Middle ear infection

[Kenv]

I am in the process of trialling a Respironics Apap Series M.
I was just reading the book on it and came to the Troubleshooting section. I was surprised to see there "Middle Ear Infection" with advice to stop using the machine and see your health professional.
I did a bit of reseach in Google and it appears that Cpap machines can cause middle ear infection!
Three of four months ago I went totally deaf in my left ear with some pain etc. I was diagnosed with Middle Ear infection and given Prednisone which put it right but about 6 weeks ago it went again - again Prednisone. Now its going again darn it!
I get a lot of mucous from the nose and its this that blocks the Eustachian tube and causes the infection but I guess its the pressure from the cpap that forces the mucous into the tube.
I am hoping that the Apap with its lower pressure most of the time might help.
Anyone else had this problem? Any helpful suggestions?
Thanks Ken

[lifeartist59]

I get occasional ear pain when using my apap. I usually just stop it for a few hours, that night. I also get a lot of drainage from my sinuses when using my machine. I wonder if there is a better solution.

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): APAP

[Dgrendahl]

Hmm. In the past two weeks I have had a bad one. My doctor placed me on something that I blow up my nose twice a day AND he wanted me to use "Simply Saline" as many times a day as I remember to. It seems to be working.

[ozij]

I get a lot of mucous from the nose and its this that blocks the Eustachian tube and causes the infection but I guess its the pressure from the cpap that forces the mucous into the tube.

Yes and the Prednisone was apparently given to take care of the excessive mucous. However, a middle ear infection - where a bacterium enters your middle ear often means antibiotics are also necessary.

Has your ENT discussed nasal irrigation with you? A twice daily rinse of the sinuses does wonders - but since your ear is so sensitive, don't do it before talking to the doc.

The little droplets of mucous blown into the tube - espeically when we have a cold and and blow our nose forcefully - may cause infection. My ear infections that accompanied colds stopped when I learned to ease off on nose blowing.

O.