Sinusitis

[Anthony P]

I am kind of at my wits end here.
I have been on BIPAP since June. I use high pressures 18 I and 11 E but that has never been a problem for me.
I have and use an attached humidifier.
Early January i got a cold and it seemed to linger and linger.
Other cold symptoms went away except for runny nose and lots of sneezing. I never had sinusitis but it seems I developed it. Headaches. If I pressed on my forehead or cheeks I could feel it in my nose. If I breathed through my nose it stung.
This hindered my use of my unit.
I don't believe in trying to get antibiotics for colds because they are viral but this went on too long. I got a week of antibiotics and took time off of using my BIPAP until the symptoms started going away. I then put my BIPAP on and the next day the sneezes and running nose was out of control again.
I got another week of antibiotics and the symptoms went away, so I tried BIPAP again last night. This morning I am sneezing and my nose is running again!!!!
I am not sure if the exposure to the pressure and the pressure from wearing the mask itself is somehow opening up a pocket of infection?
Does anybody have experience and advice about sinuses and CPAP/BIPAP?
I am wondering if a full face mask would help (I wear the Whisp nasal mask)
I have a feeling my next stop is an EyE, ear, nose, throat specialist.
I am so frustrated.
Thanks in advance for any advice offered.
Have a great weekend, Anthony

[DariaVader]

xpap can irritate sinuses. however there are things you can do to make it tolerable, and the sleep is worth it.

1. Clean your equipment and keep it clean
   
2. Turn up humidity and use a heated hose
   
3. Use nasal rinses, especially ones containing xylitol
   
4. Use Guaifenesin expectorant
   

[OpalRose]

Hi AnthonyP,
Welcome to the forum.

Sorry you are experiencing so much trouble. It's no fun being sick and still try to use our machines, but a lot of us here have the same issues, and the best thing you can do is keep using the machine.

Now with that said, the most important thing you can do now is clean, clean, clean.

Make sure the filters are changed on your machine, wash your hose and mask more often as long as you are ill. If it were me, I would just replace the hose.

Hopefully, as long as your are seeing your doctor, this should clear up in time.

[trish6hundred]

Hi Anthony P,
WELCOME! to the forum.!
You might consider switching to a full-face mask while you have this cold or sinus problem.
Good luck and hang in there.