the Doc gives you antibiotics and it still does not work meaning the infection you may have is viral related rather than bacterial.
Mary Z said:Peter, I'm not sure if anyone has addressed this, but all my literature says don't use antibacterial or disinfectant type cleaners. I think it's similar to using antibiotics on a virus, your immune system becomes immune to the antibacterial qualities and they no longer work and then can promote the overgrowth of bacteria. Maybe someone else can explain it better if they haven't already.
Good luck,
Mary Z.
Peter Hollard said:I have been on CPAP for 5 months now and it is proving hugely beneficial for me however after about two months I developed an inner ear infection and a cough. I received treatment and the ear infection cleared but the cough remains and I am now weezing.
Could this be the result of CPAP? should I ask to go on a coarse of antibiotics? I wash my gear in soapy water, should I use a disinfectant as well?
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Michael great point, one has a nucleus while the other does not. Fungi gets its nutirents from teh environment unlike bacteria, although is not penecillin made from fungi?. Since fungi need the environment around then to survive, Mike, what would eb the food source for them in the cPAP? Usuallt they get their nutrients from wall board, insulation, stuff made from ground materials. cPAP is all plastic. Am I missing something you know about Mike? This is a good topic because not too many know or even think about fungi and they cause allergies and release toxins.
Michael W Gray said:Don't forget fungal infections. More recently Mayo has found that many untreatable sinus infections are really due to fungus, not bacteria. Worse yet, antibacterial meds can make fungus appear or make the infection worse. It costs little for the antifungal pills. Try it once to rule out fungus if for no other reason.
Michael W Gray said:richard rydza said:I just wanted to make a distinction between bacteria and virus. They are two different microbes with the virus being smaller than bacteria and only contain a single strand of DNA or RNA needing a host to survive, the other strand. Bacteria is a living cell that live around other cells, and does not require a host to survive. Viruses look for cells to infiltrate and live within the cell. They need some other living microbe to survive Just a little fyi to establish what and what will not work.
Anti-bacterials will work on bacteria but NOT viruses. Thats why when you have a cold and the Doc gives you antibiotics and it still does not work meaning the infection you may have is viral related rather than bacterial.
Mary Z said:Peter, I'm not sure if anyone has addressed this, but all my literature says don't use antibacterial or disinfectant type cleaners. I think it's similar to using antibiotics on a virus, your immune system becomes immune to the antibacterial qualities and they no longer work and then can promote the overgrowth of bacteria. Maybe someone else can explain it better if they haven't already.
Good luck,
Mary Z.
Peter Hollard said:I have been on CPAP for 5 months now and it is proving hugely beneficial for me however after about two months I developed an inner ear infection and a cough. I received treatment and the ear infection cleared but the cough remains and I am now weezing.
Could this be the result of CPAP? should I ask to go on a coarse of antibiotics? I wash my gear in soapy water, should I use a disinfectant as well?
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Permalink Reply by susan mccord on
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Mary, I've heard the EXACT same thing from every sleep professional, regardless of discipline, NOT to use antibacterial soap or solutions on CPAP equipment--they always say regular and consistent washing with warm, soapy water--no bleach, no antibacterial soap or solution, ONLY warm soapy water. For humidifier is white vinegar and warm water soaks--one part vinegar to approximately 10 parts warm water, and distilled water for humidification receptacle.
There are always people who ask re: antibacterial cleaning on CPAP--the answers, after much Discussion, always end up being warm soapy water, no antibacterial soap.
Mary Z said:Peter, I'm not sure if anyone has addressed this, but all my literature says don't use antibacterial or disinfectant type cleaners. I think it's similar to using antibiotics on a virus, your immune system becomes immune to the antibacterial qualities and they no longer work and then can promote the overgrowth of bacteria. Maybe someone else can explain it better if they haven't already.
Good luck,
Mary Z.
Peter Hollard said:I have been on CPAP for 5 months now and it is proving hugely beneficial for me however after about two months I developed an inner ear infection and a cough. I received treatment and the ear infection cleared but the cough remains and I am now weezing.
Could this be the result of CPAP? should I ask to go on a coarse of antibiotics? I wash my gear in soapy water, should I use a disinfectant as well?
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Peter, you might want to refer back a little bit in this Discussion to a reply from Dr. Steven Park--he's the only person who has clearly described to me on Sleep Guide, exactly what's made me so sick, for months now, since starting CPAP. There may be something in his post that could be helpful to you. If not, you can private message him on his SG page--Steven Park--just look in the high right hand corner of YOUR page and type his name in where the little magnifying glass is. But I'd encourage you to check his recent post on this thread first--it's what has put me on the road to recovery from what's been a very difficult side effect I've been having with CPAP. Not everyone is vulnerable to it, and I'm not saying you have what I have. BUT, it's worth a look to see if anything he's already said on here might be helpful to you.
