Sick and a tad freaked out... questions

[kaiasgram]

I went to bed last night with mild cold symptoms and this morning I feel like I have a ferocious sinus, eye and brain infection! I had to stop using the machine after about 4 hours because inhaling became very painful to my now raw nasal passages and to my eyes as well. I actually don't know if I have a bonafide sinus infection yet, no colorful secretions at this point but significant pain in my eyes, upper teeth, sinuses, and nasty headache. My question in my currently slightly freaked out state is this: Is it possible that our machines can blow germs further back into the sinuses and end up causing sinus infections? And my second question would be, if you have a known sinus infection should you lay off cpap while the infection is still active?

[cosmo]

Sorry to hear that you're sick

I wonder if it would be a good idea to use an oral device for colds rather than full face mask. Then plug up the nose somehow if it isn't already plugged up.

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/fisher ... -mask.html

[ems]

Did you get the flu shot? I think you should see a doctor. Probably just a cold but a doctor visit wouldn't hurt. Might relieve your mind a little.

I don't have the answers to your questions, tho I'm sure someone will.

Just get better quickly... lots of liquids, yada yada.

[kaiasgram]

I did get the flu shot. I emailed my sleep doc but since I don't know how prompt he is about replying I will also call my primary's office. Normally a cold doesn't cause this much sinus pain. Thanks ems.

Cosmo, thanks for your suggestion too -- good idea for next time.

[Pugsy]

You used the PR S1 BiPap last night didn't you? Was much water used overnight in the tank?
Refresh my memory...your S9 usage were you using the climate line under manual selection or the regular S9 hose at the setting of 4?

I know you said you were feeling sort of like an upper respiratory infection might be imminent but what you are describing could also be a response from the different methods of delivering humidity. If I don't get enough added moisture I get major sinus pain, congestion, even tooth pain, etc.

Sometimes it is the change (one way or the other) from what a person is used to getting that triggers the nasal mucosa to respond adversely.

Do you have any of the other usual cold symptoms?

Regarding using the machine...no it won't blow the germs anywhere they wouldn't go otherwise.

If you are developing a normal cold...this is really going to mess with the bipap trial but of course you probably realize that.

[Vader]

Just as a side note, my Doc says that the flu strain that's going around now, is NOT the strain that they've been giving shots for this year.
So says the CDC, supposedly....

[herefishy]

Try a hot pack across your nose and sinus area.

[kaiasgram]

You used the PR S1 BiPap last night didn't you? Was much water used overnight in the tank?
Refresh my memory...your S9 usage were you using the climate line under manual selection or the regular S9 hose at the setting of 4?

I know you said you were feeling sort of like an upper respiratory infection might be imminent but what you are describing could also be a response from the different methods of delivering humidity. If I don't get enough added moisture I get major sinus pain, congestion, even tooth pain, etc.

Sometimes it is the change (one way or the other) from what a person is used to getting that triggers the nasal mucosa to respond adversely.

Do you have any of the other usual cold symptoms?

Regarding using the machine...no it won't blow the germs anywhere they wouldn't go otherwise.

If you are developing a normal cold...this is really going to mess with the bipap trial but of course you probably realize that.

Hey Pugsy, yes I did use the BiPap last night. Had humidification set at 4 and filled tank to the max line -- I was on the machine for about 4-5 hours and the water level is now just slightly below the 75% line. Normally I do use my S9 with the Climateline hose and humidificationat 4, temp at 80. Your thoughts about humidification?

Re other cold symptoms: Runny nose, some congestion and postnasal drip, bad headache, occasional light cough but not too bad so far. Main issue is severe pain in sinuses, nose, teeth, and head. Eyes look like I stuck my hand in the toaster while it was on.

Sleep doc just emailed to say he wants me off the Bipap for 5-7 days and he's extending my trial period another week so we can give it a fair shot. What he didn't say is whether he also wants me to stay off my own machine as well.

It's probably overkill at this point but I made an appt to see a primary care doc this afternoon to get checked out.

