Advice re: CPAP and sinus infection

NeedinZs · Post by **NeedinZs** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 8:37 am

I was wondering what the "thinking" was of those of you who have had sinus infections, as far as continuing to use your CPAP. I have "heard" a couple opinions from DME's, that you shouldn't use your CPAP if you have actual sinus infection.

I went to a walk-in clinic yesterday, they did an x-ray of my sinus, and could see a large pocket of infection, (above my teeth, that had been hurting for 10 days). I was told over the phone, that I could see an ENT, but when I got there, they said he wasn't even there, after I drove 40 minutes!! GRRR!

The Dr. I did see, didn't seem to know a whole lot about CPAP, but was kind of wishy-washy.

Should I give it a rest for a couple days before the antibiotics kick in, or not?

Thanks,
Gail

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 9:51 am

If it is the typical sinus infection related to common cold/flu virus ... try the nasal saline rinse a couple of times a day til it gets better. If it is some other type of sinus infection you need to see an ENT.

It is you decision whether to continue PAP treatment ... but do consider the severity of your apnea condition in that decision. If you have a severe apnea condition, you may want to place more weight on staying with the PAP treatment ... good luck!

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 12:47 pm

One of the rare times I disagree with dreamstalker.

A sinus infection with cpap puts you at risk of blowing the pus and bacteria too near your brain for comfort.

The instructions on my machine's manual say:

Clinical rearch indicate that cpap therapy may be contraindicated for patients with any of the following pre-existing conditions.

<snip>
Acute sinusitis (inflammation of the sinus cavity) otitis media (earache) or perforation of the tympanic membrane (eardrum).

Try to contact your sleep doc, or an ENT.

O.

Perchancetodream · Post by **Perchancetodream** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 12:57 pm

Using my machine during my recent cold may have worsened it. It was the longest lasting cold (three weeks) that I have ever had, and has prompted me to look into an Oracle for use during future colds.

Susan

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 1:01 pm

Well I guess I my sinuses are far enough away from my brain so that I don't have that problem

MarcHines · Post by **MarcHines** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 9:34 pm

Great picture! I laughed so hard I think I broke something...

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 10:59 pm

Reminds me of Anna Russell describing a singer of great voice, who can't count. "...because, why should anybody with as great a voice as you presumably have, have to bother themselves with such boring details as correct tempi? In fact, one of the reasons that you have such a great voice is that you have resonance where your brains ought to be".

O.

cflame1 · Post by **cflame1** » Tue Jan 08, 2008 6:21 am

I can tell you that I went the rounds with the GP's... the ENT was on vacation.
My sleep doc was awesome, his PA fixed me right up with an anti-biotic and an antihistamine.
The GP's... they put me on anti-biotic's that don't work, and keep giving me more steriod's. The GP's tried prednisone and that... kept me awake for 24 hours (that night I kept trying to sleep with my AHI going up to 35).
Basically what I got from the PA is to go ahead and use my machine.

NeedinZs · Post by **NeedinZs** » Tue Jan 08, 2008 8:31 am

Thanks to all of you who've posted so far!

My apnea is considered mild, so I decided to "go without" last night, and thought I'd supplement by going to bed extra early.....WRONG!

I feel absolutely exhausted with 2 and a half MORE hours of sleep than I regularly get on CPAP. I'm going to call my regular ENT, and see if I can get the go ahead to continue CPAP.

It feels really strange to know I was in bed for almost 9 hours, and feel more tired than when I went to bed! Although, it's a good comparison and great reminder, to see how much better I feel when ON CPAP!!

NeedinZs · Post by **NeedinZs** » Tue Jan 08, 2008 12:58 pm

O.K. Official word from my ENT.....(insert drumroll here) STAY OFF CPAP 3 more nights, until my 5 day Z-pak antibiotics kick in. Are you #**$^@* kidding me???

I'm posing another question, in case anyone's followed this all the way through...

Has just using O2 while sleeping helped anyone when they have had to be off CPAP for any reason.??