Sinus Problems

[gfp]

Since last October I have had really bad sinus' ... and I'm not sure if this is due to change of diet and more risks or allergy or something else.

Basically I always had dodgy sinus' .. but to different degrees and depending how 100% gluten-free I am it seems to be better and worse...

Patient History ... (LOL) I watch too much House

I moved to London last Oct ... At the time I had been through quite some stuff over a relationship and was in a pretty big mess health wise, lost about 30% of my bodyweight over a period of months etc. (starting off from pretty much at the lower end of OK to start with)... so I was critically underweight, no interest in even eating and depressed.

The move I thought would get me out of this... and equally Paris which had been turned somewhat sour by the end to the relationship.

Ooops...

Well the work didn't turn out as planned .(long and irregular hours, no lunch break etc.).. and indeed forced me to change my diet from what had been (prior to the breakup) based on fresh food, prepared from scratch and almost no specialist gluten-free products to eating 'gluten-free products' on a regular basis.

I think partly I knew I had to eat something ... so I started buying the gluten-free products (which in the UK means <200ppm gluten).

On one hand I got back to a reasonable weight... but now I have constant sinus problems...

I mean real constant ... other than 2 weeks in Mexico when they just cleared up at XMAS I literally vomit each morning with the mucus in my stomach and have to clear them out... sometimes its infected (bright yellow) and sometimes its clear... but its pretty much always there...

Just to add a little info, if I use an allergy spray its much better ...

My thoughts are:

1/ I'm getting micro-glutened by some of the products. This always makes my other allergies worse.

2/ Its something environmental (air fresheners used at work? mould at home?)

3/ I also randomly lost half a tooth (which I thought was diet + poor care over years + I never got my wisdom teeth out so the teeth are crushed) but its a big hole (on the inside) and keeps getting infected ...

SO I wonder if the infection is jumping from the tooth to sinus? with the allergies not helping?

Unfortunately one major reason for my lack of dental care is I have a really bad gag reaction and its 100x worse with the sinus problems. I simply can't sit in the dentists chair while they work on it... and its next to impossible to get a full general anesthetic here.

Any thoughts appreciated ....I'm really getting to the end of my tether vomiting each morning...

[ravenwoodglass]

Is there any way at all that you can get that tooth removed? I don't know if it is contributing to your sinus problems but repeated infections in your mouth have a high risk of spreading to your brain and possibly even damaging your heart. I know you travel quite a bit, if it is impossible to accomplish on your side of the pond are you planning any trips to the states? It is not hard to find an oral surgeon here and that is who they would send you to. Are there any at all where you are? Are you able to make an appointment with one or do you have to have a regular dentist send you to one?

I also would imagine that the CC issue also would be having an impact on your sinuses. It sounds like you are still going through a rough patch but you need to take care of yourself. If you have a slow cooker perhaps you could do some simple stews and soups to help cut down on the amount of CC you are getting. Those nasty air fresheners could also be having an impact. I hate those things myself, they are not a healthy way to freshen air. IMHO they simply make stale nasty air 'smell' better by adding even more nasty stuff to it. There are some studies that have been done showing that they are not healthy, could you get the folks at work to stop using them if you tell them you are allergic?

[missy'smom]

I highly recemmend rinsing the nasal passages with a gental saline solution, 1/4 tsp. salt to 1 c. warm water. I found it was most effective as son as I woke up in the am. It can be done more than once a day. You should do it everyday. You're in a bad state right now so it may take a little while to clear up the problem but I believe it will help, even if your problems stem from a variety of factors.This made a world of difference with me when I was having frequent inections and helped me get off antibiotics completely. The rinsing not only helps wash it out but helps thin the mucous. Massaging my sinus area and temples also helped to break up and drain the mucous when it was really backed up.

[jerseyangel]

Steve,

I've had sinus problems for years--tried everything, Rx and over the counter--had 2 cat-scans (negative). Personally, mine don't seem tied to my food issues. I've been off dairy for almost 3 years, and off gluten for 2 1/2.

