I have a bad sinus infection and using my CPAP HURTS!

[jpek]

Hello, folks. I haven't been on this board in ages. Have mostly been contentedly using my CPAP, mostly with the DreamWear nose pillow mask. But now I have a problem. Due to some dental work gone wrong I had a big infection in my mouth that went on for a couple of months -- I know: not good. When the dentist cleaned it up, the infection went into my sinus, despite the antibiotics I was taking. Now I'm taking a stronger antibiotic, but meanwhile I'm in pain, which even ibuprofen isn't completely controlling. This infection has made the use of my CPAP very difficult. A couple of days ago I switched from using my DreamWear to my old Wisp, which used to be my go-to mask, but has been largely retired. It's a nasal mask though, so a little easier on my left nostril. Also, it blows out warm air when I exhale, which feels nice in this case. But it's not enough and after a couple of hours of this I wake up with even more of a sinus and jaw ache. Plus I am thinking that the CPAP might be making the infection or at least the irritation worse? But I really can't get good sleep without it, so what can I do?

[ChicagoGranny]

what can I do?

Are you doing saline nasal rinses twice per day? https://www.amazon.com/NeilMed-NasaFlo- ... ef=sr_1_23

You could use Nasalcort or a similar spray after the nasal rinses.

[chunkyfrog]

Consider seeing your doctor again. Repeat as needed.
Resistant bugs are nasty, and your doc may need to send a culture to the lab
in order to nail down the right drug to knock it out for good.
As always, take the entire prescription, unless the doctor indicates otherwise.
Prescription size is designed to prevent antibiotic-resistance.
Surviving germs become strong--gotta kill them all.

[jpek]

what can I do?

Are you doing saline nasal rinses twice per day? https://www.amazon.com/NeilMed-NasaFlo- ... ef=sr_1_23

You could use Nasalcort or a similar spray after the nasal rinses.

I haven't been using nasal sprays, no, since antibiotics are involved and we're bringing out the big guns. That said, I don't know that much about sinus infections. How will nasal sprays help me sleep with my CPAP?

[ChicagoGranny]

How will nasal sprays help me sleep with my CPAP?

They reduce inflammation and congestion in the nasal passages. These are corticosteroid sprays - https://www.webmd.com/allergies/steroid_nasal_sprays

Sprays based on oxymetazoline (Afrin types) may cause insomnia in some people.

Mayo Clinic has a good article on sinusitis. Be sure to read both pages - https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-con ... c-20351671

[Deborah K.]

I too strongly recommend using a neti pot. A neti pot is just a way to irrigate and clean out your sinuses with salt water and is harmless. I spent many years fighting sinus infections and found using the neti pot helped tremendously. As to sprays, etc., I would not use them unless your doctor told you to.

[Miss Emerita]

Given that you're working with a doctor, I'd recommend checking with the doc before trying rinses. I'd also recommend reporting your continuing problems to your doctor, as CF says. Ask whether it is normal for the new antibiotic not to have worked yet. Nail down how long it should take for the current antibiotic to resolve your symptoms. If you sense any waffling or wavering, ask to have a further study to make sure you're taking the best drug for your particular symptom.

As for using CPAP, you might also ask the doc about that.

[BuckarooBanzai]

In such a case, I use antibiotics, saline nasal rinses (NeilMed 2-3 times daily), and a steroid nasal spray (fluticasone). If these fail me, I call my MD for an oral steroid (prednisone). Saline nasal rinses not only cleanse but also have a decongestant effect. Fluticasone reduces inflammation. Prednisone, of course, is a major anti-inflammatory agent.

Personally, I now abstain from all MILK products. All. Once I gave up milk, I 'gave up' sinus infections. Seriously.

Now, some of us find milk problematic while others do not. Fine. But you might try abstinence, at least until you are healed.