When is it time to see a doctor?

[November Girl]

I have chronic sinusitis and allergy symptoms. I'm always sore and stuffy, with some lymph node swelling. The symptom severity fluctuates a lot. I end up waiting til I'm quite ill before I go in. It's hard to tell what's normal and what's a bad (worse than usual?) infection.

I'm curious if others have this problem as well. Any suggestions?

 

[SOC]

I have chronic sinusitis and allergy symptoms. I'm always sore and stuffy, with some lymph node swelling. The symptom severity fluctuates a lot. I end up waiting til I'm quite ill before I go in. It's hard to tell what's normal and what's a bad (worse than usual?) infection.

I'm curious if others have this problem as well. Any suggestions?

Yup. I have exactly the same problems. You could be describing me.

I was surprised to find that those symptoms went away when I removed all dairy (milk, butter) products from my diet. I have extremely mild lactose intolerance, and no apparent GI symptoms from eating dairy products, so I went a long time thinking they weren't a problem for me.

My ME/CFS specialist advised me to try going generally (not absolutely) gluten-free as well. Apparently dairy and gluten sensitivities are common in PWME, even those without GI symptoms.

At this time of year, the tree pollen gives me similar symptoms. I'm suffering rather badly today from a combination of eating unexpected dairy at a restaurant on Friday and the increase in tree pollen.

 

[November Girl]

hmmn.... I wouldn't be surprised if dairy is a large part of the problem. As bad as I'm feeling at the moment, it doesn't sound so bad to give it up. Hope you're feeling better soon!

 

[SOC]

hmmn.... I wouldn't be surprised if dairy is a large part of the problem. As bad as I'm feeling at the moment, it doesn't sound so bad to give it up. Hope you're feeling better soon!

Thanks! I've become fond of NOT feeling like this. It has been a good reminder of how much better I'm feeling these days and how much I don't have to put up with anymore.

 

[taniaaust1]

SOC has beat me to it, I was going to say try removing dairy to see if it helps.

Also consider staph and if you havent been tested for staph bacteria up your nose (toxic staph varieties causes in us symptoms like chronic sinusitits) get nasal swabbed.

 

[Valentijn]

I'm curious if others have this problem as well. Any suggestions?

I've had a sinus infection for about a year now. When it gets bad, I use a Neti pot two or three times per day.

After that gets most of the snot out, I use an ultrasonic diffuser with sage, thyme, and eucalyptus in it. I sit so I can lean over it and inhale the vapor directly into one or both nostrils, and usually some deep breaths in my mouth as well.

Combining the two seems to work quite well, for a while. But after a month or so I end up needing to do it again for a few days.

 

[SOC]

After that gets most of the snot out, I use an ultrasonic diffuser with sage, thyme, and eucalyptus in it.

Just a note -- eucalyptus is a vasodilator, so may not be a good addition for people with OI. Of course, it will be fine for some people and not so good for others.

Camphor is another common substance that is a strong vasodilator. It's wise if one has OI to be aware of these substances in the products one uses.

 

[heapsreal]

when is it time to see a doctor, well sometimes it feels like we have to wait until something drops off.
Many immune issues have ongoing sinusitis, seems to be a place where bacteria like to run a muck when our immune system cant work properly.

So we need to try and increase immune function, treat the infection using a broad spectrum abx, easier said then done. dilators for sinuses can be helpful to help drainage then hit up the saline sprays. Also abx sprays and natural infection fighters, i have found colloidal spray helpful. I have also used the BEG abx spray with success.

but i think its an ongoing battle as it really comes down to the immune system functioning properly. i will say that i have needed less frequent sinus infections now i have got other infections under control as well as use of immunovir alternated with cycloferon to improve my immune function.

 

[November Girl]

I think that for now I need to concentrate on not getting that sick from a sinus infection in the first place. It turns out that several painful spots that I blamed on TMJ, tension headaches, or trigger points, etc. are actually lymph nodes. I have cut out dairy for the next two weeks. I may not add it back even if the sinuses don't improve. There are several good illustrations and photos of lymph node placement online.
heapsreal, can you tell me about the ABX sprays? I have some colloidal silver though haven't used it in a few years. I recently read that using silver in conjunction with Rx abx will boost the antibiotic effect, but do not trust the blog where I read it.

 

[November Girl]

taniaaust1, I'll try to remember the staph check. I go back in 10 days, and will ask then.

