Chronic Sinusitis

[Mandy F.]

O.k. so after being sick with super swollen glands and fatigue for months and doing a couple rounds of antibiotics, I had a CT scan and my doc found a massive sinus infection. She put me on another antibiotic then sent me to an ENT. By the time that I got in to see the ENT, it was like 6 weeks later. The ENT put me on steroids and had me repeat the CT scan last week to see if it helped. Since going off the steroid, the fatigue has gotten better but now I'm having such severe sinus headaches that their making me vomit! Nothing seems to be working... took Claritin, Zyrtec, Sudafed (PE and the real stuff). I might as well be eating tic tacs for all the good that Tylenol and Advil are doing for the pain. Even Percocet is only taking the edge off... I see the ENT again on Thursday... Anyone else had this? My sister suggested that I ask for Cingulair sp? because her ENT just put her on it for chronic sinusitis after nothing else worked for her. She said that it's working pretty well... I guess I'll try it. I AM JUST SO FRUSTRATED!!!! I haven't gotten anything done this week because I've felt so awful...

O.k. sorry to rant it does help a little, though...

Mandy

[Felidae]

I've only had two sinus infections in my life and those were bad enough. I can't imagine what pain you are in. It's a shame that the antibiotics didn't get rid of it for you. Sorry, I don't have any advice, but I hope someone else can help you.

[plantime]

Ok, veteran sinusitis sufferer here. You might think this is gross, but it totally works! take 1 cup of warm water, stir in two tablespoons of table salt. Stand over the bathroom sink, and snort the warm salt water up your nose. DO NOT SWALLOW IT! Hold it in your sinuses for a minute, then blow it out into the sink. Do this every four hours, to both sides of your nose. It will burn, as the salt tackles the infection, but it will also flush out the infection. You do not have to use the whole cup each time, just enough to get a good flush going. Do not save the water, make it fresh each time. This is what I do at the first sign of blockage/infection, and have not had to have antibiotics in a long time (knock on wood!).

[BRUMI1968]

Ok, veteran sinusitis sufferer here. You might think this is gross, but it totally works! take 1 cup of warm water, stir in two tablespoons of table salt. Stand over the bathroom sink, and snort the warm salt water up your nose. DO NOT SWALLOW IT! Hold it in your sinuses for a minute, then blow it out into the sink. Do this every four hours, to both sides of your nose. It will burn, as the salt tackles the infection, but it will also flush out the infection. You do not have to use the whole cup each time, just enough to get a good flush going. Do not save the water, make it fresh each time. This is what I do at the first sign of blockage/infection, and have not had to have antibiotics in a long time (knock on wood!).

Using a Nettie Pot might be easier that this way. It's a little pot you fill with salt water and you hold your head to the side, pouring the water up one nostril while opening and breathing through your mouth (preventing the water going into the lungs). It comes out the other side.

There is also another contraption that is like a syringe. You fill it with salt water and then pretty much repeat what I said above.

they have been using nettie pots in India for a thousand years and more. I hear they really help folks with sinus problems.

I know it may seem "out there", but it sounds like the regular docs aren't helping you a whit. Give it a shot. I'm not one who gets sinusitis, but Ayurveda has really helped me with other stuff.

Good luck.

[tarnalberry]

Yep - I do sinus rinses as well. I ended up getting a small squeeze bottle designed for such things at the drug store, because I was sick, and it would have been much farther to get a neti pot, and I didn't want to keep doing the "snort water" method. (It's totally doable, but takes some effort, and when you're sick and miserable, snorting already takes effort!) Sinus rinses do help. (Not the nose sprays, they don't rinse - the point is to *wash out* with a *volume of water* the sinuses.)

Allergy medications and allergy nose sprays (particularly the corticosteroid ones) can help, but they are serious medications. If it's a chronic problem, it may be worth trying, but stay aware of your reactions, of course.

[jenvan]

Have you been tested for allergies? Airborne, seasonal ? When I was younger I had horrible allergies that caused sinus infections every few weeks, was miserable... I also rec Tiffany and Dessa's sinus rinse. My allergist recommended it for me. It does help clean things out and prevent infections. You can buy a rinse kit and bottle at CVS too. Just make sure you blow up like a blow fish, hold your breath, or you may end up with water in the ears.

[lindalee]

I used to always get those and the last one I had I used a sinus cleanser and oil of oregano and a small amount of neosporum(sp) in the nose (close to the opening). If you need to know where I got mine, let me know. Several friends have purchased an over the counter sinus cleanser at the drug store for about $10. it is the one that looks like an aladins lamp. They said it helped with the allergies .These sinus problems are fugus/yeast and this seems to kill it. The neosporum helps because it is hard to get the fungus activity off the hairs in the nose. I still use the sinus cleanser to keep it healthy in there. All those antibotics cause yeast problems. Hope this will help you and you can get some healing. LindaLee

O.k. so after being sick with super swollen glands and fatigue for months and doing a couple rounds of antibiotics, I had a CT scan and my doc found a massive sinus infection. She put me on another antibiotic then sent me to an ENT. By the time that I got in to see the ENT, it was like 6 weeks later. The ENT put me on steroids and had me repeat the CT scan last week to see if it helped. Since going off the steroid, the fatigue has gotten better but now I'm having such severe sinus headaches that their making me vomit! Nothing seems to be working... took Claritin, Zyrtec, Sudafed (PE and the real stuff). I might as well be eating tic tacs for all the good that Tylenol and Advil are doing for the pain. Even Percocet is only taking the edge off... I see the ENT again on Thursday... Anyone else had this? My sister suggested that I ask for Cingulair sp? because her ENT just put her on it for chronic sinusitis after nothing else worked for her. She said that it's working pretty well... I guess I'll try it. I AM JUST SO FRUSTRATED!!!! I haven't gotten anything done this week because I've felt so awful...

