Sinus Infection Again

RubyGirl · 10-06-2012 10:53am #1

I hate sinus infection's, beginning to get a least one every 8 weeks now since my daughter was born in 2008.

Only off antibiotics Tuesday from a sore throat.

tk123 · 10-06-2012 10:52pm

Do you do have a nasal hygiene routine? I use Neilmed every morning and it's worked wonders for my sinuses.

huskerdu · 11-06-2012 3:07pm

tk123 wrote: »

Do you do have a nasal hygiene routine? I use Neilmed every morning and it's worked wonders for my sinuses.

I'm the same. I have also talked to a few other people with recurring sinus problems and long term you have have get into a habit of ongoing maintenance.

I have a nasal spray called Sterimar and Olbas Oil is very handy because it neat and portable.

I put a few drops on a tissue and sniff the fumes a few times a day at work if I am all blocked up.

2rkehij30qtza5 · 11-06-2012 3:10pm

Get a neti pot and sinus rinse sachets from a pharmacy. Also use Sterimar. And have you gone to an ENT specialist to ensure you don't have polyps? Cordysol mouth wash (over the counter) will help with your throat until you get the post nasal drip sorted with the neti pot

Graces7 · 11-06-2012 3:20pm

Just realised- thank you - that I have been clear of these for a long while. Used to be appalling.

It may be that I have cut out all household chemicals and perfumed stuff etc and spend as much time as I can out of doors.

The only thing I use is vick's and that not often now.

I have M.E over 40 years and senstitivities etc are a part of it.

I find that the less intervention the better. I do use anti histamines. OTC

RubyGirl · 11-06-2012 4:36pm

Thanks guys, just use flixonase nasal spray, but went to chemist yesterday and bought NeilMed Sinus Rinse so going to give it a try.

sambuka41 · 17-06-2012 9:21pm

Oh just to jump in here, did you use Neilmed rinse? My doctor wants me to use it, but I was reading the instructions and it says not to use it if your ears are effected. Mine are at the moment so I'm waiting to see if that goes down with the anitbiotics before i start.

Sinus is the worst, mine have been bad for a few years now, I had an X-ray and its my frontal sinus that are blocked, my doc seems reluctant to send me for a CT though, personally I'd like to know whats causing it.

Olbas oil is really good, I haven't found the Flixonase to be great.

pejay · 17-06-2012 9:36pm

tk123 wrote: »

Do you do have a nasal hygiene routine? I use Neilmed every morning and it's worked wonders for my sinuses.

Neilmed is very good new on the market

pejay · 17-06-2012 9:38pm

sambuka41 wrote: »

Oh just to jump in here, did you use Neilmed rinse? My doctor wants me to use it, but I was reading the instructions and it says not to use it if your ears are effected. Mine are at the moment so I'm waiting to see if that goes down with the anitbiotics before i start.

Sinus is the worst, mine have been bad for a few years now, I had an X-ray and its my frontal sinus that are blocked, my doc seems reluctant to send me for a CT though, personally I'd like to know whats causing it.

Olbas oil is really good, I haven't found the Flixonase to be great.

Do you find your ears get affected by this as i have recently had sinus infection and my ears feel full and i feel dizzy and off balance thanks

sambuka41 · 17-06-2012 10:05pm

pejay wrote: »

Do you find your ears get affected by this as i have recently had sinus infection and my ears feel full and i feel dizzy and off balance thanks

Yeah when it gets bad my ears and throat get bad. I'm not sure what cause it all, at night I can't breathe so I wake up a half dozen times a night with my mouth really dry, which makes my throat sore

its brutal. The headaches are the worst, they make me feel dizzy if I lean forward.

pejay · 17-06-2012 10:24pm

sambuka41 wrote: »

Yeah when it gets bad my ears and throat get bad. I'm not sure what cause it all, at night I can't breathe so I wake up a half dozen times a night with my mouth really dry, which makes my throat sore its brutal. The headaches are the worst, they make me feel dizzy if I lean forward.

Yes i am just getting over one now on strong pennicillian 1500mg daily i found the neilmed rinse very good but dont use it if ears are full or have fluid on them.

Maybe the infection you have is not fully going away and keeps recurring i have a nasal spray that i was given to use even when the infection has gone

I also take vitamin c daily as i had 9 sinus infections last year this year so far i have only got the 1

DublinDilbert · 17-06-2012 10:34pm

If anyone is having reoccurring sinus infections and the GP just keeps prescribing antibiotics, I would advise getting a second opinion and or going to a specialist.

I went around this loop before myself. Sinus infection every 4-6 weeks, GP perscribing anti biotics etc. One day my GP was on holidays, I went in chatted with the locom who gave me a letter for to get a ct/MRI to get to the root of it. Then to the specialist in the blackrock clinic who eventually operated on me.

