What do your docs say about sinus symptoms/pressure?

[Country4ever]

Hi all,
I was wondering......has your sleep doc/ENT/internist, etc., ever advised you as to what to do about your CPAP, when you're having sinus symptoms (pressure, pain, but no drainage)?
I'm running a test on myself. I'm trying to avoid the doctor, since it will be very expensive and probably unnecessary. I've been hearing my heartbeat in my ear, and having pressure and some pain over one of my sinuses. I've also been having headaches. I'm wondering if using the nasal pillow is somehow contributing to this. So.....I'm not using the CPAP for a few days to see if it has any affect. But dang am I tired!
Are you advised by your doc, or have you ever decided to not use your CPAP, because you suspected it was irritating your sinuses? Did you find out anything useful?
I have my humidifier up to the next to the last setting, and never get rainout. The water level in my humidifier goes down about an inch every night. So I think I'm getting enough moisture. I just wonder if some of us have too sensitive mucosa to deal with that pressurized air night after night?? I sure hope not.
I do use a saline nasal spray several times during the day too.
What's your experience with sinus problems and using your CPAP?

[jules]

Hi all,
I was wondering......has your sleep doc/ENT/internist, etc., ever advised you as to what to do about your CPAP, when you're having sinus symptoms (pressure, pain, but no drainage)?
I'm running a test on myself. I'm trying to avoid the doctor, since it will be very expensive and probably unnecessary. I've been hearing my heartbeat in my ear, and having pressure and some pain over one of my sinuses. I've also been having headaches. I'm wondering if using the nasal pillow is somehow contributing to this. So.....I'm not using the CPAP for a few days to see if it has any affect. But dang am I tired!
Are you advised by your doc, or have you ever decided to not use your CPAP, because you suspected it was irritating your sinuses? Did you find out anything useful?
I have my humidifier up to the next to the last setting, and never get rainout. The water level in my humidifier goes down about an inch every night. So I think I'm getting enough moisture. I just wonder if some of us have too sensitive mucosa to deal with that pressurized air night after night?? I sure hope not.
I do use a saline nasal spray several times during the day too.
What's your experience with sinus problems and using your CPAP?

Let me see if my feeble brain can understand this.

You want medical advice? You want to know what other peoples doctors say because you are too cheap to contact your own doctor?

CPAP is an every night experience for the rest of your life. If you want to step doing it because of sinus problems then contact YOUR doctor about it. Get advice from YOUR doctor about it.

[Country4ever]

Now darnit Jules...
This is not the first time you've been unnecessarily rude to me. I have all the money I need to go to the doctor's. I have fibromyalgia and have spent tons of money on tests that never show anything. So I am very hesitant to begin a very long protracted deal with several doctors and getting many tests, when it might be a CPAP problem.
You know, I have to say I'm a bit irritated with your response. We all, for the most part, have had less than productive visits with various doctors concerning our CPAPS.
I was asking for other peoples' experiences with their sinuses being irritated by their CPAP. Why would you have to be rude about this?
With your attitude, forums like this wouldn't even be necessary.
Now....do any of the rest of you have any experiences that you might want to share with me concerning your sinus problems and CPAP?

[jules]

Now darnit Jules...
This is not the first time you've been unnecessarily rude to me. I have all the money I need to go to the doctor's. I have fibromyalgia and have spent tons of money on tests that never show anything. So I am very hesitant to begin a very long protracted deal with several doctors and getting many tests, when it might be a CPAP problem.
You know, I have to say I'm a bit irritated with your response. We all, for the most part, have had less than productive visits with various doctors concerning our CPAPS.
I was asking for other peoples' experiences with their sinuses being irritated by their CPAP. Why would you have to be rude about this?
With your attitude, forums like this wouldn't even be necessary.
Now....do any of the rest of you have any experiences that you might want to share with me concerning your sinus problems and CPAP?

Having fibro isn't an excuse. Sorry that doesn't fly with me. I also have fibro and went through all the testing etc..

If you have problems with my attitude maybe you need to examine your own and look closely at what it is you are seeking here.