O.k. sorry to rant it does help a little, though...

Mandy

see post #7.LLee

[jerseyangel]

Hi Mandy--Sorry you're feeling miserable I used to get sinus infections, and in addition to the meds the doctor prescribed, I also flushed out my nasal passages. I use an baby ear syringe--found at the drugstore. I mix up a cup of lukewarm water, 1/2 tsp salt and a pinch of baking soda. Be sure to this over a sink! After a while, the water will run out of your mouth--that's ok. I also found Flonaise very helpful for not getting as many infections. Hope you feel better soon!

[CarlaB]

The salt water flushes always worked wonders for me. Stay away from dairy, too, as it can cause mucus.

[loraleena]

I just read that the Mayo clinic has been doing studies that show that 90% of sinus infections are actually fungal in nature. That means that antibiotics won't work. In fact they will increase fungus. I would look into candida overgrowth and other forms of fungal crap that could be in there.

[jenvan]

I just read that the Mayo clinic has been doing studies that show that 90% of sinus infections are actually fungal in nature. That means that antibiotics won't work. In fact they will increase fungus. I would look into candida overgrowth and other forms of fungal crap that could be in there.

Really...that's interesting! Do you have a link or article for what you were reading? Would love to see it. Will try to track it down...

[lindalee]

I used to always get those and the last one I had I used a sinus cleanser and oil of oregano and a small amount of neosporum(sp) in the nose (close to the opening). If you need to know where I got mine, let me know. Several friends have purchased an over the counter sinus cleanser at the drug store for about $10. it is the one that looks like an aladins lamp. They said it helped with the allergies .These sinus problems are fugus/yeast and this seems to kill it. The neosporum helps because it is hard to get the fungus activity off the hairs in the nose. I still use the sinus cleanser to keep it healthy in there. All those antibotics cause yeast problems. Hope this will help you and you can get some healing. LindaLee

see post #7.LLee

Here is web site for Dr. Cass and the oil of oregano I use when needed-www.P73.com. LindaLee

[Kris Fisher]

I also do the warm water, salt and snort method. a Dr. told my Sister about it. People at work think I'm crazy. They have never heard of it before but the ones who have sinus infections have tried it and it works. Save a heck of alot of money from Dr and prescription bills.

Kris

[azmom3]

O.k. so after being sick with super swollen glands and fatigue for months and doing a couple rounds of antibiotics, I had a CT scan and my doc found a massive sinus infection. She put me on another antibiotic then sent me to an ENT. By the time that I got in to see the ENT, it was like 6 weeks later. The ENT put me on steroids and had me repeat the CT scan last week to see if it helped. Since going off the steroid, the fatigue has gotten better but now I'm having such severe sinus headaches that their making me vomit! Nothing seems to be working... took Claritin, Zyrtec, Sudafed (PE and the real stuff). I might as well be eating tic tacs for all the good that Tylenol and Advil are doing for the pain. Even Percocet is only taking the edge off... I see the ENT again on Thursday... Anyone else had this? My sister suggested that I ask for Cingulair sp? because her ENT just put her on it for chronic sinusitis after nothing else worked for her. She said that it's working pretty well... I guess I'll try it. I AM JUST SO FRUSTRATED!!!! I haven't gotten anything done this week because I've felt so awful...

O.k. sorry to rant it does help a little, though...

Mandy

I realize this is an older post, so hopefully you don't still have this going on. Someone else on here mentioned oil of oregnao....I highly recommend this. We put about 5 drops in a bowl of microwaved steaming water, lean our head over with a towel covering the bowl and our head and just breathe the steam. I've used oil of oregano for everything from sinus infection, to scorpion sting and everything in between. My sister used to work at Hi-Health and recommended it to me. It's a staple in our medicine box now.

[evie]

After going gluten free I was able to get myself over a serouis sinus infection a few months ago by using warm, distilled water/ salt & soda in a syringe. It is snorted in separate side of the nose while holding one nostril until 16oz water is used. one T. coarse salt/ 1t. soda i n 1 qt. warm water will do 3 or 4 "nose jobs" I even helped my husband get over one recently and he had always made fun of my snorting before( not anymore!! this recipe originally came from my allergist who said buy a kit/ pre mixed packets to put in water. My family Dr. gave me the recipe "much cheaper', Bless her heart!! Good luck to all of you who have sinus infections!! when we can get over these without antibiotics it is so wonderful!! I have taken so many antibiotics over the years I have developed problems to them or wore them out, just one big gun biotic they can use for mew anymore the salt and soda mixture matches the body PH. Best of luck all

with your sinuses!! evie