I haven't looked back since, went from feeling crap, not being able to taste/smell for over a year to running marathons. :-)

Susie564 · 18-06-2012 9:33am

DublinDilbert wrote: »

If anyone is having reoccurring sinus infections and the GP just keeps prescribing antibiotics, I would advise getting a second opinion and or going to a specialist.

I went around this loop before myself. Sinus infection every 4-6 weeks, GP perscribing anti biotics etc. One day my GP was on holidays, I went in chatted with the locom who gave me a letter for to get a ct/MRI to get to the root of it. Then to the specialist in the blackrock clinic who eventually operated on me.

I haven't looked back since, went from feeling crap, not being able to taste/smell for over a year to running marathons. :-)

Second this! I was having reoccurring "sinus infections" and was put on multiple doses of antibiotics, used every OTC remedy possible - turned out there's nothing wrong with my sinuses at all :-) I wish I'd gotten a second opinion sooner.

username123 · 18-06-2012 9:48am

Another sufferer.

I have large nasal polyps. I was diagnosed after a run of sinus infections. But Id had post nasal drip and waking choking at night, difficulty getting to sleep etc for years before I was diagnosed.

First ENT said in a patronising tone 'no no no no, I can see you sitting there with your mouth closed, Id never operate on you, no point in operating, polyps come back' and prescribed rounds of steroids. Wanted me back so he could write prescriptions every 6 months. After one visit back I never went again. That was in 2009.

Got my GP to prescribe nasal steroids since and used sinus rinse. Took up swimming and the 'natural' rinsing seemed to help for a while.

Got bad again this year, asked to see a different ENT. He took one look, backed away, said 'I dunno how you are putting up with this, Im operating!'. CT scan revealed even worse than he thought! Huge polyp on one side, almost as big on the other side, one airway almost fully blocked, sinus cavities all blocked with mucus and hardened tissue. No drainage at all.

Im going in today for the surgery. Removing the polyps and cleaning out the blockages. He said the polyps DO come back, but it could be 10 years before they do so its always better to take them out because either way, theyll definitely still be there in 10 years if no surgery, and they only might be if you have surgery. And you are doing more damage all the time having them in and suffering the post nasal drip, no drainage, it affects my fitness, I cant breathe through my nose when I exercise etc...

To anyone suffering, see a good ENT.

sambuka41 · 18-06-2012 10:58am

Its so nice to hear from others, my GP last week was very patronising, he kept saying "you suffer from chronic sinisitus" as if he didn't believe me. The X-ray tech recommended that I get a CT but my GP wanted me to try different things before that, different sprays and rinses that cost €120 for his visit and those things. :rolleyes:

username123 best of luck today, glad you got a medical professional that helped

Susie564 · 18-06-2012 11:31am

sambuka41 wrote: »

my GP last week was very patronising, he kept saying "you suffer from chronic sinisitus" as if he didn't believe me.

I had the same, ongoing for about seven years or so - made me feel like I was going insane. In fairness, you do have to rule out all possible causes, but it shouldn't be left for so long. I dread to think the amount I've spent on GP fees and drugs and I also saw two ENT's and a pain consultant, had an xray and sinus CT.

I'm also heading in for surgery Tuesday next week - on my jaw though - pretty nervous, hope this doctor is right

Good luck username123, hope it goes well for you.

RubyGirl · 18-06-2012 11:38am

After a week of trying to clear it myself gave in on Friday and went to doc. On antibiotics for the week but even today they dont seem to be clearing it. Asked her about seeing an ENT and still on the waiting list. Bought the nasal wash and going to keep trying that aswell.

tk123 · 18-06-2012 11:53am

I find sudafed very good as well. Mine drip/run down into my chest and give me asthma so I have to keep the routine up or else it gets quite bad. When my preventer inhalers weren't doing their job the GP sent me to a specialist and he took me in to check my lungs/sinuses with a scope. Thank god for VHI!!
I take
Seratide inhaler
Neilmed
Antihistamine spray - Avamys
Antihistamine tablet - Zirtek/Citrine
Reliever as needed

username123 · 18-06-2012 12:28pm

sambuka41 wrote: »

Its so nice to hear from others, my GP last week was very patronising, he kept saying "you suffer from chronic sinisitus" as if he didn't believe me. The X-ray tech recommended that I get a CT but my GP wanted me to try different things before that, different sprays and rinses that cost €120 for his visit and those things. :rolleyes:

username123 best of luck today, glad you got a medical professional that helped

My GP was never a problem but the first ENT just put me off following it up. A family member had had nasal polyps removed twice, so I knew the symptoms myself. I had actually avoided mentioning it at all to my GP for years because I didnt even know it was something you should talk to a doctor about!

Interestingly, myself and a friend from the same office were made redundant last year and both of us have suffered much worse with sinus problems since - I think the office air con may have been masking the problem by drying out the sinuses during the day.

