BIG problems with CPAP. please help

[osagirl]

CPAP worked great for me for about two months on a pressure 16.5.
Then I got a sinus infection, and everything went down hill. No matter how much humidity I used, I still got infection after infection. I swore to never use cpap ever again. So i got a dental device, which DIDNT WORK. The ONLY reason I have sleep apnea is because I have a very enlarged tongue, which obstructs my throat when I sleep. My airway is of normal size, I dont have tonsils or adnoids, my septum is no longer deviated, and im not overweight. I really am at the end of the line. I cant live like this anymore. Im hoping someone can tell me something so I can wear my CPAP again without any problems. What if I try no humidity? Or is it the pressure against my face from the mask that is causing me problems. I also tried the oral mask and that just leaks from both my nose and mouth, even w/ the nose plugs. any insight would be helpful thanks.

[DreamStalker]

Make sure you disinfect your mask daily before using again until infection is gone.

Do the best you can to use the CPAP as not using will only serve to lower your immune system.

Best of luck!

[andyomega]

[quote="osagirl"]CPAP worked great for me for about two months on a pressure 16.5.
Then I got a sinus infection, and everything went down hill. No matter how much humidity I used, I still got infection after infection. I swore to never use cpap ever again. So i got a dental device, which DIDNT WORK. The ONLY reason I have sleep apnea is because I have a very enlarged tongue, which obstructs my throat when I sleep. My airway is of normal size, I dont have tonsils or adnoids, my septum is no longer deviated, and im not overweight. I really am at the end of the line. I cant live like this anymore. Im hoping someone can tell me something so I can wear my CPAP again without any problems. What if I try no humidity? Or is it the pressure against my face from the mask that is causing me problems. I also tried the oral mask and that just leaks from both my nose and mouth, even w/ the nose plugs. any insight would be helpful thanks.

[andyomega]

That bothers me, your CPAP pressure was at 16 and they told you to get an oral appliance. Oral appliance is between 40% and 50% effective for mild cases of apnea. You were not a good candidate in the first place.
damd doctors think we have money to throw away.
I found on the net a 60 dollar snore guard appliance that you can form to your teeth at home. Does the same thing as the worthless oral appliance.
I wrote letters to every person I knew at the sleep center to complain about that.

[RosemaryB]

Don't give up. Here's something I just ran across that might help. I've never used one, but plan to get one and try it. Perhaps others who have used this could comment.

In-line Outlet Bacteria Filter for CPAP/BiPAP

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/Respir ... -pack.html

Also, you might want to boil your distilled water before using. Sometimes it can be contaminated.

[osagirl]

I cant use bipap or cflex because when I do use them i have apneas. its almost as if that the resistence of pressure i breathe against pushes my tongue out of the way. My dentist def. was right about my tongue being too big. The worst part is that I never had sleep apnea until I got my tongue pierced. It got infected, i took the ring out, and the swelling never went down. That was 6 years ago. I even get sinus infections when i wear glasses, any type of pressure on my face or nose causes me pain. I dont know ive been to so many doctors, this has been going on way to long.

[jennmary]

An infection is not caused by pressure from glasses or anything else. It is a bacteria or a virus that has taken root. You may have a resistant infection that has not been killed by antibiotics. Or you may have serious allergies that are causing an infection like response in your nose. I am not a dr, and I havent seen your nasal smears. I can understand the pressure of CPAP leaving you more open to infection or even making an existing infection seem worse. But it will not in itself CAUSE and infection unless it is contaminated by a virus or bacteria.

You need to see a dr and have them take whatever you have going on in your nose to a lab. They can grow it and figure out what it is (or isnt) and how best to get rid of it and prevent it from coming back.

Just my honest opinion.

[DreamStalker]

Yep ... If your doc has not gotten that infection under control in 6 years ... you need a new doctor. You don't want to go down the same road James Skinner is on ... go see several ENTs if necessary.

[ozij]

<snip> I even get sinus infections when i wear glasses, any type of pressure on my face or nose causes me pain. I dont know ive been to so many doctors, this has been going on way to long.

osagirl,
That sounds like a very hard time.

Do you how the pressure on the outside of your face cause an infection inside your sinuses?

