Sinus Infections

[sprocket]

So I've always had problems with them, including surgery as a child but now I've gotten nasty cases twice since May. Knocks me completely out, facial pain, headaches, clogged sinuses, respiratory problems and minor fever. Took 2 weeks to almost fully recover last time and I'min the midst of a bout right now.

 

I'm going to the doc's tomorrow. Any advice on questions to ask? Treatments that have worked for you? Given that they aren't always caused by bacteria what else works besides antibiotics?

 

Thanks

[sobo]

Have you ever been diagnosed for a deviated septum?

[Tokogirl]

Sobo hit the nail on the head!

A friend of mine had always come down with at least 2-3 horrendous sinus infections/head colds,that lasted about a month, every year. Seemed the infections were harder to shake - he is otherwise very healthy. Finally went to a specialist, not sure what kind, and had surgery on his septum as he had his nose broken bike racing and it never healed correctly. Now, about 6 years later, he hasn't had a sinus problem.

[dirtysloper]

I used to get multiple serious infections. Not anymore though. Cut the sugar out of my diet. Problem solved. Good luck!

[sprocket]

Never been diagnosed with a deviated septum and have never broken my nose but will ask doc if that is a possibility.

 

I had surgery when I was twelve and that got rid of the chronic problem I had then and the only recurrence was at the end of bouts of the flu or a nasty cold when my sinuses would be clogged for a week or so.

 

This is a very recent thing, 2 bad bouts in the span of 2 months.

 

I've always had a sweet tooth, not sure I could go sans sugar.

 

Thanks for the feedback.

[sobo]

I've never broken my nose (or any part of my body, for that matter), but I was born with a deviated septum. I finally had it operated upon last December and I've never been so blessed to breathe as I am now.

 

And to think that the rest of you go around breathing so freely, without even a second thought! You should all be falling down upon your knees and giving thanks and praise every day for such a miracle. My miracle cost me $1,806.72 after insurance and deductibles.

 

Best money I ever spent. :snifffffffffffffffffff: Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...

 

...Finally went to a specialist, not sure what kind, and had surgery on his septum...

Otolaryngologist. An ears, nose, and throat doc.

[selkirk]

Sudafed at the first sign of any sort of crap building up anywhere near your sinus. Dry the fucker out and don't let anything get a foothold. Same thing my mom does, same thing my step mom does, and between the three of us I've never actually met someone who lives with more long term severe allergies.

Now go take your drugs!

[coug4]

Get and read the book Sinus Survival - changed my life in 1999. Irrigation was the answer.

[layton]

pour salt water up your nose

[sprocket]

Tried the salt water in the nose. Worst experience in my life, sinuses went crazy and my head felt like it was going to explode. I had to put on a hot compress and take a bunch of codeine Tylenol.

 

Went to the doctor and got anti-biotics, was told if it recurs that she wanted check for structural issues. She said the salt rinse is good for maintenance but once it sets in it's not a good idea.

 

The Sudafed idea wouldn't have worked in either of the last two bouts since the first came at the tail end of the flu and this one started as 3 days of what felt more like a chest cold.

 

[layton]

I wonder if some people have overly reactive dormant strains of bacteria in their sinuses similar to girls who get recurrent bacterial vaginosis?

 

sorry the salt water trick didn't work. there are some mixtures that don't aggravate so much as just straight salt water. An ENT doc will do more than speculate on an climbing website

[sprocket]

I wonder if some people have overly reactive dormant strains of bacteria in their sinuses similar to girls who get recurrent bacterial vaginosis?

 

sorry the salt water trick didn't work. there are some mixtures that don't aggravate so much as just straight salt water. An ENT doc will do more than speculate on an climbing website

 

I wonder the same thing, if the bacteria was sitting there dormant from the previous bout and then just was triggered again.

 

The doctor was all for the saline flush but as maintenance, she said it could just stir things up once the infection was in full swing.

 

I was just looking for some feedback since there seem to be some well informed people on this site and I got some.

 

The reality of out medical system is that I got my doctor at the end of a hectic day and got at most 10 minute with her so I wanted to have some questions to throw at her. Hopefully a round of antibiotics does the trick and this doesn't become chronic.

