Sinus Congestion with CPAP Therapy

[zsnoreking]

Hi Guys, Just wanted to run a quick scenario by you and see if there is a connection. I started back on CPAP therapy a couple of weeks ago after a 5 year hiatus. I was almost over a cold when I got my machine; but I've noticed that I have sinus congestion that I just can't seem to shake. Since I use pillows, it is crucial that my head be clear in order to get proper therapy. I'm having to use Sudafed and Afrin to clear my passages before I go to bed; but I don't want to become reliant on these because they can eventually have the opposite effect. I was just curious if anybody else had the same problem? And could the CPAP be exacerbating or even causing my condition? Or do you think they are unrelated? My machine is new. So there hasn't been enough time to build up a bunch of unhealthy junk in it. I'm also thinking about getting a FF Mask as a backup. What do you think?

Thanks,
Bruce

[Hawthorne]

Do you use your humdifier and at what setting? For some people high humidity causes congestion. I use pass over humidity ( water in the chamber - no heat) in the summer and a setting of 1 in the winter.

The relative humidity where you live and in your home can also affect this. I live in Ontario Canada -damp, cold winters - humid hot summers. The above settings work for me where I am located.

[mayondair]

A full face for a back up is a good idea, I've had a few nights that I couldn't use nasal pillows because of a cold. You might try adjusting the humidifier up or down, a sinus rinse may help also. I'd take it easy on the afrin , you can quickly become dependent on it, only takes a few days for trouble. Sudafed keeps me awake so I never take it, no thoughts for you about it. It could just be the cold hanging on, I'd give it a few days, keep my equipment clean and drink brandy.(for medicinal purposes only )

[zsnoreking]

Thanks guys...er gals! I have my humidifier set on 3.5 from the DME. I might try backing off on that tonight, and see if that won't help. Cheers! (toasting brandy glasses)

[mayondair]

So, how did that brandy, or the humidifier work out for you? . Kathy

[zsnoreking]

So, how did that brandy, or the humidifier work out for you? . Kathy

Well Kathy, I'm still stopped up this morning. I did back the humi down to 1.5 last night and noticed the air was a lot cooler and I felt a little more dried out. In fact I remember waking up once and my mouth was extremely dry. My leakage numbers look good, so I don't know what caused that. I will admit to using Afrin before I went to bed last night, because I was so congested. I just hope it clears up today, because I definitely don't want to get caught up in that viscous cycle. Cheers!

Bruce

[Hawthorne]

Sorry that lowering the heat on the humdifier did not work for you --so far. Maybe you backed it down too much or maybe the Afrin had something to do with it.

You need to do a little more experimenting with humidity settings, and of course, wean off the Afrin.

[zsnoreking]

Sorry that lowering the heat on the humdifier did not work for you --so far. Maybe you backed it down too much or maybe the Afrin had something to do with it.

You need to do a little more experimenting with humidity settings, and of course, wean off the Afrin.

I think I will bump it back up to about 2.5 tonight and see if that will help. I usually shower in the am, but I may try and take a shower or a hot bath before I go to bed tonight. That usually opens my sinuses. Thanks.

Bruce

[mayondair]

Don't forget the brandy, maybe a sinus rinse would help. Stay away from the afrin! Can you use your humidifier in passover mode? good luck and cheers!

[Janknitz]

A couple of things:

1. Keep playing around with the humidifier settings. SOME people benefit from less humidity, some from more.
2. Stop the Afrin and the Sudafed. Both can have rebound effects.
3. Try twice daily sinus rinses with either a saline spray or neti pot.
4. I second having a back up FF mask. I had a very minor cold in December, and while it turned into a big time asthmatic crisis, my nose was only drippy and sneezy for a day or two. But it took me almost 2 months to be able to get back to using my nasal pillows full time anyway. My nasal passages were really inflamed and irritated. No fun. I was very surprised that that seemingly minor nasal/sinus irritation caused me so many problems.

[CruzTerri]

After I started using the CPAP, I noticed "congestion," but it was inflammation of the sinuses. When I took a couple ibuprofen it helped open up the sinuses. In addition, the sinus wash has really helped me. I realize that you're getting over a cold but going back on the CPAP may have irritated your sinuses and they could be swollen instead of true congestion. Worth a try, it may help get you off the Afrin and Sudafed.

Good Luck to you.

[zeddic]

I have been on CPAP since April of 2010. Since then I have had 4 - 5 sinus infections. Some were severe enough and last for quite a long time that I needed strong antibiotics. My regular doctor suggested that the sinus infections are a complication of my CPAP but not necessarily caused by the CPAP itself....

