cpap and sinus infections

inacpapfog · Post by **inacpapfog** » Sun Mar 05, 2006 5:29 pm

Is there any reason to not use cpap if you are being treated for a sinus infection?

Linda3032 · Post by **Linda3032** » Sun Mar 05, 2006 5:39 pm

My "guess" is there is no reason not to use it. My reasoning is that Cpap helps to keep the sinuses open (with the pressure and heated humidifier). Also, you would feel even more miserable because you would be tired and cranky.

If you can, bump up the heat on your humidifier.

krousseau · Post by **krousseau** » Sun Mar 05, 2006 6:37 pm

I currently am being treated for a sinus infection and had a follow up appt with both my internist and sleep doc during treatment. Both said there could be reasons to stop CPAP during the infection-but no hard and fast rule. My resp therapist is more emphatic about not using CPAP. Apparently it can force mucous and bacteria back into your sinuses-but if you have a heated humidifier it can reduce inflammation and loosen secretions thus relieving symptoms. The final decision was for me to make based on how I felt-better or worse with CPAP. Here are a few other hints: nasal washes with saline (do an online search for specific directions), put a little of the same saline in a squeeze spray bottle and use it frequently during the day to keep crusts from forming around the sinus openings, drink at least 6-8 ounces of water an hour to keep the mucous thin, do not use Afrin, if you have to use a nasal spray (ask doc) neosynephrin for ONLY 2-3 days, the sudafed in most OTC sinus meds may clear the stuffiness and decrease secretions but can plug things up more and it decreses blood circulation to the inflammed sinuses so they heal more slowly. There are some very good sites online about sinusitis. I have continued to use CPAP throughout the infection had only one night when my nose was too stuffed up to keep it on all night-that was a day I did not drink enough fluids because of traveling. I'll have bottles of water in the car next time!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Mar 05, 2006 6:47 pm

inacpapfog wrote:Is there any reason to not use cpap if you are being treated for a sinus infection?

Relative contraindications of CPAP include individuals with bullous lung disease, history of a Pneumothorax, and recurrent sinus or ear infections. There are no absolute contraindications.

CPAP should be temporarily discontinued and a Doctor consulted if pressure changes associated with CPAP aggravates a sinus condition, middle ear infection or severe inner ear discomfort.

Linda3032 · Post by **Linda3032** » Sun Mar 05, 2006 6:51 pm

This subject brings up another interesting point. My last head cold, I was miserable because my nose got stuffed up every hour, would drain every half hour, etc. I couldn't use my nasal interface, and ended up going without it, but was miserable anyway because I tried to sleep breathing through my mouth. Can I say "miserable" one more time?

So, my question is:

Does a full face mask allow you to breathe through your mouth? If so, how many of you have a full face mask for when you have a cold?

krousseau · Post by **krousseau** » Sun Mar 05, 2006 7:05 pm

Yes a full face mask would allow you to mouth breath-and the air would be filtered, heated and humidfied (if you are so equipped)-and when insurance will pay for another mask (every 6 months-1 down & 5 to go) I'm going to get a full face mask to use when I have a cold. If I have to replace my nasal mask it's less expensive and is even less expensive to buy online. I found a great DME that had me trying on masks and will exchange with new mask if less than 30 day

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Mar 05, 2006 7:07 pm

Linda3032 wrote:Does a full face mask allow you to breathe through your mouth? If so, how many of you have a full face mask for when you have a cold?

Yes. In fact I remember reading a thread by rested gal many months ago that said she kept her full face mask on reserve just for the occasions when she has a cold. I followed her lead- you can't go wrong following her lead! The only time I ever use my full face mask is when I have a cold. Works great.

Jim Eads · Post by **Jim Eads** » Sun Mar 05, 2006 7:25 pm

As luck would have it, I've been battling the worst head cold I've ever had. I could not wear my Aura and finally broke down and ordered an H&P Flexifit 431 FF mask when arrived yesterday. Here are some observations:

The FF face mask is far less comfortable than the Aura or the Activa. I must tighten the FF down much tighter.

My APAP is running at a higher pressure by 2 -3 than the Aura or Activa. I normally run 11 - 12, with the FF it has hit 15.

Even with my humidifier on the highest setting I still get a dry and raw throat in a hour or so. Some of that is because I have a head cold causing my throat to be sore anyway. I don't understand why it's getting dry though.

I can't wait until this clears up and I can go back to the Aura.

Jim

inacpapfog · Post by **inacpapfog** » Sun Mar 05, 2006 7:35 pm

Thanks for the help here! After waking up last night with ear and sinus pain, along with incredible sore throat, headache, coughing and swollen glands, I had to remove my Swift and yank the mouthtape at 3:00am! I felt too bad to even think about getting up to pull out the FF mask! I did try the saline spray (keep one bedside.) It felt like broken glass going in! I languished there until daylight. Got in to see the doctor this morning! He put me on AugmentinXR, Methylprednisolone, Duraphen and Hydron Ex. I think the best thing for me tonight will be stay off my Spirit, place a foam wedge on the bed and get out my bedside humidifier And, krousseau, you're right about the water! I've got bottles of it everywhere to remind me to keep guzzling!
Honestly, feeling this bad, I can only imagine the pain that people (like Snork) have gone through with their various nasal surgeries !

roztom · Post by **roztom** » Sun Mar 05, 2006 7:57 pm

Inacapapfog:

What kind of mouth tape do you use?

I am having mouth leaks also.

Newbie Ques: DO yopu just swallow the air once it gets into your mouth? Doesn't that lead to other problems: bloating, etc.

Thanks,

Tom

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Sun Mar 05, 2006 8:01 pm

Linda3032 wrote:Does a full face mask allow you to breathe through your mouth? If so, how many of you have a full face mask for when you have a cold?

Linda,

Yep, that would be me, too.
The only time I had to go off my CPAP was when I had a cold or something about two weeks after I started therapy.....because my cough was so bad. During the 10 days I was off CPAP, my daytime sleepyness started returning and I swore that I'd (try to) never do that again.
When I'm a little stuffy (like last night), the FF has allowed me to mouth-breathe, but I usually don't have to do that very long because my nasal passages/sinuses seem to open up pretty quickly. I've always used cool/passover humidification, so I can't comment on whether or not the effects of heated humidification would have made any differences.
I've occasionally experienced some minor sinus infections, but I don't think I've had one that could be called "serious".

"Your Mileage May Vary"

Best wishes,

Den

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Sun Mar 05, 2006 8:12 pm

Tom,

I don't "swallow" the air......just inhale it through my mouth.
I have never experienced bloating or other forms of "air problems" that others have mentioned.
If it wasn't for the CPAP keeping my nasal passages open, I'd probably go back to being a mouth-breather. On the infrequent occasion when I HAVE opened my mouth during the night, the shot of cold air in my mouth wakes me up. The FF mask is the ONLY option for ME.

Best wishes,

Den

krousseau · Post by **krousseau** » Sun Mar 05, 2006 10:31 pm

Sounds pretty heavy duty inacpapfog-THAT is a good reason to stop cpap. The aumentin & steroid should get you feeling better fairly quickly. Am in process of getting an appt with an ENT that does sinus & sleep surgery and works with the sleep clinic I go to-will pass on any general comments he has on cpap and sinusitis/colds.

Tom- I'm new at this too but have found that when I do get an air bubble in my mouth I can just reseal the back of my tongue against my soft palate and move the bubble to the front of my mouth and let it out of my mouth-you don't have to swallow it, which if you did a lot of would cause bloating.

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