[lifeartist59]

I also find that I have pressure in my sinuses and occasional ear pain and pressure too. I mentioned to the family dr. who rx'd the cpap. I was given flonase and also suggest that I use saline to clean out my sinuses prior to using cpap at night. I have stopped using my cpap when I had symptoms of infection since I could not breathe through my nose anyway, then returned to it after a couple days when I felt better. Not sure if this helps, but maybe the saline idea could help? I use a nasal syringe with warm water and 1/2 t salt. I gently flush out each side. I would say that maybe next time you go see your doctor mention it though, maybe your pressures need adjusting? This whole cpap treatment seems a bit of hit and miss I my opinion. I have not gotten any results yet, but I was not symptomatic anyway. If anything, I am getting less sleep. I just hope its a better sleep at that:-)

[Country4ever]

I'm seeking other peoples' similar experiences. Doesn't seem like an unreasonable thing. I don't know why this bugs you so much.

[Country4ever]

Thanks lifeartist.
I was wondering about allergies too. Is that what the Flonase is for, or is it more for inflammation? Did it help you at all?

[lifeartist59]

Hi again, gla d to help. Flonase is long term for allergies, and it helps somewhat. Good luck, hope you feel better.

[Country4ever]

Thanks Lifeartist,

[davem]

I've had some amount of sinus/nasal congestion the entire time I've been using CPAP (11 years). A couple of years ago, I went to see the ENT about it. He said I had a deviated septum (left side) and that "might" be causing the problem and surgery "might" fix it. When I asked him what he would do in my case - he told me I should have another sleep study. Uhh...Needless to say, I stopped seeing that doc.

I then talked with my family dr. about the problem. She put me on Flonase, Astelin, and a couple of other sprays I don't remember - none of those helped. She finally gave me a rx for Nasonex nasal spray. I've been using it for over a year now. It has helped the most, but hasn't cleared it up completely. I'm ready to try the nasal irrigation thing myself. Nothing to lose, everything to gain.

Hope you have success with finding what works for you.

[Country4ever]

Thanks Davem,
I was on Nasonex a long time ago, and it gave me nosebleeds. maybe my mucous membranes are just too sensitive for some of this stuff (including CPAP). I sure hope not. Just one day off the CPAP and I'm really dragging.
Thanks for your input.

[gasparama]

Hey Country!

You've brought up an interesting topic to me. I've been on the hose since late last June. Since beginning, I've been prescribed antibiotics for sinus infections and bronchitis seven times. Even though there was a predisposition to these infections, CPAP just made it worse.

For the first time in months, I am now able to sleep without using that awful Afrin . In addition to the antibiotics, I added NeilMed nasal rinse, Ayr gel, and Ayr saline spray. Nasonex is also part of the mix. It seems to me that the Ayr saline spray must be used generously many times a day, especially just before strapping on the mask. clearing through nose blowing is often helpful a few minutes after using the spray.

I discussed the sinus problem with the sleep doc, but I honestly don't remember what all he said. However, he was adamant that I keep my mouth closed and even thought the mouth taping was a good idea.

You may really have to start with antibiotics before finding a way to maintain sinus health.

Jane

[BigMoose]

I'm seeking other peoples' similar experiences. Doesn't seem like an unreasonable thing.

I agree Country. Good question. We are coming up on spring allergy season here in Ohio, and this being my first spring on the "hose", I can use all the advice I can get! I for one am glad you asked it...

[Country4ever]

Thanks gasparama and BigMoose,

Quite a few years ago, when I was having alot of sinus problems, my ENT told me that the worst months for sinus problems (at least around here in zone 5), were March and October. Besides all the allergens out there, I think the weather fluctuations are hard on sinuses too.
I thought I was home free, never having had allergies, but I've heard you can develop them at any time in your life.

Good luck to both of you.

[mstreet7469]

Been on the cpap since november 2007. Prior to the cpap I was prescribed oracea cap 40mg for my rosecrea and/or acne(I am 65 years old. In the past I have taken allergy shots, used over counter medicines, etc. for the sinus problems.
I have had no sinus problems since being on the orecea in over eighteen months. I mentioned this to my ENT dr. but he just stared at me. Has any body else had this same experience.