Thanks for checking in Pugsy. Appreciate it in addition to all your help getting BiPap set up last night.

[Julie]

I personally would crank the humidity way down at least for a night to see if it helps. I can only think it's contributing like mad to your symptoms.

[porete]

Just as a side note, my Doc says that the flu strain that's going around now, is NOT the strain that they've been giving shots for this year.
So says the CDC, supposedly....

I would strongly suggest you see your doctor just to make sure something serious is not going on. I also got the flu shot, but got the flu anyway. My doctor made a positive diagnosis with the nasal swab test. I ended up with lots of lung involvement, so it's worth it just to get yourself checked out.

[Pugsy]

I was on the machine for about 4-5 hours and the water level is now just slightly below the 75% line. Your thoughts about humidification?

It didn't use much water. It is possible that your nasal mucosa got dried out. The PR S1 humidification system doesn't use as much water...pros and cons there.
Since Classic Mode isn't available with this older PR S1 machine it is possible that your symptoms are simply the nasal mucosa rebelling against the humidity change from your S9 machine. In other words your nasal mucosa were used to one thing and you got something else and didn't like the change.

Of course it could also mean you caught a cold. You will know in a couple of days which it is. You will either have an obvious full blown upper respiratory infection or you symptoms will ease up pretty quickly if they are totally related to nasal mucosa rebelling.

Generally we suggest that people continue to use their cpap machine when they catch a cold. A lot of the time the added moisture delivered actually helps relieve some of the symptoms. Treat the symptoms just like you would treat any of those symptoms whether you were on cpap or not. Treat the congestion, drainage, etc like you would normally. Whatever helps is what we do and is fair game.

Do you have something like Simple saline solution? Use lots of it no matter if you are catching a cold or it is just nasal mucosa rebellion.

I would go back to the S9 for a couple of nights...back to what you know is comfortable and works...then revisit the BiPap trial once the symptoms abate.
Coming from someone who has used both the PR S1 new humidification system and the S9 humidification system...I don't think lowering the PR S1 setting is the way to go...setting to setting the S9 delivers more moisture than the PR S1 and if you reduce the PR S1 setting it is going to be even less added moisture from what you are used to.

[kaiasgram]

I would strongly suggest you see your doctor just to make sure something serious is not going on. I also got the flu shot, but got the flu anyway. My doctor made a positive diagnosis with the nasal swab test. I ended up with lots of lung involvement, so it's worth it just to get yourself checked out.

Thanks for the encouragement porete -- I'll be seeing my doctor later this afternoon. I've never had a head cold cause this much pain.

[johnthomasmacdonald]

Could you have been bitten by a zombie? THe thought of using these machine with the Flu is pretty hideous. Hang in there!!

[porete]

I would strongly suggest you see your doctor just to make sure something serious is not going on. I also got the flu shot, but got the flu anyway. My doctor made a positive diagnosis with the nasal swab test. I ended up with lots of lung involvement, so it's worth it just to get yourself checked out.

Thanks for the encouragement porete -- I'll be seeing my doctor later this afternoon. I've never had a head cold cause this much pain.

I hope you feel better and get some help.

[jencat824]

Sorry kaiasgram, but I think due to the headache you might be getting this nasty flu thats going around. That was the first symptom for most of my family members that have it. My mother-in-law, 2 sisters-in-law & 2 brothers-in-law,both nephews & 3 of their kids. We all got it from the kids at xmas. I have a much milder case, but they treated me anyway due to immune system issues. All have been diagnosed by the nasal swab thing. My mother-in-law is the sickest, I hope dr sees her at dialysis & puts her in hosp. I had to go to her apt last night, she could not quit coughing, I took her Delsym & she at least got comfortable, (too stuborn to go to ER like she should have) but is still congested in her chest, sinuses & has horrible headache.

You really do need to see dr to get the nasal swab test. If you do have flu, Tamiflu can shorten the time you have it. I do hope it is just your nasal mucosa reacting to the machine change, but just to be safe, I'd be tested.

Hoping for the best,
Jen