sinus infections

[sumr]

Hi I am a newbie and have been struggling getting started. I started 10 days ago and have been through 3 masks and a trip to the Dr. for a sinus infection. My first mask was with nasal pillows which hurt the inside of my nose but I finally woke up with out being so groggy and did not fall asleep throughout the day and did not get up to go to the bathroom!!! I was excited but the inside of my nose hurt so bad.. I had turned up my humidifier to 4 one time in the middle of the night but after 4 nights I exchanged my mask for a full face one as the pressure felt too extremeand I had sinus issues all the way from amy nasal passages down my throught. I knew something was making me sick. I don't know if it was using cpap or coincidently I was My therapist told me to turn down the humidifyer to 2 and tried a full mask which left my nose bruised and sore. I went to the Dr. Thurs. and I was running a fever and he gave me intibiotic for sinus infection. I did not use my cpap Thurs. night as i had read somewhere not to use it with a sinus infection. Fri morn my nose was so much clearer and I used my machine last night but am feeling more stuffy again today with sore throat. WHAT DO I DO? uSE IT OR WAIT UNTIL i FEEL BETTER. i HAVE ALWAYS BEEN ABLE TO BREATHE OUT OF MY NOSE ALTHOUGH i AM STILL GETTING USED TO IT.
THANKS FOR YOUR HELP!!!

[cflame1]

use a sinus rinse... clear's out the infection. I pick mine up at the local drug store... one of the brand names is Neilmed, another's Ayr.

I'm hoping that one of the masks that you got was a full face mask... if sinus infections are in your future you'd be well put to have one.

[sumr]

THANK-YOU! But should I use my cpap 2nite or wait a few more days? Will using a cpap bring on a sinus infection? What should the humidity level be? When I tried the full face mask it was too big and and bruised my nose. The nasal one fits good. I am afraid to try something else.

[cflame1]

some people will try and tell you that it'll make it worse... I look at it this way... if I don't sleep I won't get over it... and I don't sleep without my machine.

So... I turn up the humidity, use a full face mask, AND my machine.

[bdp522]

I would use the machine but turn the humidifier off all together. Be sure there is water in the humidifier. It will work as a passover humidifier supplying some moisture but no heat. The warm moisture causes sinus issues with some people, making the sinuses swell or become irritated.

Brenda

[sumr]

Thank-you so much for your reply!! That was exactly what I was wondering about. the first couple of nights the air blowing was freaking me out and so I turned up the moisture. I then woke up with black circles under my eyes! so I turned it back to 2 and have been afraid to mess with it. I did get a sinus infection and am so afraid that now I will have more sinus prob.! I did not know if stuffines was caused by too much moisture or not enough. I am going to try that tonite. It is too bad that the RT aren't much help when I talked to her she just did not give me much info. Everyone here is so much more knowledgable!!!!!!

[Brenpbb11150]

Hello,
I am a new user of Cpap as well. I have been on Cpap for about 5 weeks now. All of your questions seem to be the same ones I needed answers to as I first started Cpap. I truly beleive that the humidity pressure can be an issue. I developed a snius infection as well I turned it down to level 2 from a 4 and it worked for me. It took me a week to feel really comfortable with my machine and now after 5 weeks I would not sleep without it. The people on this forum have been a god sent for me. They are great! I spend so much time reading about everything on this forum and it truly has helped me so much. Stay with your machine and keep the humidity level down and a FFM and I am sure you will do much better. I also use a sinus rinse and it really helps.
Best Regards
Bren

[sumr]

thanks Bren,
This has been a God send for me too!!! I was in such a bad place before I was diagnosed and I can't go back there... I wa ssooo excited to think I could feel NORMAL and then I was brought back down again with all of this sinus stuff.... You all have given me hope again... I will NOT give up!! MY reg Dr. had told me to have the sleep study and they have not been very helpful so I think I will have him refer me to a ENT to be in charge and check out my sinus'.
Thanks again.
Sue

[buckeye76]

I am new to the CPAP machine. I started with the full mask and got used to wearing it. It made lines across my nose. I went to the pillow mask and really liked the fit. (this is only the third night), but I wake up because the inside of my nose hurts so much. Is this common and will it go away or do I need to go back to the full mask?

[bdp522]

Try a little ayr gel in the nose. You can find it in pharmacies and most supermarkets. I also find that using the heated humidifier helps.

Brenda

[blakepro]

There is a mouth only mask you can get for when you have sinus infections. Its called the Oracle. It can take some getting used to, but some people really like it.

[brazospearl]

sumr,
Welcome to the forum! I'm relatively new to cpap, too, and I've recently had an upper respiratory infection ( as a teacher I get exposed to LOTS of stuff!) I've found out it's a delicate balance of humidity, pressure, and medications to get the best sleep. I've found that half a decongestant every other day and my humidifier at the lowest setting gives the best result. Your mileage may vary, but keep tinkering and you'll find the sweet spot. Good luck!