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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: 24113
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Jan vanNiekerk t SnoringElephant on
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Hi I agree with Mike.
I wash/replace my filters, frequently. The washing of the hose and mask is important.
I am on a CPAP with a heated tubing, which assist that the temperature of the air entering the nose is more or less the correct heat. Approx 30 degrees Celcius.
I stuggled with out the tube. It is much better now.
I agree with the others. Compliance is the most important part.
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Permalink Reply by David Bruskin on
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Several years ago, I went to an allergist because my nose would run like clockwork every night at 7:00 PM. I did a scratch test and found out I was allergic to a certain kind of grass that thrives ten months out of the year where I live. When I began taking Allegra D, and Astelin and Nasocort sprays, and sometimes did lavage, my sinuses cleared up. If your sinuses are clear when you go to bed, the CPAP will cause many fewer problems for those who currently find themselves getting infections.
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Permalink Reply by Stacy Williams on
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Amber;
I had very similar situations when I first started on mine, and I listened to the wise people on this site, and it's generally resolved. Does that mean I never have a problem? NO, but it does mean it's twice a year now, with the major season shift from summer to fall and winter to spring, when humidity changes. And what I get feels/seems so much like a "sinus infection" but it's not. There was someone on here that explained it to me - it's not an "infection". The air, with improper humidity (could be high or low) will irritate the sinus lining. That causes it to over-react, create more mucus, and it swells. I have had nose bleeds and all that. It's not an "infection". I have to adjust my intake, use saline and netti pot rinses, and fight through it. Just did it last week. You have to decide you want this to work, there is a lot to be said for a positive attitude, and listening to these people - they know, they've all been there too. Physicians will give you antibiotics and tell you to go home, they don't care, it's not irritating them. Mine said he didn't see a reason for the therapy - even though my oxygen sats dropped to around 80 while sleeping - so he doesn't know anything about the therapy. I used Benadryl, one a night, for the first six months. It helped with the swelling in my sinuses, and it helped me fall asleep.
Just don't give up. You have to decide it's what you want, and you will make it work. Your body is a finely tuned machine, when you change something like this, listen to what it's REALLY saying and address that, not the symptom! And good luck, it's hard, it's frustrating, but sooooo worth it.
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I take Zyflo and wash my CPAP tubing with baby shampoo and replace my micro-filters regularly and clean my black filter every few days. It does not matter. I can "feel" my eye gets watery and a cold coming on. It does NOT matter. The direction of the air pressure is important when setting up your sleep apnea system. And do NOT pull out or cut the hairs inside your nose if you use the nostril only system. The hairs help control the distribution of the pressure of air. This is important!
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My thoughts exactly!
Amber Anderson said:Nothing but sinus problems when I use my machine. 10 years now. Get better, I try to use it again. Then I get sick again. So....I either die of sleep apnea or overuse of antibiotics that have weakened my immune system to nothing.
Right now I have yet another respiratory infection that has me coughing so much that my head is splitting from migraine pains.
Is it really worth it?
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I also clean mine regularly. I do all the saline cleansing, the neti pot, etc. Also....when I say sinus problems.....I do not mean it is always an infection.
It just seems that using this machine which is "suppose" to help you breathe at night....causes daytime breathing issues. I am so tired of constant issues.
I hear a lot of people swear they help them. I have not just given up. I have tried for years now. I think for some people....this just does NOT help.
Beverly Carter said:I take Zyflo and wash my CPAP tubing with baby shampoo and replace my micro-filters regularly and clean my black filter every few days. It does not matter. I can "feel" my eye gets watery and a cold coming on. It does NOT matter. The direction of the air pressure is important when setting up your sleep apnea system. And do NOT pull out or cut the hairs inside your nose if you use the nostril only system. The hairs help control the distribution of the pressure of air. This is important!
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Hi, A newbie here from Alaska. I just got my machine and the first morning (this morning) of the very first night I used it - all new, clean equipment - I woke up with a whopper of a sinus infection. I feel terrible. I have a long dental procedure tomorrow and wonder if I'll get through it. I got some antibiotics and am going to go to the appt. I get put under sedation so that may help.