 

[heapsreal]

I think that for now I need to concentrate on not getting that sick from a sinus infection in the first place. It turns out that several painful spots that I blamed on TMJ, tension headaches, or trigger points, etc. are actually lymph nodes. I have cut out dairy for the next two weeks. I may not add it back even if the sinuses don't improve. There are several good illustrations and photos of lymph node placement online.
heapsreal, can you tell me about the ABX sprays? I have some colloidal silver though haven't used it in a few years. I recently read that using silver in conjunction with Rx abx will boost the antibiotic effect, but do not trust the blog where I read it.

Google BEG nasal spray. It contains 2 antibiotics and another substance to break down the biofilms that can stop the antibiotics from working. This spray is made by a compounding chemist u should find when u Google it.

As for oral abx bactrim or augmentin have been the best for me. Did have a good run with doxycycline but it eventually stopped working.

sinus head and face pain can be hard to pin down a diagnosis. Even the fatigue from a sinus infection can be brutal.

 

[CFS_for_19_years]

Chronic sinusitis can be a sign of allergies that are out of control. There are ways to get the mucus under control, but if you're still uncomfortable, it's best to see an allergist who can pinpoint your allergies and perhaps start you on allergy shots. I've had to go through this myself several times.

In the meantime, here are some things to get the mucus under control- I have used all of them at one time or other.

Give up all dairy. You will notice a big difference in 2 - 3 days. Besides milk, that includes pizza, yogurt, cottage cheese, puddings, etc.
Try rice milk or almond milk instead. I gave up dairy products 20 years ago.

Use a neti pot with saline once or twice day. In between times, use a saline nasal spray to keep your nasal passages clean. My allergist carried a bottle in her pocket for use during the day.

You can make a vapor tent by adding a few drops of essential oils like eucalyptus, rosemary, lavender or mint to steaming water in a pan on your kitchen stove. Put a towel over your head and inhale the vapor. Keep a Kleenex box nearby because this will dislodge a lot of stuff.

This is the home run that will have you jumping with joy: Take this on an empty stomach (I usually take this once a day in the morning):

http://www.amazon.com/Doctors-Best-Serrapeptase-Units-90-Count/dp/B000EDCJ3Y

This dissolves and breaks up the mucus. Have more Kleenex on hand. Serrapeptase is known as a protease. It dissolves protein that is holding the mucus together. There are other brands available that will probably work just fine, but I can vouch for this one.

There are a couple of things to consider when you're wondering if you should go to the doctor right away or if you should just sit tight.
1. Fever - not a good sign.
2. When you bend forward from the waist does that increase the sensation of pressure in your forehead and make it hurt?
3. What is the color of the mucus? Honey-colored or bloody is not good.

Here's a good article: http://www.wikihow.com/Find-Out-if-You-Have-a-Sinus-Infection

When I was first ill with CFS I was making every attempt to stay employed and I'd go to work feeling like crap. I didn't realize I had a sinus infection until I took one dose of Bactrim (to avoid post-coital UTI) and my sinuses started breaking up tons of mucus while I was at work. It actually felt good to get rid of all that junk in my nose! I called my doctor's office and explained what happened and they started me on abx without making me come in. (I'd been in many times recently so they knew I was sick with CFS anyway.)

 

[Valentijn]

You can make a vapor tent by adding a few drops of essential oils like eucalyptus, rosemary, lavender or mint to steaming water in a pan on your kitchen stove. Put a towel over your head and inhale the vapor. Keep a Kleenex box nearby because this will dislodge a lot of stuff.

This is what I do, also after a Neti Pot, except I use a ultrasonic diffuser now. Basically it produces water vapor (with the oils mixed in) with vibrations instead of using heat. It costs more than the hot-water approach to buy the diffuser, but it's sooo much easier to use.

The vapor comes out of a narrow opening at the top, so basically I can lean over the top of the cone and deeply inhale it directly into each nostril or my mouth. I seem to get the same benefits even though the vapor isn't hot - it gets in nice and deep, and I usually have some yellow crud getting knocked loose.

Plus I don't have to mess with hauling hot water around and sitting under the "tent" constantly until the water cools off. Instead I just have it next to me while doing something else, and lean over for a few snorts from time to time. It produces vapor with the oils in it for several hours, which I also like, since I can spread out all my snorting and extend it.

The model above also glows in changing colors, or can be stopped at any color, or have the colors turned off. It's very groovy ... I call it my Hippy Volcano If I ever try medicinal marijuana, it'll go great with it!

 

[November Girl]

Thanks all. Lots to think about when my brain is working better.