Sinus Problems

Dear All Clogged Up, I am not a doctor, But, I do have a friend who had similar problems only to find that her problem was by way of a serious undiscovered allergy to perfume and other things in the air...she would often get an irritation that would turn into an infection and so on and so until she became quiet ill frequently. The prescription of a nose inhalent has cured her ills... Also, i do not know if you drink red wine, but since I have been drinking red wine, I have found that my colds are only slight, and have not really been sick for about two years--other than the sniffles one time a year during the last two years. After taking antibiotics, make sure you ramp yourself back up--because antibiotics weaken your system...eat yogurt, garlic, onions and other things that will strengthen you... I hope you find an answer soon! Bless your heart! Jerrycat

I know this is going to sound terrible... I heard the other day (on a little health news blip on the TV) that a lot of folks who think they have sinsus infections really have, hold on, mold growing in their sinsus and that antibiotics don't work for this problem, that they need an anti fungal. Just something else to consider or ask your doctor about.

I hear you - all colds go directly to my sinuses too. And like you, I've been throught the round of ears/nose/throat doctors, antibiotics, sprays, you name it. What I've come up with is a list of things that help...although nothing is the magic cure. 1. lots and lots of water (drink it, I mean!) 2. "steam" your face, trying to breathe through your nose. Add cammomile, mint, or ginger to the steam water. 3. massage your sinuses - it can help break up the congestion. Be sure to wash your hands before and after (bugs can enter through your eyes) 4. a saline nose spray - all that congestion dries your sinus tissues. 5. be vigilant about dust mites and mold: wash your sheets, mattress cover, and pillowcases in hot water and dry them in the dryer. 6. keep the house dusted and vaccuumed. best bet is to get someone else to do this. (as of yet, I haven't been able to convince my health insurance company that a cleaning lady is a medical expense...) 7. Get outside; breathe fresh air as much as possible. 8. A nasal steroid spray can help relieve the irrated sinus tissues, but it won't cure the infection. Good luck from a fellow sufferer

oh yeah, other things I forgot: -diet for me affects my sinuses. If I'm clogged up I avoid wheat products - the gluten in the wheat apparently is a culprit for congestion. I also avoid cheese (except yoghurt) because from personal experience that plugs me up, too. -yoghurt with active bacterial culture has been shown to increase a person's immunity to cold viruses.

I know exactly how you feel. I too suffered for several years with constant sinus infections, even having an operation which didn't really help anything. Boy, was I fed up. Just tired of being constantly ill. I even posted in this forum and received some wonderful advice. Great advise above too. However the last 18 months have been the healthiest of my adult live. I put this down to prevention rather than cure. Here's a brief summary of what I did. Changed my diet, eliminated virtually all dairy, drink lots of water and hardly any alcohol, made up my own nasal spray comprising sterile water mixed with table salt and baking soda which I use liberally before and after swimming. I also take daily an over the counter allergy tablet which probably has another name in the US and another allergy nasal spray only during my hayfever season. I used a nose clip while training too for about 12 months but have since stopped doing so. I wish you all the very best. Good luck.

I have a chronic low grade sinusitis. Not a lot of congestion, but enough, just enough to block the breathing some, and give you a nagging sinus headache, and flare up 2-3-4 times a year... After years and years of sinus infections and them turning into bronchitis etc... My ENT has given me Flonase to keep the allergies at bay. I take a sudafed in the morning so I can breathe (when I'm out of flonase). For flareups, I get Ceftin (Antibiotic) it's good for low grade infections, and has good bone (sinus) penetration, which many anti-biotics do not. Yea, I had the CT scan, and the rhinoscopies and all kinds of stuff, no blockages, polyps or any other things that the doc suspected. Just slightly thicker mucus than normal, which tends to make the bacteria very happy. Cross my fingers, it's been about 3 years since any major infections. Seems like I have it under control now. Among other things, I make sure I'm well hydrated, and any other things (like food allergies) that might cause the fluids to start thickening.

I used to get what Connie has..UNTIL the Dr. gave me Z Pak. Wow, at last....something really hammered the infection. That was five years ago and since then I have had one or two sinus problems associated with colds etc. Wheat products does cause problems....

Hehehe, been on Z-pack several times, and augmentin, and cefitin and cipro and and ... I'm surprized the anti-biotics even work on me at all any more. For me, prevention seems to work the best, keeping things from getting congested in a first place. Last few years I've been pretty strict with that, and no infetions.