wondering if this may be the cause

i was sick most of october. first i had two minor colds then i got bronchitis and was put on puffers and antibiodics. i didn't use my machine for that week while i was recouperating. i started back using it sunday night and now i'm starting to feel some issues again. my throat is sore and i'm losing my voice. now i've started taking some supplements to boost my immunity but i'm wondering if it's my machine re-infecting me. and if it is the machine wouldn't it be the same virus? i don't know what to think i am just tired of being sick. i do have a vitamin b12 deficiency that i need to get injections for monthly and it's been a few months since i went. that might be it too. just thought i would pop on here and ask around. thanks

Hi, if you've kept your mask clean, it's unlikely the machine could reinfect you as all the air is coming out of it. I'm sorry I haven't seen your other posts, but is it possible your humidifier is either on too high, which gives many people cold-like symptoms (congestion, etc.) or too cold (do you have a heated one, or hose cover?) or not high enough? I would say not having the B12 could well affect your immune system though, and it's too bad you haven't had it recently - do you think it could have affected your illness?

You really need to get your Vit B12 injections and get them every month. I do think that this is why you are not feeling well. Also as julie said be sure to keep your mask and humidifier clean while you build your immunity back up with the B12 shots

rosie

What is your humidifier set at and what is the humidity in your bedroom right now? You may need to set your machine humidifier higher or lower, depending on the humidity.

I am in London Ontario and have my humidifier set at 0 for most of the year. In the last month we are getting colder weather and less humidity. I have set my machine at 1 for now. I may goup to 2 when it gets colder and drier here.

Also, did you clean everything well after you were sick (all mask parts, main hose, humidifier water chamber)?

Just a few thoughts that come to me.

i don't know. all i know is that i've been told by two people now (one being my chiropractor and the other at the health food store) that reg. sugar lowers your immune system and i do love my sugar esp in my tea lol. i bought some stevia to try.
going to have to get to the walk in clinic since i don't have a family dr where i live so i can get that b12

i haven't cleaned it well since being sick with bronchitis. i have been so busy. i will probably do it this weekend. what can i use do you think that will sanitize it enough to get rid of anything. i also am on a well here so i don't know if it's okay to use that water to clean with. i only use distilled in the actual tank though. i use the wipes on my mask though since using the machine. i just haven't done much with the tubing and tank. i change the distilled in the tank everyday. my humidifier is always on. not sure what it's set at. the air isn't cold and it's not really warm. it's like luke warm/cooler. my bedroom was cold but we put a heater in there.

You might try Control III disinfectant if you are worried about viruses. It's reasonably priced... cpap.com carries it...

If you don't mind giving yourself shots, you can have a doctor, when you get one, order this to be given monthly and then get it from your drug store and give it to yourself or have a family member give it to you. They can teach you how to do this at your doctor's office. It is important that you get this every month, you will be amazed at how much better you will feel.

You can rinse your humidifier with vinegar and this will help to disinfect it. I don't clean out my humidifier or clean my mask that often. I really don't think that is why you don't feel well. Just my opinion.

rosie

i don't know if that is possible to give myself the shots i'm in canada.
i am afraid of needles so not sure it would work anyhow lol. i'm taking it with me to work and hopefully will have a chance to pop into the clinic. i'll ask them when i go there.

OK, a few thoughts.

Get your vitamin D level checked, you sound like you might be deficient and living in Canada where sunlight is less intense, well, unless you spend a lot of time in the mid-day outside exposed to sunlight and are less than 40 yrs old... I think you can get a test kit online from the Vitamin D Council. You probaby won't have a robust immune sytem without sufficient vitamin D.

Vinegar disinfects. When I wash my mask parts, after rinsing off the soap while it's still wet, I spray with plain old white vinegar and let sit 3 minutes, then rinse very very well and let air dry.

When I had bronchitis, I was told in no way was I to sleep without my equipment while I was sick.

Have you replaced your toothbrush? Many people forget that they need to do this fairly often, especially after having a virus. I would doubt your CPAP is making you sick if you have cleaned your mask and hose.

i dont take regular vitamins so it's a possibility it is vitamin D i'm missing as well. i don't know that the regular blood test would show that. i may have to go see a naturopathic dr to get my vitamin levels checked. i did go for my vit b12 shot today and started my vit C/echinacea regiment today. i went to the doctors and i'm on another puffer cause i have laringytis now.