Dr. Park, for those of you who don't know, is an ENT M.D. in New York City who specializes in the care of sleep apnea patients. He's a member of SG and very generously donates his time to us on a regular basis. He has a book "Sleep Interrupted" which is an excellent resource. (See SG Book Club Group).
It would be beneficial for anybody on here to read this most recent post of his. It contains a ton of information even if you're NOT having side effects. I will be forever grateful to him for helping me because no one else seemed to know what to do.
Susan McCord :-)
susan mccord said:Mary, I've heard the EXACT same thing from every sleep professional, regardless of discipline, NOT to use antibacterial soap or solutions on CPAP equipment--they always say regular and consistent washing with warm, soapy water--no bleach, no antibacterial soap or solution, ONLY warm soapy water. For humidifier is white vinegar and warm water soaks--one part vinegar to approximately 10 parts warm water, and distilled water for humidification receptacle.
There are always people who ask re: antibacterial cleaning on CPAP--the answers, after much Discussion, always end up being warm soapy water, no antibacterial soap.
Mary Z said:Peter, I'm not sure if anyone has addressed this, but all my literature says don't use antibacterial or disinfectant type cleaners. I think it's similar to using antibiotics on a virus, your immune system becomes immune to the antibacterial qualities and they no longer work and then can promote the overgrowth of bacteria. Maybe someone else can explain it better if they haven't already.
Good luck,
Mary Z.
Peter Hollard said:I have been on CPAP for 5 months now and it is proving hugely beneficial for me however after about two months I developed an inner ear infection and a cough. I received treatment and the ear infection cleared but the cough remains and I am now weezing.
Could this be the result of CPAP? should I ask to go on a coarse of antibiotics? I wash my gear in soapy water, should I use a disinfectant as well?
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Permalink Reply by 99 on
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there is a range of antibiotics in the food consumed from milk to bacon and to use antibiotics indiscriminatly reduces their effectiveness
you should occasonally disinfect your cpap
let your immune system do it job to protect you without overly disinfecting your cpap
when you are ill then is the time to disinfect and say disinfect monthly
oh a good time to disinfect is when you take your machine to the doctors or go on holidays
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Permalink Reply by erin on
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I beleive I have been getting more sinus and ear infections since starting on CPAP
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Regarding the anti-bacterial soap for cleaning your equipment, our Resmed sales rep and others have always told us that the reason one is not to use anti-bacterial has nothing to do with the body and everything to do with the mask. Antibacterial and/or strong scents in the soap increase acidity which can degrade your cushion and therefore decrease the lifespan of the mask. Lotions or moisturizers in the soap can coat the cushion over time and cause the mask to "slip and slide" prematurely. I recommend to my pts., and this is backed up by Resmed, to use Ivory dishwashing liquid, Jergen's, or Johnson's baby shampoo. Hope this helps! :)
susan mccord said:Mary, I've heard the EXACT same thing from every sleep professional, regardless of discipline, NOT to use antibacterial soap or solutions on CPAP equipment--they always say regular and consistent washing with warm, soapy water--no bleach, no antibacterial soap or solution, ONLY warm soapy water. For humidifier is white vinegar and warm water soaks--one part vinegar to approximately 10 parts warm water, and distilled water for humidification receptacle.
There are always people who ask re: antibacterial cleaning on CPAP--the answers, after much Discussion, always end up being warm soapy water, no antibacterial soap.
Mary Z said:Peter, I'm not sure if anyone has addressed this, but all my literature says don't use antibacterial or disinfectant type cleaners. I think it's similar to using antibiotics on a virus, your immune system becomes immune to the antibacterial qualities and they no longer work and then can promote the overgrowth of bacteria. Maybe someone else can explain it better if they haven't already.
Good luck,
Mary Z.
Peter Hollard said:I have been on CPAP for 5 months now and it is proving hugely beneficial for me however after about two months I developed an inner ear infection and a cough. I received treatment and the ear infection cleared but the cough remains and I am now weezing.
Could this be the result of CPAP? should I ask to go on a coarse of antibiotics? I wash my gear in soapy water, should I use a disinfectant as well?
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Mike, thanks for the clarification on why not to use antibacterials and lotions. I use ivory hand soap myself, works fine, leaves a really clean mask.
Mary Z.
Mike Myers said:Regarding the anti-bacterial soap for cleaning your equipment, our Resmed sales rep and others have always told us that the reason one is not to use anti-
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