[akhalteke]

Take all of your anti-biotics and that wont happen (as long as they did a culture and sensitivity). The reason for all those fucking super bugs is because people only take their medicine until they feel better, not what is on the bottle.

[JosephH]

After twenty years of doing it because of chronic sinus infections I agree salt water irrigation is the answer - but you do have to get to where you do it on a regular basis and especially as and once an infection gets going.

 

Does it take some getting used to and knowing how much salt and what temp? It does, but once you get the temp/salinity down and get used to the feeling then it should become a habit. I do it regularly and at the mere hint of any sinus/respitory infection. Antibiotics by and large don't work on sinus infections because your sinuses are an exterior body cavities / environments which antibiotics internal to your body can only deal with them in the most limited fashion.

 

I'd say you need to get the irrigation thing down for the first few goes when you aren't in the middle of a flareup...

 

As far as antibiotic resistance goes it's a broad combination of factors: overpresrcibing, not completing them, and their use in animals/foodstocks. Beyond those problems there is also a very complex web of gene swaps between human pathogens and common soil and water-borne bacteria which is severely exacerbated by the way we deal with industrial pig and chicken waste (think of common soil bacteria as a fast random number generator which can crack the codes of antibiotic protection).

 

[layton]

Ear "infections" in children faces a very similar problem.

90% of the time it's not an infection, but an irritation. But with the quick access to drugs, angry worried moms, and overworked doctors, antibiotics are usually prescribed. And if it's an infection, you'd want them!

 

I would demand a culture

[chris]

Only my opinion here, but it sounds alot like chronic sinusitis (more than which may be d/t several factors i.e. bacterial, fungal (yes, possible), bone structure. If you have seasonal allergies, it may be exacerbating the issue along with the yearly sickness/influenza/cold or a topical decongestant used longer than 3 days. I would suggest that you ask for a culture and sensitivity (give you an idea which bug and tests for resistance of antibiotics), CT scan (will show inflammation and bone issues if an issue), discuss meds longer than the allotted course of 10 days - for something that may be chronic, you may need to go 3 - 4 weeks. Decongestants if it gets to it, discuss topical and oral w/them. And definitely ask for a referral to the ENT/oto specialist. The salt nose rinse is great after it all clears, especially w/allergies.

 

Hope this helps!

 

Montanapup

[coug4]

Irrigation:

 

I learned to use non-iodized salt and a pinch of baking soda in distilled warm water. I guage the salt mixture by tasting a sample until is tastes like tears. Then heat 1/2 cup of the saline in the microwave to body temp. A ear irrigator does the job (no need for those "neti pots"). Fill and hold then gently blow. Disgusting but you get used to it quickly. I use it at the first sign of conjestion, infection or even a cold to reduce the likelyhood of infection. If you get the mixture wrong, too rich or too lean, it can be outright painful. Work on it - I swear by it!

[sobo]

Time for a little review of the procedure...

 

Grossness to ensue in 3... 2... 1...

[sprocket]

Ok, so now that I've been debilitated several days (with no end in sight) from a reaction to the Amoxicillin and having to cancel a climb and being reduced to a couch potato I’m ready to embrace something different.

 

Is there a good place to start with the sinus irrigation? What and where to buy? The basic "recipe" for the solution? How often? Daily? With the onset of congestion or respiratory distress?

 

Thanks

 

[sobo]

See the link in my post immediately above. ^^

 

I think carolyn and/or rmncwrtr said (in the linked thread) you can get these things (neti pots) at any drug store (Wallgreens, Rite-Aid, etc.). Follow instructions for making the solution, dosages, etc. Do a Google search and a Wikipedia search for "neti pot" and be overloaded with beta. I did, and was.

[crackers]

I'll plug the non neti pot neti pot that you can buy at any pharmacy. It's a giant squeeze bottle. It helps get good pressure in and really clear the damn area out. Neil Med Sinus Rinse or something...prescribed to me by my ENT incidentally.

[mneagle]

I recommend seeing my friend Seth Schwartz at Virginia Mason. I went to residency with him. He's a very smart ear nose and throat doctor who also happens to be a super nice guy. He's also a climber.

 

Dr. Schwartz