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Infections
#1
Infections
I have been using cpap for about 3 months and I love it so far! However, I am currently in the throes of a massive throat infection that is un diagnosed... Mono test negative, strep test negative... Uvula swelling is the main problem, extremely painful, doctor has me on steroids now to try and reduce the swelling.
My question has been since this started is what in the hell do I have??? Is is possible I am not cleaning my mask, hose or humidifier reservoir properly??
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#2
RE: Infections
I am a long time (many year) CPAP user that rarely cleans my equipment. When I first started I did it daily, but over the years, maybe 3-4X monthly. I do not get as sick as often as I used too, and have not been sick in 3-5 years.

While it *is* possible (if you share equipment), or if you were sick, and did not clean after you might get sick again - but that's my thinking. Others may disagree...
*I* am not a DOCTOR or any type of Health Care Professional.  My thoughts/suggestions/ideas are strictly only my opinions.

"Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you. Jesus Christ and the American Soldier. One died for your Soul, the other for your Freedom."
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#3
RE: Infections
Hi stacey7950,
WELCOME! to the forum.!
I don't know what you have going on but I hope you get to feeling better, soon.
Hang in there for more responses to your post, much success to you with your CPAP therapy.
trish6hundred
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#4
RE: Infections
Sure it is POSSIBLE you have contracted something you grew in a dirty mask, but that's unlikely in my opinion.

How and how often do you clean your mask and hose?

For my mask, I clean it when it seems to need it -- weeks go buy without cleaning it and sometimes I do it every week. My hose is the same but not quite a often.

I go months without cleaning the little water tank and do not even dump the previous days water -- I just top it off each day with more water.

Very few of us are complaining about infections and almost no one about a noticeable INCREASE in frequency -- this is NOT a scientific result but it gives a loose indication that infections are not particularly common.

You didn't tell us anything about your lifestyle (and you don't need to if you don't wish to do so) but if you are single and dating you are more likely to have acquired something through kissing.

If you are totally monogamous (or even alone) then you still more likely to have picked up something through casual contact at work etc.

Ask your doctor for more aggressive testing or to see a specialist since you are obviously experiencing something beyond a mere 'sore throat'.

Get to an internist or infectious disease expert.

Hope you heal quickly and soon....
Sweet Dreams,

HerbM
Sleep study AHI: 49 RDI: 60 -- APAP 10-11 w/AHI: 1.5 avg for 7-days (up due likely to hip replacement recovery)

"We can all breathe together or we will all suffocate alone."
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#5
RE: Infections
Thanks for all of your input!! I am married, 12 years Smile I just got over pneumonia when I got my machine and it seemed to help!!
It was a long shot thinking my infection came from my cpap machine but many a sleepless night has had me searching for possible causes!!
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#6
RE: Infections
Hi, stacey7950

You just had pneumonia - I am guessing you had some pretty strong antibiotics for that. I am not a doctor, but as a person with a primary selective antibody immune deficiency I have a lot of personal experience with infection and antibiotic use. The throat infection has a really high likely-hood of being candida, IMO. It is easy enough to take the 1 pill diflucan (or similar - its rx so need a doc to agree) diflucan is what i use after antibiotics. Know that not all candida infections have the characteristic cheesy white appearance of thrush, although if you have a thick white coating anywhere in your mouth it is a dead giveaway. Certainly less side effects than being treated with cortisols!

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#7
RE: Infections
(11-21-2014, 07:51 AM)stacey7950 Wrote: However, I am currently in the throes of a massive throat infection that is un diagnosed... Mono test negative, strep test negative... Uvula swelling is the main problem, extremely painful, doctor has me on steroids now to try and reduce the swelling.
My question has been since this started is what in the hell do I have??? Is is possible I am not cleaning my mask, hose or humidifier reservoir properly??

If you have some kind of bacterial infection from your CPAP gear it seems the doctors would have caught that as they proceeded through the array of tests they've given you.

Hopefully the steroids will work. Meanwhile just keep your gear clean.
Sleepster

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#8
RE: Infections
This could be way out in left field but I used to do the same thing. I would wake up one am and that thing would be swelled to a huge size. Like having a small pickle banging around in there.

Some docs blamed it on snoring. Some noticed a tiny little flap of skin right at its base but said it was nothing but a bit of scar tissue from a tear I probably didnt even notice.

Fast forward about five years. This swollen Uvula thing was happening off and on. It would go down for a good while then overnight boom it would be gigantic again.

Id gotten nasal polyps and sinus polyps really bad. I had surgery to remove them. What might you ask else did he find while removing polyps??? That same little bit of tissue at the base of my uvula. Only from his angle of view it had a root on it.

So he took it out as well while he was in there. Turned out to be a squamous cell carcinoma. Not cancerous right then but getting darn close. Without that nasal surgery that found it it would have remained and turned cancerous.

With that gone uvula never swelled again now for over 12 yrs. Said all that to say go see a Ear nose and throat specialist. Just to be on the safe side.
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#9
RE: Infections
It is quite possible you caught something opportunistic coming right off the antibiotics for the pneumonia. That has happened to me twice with kidney infections. The antibiotic took care of that but set me up for something else. They never really figured out what it was but gave me another big antibiotic. The last time, it really messed up my mouth. Lost taste, big sores, etc. My doc prescribed this wonderful thing called Magic Mouthwash. I love that stuff! It took just a few days until I could eat food again and probably ten days until I could taste most things again.
PaulaO

Take a deep breath and count to zen.




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#10
RE: Infections
I agree with Ghost1958. If you aren't already seeing an ENT specialist, go see one! Good luck - and keeps us posted.
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