Headache in one sinus from CPAP?

[awritersmind1]

I keep getting a headache in the sinus over my left eye. I think from the CPAP, because I didn't use to get it beforehand. Is that just because of the pressure? My pressure typically stays low, though. I do have allergies, so maybe it irritates them?

[chunkyfrog]

I had the same symptom a couple of months ago; 2 years after beginning cpap, so no connection.
My doc diagnosed a bacterial sinus infection, and RX'd a Z-pak.
See your doctor--this sounds like a sinus infection.
Keep on pappin' unless he says no (unlikely).

[awritersmind1]

Ok. Yeah, this keeps happening every month or so. I try and make sure I keep my equipment clean, too, so that build up of bacteria in there isn't an issue. Thanks for the help!

[BlackSpinner]

You may need to start using a nasal rinse. Also play with your humidity settings, some sinuses like it hot and damp and others not so much.

[awritersmind1]

For the nasal rinse, do you mean like the Netti Pot thing, or is there something for inside the CPAP? Right now the tech had set the humidifier at 3. He said I probably wouldn't want it above or below, but I'll have to change it around. My other machine, the humidifier leaked so I couldn't use it, and I got the same symptoms, so maybe it means that I still need it higher since I'm still having the same issue as when I had no humidifier?

[Pugsy]

the humidifier leaked so I couldn't use it, and I got the same symptoms, so maybe it means that I still need it higher since I'm still having the same issue as when I had no humidifier?

Could very well be related to the amount of moisture that your nasal passages and sinuses need.
I had horrible sinus pain when I forgot to fill my tank one night and it went dry (actually have done it twice over the years with same result).

Some people need more moisture and some people need less. I happen to need pretty much the maximum setting.
Part of it is based on your room ambient conditions (temp and room humidity) and the other part is what you body needs to be happy. Unsure why tech said you wouldn't want the setting higher than 3 unless it was because of the increased possibility. While rain out is annoying it doesn't hurt the body.

Experiment with your humidifier settings to see if it helps. If it doesn't you might want to try the netipot thing and/or discuss it with your doctor.

[awritersmind1]

Ok. I will follow these suggestions.

Sorry, I feel like I'm doing nothing but complaining lately... I apologize. Sigh, everything started off great! So much better than expected, and it's all going downhill now. :-/ Makes it hard with college because of the way there are good days and bad days and all that. But I suppose that's the same for everyone in an established career.

[BlackSpinner]

Ok. I will follow these suggestions.

Sorry, I feel like I'm doing nothing but complaining lately... I apologize. Sigh, everything started off great! So much better than expected, and it's all going downhill now. :-/ Makes it hard with college because of the way there are good days and bad days and all that. But I suppose that's the same for everyone in an established career.

It is probably still going good but you now have higher expectations (just remember those pre-cpap days). You are taking control of your health and your therapy and working at tweaking it. This is good. Complaints and resolution is what this board is all about. Plus any question you have is probably shared by a dozen guests who are afraid to post, so think of your self as the voice of the silent ghosts. Go forth with your head held high clutching the banner of.... oops sorry... wrong book.

[Maxie]

Before CPAP I got a lot of sinus infections but once I got the humidity to my satisfaction, I've not had a sinus problem at all. I have allergies that I thought were bad but now I'm doing so well that if for no other reason I'm a believer! Of course, I have lots of other reasons to believe in the treatment.

[awritersmind1]

All very true. My temper is shot today... I feel like nails are being hammered into my head and for the past week, I've gone back to feeling really nauseous all the time. I think I'm going to just call my primary since the sleep dude is on vacation for now, although he doesn't know anything about this stuff, I don't think. He just concedes to what the sleep doctor tells him, and all of them didn't even want to treat me at first, and it about took slamming my head against a wall to FINALLY get treatment started, and if I start talking about having issues, they're apt to want to take it away... Just the way they have been working so far. Making me feel like I'm slamming my head against a brick wall because it makes it hard to know what to do... I'm afraid of taking the wrong course of action and screwing up everything.

[awritersmind1]

I do have one more quick question, though, and you all with more experience might have a better idea.

Am I better off letting my body decide when I should get up? It's naturally gravitating towards 9 hours a night. Typically, if I go lower, I don't feel so swell, but with 9 hours I'm not either. Should I force myself into that sleep hour restraint therapy where you force yourself to get up after say, 7 hours of sleep, or do I let my body do it's own thing? Since it's summer and classes are online and all that, I do have a better control over my schedule.

[BlackSpinner]

Follow your body's needs. You could be experiencing sleep debt. I know for the first couple of months I slept like the dead for 10-12 hours, now all I need is 7 and I wake up naturally.

[jen4700]

Sounds like a sinus infection to me. Good luck!

[Drowsy Dancer]

Ok. Yeah, this keeps happening every month or so. I try and make sure I keep my equipment clean, too, so that build up of bacteria in there isn't an issue. Thanks for the help!

I came down with a really bad sinus infection a couple of months ago.

My doctor told me that if you use CPAP, when you get colds you are going to be more prone to sinus infection because the machine shoves the bacteria already present in your nose from the cold up further into your sinuses. The cleanliness of your equipment isn't an issue.

[Drowsy Dancer]

I do have one more quick question, though, and you all with more experience might have a better idea.

Am I better off letting my body decide when I should get up? It's naturally gravitating towards 9 hours a night. Typically, if I go lower, I don't feel so swell, but with 9 hours I'm not either. Should I force myself into that sleep hour restraint therapy where you force yourself to get up after say, 7 hours of sleep, or do I let my body do it's own thing? Since it's summer and classes are online and all that, I do have a better control over my schedule.

I've been really interested in this subject myself, and started this thread which might interest you: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=78127&st=0&sk=t&sd=a