Constant Flu like symptons?

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
TropicalDiver
Posts: 350
Joined: Sun Nov 04, 2018 11:29 pm

Re: Constant Flu like symptons?

Post by TropicalDiver » Sat Mar 16, 2019 10:58 am

Have you had been evaluated for possible pulmonary emboli? Typically not seen on an x-ray and surgery/bed rest increases the risk.

Have you been evaluated for GERD?

Have you been evaluated for asthma?

Are there indications of infection (high WBC, etc.)?

In your shoes, I would be working with a pulmonary doc...
Machine: Aircurve 10 Vauto (Prior S9 VPAP)
Mask: Quattro Air FFM and AirTouch F20 FFM

TropicalDiver
Posts: 350
Joined: Sun Nov 04, 2018 11:29 pm

Re: Constant Flu like symptons?

Post by TropicalDiver » Sat Mar 16, 2019 11:58 am

To expand on my previous post. What you could have is as simple as an opportunistic secondary (or tertiary) infection. Or not.

I am not a medical professional but this is the path I would start down as a doctor:

1. Complete medical history. Where did you live? What hobbies? What was your job? Any history of smoking? Exposure to radon? Other health issues? When did this start?
2. Complete physical exam. What do the lungs sound like? Wet? Dry? Where are the wheezes? Are you desating?
3. Have you describe what issues you have been having, how long, etc.?
4. Is this likely an infection or something else?
- Infection: bacterial, viral, or fungal. (Are there immune issues as well?)
- Other: PE, asthma, cancer, numerous pulmonary diseases (including autoimmune), environmental exposure, cardiac, etc.
5. How do I narrow the scope?
- Tests: Blood, cultures, urine, imaging
- Other tests: scope, cardiac
- Treat some possibilities and watch for improvement
6. Repeat 2 through 6 until you feel better.

Find a good doc who will work with you to address the issue. But you also have to stick with them...

In terms of CPAP, my guess is that has no role in this. That said, you might try washing the hose, mask, and humidifier chamber in something like Control III (that kills just about anything). Switch to distilled water. Empty the humidifier daily and allow to air dry. Several will say these steps are useless -- but it seems worth it for no other reason to give you peace of mind.
Machine: Aircurve 10 Vauto (Prior S9 VPAP)
Mask: Quattro Air FFM and AirTouch F20 FFM

User avatar
Marko2019
Posts: 38
Joined: Wed Mar 20, 2019 5:42 am
Location: Boston, MA

Re: Constant Flu like symptons?

Post by Marko2019 » Wed Mar 20, 2019 6:26 am

Any 'SoClean', 'VirtuCLEAN', or similar unit, however marketed or advertised, is a health risk - especially with any type of auto-immune, compromised respiratory, or infection related issues.

Anyone who uses any 'add-on' or parasitic medical devices without the specific endorsement or recommendation of the CPAP manufacturer could void their CPAP warranty or worse be exposing the user to infection or chemical inhalation danger. Also there is little if any published information on what the short or long term effects of ozone is on the CPAP internal components such as valves, diaphragms, or hoses. Ozone is clearly a dangerous gas (US EPA) that could be a health hazard even in minuscule amounts in confined spaces such as a bedroom.

The effects of ozone, even is trace amounts, is as follows (source - US EPA):
- Decreases in lung function
- Aggravation of asthma
- Throat irritation and cough
- Chest pain and shortness of breath
- Inflammation of lung tissue
- Higher susceptibility to respiratory infection

Add to this the issue of counterfeit consumable coming from the far east, and the lack of a published risk analysis by any of these manufacturers - it is a perfect storm for trouble. Personally I believe hand cleaning your device regularly (as recommended by the CPAP manufacturer) is the safest approach. Imported cheap "Convenient store medical devices" may not be the answer.

______________

Cynmatthes wrote:
Sat Mar 16, 2019 12:18 am
Sunnyboy wrote:
Sat Mar 16, 2019 12:03 am
Cynmatthes wrote:
Fri Mar 15, 2019 11:59 pm
Sunnyboy wrote:
Fri Mar 15, 2019 11:45 pm
I appreciate the out of the box thinking, that is what I was looking for but I can confirm from two different properties now, I am having the same issue so I thought it may be related to the tap-water, or the CPAP machine.

I bought a SoClean 2 just to make sure, but still even that I have no idea if it'll fix the issue..
If it is two different properties wouldn't it also be two different water sources ?
Correct, even still... I've recently been using the filtered water from the large 15L bottles the wife uses as drinking water, still haven't felt much of a difference...
I have autoimmune issues so I clean my mask more than most here. I dump my humidifier water in the morning and let the tank dry out until night when I fill it up again. I wash my mask cushion with warm water and dish soap every few days. The nights I don't wash it I wipe it down with rubbing alcohol to kill any germs. I change the filter about once a month or sooner if it looks dirty (I am in Arizona and we get a lot of dust). So far (keeping fingers crossed) I haven't had any problems with getting sick. If anything I think its helped a little bit breathing filtered air at night.
A whole lot of investigation is ongoing before I spend a single dime.