I can understand your face being very painful and sensitive to touch during, and after sinus infections. but infections are caused by bacteria in your sinuses - so like others said, you have to make sure all your equipment is disinfected. I would even consider buying a new hose, mask -- and toothbrush just to be on the safe side.

Do you change your machine's filters as recommended? Do you use a fine particle filter?

Do you have an animal living with you ? I've heard of dogs being a source of strep throat infections - so that may be worth investigating.

Ask your ENT whether you should use your cpap when you have an active infection, in some cases, cpap is counter indicated when people have a sinus infection.

Ask the ENT about nasal rinsing - you can see a movie about it on this site -www.sinucleanse.com. I never used the things they sell, but it did teach me how to do it. Considering your sensitive condition, I wouldn't try this without discussing it with the ENT.

Good luck!
O.

[Guest]

woozle here
I had the same problem. I have a large tongue in the back of my throat, am not overweight, and had sinus issues with cpap.
I understand that sinus infections, per se, are bacterial - HOWEVER - I had the same problem with using any kind of nasal mask with pressure on my nose - after the sinuses are inflammed, any pressure made them worse.
I love the swift but it caused inflammation in my sinuses, which felt like a sinus infection - and was very painful - so it was get sleep but be in major pain the next day, or don't sleep and sleep w/ out the machine, and feel awful the next day due to apnea problems.
I had numerous CT scans and the dr's kept saying that I had a sinus infection, until I saw an ENT and he said that is not an infection, it is inflammation of ALL sinuse cavaties. Anyway, long story short, I got sinus surgery and found I am severely allergic to cats - I did NOT have regular allergy symptoms, but I demanded tests done so I could get better and it was found. I am finally sleeping well, using my swift, and getting GREAT sleep, no more sinus infections or pain - it can be a very hard road but it is so worth it to feel human again - keep trying and try not to give up on yourself

[andyomega]

I cant use bipap or cflex because when I do use them i have apneas. its almost as if that the resistence of pressure i breathe against pushes my tongue out of the way. My dentist def. was right about my tongue being too big. The worst part is that I never had sleep apnea until I got my tongue pierced. It got infected, i took the ring out, and the swelling never went down. That was 6 years ago. I even get sinus infections when i wear glasses, any type of pressure on my face or nose causes me pain. I dont know ive been to so many doctors, this has been going on way to long.

OMG ! thats awful ! Is there nothing a doctor can do to shrink your tounge?
What kind of doctors deal with tounges? an Ear Nose throat specalist?
Is there such thing as tounge reduction surgery?

[Slinky]

I found the nasal pillows type of interface just plain provided too much air pressure directly into the nose and sinuses for my comfort and gave me problems w/my sinsuses that were NOT any type of infection - just plain irritation. Fortunately, a nasal cushion interface spreading the air pressure over a greater area, less directly into the nasal cavity, has done the trick for me. I was concerned that I would have to go to a full face mask since they seem to be the most difficult to find a good fit and seal with. And my set pressure is less than 1/2 yours, mine is only 8 cms.

[DreamStalker]

I found the nasal pillows type of interface just plain provided too much air pressure directly into the nose and sinuses for my comfort and gave me problems w/my sinsuses that were NOT any type of infection - just plain irritation. Fortunately, a nasal cushion interface spreading the air pressure over a greater area, less directly into the nasal cavity, has done the trick for me. I was concerned that I would have to go to a full face mask since they seem to be the most difficult to find a good fit and seal with. And my set pressure is less than 1/2 yours, mine is only 8 cms.

Actually, pillow interfaces (and all others as well) provide no more pressure than what is provided by the xPAP machine. As for air flow, all interfaces provide no more air flow than the rate at which your lungs are capable of inhaling/exhaling plus the CO2 exhaust flow rate. In general, the CO2 exhaust flow rates are the least for pillow type interfaces and greatest for FF mask interfaces. Another factor that comes into play is mouth breathing (only when using a FF mask) ... which may reduce the amount of air flow through the nasal cavity (as compared to a pillow or cushion type nasal interface) by routing that flow through the mouth. Obviously, the oral interface provides no air flow to a sealed nose.