I need a little suggestive help...

I keep waking up and having to deal with sinus infections. After the antibiotics are over its right back. I have attempted the sinus rinses, and that seems to do more harm than good. Anybody have an suggestions? I am getting better help from the full face mask than the nasal pillows. Anybody have any ideas?

You have like round pockets in your sinuses, these can trap bacteria then they become infected which you take the medication for. Unless you can flush those out they may have to do surgery to clean them.

You might try a vaporizing nebulizer, it will get the saline solution up deeper in your sinuses than you can with a neti pot or ear aspirator. Respironics used to make one for about $100 called the Rhino Flow (I have one, don't use it that much, I use the ear aspirator). cpap.com used to sell them.


http://tinyurl.com/2js8g3

It is a little machine that blows air into this nebulizer that you insert in your nare and it gently blows the moisure up in the sinuses. It would take a lot to flush those sinus cavities out.

You would have to see your ENT about the repeat infections. I had a reference graph at one point to show you what I'm talking about, but I couldn't find it.

Another way is to go down to the Y and go swimming under water for several hours the chlorine in the water will kill just about every thing.

I have heard that strong (prescription if you can) topical antibiotics like fucidin applied inside each nostril for a period of time
takes care of chronic sinus infections....worth a try

I have had many sinus problems. Here are things I know:

1. My doctor said it takes a very, very long time to clear up a sinus infection. I didn't get sinus infections until I moved to Seattle, so it's relatively new for me. My first prescription was for 15 days of antibiotics - 500mg of Cipro twice a day. It was way longer than any round of antibiotics I've ever taken for anything. Perhaps your infection isn't truly cleared up when you're done with your antibiotics. If it's sort of cured, I would imagine you would have few, if any, symptoms. Then, it would come back pretty quickly after stopping the antibiotics.

2. I now have an ENT due to my issues. She ordered a CT of my sinuses because she said there's not much a doctor can see otherwise. I learned I have a deviated septum. It deviates to the right, which finally explained why I have more problems with the right sinus. I also learned there are connecters between your sinuses that allow them to drain. My connecters are really narrow. My ENT said if I continue to have problems surgery to open the connectors might be necessary. I highly recommend seeing an ENT if you haven't already.


I don't really want surgery, so I do all I can to avoid sinus issues. Here are things I do:

1. As soon as I feel a hint of sinus pressure, I try to undo it. I take a Zyrtec (I can't take decongestants). I put a warm compress or heating pad on my face. I drink tons of water - it thins the mucus and helps it drain. I spend time in a hot shower - steam tends to help. All of these recommendations come from my sister who has had sinus issues for years.

2. I find a greater amount of humidity in my CPAP tends to help prevent sinus issues (I imagine it could complicate an actual infection, but I don't really know). My humidifier broke a while back and I used my CPAP without it - big mistake. I had major sinus trouble for 2 days. Fortunately, no infection.

3. Since dry air tends to bother my sinuses, I run an in-room humidifier in my bedroom. It's near my CPAP and I figure I'm getting more humidity that way.

4. I take Zyrtec when my allergies act up. I find I have sinus trouble when my allergies act up. So, if I start having allergy symptoms I take a Zyrtec. I could take it every day but I don't see a reason to.

5. I try a sinus rinse. I use NeilMed. Sometimes it helps. Sometimes it doesn't.

6. I don't wait too long to go to the doctor. I've found sinus infections don't clear up on their own. I don't go at the first sign of pressure and I'm all about not taking antibiotics when they're not needed, but I waited about 2 weeks with my first infection because I didn't know it was an infection. Those were a rough 2 weeks. My sister was actually the one who convinced me it was a sinus infection and I should head to the doctor.

Hope this helps.

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Hugs ready2sleep,

Sorry to hear about the sinus infections.

Are your sinuses x-rayed? to look for infection.

I wonder it the recurrent infections are not that but actually infections not cured.

I agree with Sandy and her doctor, Sinus take a long time to cure and 2 week antibiotics are needed. I know someone with a bad case was on them for longer.

See an ENT.

You got good suggestions.

James, user name JSkinner is going through a hard time with infections right now. There are a few links mentioning his problems.

You are not alone. This to shall pass.

On my apap manual it mentions not to use the machine for sinus or ear infections. I am not sure why. This should be taken up with your doctors.