Fluid in ears/Sinus infections

Ever since I started CPAP in November of 2012 I've had increased issues with fluid in my ears and sinus infections. This last round has been awful. I took an antibiotic foe fluid in my ears for ten days, and literally 3 days later I had a full blown sinus infection. Again, this one was the worst yet. Horrible swollen painful throat, cough, headache, fluid in ears, fever, and really achy. I have never gotten a fever with these colds until now. I am finishing up another 10 antibiotic round tomorrow and seem to be ok, except fluid in my ear. I still get dizzy, which is a symptom of that for me, and have fullness in my right ear. Has anyone else had these issues, or have any advise? Thanks!!!

I have a sinus that gives me a headache often. Dr prescribed Nasonex and nasal irrigation with saline. That is helping me. Maybe this bump will get you some more responses.

You need to see a real ENT with cpap experience.

I'll have to follow this. I just started my therapy and my ear filled up and I feel like I have a sinus infection. I meet with an ENT tomorrow. I just hope I can be lucid enough to talk to them and tell them what I am really concerned about. Some days are pretty good for me though so I'm sure it will be fine and I'll be able to find out something. Please keep us updated on your issues. I'm finding more and more information about ear issues and CPAP, but then I wonder what I will do if I can't use the CPAP?

I've had multiple rounds of tubes in my ears due to fluid... have had no issues with using CPAP after. Consistent sinus infections for me was determined to be mastoiditis which had to be corrected surgically.

I'm definitely planning on seeing an ENT after reading several threads. I've always gotten ear infections, but not often enough to get tubes. Now, it is just a constant fullness. Thanks for all the advice and I'll keep everyone updated.

Loopylooloo please let me know how your appointment tomorrow goes!

+1... I want to hear what your ENT has to say.

I recently talked to my ENT about some late afternoon mild pressure that bothers my right ear, no discharge or dizziness tho. He said not to worry since my ear canal looked healthy and there was no swelling. He also put me on a week's regimen of Ciprodex which are antibiotic eardrops commonly used for earaches.

An Oracle oral CPAP mask will not put pressure in your ears if you can learn to use it without the nose plugs.

I found it dried my mouth and throat too much and not breathing through my nose bothered me, but it can avoid ear problems if CPAP is the cause.

Have you been changing out or cleaning the filter on your machine? I get a few inner ear infections....have you considered buying a quality Hepa room air filtering machine? I also use hydrogen peroxide to dry my ear canal out.

flutterby11 wrote:Loopylooloo please let me know how your appointment tomorrow goes!

The ENT said CPAP can cause issues with the inner ear in some people. He told me, essentially, I'd have to wait and see how bad it got and that they might would lower my pressure (I don't have a set one yet...I'm using APAP) that would still help the apnea but also take the pressure off the ears. Another step would be to put tubes in my ears. At this point it is like a wait and see approach. Unfortunately, while i wait and see I am miserable because putting the dang thing on for even part of the night makes my head fill up and also makes me dizzy. It's just adding to the issues I was already having.