This was confusing at first but let me explain his theory. I have allergies, it is triggered by seasonal and or environmental changes (e.g. pollen and dust). When my allergies strike I may have a runny nose or mucous build up but not necessarily a fully clogged nose. When I use my CPAP during this time my doctor believes that the pressure can force the mucous into my sinuses which brings with it bacteria that was already in my nasal passages. This invasion into the sinus could be the cause of the sinus infection.

Since hearing this from my doctor, I have looked at and come up with a bunch of preventative actions that seem to be working for me thus far.

Preventative measures:

1) I used to only take allergy medicines (claritin or zyrtec) during peak allergy seasons. I now take them on a regular basis since dust can trigger my allergies as well. I take them once every 2 - 3 days just to make sure I have some antihistamine already in my system even before I get exposed to allergens. Taking them during or after the allergy symptoms are already active doesn't seem to help me much.

It used to be that I would have allergen exposure, go into a sneezing spell and the next day have full blown congestion 100% of the time. Now even after several sneezing spells I have not had a full blown congestion attack for about 2 months despite the fact that there has been quite a lot of dust here in the North East at this time because of the insane amount of snow we are getting this year. (dirt on roads for traction)

2) As other ppl have already suggested I use a nasal rinse once or twice a day, more if I get into a sneezing spell that day.
This is what I have been using: http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/neilme ... 07-product

3) Mucous buildup can also be caused by dry air and or not being properly hydrated. I have increased my water intake and use a humidifier as well in the bedroom.

4) I turned up my CPAP humidifier setting to 4 (from 2) and that seems to have helped me a lot. As others have posted here this seems to be a personal preference and also depends on the ambient humidity and temperature levels at the time as well.

If I do end up with congestion I also take afrin/sudafed nasal sprays but only right before going to bed and stay off it for the rest of the day. I think it's worth the risk of rebound congestion to get a good nights sleep using CPAP or my immune system will surely suffer and that congestion can turn into a full blown infection. I have been able to use these sprays for 5 days straight (only before bed) and not get the rebound congestion.

Hopefully this year I can keep this up and avoid any sinus infections. Good luck!

[ResmedUser]

Hi Guys, Just wanted to run a quick scenario by you and see if there is a connection. I started back on CPAP therapy a couple of weeks ago after a 5 year hiatus. I was almost over a cold when I got my machine; but I've noticed that I have sinus congestion that I just can't seem to shake. Since I use pillows, it is crucial that my head be clear in order to get proper therapy. I'm having to use Sudafed and Afrin to clear my passages before I go to bed; but I don't want to become reliant on these because they can eventually have the opposite effect. I was just curious if anybody else had the same problem? And could the CPAP be exacerbating or even causing my condition? Or do you think they are unrelated? My machine is new. So there hasn't been enough time to build up a bunch of unhealthy junk in it. I'm also thinking about getting a FF Mask as a backup. What do you think?

Thanks,
Bruce

Get rid of the climatecontrol heated hose and get a regular hose. Turn the humidifier ALL THE WAY UP TO THE MAX! Its winter and the air is dry and the humidity is low. The climate control heated hose is tricky and just pumps heated dry air into your nose in my experiences. I like the regular hoses, with the humidifier maxed out in the winter. Yes, if you get a sinus flareup, get a good FFM and ditch the pillows. Pillows are for wimps. Real men use FFMasks.

When spring comes and the humidity levels go back up, say to 50% and above, turn your humidifier down to 2 or 3. But for now, max it out. I mean crank that sucker up as far as it will go.

Sinus problems gone.

Mikey

[NightMonkey]

I put water in my freezer and take it out at bedtime when its icewater. Then put it in my humidifier. I sleep the best that way, cold water blowing up my nose at high pressure. All the company research says that ice water makes CPAP compliance improve.

Mikey

You are a pathological liar.

Now the moderators need to act and block your IP address.

Maliciously posting contradictory advice intending to mislead those seeking help here is beyond the pale of this fine, lightly moderated forum

Turn the humidifier ALL THE WAY UP TO THE MAX! Its winter and the air is dry and the humidity is low. I like the regular hoses, with the humidifier maxed out in the winter. When spring comes and the humidity levels go back up, say to 50% and above, turn your humidifier down to 2 or 3. But for now, max it out. I mean crank that sucker up as far as it will go.

Sinus problems gone.

Mikey

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=58600&start=30&st=0 ... ow#p565615

[Redrite1]

Its important that you are using distilled water. The purpose of the humidifier is to provide WARM humidity to soothe your passages during the night. This is especially true for pillow masks. Try a simple NACl saline spray before you go to bed and use again when you wake up. Water that is cold is a natural irritant while saline is your natural body fluid.