CPAP Users and Sinus infections...

[Stanley Steamer]

I've had a headache behind my right eye since about last Thursday...it sometimes hurts so bad that my teeth on that side of my head hurt also and enough to make me sick at my stomach......and I have a little bit of a sore throat...I just thought it might be tension headache from the heat, but a buddy at work said it sounded likea sinus infection...I'm going to see the Dr. later today, but after researching this a little, I have most of the symptoms for a sinus infection....I've been using a CPAP machine for 447 days(15 months)...I have the heated humidifier with mine and I clean the nose mask once a week and the hose less frequently.....I guess I am going to need to do that more often....and I always change the filter in the CPAP every 30 days...sometimes it's more "dusty" than other times....

I guess it's something I'm going to have to keep on top of to keep from getting sick....has anyone else on here using CPAP had this problem before??...Thanks

[Valker]

I've used my CPAPs for the past 10 years or so. I've never had a sinus infection from them, but I don't usually use the humidifier. I rarely clean mine either. I would propose that this infection may be the result of allergies this time of year. If it is allergies, I recommend NasalCrom. I used to have problems, and the regular, ongoing use of this stuff has stopped it (almost) completely.

[Stanley Steamer]

I've used my CPAPs for the past 10 years or so. I've never had a sinus infection from them, but I don't usually use the humidifier. I rarely clean mine either. I would propose that this infection may be the result of allergies this time of year. If it is allergies, I recommend NasalCrom. I used to have problems, and the regular, ongoing use of this stuff has stopped it (almost) completely.

allergies, but I know it's possible that it could happen as I've gotten older....I just sneezed, craps!!...I do work outside in the Landscaping business....it'd be MY luck that I'd come down with them now?!!...

How do they know if a person is allergic to something?...I've never had to deal with that before....

[..]

Never had a sinus infection from CPAP use. No humidifier.

Plant allergies this year have been the worse I've ever had. Never had a problem until about 3 years ago.

Bought SAM's Club own brand Claratin - non drowsy. Bingo - no more suffering, no more scratchy thorat, runny eyes, sneezing, coughing, etc

Target also has a generic Claratin.

Look for the component Loratadine.

[Normandog]

sinus infection to me Stan and I've had many of them. They're bacterial and bacteria like moist places. (maybe the humidifier part of the cpap)
Unless they've changed to a newer technology, you find out if you have allergies by submitting to a skin prick test. In my case they did it on my back. She drew a grid on my back then stuck me with many needles. What they do is put different allergens under your skin and then wait and see if you have a reaction and if so which ones you react to. Does not hurt but itches like he77 where you have a reaction. If you have allergies you get to decide if you want to take the shots. Good luck. I am allergic to a bunch of stuff. Took the shots and they did help but did not eliminate the problem. I do not have near as many sinus infections as I used to. Went from as many as 5 per year down to one per year if that many.

[Stanley Steamer]

sinus infection to me Stan and I've had many of them. They're bacterial and bacteria like moist places. (maybe the humidifier part of the cpap)
Unless they've changed to a newer technology, you find out if you have allergies by submitting to a skin prick test. In my case they did it on my back. She drew a grid on my back then stuck me with many needles. What they do is put different allergens under your skin and then wait and see if you have a reaction and if so which ones you react to. Does not hurt but itches like he77 where you have a reaction. If you have allergies you get to decide if you want to take the shots. Good luck. I am allergic to a bunch of stuff. Took the shots and they did help but did not eliminate the problem. I do not have near as many sinus infections as I used to. Went from as many as 5 per year down to one per year if that many.

didn't know HOW they did it....it seems like there could be thousands of things a person could be allergic to....My back is so hairy, I don't know how they'd be able to draw on it....lol.....

the only things I know I'm allergic to are pain, washing dishes, and working hard.....well ok, I'm just allergic to pain!!!..

[Stanley Steamer]

Never had a sinus infection from CPAP use. No humidifier.

Plant allergies this year have been the worse I've ever had. Never had a problem until about 3 years ago.

Bought SAM's Club own brand Claratin - non drowsy. Bingo - no more suffering, no more scratchy thorat, runny eyes, sneezing, coughing, etc

Target also has a generic Claratin.