I take Claritin and use a steroid nasal spray when really needed, but I find that using a Neti Pot helps fabulously. I do it every day--it's part of my morning routine--like brushing my teeth. I do 1/4 teaspoon sea salt to a cup of lukewarm water. One you find the posture that's right for you, it is actually relaxing.

I used to do this with a nasal syringe, which also works well, but since I switched to the Neti Pot, I'm liking that much better. By cleaning your sinuses each day, you should not have to vomit to get rid of the excess mucus--and I think you would find improvement rather quickly.

I'm concerned about your tooth--I don't think it's related to your sinus problem, only because I broke my bottom right wisdom tooth years ago and it got infected. I took antibiotics, had it pulled and that was that--but the sinus issues remained unchanged either way. Of course, that was just my experience.

I don't know the location of your problem tooth, but I know that there is not much room between the sinus and the top row of teeth. At any rate, it's never good to have an ongoing or reoccuring infection anywhere--but especially where it could spread to the brain.

I completely understand the sensitive gag reflex--got that, too. I will admit that I hate going to the dentist--I try and breathe through the visit, and mentally put myself in a different place. Would speaking to the dentist about your apprehension do any good? I think (and I know you do, too) that you will feel better all around with that taken care of--not to mention the peace of mind.

[RiceGuy]

I think the change in diet is a likely culprit. For me, I know GMO corn will do me in, so I have to always make sure it's organic (non-GMO) corn. Basically I try to verify organic status of all my foods.

The possibility of gluten sneaking in sounds reasonable, especially given the CODEX rules. I'd never accept that, but that's me. You know your own sensitivity best.

HTH

[RiceGuy]

Yikes!!

I just clicked on a sponsor's banner ad, on this very site, and every product I looked at had wheat starch as the first ingredient! They apparently sell stuff which is available in Europe.

They have this under the ingredients list:

*This specially formulated wheat starch contains less than 200 parts per million (0.02%) gluten, which is certified as safe for celiacs according to the European Union Codex Standard

I'd never eat something like that. Just because they can extract some portion of the protein doesn't mean the immune system won't react. IMHO, it's not just the ppm, but the fact that the immune system will attempt to defend the body against any perceived threat, and who's to say that other portions of the whole gliadin protein aren't a trigger for some people? The way I see it, the more a substance resembles one to which your body is intolerant, the more likely you are to have trouble from it. And how much closer to gluten can they get than wheat starch, especially when it has so much of the texture that gluten imparts? That's a mighty thin line!

[gfp]

I think the change in diet is a likely culprit. For me, I know GMO corn will do me in, so I have to always make sure it's organic (non-GMO) corn. Basically I try to verify organic status of all my foods.

The possibility of gluten sneaking in sounds reasonable, especially given the CODEX rules. I'd never accept that, but that's me. You know your own sensitivity best.

HTH

Yeah, I have to agree and regardless of the sinus issues ... The problem with the CODEX stuff is you don't know what is and what isn't gluten-free (in the real way)... so some things don't say gluten-free but seem OK, others say gluten-free but you don't know etc.

I take Claritin and use a steroid nasal spray when really needed, but I find that using a Neti Pot helps fabulously. I do it every day--it's part of my morning routine--like brushing my teeth. I do 1/4 teaspoon sea salt to a cup of lukewarm water. One you find the posture that's right for you, it is actually relaxing.

Well that's two votes for salt, plus my mom.... = 3

Also previously I had a "homeopathic spray" which was basically salt water with a silver suspension and since the silver is unlikely to really do anything the salt water was probably the reason.

Add to this swimming in the sea in Mexico cleared it up ....

I completely understand the sensitive gag reflex--got that, too. I will admit that I hate going to the dentist--I try and breathe through the visit, and mentally put myself in a different place. Would speaking to the dentist about your apprehension do any good?