Good luck Susie564 on your surgery, I will update here and let people know how it goes.

sambuka41 · 18-06-2012 6:19pm

Susie564 wrote: »

I had the same, ongoing for about seven years or so - made me feel like I was going insane. In fairness, you do have to rule out all possible causes, but it shouldn't be left for so long. I dread to think the amount I've spent on GP fees and drugs and I also saw two ENT's and a pain consultant, had an xray and sinus CT.

Yeah this is going on three years for me now, I think the Neilmed rinse is the last attempt for me, if I don't see improvements then I'll insist on a referral to ENT. My doctors change, a few working out of the one surgery which makes it a bit of a pain each time I go in I have to ask them to read my history. The GP last week wanted me to take anti-histamines, which I have already tried to no avail (all of which was documented in my history):mad:

Best of luck with your surgery, hope it goes well.

username123 · 19-06-2012 11:54am

Well I have survived the surgery and much to my gross out disgust (and presumably my ENTs, although he behaved like a delighted child telling me), my polyps were both grade 3ish (4 is the worst), and one was almost completely blocking my left airway.

And both of my cheek sinus cavities were, and I quote 'filled to the brim with pus, no chance of drainage, god knows how long like that'.

The moral of the story is this - the ENT told me that he has seen people lose their eyesight, hearing and have brain damage from not addressing sinus issues (spreading infections from cavities full of pus). So always address them.

He wasnt expecting the pus. Either was I! I promise I wont be letting the polyps get so bad again!

And the surgery is not too bad, its not painful as such, just an uncomfortable blocked nose and itchy throat - much like normal lol - although the internal pressure is gone and despite the blocked nose, the airways feel clearer.

RubyGirl · 20-06-2012 5:13pm

Still feeling crap, after a week on antibiotics sinus's still have'nt really cleared at all.

username123 · 20-06-2012 8:03pm

RubyGirl wrote: »

Still feeling crap, after a week on antibiotics sinus's still have'nt really cleared at all.

Yeah, thats how I used to be. It was because it could never clear because my nasal polyps would always trap infected mucous and start it off again.

From everything you have posted here, you need to see an ENT, and fast. You are only risking your own health not to.

RubyGirl · 20-06-2012 9:12pm

Thanks username123 I going to ring the hospital in the morning and see where I am on the waiting list.

username123 · 21-06-2012 11:44am

RubyGirl wrote: »

Thanks username123 I going to ring the hospital in the morning and see where I am on the waiting list.

Thats a good idea.

Its also worth remembering that the cost of 2 or 3 GP visits plus price of antibiotics is roughly same as one private visit to a consultant. And with ENT they can usually tell in the first visit whats going on with their little camera/telescope as the problem is visible when they look inside the sinus cavity.

Its shocking that you have been having sinus infections over and over since 2008 and are only on a waiting list now!

RubyGirl · 21-06-2012 1:33pm

Can I just make a private appointment myself or do I have to be referred from my doctor.

Finished antibiotics today and still not cleared up.

username123 · 21-06-2012 4:27pm

It depends what you want to do.

You are already on a waiting list. You could ring the hospital, get the name of who you are waiting to see, ring his secretary and tell her that you have decided youd rather see him privately and get a faster appointment that way - they can use the existing referral letter.

Alternatively you could go via your GP and get a new referral letter for someone else entirely.

It really depends on who you want to see. If you dont mind who you see then go with ringing the hospital as above.

Susie564 · 21-06-2012 5:09pm

Agree with the recent posts above - I went to see a private ENT too. Call them and explain your situation, they might even bump you up the list and if not see about the private option.

I used to be the same - a week on a really strong antibiotics and all it did was wipe me out and had no effect on my "sinus infection".

Glad your op went well username123 - sounds disgusting but you should notice a big improvement with all that out.

username123 · 21-06-2012 8:31pm

Susie564 wrote: »

Glad your op went well username123 - sounds disgusting but you should notice a big improvement with all that out.

Thanks Susie564, the recovery is pretty gross as well but becoming easier day by day.

happygoose · 22-06-2012 9:40am

Hi username123,

I went through treatment in 2008/2009 and had polyps removed. I'm back with problems now, I've a CT scan and I see my ENT consultant on 10th July.

Were you long waiting from the time of your scan & consultation until the operation was carried out?

If you don't mind could you PM me the name of the 1st and 2nd ENT consultant you seen? I've a feeling I'm seeing the 1st ENT consultant you saw. He wants to take me off my GPs books and assess me every 6 months. He said surgery's an option of last resort for him and much prefers the use of topical steroids. I'm not getting much relief from them.

Thanks, HG.

RubyGirl · 22-06-2012 10:40am

Now thanks for telling me to look into that. Rang today and I'm on the waiting list since June '11 and girl in office said it would be another year until I get an appointment:eek:

She told me to get back to doctor and get her to send in another letter saying I'm a little more urgent or ring and speak to the consultant over my chart.

Sinus Infection Again

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