Look for the component Loratadine.

a slightly sore throat and that pretty much started when the headaches did....I will ask the Dr about it today...

[Valker]

They can do a less effective, but easier allergy blood test. If you are allergic, there are many things available, I just found NasalCrom the easiest and most effective to me. Grasses and stuff nearly kill me, but I found these: http://www.aerostich.com/catalog/US/Respro-Bandit-Scarf-p-17472.html to be EXTREMELY effective at keeping out allergens when mowing and riding. They are so effective that they block most smells also. This can be a good/bad thing.

[Cattman]

I've had several "inner ear/eustachion tube"  infections. Don't know that they were CPAP caused, but didn't have any before CPAP. 

[6jugzz]

I have had Sinus infections and head pain for the last two years, (at least one a month)......But let me tell what fixed it up and I mean RIGHT NOW!!! I went to the Bi-Low store and got a nasal flush system.......now more problems!!!

[Valker]

I use one of these kits also, but it was for after my surgery, I haven't tried it for my allergies or colds. Thanks for the idea.

[Duey]

sheet of prepared samples (100) to my upper back. Yes, they shave any hair off and clean so the tape sticks. Had it on for 7 days. They took it off and found what I was allergic to. No needles, no pain. (except when they pulled the tape off). Went back 3 days later for the final check and diagnosis.
Good Luck !

[Stanley Steamer]

it is a Sinus infection.... ......I have to take an antibiotic for 10 days, a nasal spray, and take MucinexD(sp?)....he said he'd been seeing a lot of folks with sinus infections in this heat and humidity.....

My sore throat is from the sinus drainage and I had a low-grade fever....at least this should be something easy to cure.....I hope!!

[Oss]

you can get a neti pot for a couple bucks

fill half way with real hot water
add some sea salt (a pinch)
fill rest with cool water so what comes out is about 100 degrees

You flush out the bad chit and what comes out after mowin the lawn is reason enough to use it   If you have seen my schnoz you know it must work lol

I use it after riding in allergy season and before bed and NO infections in 2 years since I started. Sometimes I put a dropper of echinacea in it if I think I am gettin a cold.

A whole lot cheaper than takin drugs and no side effects

[Probie (Scooter57)]

I Googled Neti pot and found this...don't think I'll be using one 

How To Irrigate Your Nasal Passages





Look quick...I don't think it will be here long...

[Normandog]

sheet of prepared samples (100) to my upper back. Yes, they shave any hair off and clean so the tape sticks. Had it on for 7 days. They took it off and found what I was allergic to. No needles, no pain. (except when they pulled the tape off). Went back 3 days later for the final check and diagnosis.
Good Luck !

SEVEN days. Jeez, i'd rather endure a little pain and get it over with. My wife had the prick test also. She too did not think it hurt that bad. Really, it don't hurt much at all.

[..]

I was laughing as soon as I saw the whiskey bottle.

[john]

keep the nettey pot in the shower...
some warmwater and the sinuswash packets too ...   
opens things up and reduces the ring'in in my ears ...   ???
comes out my nose and month ...i swear i can hear better after use
something my wife got for me ... how silly is this ?... 
hey ... seems to work ...

[Bonzo]

I never got ill from the CPAP and I have a heated humidifier, I clean it all out with white vinegar, let it sit for a while, then rinse it good with plain water

[Stanley Steamer]

I never got ill from the CPAP and I have a heated humidifier, I clean it all out with white vinegar, let it sit for a while, then rinse it good with plain water

with Dove mild soap....the Doctor told me he didn't think the CPAP had caused the sinus infection....I'm taking medicine and a nasal spray and it seems to be helping some....

[bogator]

Hey ,I've been useing a cpap for a while,heres what you need to do ,put 2 tablespoons of white vinegar in your tank.  clears your lungs and sinases while you sleep..how good is that???

[Kingbee]

but I'm going through a miserable sinus infection as well.  Face pain, headache, drainage & cough, with a lovely stabbing pain from the base of my skull up through my eye with each cough.  Still going riding today, though, the THI is only going to be 105.