Last time I tried this the dentist just told me how it was all in my head...!!!

I really don't care if it is....

Being perfectly honest the other side of this is me potentially having a panic attack and what damage I would do to someone who I feel is suffocating me.... other than being strapped down as well ???

[buffettbride]

My daughter always has sinus flare ups especially when she gets glutened. Her sinus troubles will linger long after a glutening and was a primary symptom prior to diagnosis. She uses a saline solution to flush her sinus periodically, and that seems to ease things up. She is very susceptible to ear, nose, throat type infections and it seems to be what "gets her" when she's been glutened and her immune system is lowered because of it. She gets strep, sinus infections, dry lips, sore throats. The saline really has been her best bet. She's never been tested for other allergies, but I'd imagine she'd fall in that hay-fever category and such.

[Phyllis28]

I have also had sinus trouble for many years. I do not have allergies. I agree with Jersyangle that one of keys is to keep the sinues clean and clear. I do this by taking two hot steaming showers a day to maintain them. If they flair up I take many of the steps Jersyangle does.

Hope you feel better soon.

[lizard00]

Add my mother's, mine and my husband's vote for the NetiPot/saline rinse. Works wonders!!!

I had horrible sinus pressure and I found a homeopathic combo that works wonders. If something along those lines is available where you are, I would definitely check into that. You can take them pretty much as often as needed with no nasty side effects.

My husband has pretty bad allergies... horrible in fact. He has started doing the NetiPot everyday along with seeing an acupuncturist. She told him his lymph nodes were severely impacted. He has completed his 5th week of treatment and his face looks thinner because the swelling has gone down. We didn't even realized he was swollen until it went away. Anyway, he doesn't wake up every morning coughing and sneezing and trying desperately to clear his head. He has actually forgotten to take his allergy medicine a few times after his treatments. So, something else maybe worth looking into.

[Ursa Major]

Steve, I clearly remember when you went to your brother's wedding (if I recall correctly) and being glutened by your mother with codex bread to the point where you weren't rational and swore you'd never stay at your mother's house again.

And now you have chosen to poison yourself with that same stuff, and wondering why you aren't well?

Obviously you are so sensitive that you simply can't eat those things. You seriously need to find a way to make your own food again.

As for your tooth: If your current dentist is an insensitive moron who can't understand why you gag, find another one who is more understanding!

I had a root canal done a year and a half ago. I am so terrified of the dentist, due to some bad experiences I've had, plus being almost impossible to freeze properly, that I needed anesthesia as well. They can do something that is not complete anesthesia (I don't remember the proper name), where a nurse/anesthetist comes into the dentist's office (as opposed to the hospital, where it becomes prohibitively expensive) and puts an IV in. She puts you out enough that you can't feel a thing, but still respond to the doctor's commands, as in, "Open wide" or whatever. But you really don't remember a thing when you wake.

In fact, you are awake within a couple of minutes after the procedure. But you aren't supposed to drive for a day after, because you might be somewhat groggy.

The anesthesia wasn't covered by insurance and cost us $750.00. Which was worth it to me.

[psipsina]

I'll add my love of the neti pot to others here. I use it daily and have had a drastic reduction in sinus related symptoms. I can literally see the pollen outside and I'm breathing fine . . . without the neti pot I'd be on claratin, nasonex and still on my way to a sinus infection. My husband who has struggled with snoring and sinus related problems his whole life started sleeping thru the whole night for the first time he can remember the first night he tried a neti pot with me.

[Ridgewalker]

I have been hearing really good things about the Neti Pot from relatives suggesting it to me for my own sinus problems.

I do know from personal experience that teeth can affect sinuses and vice versa. (Of course, it's not ALWAYS the case-- as Patti mentioned that it didn't affect her that way at all.) But I have had a bad tooth cause sinus pain, and I have always had a sinus infection cause tooth pain.

Also...

