Sinuses And Fever

[Anteau25]

Hey everyone. I was just wondering if anyone could help me figure out what is wrong with me! I have had chronic sinus problems for years. I had sinus surgery about three years ago which helped for awhile, but before I knew it, the problems returned. I am not sure if has any relation to celiac. I was diagnosed with celiac disease a year ago, but looking back, I had symptoms for at least four years prior to diagnosis. I also noticed that my sinus issues started getting pretty bad around that time. For the past 1 1/2 weeks I have been having severe sinus pain and pressure. I get such bad headaches and pain that I sometimes have to take loritab to get through a work day. The loritab doesn't even work too well. It just takes the edge off. I also have had a low grade fever (99-99.5) on and off. In the past I have dealt with low grade fevers for several weeks at a time along with these sinus problems. I have been to my dr and a couple ENTs. My current ENT sent me for a CAT scan awhile ago, and he said it was fine. He gave me three different antiobiotics over the course of several visits in a couple months time. When he gave me the third antibiotic, he also gave me an liquid antibiotic flush for my sinuses. I decided not to use either of these. All of these drs keep writing me scripts even though they don't help! I can't keep taking these-especially when they don't help. I am starting to get kinda scared because I don't know what is wrong with me or where to go for help. I also have type 1 diabetes, and my blood sugars run a little high during these times. I have to increase my insulin and eat very low carb meals, to try to keep control of my sugars. Today I didn't feel like I had a fever until this evening. I took my temp, and it was 99.2. Then about an hour later, I felt ok, took it again, and it was 98.3. This is not uncommon during these times. When I have long stretches of fevers I take motrin or tylenol. Sometimes it helps; sometimes it doesn't. The fever seems to come and go as it pleases. I just want to be healthy and feel healthy. I work hard to control my blood sugars and avoid gluten like the plague. Now, if I can get to the bottom of this, I should be all set. Well, at least for a little bit! LOL! If anyone can help me, or has suggestions, please, pease let me know.

[trents]

Have you had a CBC ("Complete Blood Count") done? Does it show high levels of infection fighting cells (neutrophils, eosinophils, etc.) or other things that are out of wack? Your temps are pretty low and the variation in them may be within normal range for you, not indicative of infection. Then again, a lot of people don't respond to infection with fever unless the infection is more systemic. Something is wrong, however, since your are getting pressure and pain. Have you had any allergy testing done? It is typical for celiacs to develop food allergies of various kinds due to leaky gut syndrome. Damage to the mucosa of the small intestine allows food proteins to get into the blood stream that are larger than the normal molecules allowed to pass in the gut of the nonceliac. The body interprets them as foreign invaders. Perhaps your sinus congestion pain are an allergic response.

Steve

[Anteau25]

Have you had a CBC ("Complete Blood Count") done? Does it show high levels of infection fighting cells (neutrophils, eosinophils, etc.) or other things that are out of wack? Your temps are pretty low and the variation in them may be within normal range for you, not indicative of infection. Then again, a lot of people don't respond to infection with fever unless the infection is more systemic. Something is wrong, however, since your are getting pressure and pain. Have you had any allergy testing done? It is typical for celiacs to develop food allergies of various kinds due to leaky gut syndrome. Damage to the mucosa of the small intestine allows food proteins to get into the blood stream that are larger than the normal molecules allowed to pass in the gut of the nonceliac. The body interprets them as foreign invaders. Perhaps your sinus congestion pain are an allergic response.

Steve

Thanks for your response. About 2 1/2 months ago my dr sent me for bloodwork. It did include a CBC and some other tests, but everything came back normal. I know the fevers are on the low side, but it is above normal for me. Also, when they are slightly elavated, I can feel the increase. That's what leads me to checking my temp. It really wears me out too. I haven't had any allergy testing done but will definitely look into it. Thanks again for your input!

[jerseyangel]

Hi,

I had sinus problems similar to what you are experiencing for years. I took antibiotics, which never seemed to help.

I have had a lot of improvement since going dairy free and then gluten free. I also irrigate my sinuses--that helps immensely. You can use simple saline or a Neti Pot.

I haven't had a sinus infection since going gluten-free 2 years ago. I did get an upper respiratory infection in July which cleared up nicely with a course of Zithromyicin.

[georgie]

My husband was as you are for years - with chronic Sinus infections and a failed sinus op. He also was tired all the time. Years after Drs started testing him for general health issues re his CFS, we found an old blood test that showed his TSH was 2.2 and was NOT normal as they had told us. We changed Drs, he started Thyroid meds, and has barely had a sinus infection since. He was taking daily tablets - now hasn't bought any for over a year. I notice you said you are Type 1 Diabetic - that is autoimmune. So have you had Autoimmune Thyroid checked ? The Dr need to test the full Thyroid panel - not just TSH - and check Thyroid Antibodies, and level of the Free T4 and Free T3.