New Here Been Getting Sinus Infections from Machine

Hi I am new here but have had my machine since Oct. I have not been using it for over a month because I have been getting sinus infections from it. I finally saw my doctor and he gave me a saline gel to use so after getting all new tubing and a new nasal pillow will try using again starting tonight. Has anyone had the same problem or any ideas to prevent

I do have a humidifier but could not list it because I do not know which one it is also do not know what the software is.

Most here find that the humidity from the heated humidifier,
coupled with getting sufficient oxygen at night HELPS with sinus problems.
You may need to get your doctor to give you something for the infection,
and stop blaming it on your cpap. Only a month's use since October?
I think I've found the problem COMPLIANCE!

Shaa wrote:Hi I am new here but have had my machine since Oct. I have not been using it for over a month because I have been getting sinus infections from it. I finally saw my doctor and he gave me a saline gel to use so after getting all new tubing and a new nasal pillow will try using again starting tonight. Has anyone had the same problem or any ideas to prevent

I do have a humidifier but could not list it because I do not know which one it is also do not know what the software is.

i started cpap in november and have had several sinus infections since then. i think rinsing with a saline solution is supposed to help. and i'm going to get all kinds of flack for saying this but i think cleaning your mask and hose regularly is a good idea. i actually just got a sanitizer machine. i've only used it a few days so it's really early to tell if it will help more sinus problems but i will post a review in a few weeks, to some people's chagrin

good luck!

No used it for three months and had a sinus infection 4 times in that time period. I do have a heated humidifier and use it. My doctor did give me Meds for the sinus infections but once it is cleared up I get another one. ENT doctor told me to take a break and see what happens and I went the whole month of Jan without a infection. Starting all over tonight and hope it does not start up again

How is the overall room humidity?

It is fine I have the heat off in the room (hate heat) and I use a air purerfier cause of allergies.

Three things have helped me to deal with the sinus issues that I believe were connected to CPAP use: 1) Always using my CPAP humidifier, even in summer. 2) Using a SoClean unit to keep my equipment sanitized. 3) Using a neti pot when my sinuses feel particularly vulnerable.

Allowing your sinuses to become too dry sets them up for sinus infections. Use the saline daily at least three or four times a day and use the humidifier with the cpap machine. Keep your equipment clean. You should take care of your sinuses, any way, but especially if you have air blowing up them all the time. Sometimes I get a good windburn in my sinuses (my humidifier in my machine died) - those are PAINFUL, but not sinus infections - once the humidity is resolved, the burn heals in a few days.

Shaa,

I'm going to ask a sensitive question - are you, or is anyone in your household or place of work a smoker? If you are exposed to cigarette smoke, this could be a cause of recurent sinus infections. When I still worked, I worked around lots of smokers and I had chronic sinusitis. I was hooked on antibiotics. After leaving work, I no longer have sinus infections, at all. They had nothing to do with my CPAP, just the exposure to smokers 6 days a week.

Now, I rarely have any sinus trouble, if I do, I increase my humidifier & that usually takes care of it. No antibiotics unless I let it get too out of hand, then I visit the doc-in-a-box. When the problem is gone, I take my humidifier back to my normal 3 setting. This is just a thought for you to consider. I have no problem with smokers, as long as they keep it to themselves & don't share my air.
Jen

Are you using the extra-fine filters along with the sponge filter that comes with the machine?
I developed lung infections (on pre-existing lung scarring which makes me prone to them) a LOT right after starting on CPAP. I did not know of the extra-fine filters when I began using CPAP.

I am going to start making my own (following advice of another poster here) because they are ridiculously expensive to buy, and I change my extra-fine filter almost weekly.

Best wishes...

Shaa wrote:Hi I am new here but have had my machine since Oct. I have not been using it for over a month because I have been getting sinus infections from it. I finally saw my doctor and he gave me a saline gel to use so after getting all new tubing and a new nasal pillow will try using again starting tonight. Has anyone had the same problem or any ideas to prevent

I do have a humidifier but could not list it because I do not know which one it is also do not know what the software is.

Not at all. In fact, I had sinus problems for years, with major infections several times of year, until I started using my machine. I do used a heated humidifier and I believe that has made all the difference because my nose was so dry that I had to use saline in the mornings to feel good. Now, I wake up refreshed, and my nose is perfect, not at all dry. No sinus problems and no sinus drainage since using the machine.

I thoroughly clean my mask every morning ... hose once a week. I use "light" humidity (#1 setting). DEAN