The total cpap experience continues.....

Always be careful what you ask for, you just might get it.

I didn't ask for this one and I am certainly not enjoying it.

Sinus\ear infection, sore throat and chest congestion w/cough.
Eustachian tubes plugged....ears hurt.....can't hear.

Last night was the worst. For the past few nights, use of the sinus rinse
was keeping things open. Last night I could not get the left side open.
I tried to breath through my mouth w/FFM. The air going into my chest just
made me cough....it really hurts to cough.
So, I thought I will just have to try and sleep w/out my mask.
YIKES I would drop off to sleep and wake from dreams I was suffocating.
My heart was racing. This happened about 3 times. It really scared me.
I think I was having A/H events and after 11mths of therapy, my body doesn't know
how to handle them. Thoughts.
Needless to say, I feel like something the cat threw up or drug in, or both.

Another theory.....why did I get sick?
Two weeks ago, I got a battery in preparation for camping trips this summer.
I quit using the HH when testing the battery.
I decided it was tolerable, so I would just continue to go w/out the HH,
until after the camping trip that was to be this past weekend.
I wonder if this is why I got sick?

This experience has been/is miserable.
Hopefully, it will be over in a few days.
I just returned from doc w/antibiotics for the infection.

Observations:
This therapy is so dynamic. We must always be vigilant as to
how our bodies are working, day to day,
how our environment is changing, day to day
and how this is effecting our therapy, daily.

It is absolutely critical that we make this therapy work.

I have a new respect and empathy for those that suffer w/chronic sinus problems.

Thoughts/comments/suggestions

Get well soon

.
Your "observations" are spot on!

Sorry you feel so bad . . . been there, done that . . . it's a BUMMER. With your antibiotics on board you should be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed very soon. I know you're using the NetiPot frequently. Hang in there!

Joy

I hope you'll feel better soon.
Try sleeping on recliner - and be careful about using cpap when you have a sinus infection. Remember, part of stuff in you sinuses is pus - which contains bacteria - and driving that deeper in with air pressure is not a good idea - that infection get closer to your brain. Ask your doc (if you haven't done so) about using the cpap.

Talking brings on coughing when you have bronchitis - as does laughing.

The pictures you posted are so beautiful - can you run yourself a comforting slide show of all those wonderful places?

And don't push things when you start feeling better (you're the guy who wrote about training till you spit out pieces of your lungs - maybe they want you to treat them better ) not only the therapy is dynamic, so is our human body.

Hang in there!

O.

Well,Carbs,welcome to the Guild of Sinus Disorder!

Currently,I too am in the middle of an infectious fight,my first since sinus surgery on Apr.02.09.

Fortunately I had 10 tablets of 500mg Ceftin antibiotics left from the surgery...

All I can report is that the mucous drainage has vastly improved since having the surgery,affording a quicker healing time.

Symptoms started last Thursday(I'm certain I picked it up from a household member) and have pretty much abated by today.

Pre-surgery I would suffer well beyond a week and was much more congested from little to nill mucous drainage.

Regarding the congestion and using a CPAP mask,I just plain set it aside if I am having fits trying to breathe.

I purchased a FF Mirage Quattro,thinking it would be the answer to a stuffy nose.NO way.

Clearly you and I are not mouth breathers,as I had the same awful sensations you described while attempting to be a CPAP Soldier.

Post surgery,I went 12 nights without cpap.
With this recent infection,which is also in my chest and hurts like hell,I simply have less hours with the mask on.
Try not to sweat it.I have yet to turn to the FF mask again.
This does cause sleep fragmentation but it is only temporary as the infection clears.
You'll be back on track in no time.

Yikes is right! I sure hope you are feeling better and soon!

Once your sinuses get used to humidity they totally resent having to do without it.

The very old way to treat them is to hang you head over a pot of very hot water with eucalyptus or Vicks or Tiger Balm in it. Creat a tent with a towel for maximum effect.
It does nice things for your skin also.