Several years ago, I had a problem that sounds a lot like yours. A tooth way in the back right next to an unextracted wisdom tooth suddenly just fell apart. I put up with it as long as I could before going to the dentist. She tried to save it, but it ended up being too late.

A couple weeks later the tooth abscessed- on a Friday evening of course. 24 hours later, it looked like I had a softball stuffed in my mouth, and the pain was the worst I've ever felt in my life (including childbirth and herniated discs in my back.) By Sunday morning, there were red streaks of infection across my face and throat, and I ended up in the emergency room.

Sorry for the horror story, but I had to share-- because of how fast a tooth like that can go downhill with no warning. I would not wish that pain on ANYONE. It was horrific.

I hope you feel better soon!

[Mom23boys]

I would start by getting that tooth taken care of. I am the biggest chicken going to dentists but its got to be done.

We just bought our first neti pots this fall. I struggle with everything turning into a sinus infection. Now the dr gives steroids instead of antibiotics for that. My body doesn't handle those at all. While at the store, I picked up 2 one for me and one for hubby. I think that was the first day in my life that I have even been able to breathe at 100%. The next day hubby came in from work and ran right up the stairs to his neti pot.

[Nancym]

For what it is worth, two things give me sinus issues: Low thyroid status and dairy products.

[gfp]

Steve, I clearly remember when you went to your brother's wedding (if I recall correctly) and being glutened by your mother with codex bread to the point where you weren't rational and swore you'd never stay at your mother's house again.

And now you have chosen to poison yourself with that same stuff, and wondering why you aren't well?

Its not actually the same stuff, the bread ive been getting is wheat free as well as gluten-free...

The main problem is all the other things I've been living on... where gluten free can mean CODEX or real gluten-free...

I got to a point where I really had to start eating something, indeed my new years resolution was to eat at least once everyday .. I was eating so little...

its not really deliberate either... I just don't feel like eating .think I'll feel more like it later.. then next thing its bedtime...

As for your tooth: If your current dentist is an insensitive moron who can't understand why you gag, find another one who is more understanding!

It's quite difficult here... those jokes about English teeth are not unfounded

I had a root canal done a year and a half ago. I am so terrified of the dentist, due to some bad experiences I've had, plus being almost impossible to freeze properly, that I needed anesthesia as well. They can do something that is not complete anesthesia (I don't remember the proper name), where a nurse/anesthetist comes into the dentist's office (as opposed to the hospital, where it becomes prohibitively expensive) and puts an IV in. She puts you out enough that you can't feel a thing, but still respond to the doctor's commands, as in, "Open wide" or whatever. But you really don't remember a thing when you wake.

Actually, that scares me much more... (Its a pretty much religious thing for me... strange as that may sound coming from me...)

I really view loosing memories as ... well pretty much loosing me... I know that sounds strange but its pretty much a core belief of mine that we are the sum of our memories, good and bad... last year was a REALLY bad year for me... I lost or 'had stolen 'all my memories for a long time... or that is how it still feels.. I am still finding it hard to forgive the person...

[Ursa Major]

Well, but you know that with general anesthetic you REALLY don't remember a thing..... and some people apparently say crazy things while under. Meaning, that they aren't totally unconscious either.

Of course, I have known my dentist for more than fifteen years, and trust him completely. He is almost a friend as well as my dentist. My girls used to babysit for him.

I understand that you must feel very discouraged, after somebody you loved and trusted so completely broke that trust. That must have been utterly devastating.

Whenever I feel completely hopeless, I tend to eat either too much or don't feel like eating at all. So I understand. Is it possible to cook food once or twice a week and freeze portions to be warmed up when you don't feel like cooking when you are hungry? I know that really, you enjoy cooking (while I have never enjoyed it, it is a chore for me at the best of times). Maybe you can talk yourself into cooking something really nice?

I wished I could cook you something nice and 'bring it over' (too bad that it is so far). Like I did yesterday for my son and his wife, who had a new baby a week ago.