If this is common with these things, I may ask my internist what will happen if I don't use it. I'm not sure how bad the test showed that I needed it. I can't live with infections like this!! And it definitely IS an infection. I got chills, slight fever, and overall felt almost like I had the flu. The antibiotic is helping somewhat even in one day.
I got the True Blue nasal gel mask which felt best, but I didn't use the humidity for the first night. Maybe that was a mistake.
Any comments that might give me some hope?
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Linda, welcome, a lot of people get colds and infections when they first start CPAP, it's probably your body getting used to it. Make sure you tell your Dentist you have SA if you are having sedation. You should use your CPAP everytime you go to sleep even if it is a nap in the afternoon. It's good that you are happy with your mask, that is normally the biggest problem with CPAP especially leaks. The humidifier is for our comfort, most people use them if they have one, the setting are a bit of trial and error. I say to everyone CPAP is a marathon not a sprint, it is a long journey and you will probabaly be on it for life. Keep asking questions and good luck, the long term benefits far out weight the short term disadvantages.
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Permalink Reply by Mary Z on
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I don't know why, but it happens that some people get sinus infections after starting CPAP. I don't think not using the humidifier caused your infection. I don't know what the correlation is between CPAP and sinus infections, but it happens enough that it doesn't seem like a coincidence. Ask your doc if you should continue to use the machine while you take the antibiotics..
I use my humidifier, but I use it at one, if I go any higher I get a headache and feel stuffed up.
I hope you get over this infection soon and please don't let it put you off CPAP, Linda.
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Sinus infection relates to the temperature of the air entering the nose. It can be managed by heating the tube, or heating the room temp slightly. figures of 30 deg Celcius is quoted by sources and manufacurers. I prefer the tube option. A friend of mine build a box with a light for the pipe to pass, he claims it helps. I also rinse my sinus frequently as our area also contributes to sinus infections. The principleof heated air remains.
Jan
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I read most of these posts and see the same thing...a lot of people have sinus issues when using a C-pap. Then you see others saying do not give up on it. Wow....just how do you keep sing something that makes you sick! Plus when you get congested you cannot breathe through your nose!
I also have an insurance dilemma with mine. I am sure I will lose my machine because I have to send a data card every month to prove imam using it. If it shows than 70% usage....they will not pay for it. I have tried EVERYTHING to make it work for me because I REALLY need a good nights sleep.
I use the Swift for Her pillow mask. It is the most comfortable, but it still makes my nose sore. Not sure what the answer is, but all I know is humidity, heat, and cleanliness factors do not change the fact that there are issues. I clean mine every time I use it, I use humidity, I have a heated hose, I use distiller water, and nothing helps.
Linda Lund said:Hi, A newbie here from Alaska. I just got my machine and the first morning (this morning) of the very first night I used it - all new, clean equipment - I woke up with a whopper of a sinus infection. I feel terrible. I have a long dental procedure tomorrow and wonder if I'll get through it. I got some antibiotics and am going to go to the appt. I get put under sedation so that may help.
If this is common with these things, I may ask my internist what will happen if I don't use it. I'm not sure how bad the test showed that I needed it. I can't live with infections like this!! And it definitely IS an infection. I got chills, slight fever, and overall felt almost like I had the flu. The antibiotic is helping somewhat even in one day.
I got the True Blue nasal gel mask which felt best, but I didn't use the humidity for the first night. Maybe that was a mistake.
Any comments that might give me some hope?
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The temperature makes no difference in my case. I have a new A-pap machine with a temperature setting and a heated hose. It still bothers me.
Jan vanNiekerk t SnoringElephant said:Sinus infection relates to the temperature of the air entering the nose. It can be managed by heating the tube, or heating the room temp slightly. figures of 30 deg Celcius is quoted by sources and manufacurers. I prefer the tube option. A friend of mine build a box with a light for the pipe to pass, he claims it helps. I also rinse my sinus frequently as our area also contributes to sinus infections. The principleof heated air remains.
Jan
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