Only had maybe 3 sinus infections in my life and they brought me to my knees. Ended up in the doctor's office apologizing for bothering him with just a cold, then he pressed his thumbs against my cheeks just aside from my nose and yowee! You've got my sympathy. I do get occasional colds, then I sleep in my recliner (nearly upright), as just the memory of sleeping flat without my cpap is enough to keep me up all night. Recently had to make that choice when away from home and chose to stay up.

Hope your congestion is soon relieved and you can get back to your familiar routines. Oh, I tried not using the humidifier a few times and ended up with the creeping crud the next morning. I just use it in passover or on 1, but apparently I need it. Maybe you do too. I've read that if the mucous membranes dry out they are more susceptible to infection. Sounds reasonable.

Hope you're biking soon.
Kathy

Hi Carbonman, everyone has given you so much good advice so I just want to add get better soon. I can't even picture you anywhere but on your bike. Dori

I can't imagine not using the humidifier in dry mountain air. here at seal level in steamy Maryland, i havent used the humidifier for about a month. i do wake up dry if I mouth breath due to stuffy nose, but the humidifier was like sleeping in the rain forest. It's just too humid here.

Sorry carbonman. it'll pass. Are you riding like this? I can't imagine that either.

ozij wrote: (you're the guy who wrote about training till you spit out pieces of your lungs - maybe they want you to treat them better ) not only the therapy is dynamic, so is our human body.
Hang in there! O.

O, always the voice of reason.

Yes, all things.....in moderation.

DoriC wrote:Hi Carbonman, everyone has given you so much good advice so I just want to add get better soon. I can't even picture you anywhere but on your bike. Dori

Dori, yes good advise from everyone and much appreciated.
I don't like the picture for me anywhere but on my bike, either.

elader wrote:I can't imagine not using the humidifier in dry mountain air.

Are you riding like this?

Well, live and learn. It's a journey in so many ways.

I learned years ago, you can't "ride through it".
Funnel every watt of energy into healing your body.
It heals much faster.

Thanks! everyone for the good thoughts.

OK...check this out.

I was very concerned about sleeping w/Grace last night.
...BUT, I was afraid not to....ATTN: Newbies...I was afraid NOT to sleep w/my machine.

When I first turned it on at my regular 12.5cm, I felt the pressure immediately in my sore ears.
I decided a little is better than none, so I turned the min. down to 10cm/cflex a 1.
Tuned it back on and didn't feel the pressure, so I went w/it.

I was amazed at first how easy it was to breath, at the reduced pressure I was used to.
I loosened the tension on my mask and had no leaks.

I coughed and hacked all night and had to get up and remove mask
many, many times....so I figured my numbers would be terrible....

...surprise....surprise.....I got some much needed sleep, between coughing sessions,
and AHI was 1.2 this am. I feel much better and know the tide has turned.

This may be what I needed to make the final transition to straight cpap.

All things for a reason.

Carbonman,

A nasty experience - but you lived it, every moment, and you survived . . and learned.

As the "sort of survivor" of more sinus infections that I can recall . . . a sinus infection was the equivalent of hell on earth. Struggled to breathe thru mouth, throat so sore, each inhale hacked at my throat tissue. Couldn't couldn't lie down, and the snatches of sleep, between coughs weren't worth diddly.

We won't even talk about the fun of five sinus surgeries - or the mutilation of UPPP surgery.

Ah yes Carbonman , when you do anything, sinus infection, being a biker, posting your emotions , you do it all the way - not missing a part of the full experience.

Jan

I am so glad you are feeling better Sinus infections are no fun

One thing I learned from here regarding the Mirage Quattro FF was to set the EPR or(CFLEX) to '1',never thought to mention the thread regarding Full Face mask insights.Good you found that out on your own!

I found the flapper inside that mask annoying,even more so at higher EPR.

After going back to the Swift LT,the good thing is that I left the EPR at '1' and got some good numbers too.

Now that your lungs have adjusted to cpap in general,using the lower pressure relief will be easier.

The goal for some on here seems to have been a process of eliminating Ramp Times,EPR and Humidification.

I know I tried just bare bones straight cpap for a few nights and quickly realized it is a work in progress.

I really try and stay compliant but there will be times when you just can't use the equipment.