CPAP is wrecking my sinuses

I've been on CPAP therapy almost two years now and wouldn't attempt to sleep without it... probably couldn't if I wanted to! But lately it seems I am having more and more sinus troubles. I had sinus surgery some years ago because I listened to some idiot ENT. Anyway, I am experiening dizziness, painful, crusty nostrils, stuffiness and even ear pain and popping. CPAP seems to really aggrivate it. Any ideas out there?

CrystalGale wrote:I've been on CPAP therapy almost two years now and wouldn't attempt to sleep without it... probably couldn't if I wanted to! But lately it seems I am having more and more sinus troubles. I had sinus surgery some years ago because I listened to some idiot ENT. Anyway, I am experiening dizziness, painful, crusty nostrils, stuffiness and even ear pain and popping. CPAP seems to really aggrivate it. Any ideas out there?

Do you have a (heated) humidifier?
What is your pressure?
What machine (make/model)?

Den

Have you tried NeilMed Sinus Rinse. I use it about 2 hour before bed time and it sure helps my sinuses stay clear.

[quote="CrystalGale"]I've been on CPAP therapy almost two years now and wouldn't attempt to sleep without it... probably couldn't if I wanted to! But lately it seems I am having more and more sinus troubles. I had sinus surgery some years ago because I listened to some idiot ENT. Anyway, I am experiening dizziness, painful, crusty nostrils, stuffiness and even ear pain and popping. CPAP seems to really aggrivate it. Any ideas out there?

I had nasal surgery two years ago and it worked great but my ENT said that it would not solve all my problems, that I would have to continue to use a sinus rinse daily and use nasal sprays. She said like others like myself my nose dosen't like the air that I breath and that I will continue to have problems. She (my ENT) removed three large polyps, straighten my septum, shrunk my turbinates and drilled some holes in the sinus cavities to improve drainage. Before the surgery I had server sinus infections, a couple times a year. Been infection free for two years now and a cold that used to last for weeks, now I don't know if I have had a cold for the last two years and if I have they are so mild they don't bother me any more. machine pressure went from 12cm to 10cm and when I sleep on my side will go down to 5cm. I also experience some dizziness if my nose gets stopped up but when I rinse it clears up or if I sneeze it usually clears up but rinsing every day usually keeps my sinus pretty clear all day long. The surgery may not have cured the problem but it sure has made my life a lot less stressful and I do really well using Bipap auto with Biflex.

If you are still having sinus problems after rinsing and using sinus sprays then you need to visit your ENT to diagnose the problem.

Dan

[quote="CrystalGale"]I've been on CPAP therapy almost two years now and wouldn't attempt to sleep without it... probably couldn't if I wanted to! But lately it seems I am having more and more sinus troubles. I had sinus surgery some years ago because I listened to some idiot ENT. Anyway, I am experiening dizziness, painful, crusty nostrils, stuffiness and even ear pain and popping. CPAP seems to really aggrivate it. Any ideas out there?

Part of it sounds like TMJ

So I'll ask a couple of other questions... what mask are you using and are you also using a chin strap (or something like it)?

6PtStar wrote:Have you tried NeilMed Sinus Rinse. I use it about 2 hour before bed time and it sure helps my sinuses stay clear.

I got some NeilMed Sinus Rinse yesterday....it works!
Got it at Walgreens.

I bought a sinus rinse myself tonight. Finally starting to get my bronchitis controlled enough to use my BiPAP for a few hours and now my sinuses are acting up so I had to go without BiPAP again last night because I couldn't breath through my nose, and I have no FF mask. Sure hope it works tonight I really really really need some decent sleep.

Christy