topic Re: Lingering sinus infection in Wellness

Lingering sinus infection

Effie54 — Tue, 26 Dec 2017 15:20:14 GMT

Has anyone had a lingering sinus infection lately? Five weeks ago, I woke up with a terrible sinus infection and terribly dizzy. Fast forward - 3 visits to the ENT, nasal endoscopies, bacterial culture, and antibiotics and I'm still slightly dizzy and feel like its lingering. I was told there's a terrible virus that is going around and hangs on for weeks.

Re: Lingering sinus infection

Fressa — Tue, 26 Dec 2017 16:28:49 GMT

I have chronic sinus infections in addition to other health issues. You still have sinus infection that is still lingering or a touch of the flu in addtion to the original illness. The dizziness for me indicates sinus pressure that just is clogged in my head. My doctor usually prescribes a Z-Pak for me. It's the only thing that clears my head. I would call your ENT and tell him that you are still having symtons of discomfort and see if he can prescribe something or suggest and over the counter medication.

Re: Lingering sinus infection

aprildreams — Tue, 26 Dec 2017 16:36:22 GMT

Please take care of this.....I had a chronic sinus infection (first one in my life) in 2016.....I kept taking OTC meds....I'm a nurse so I try to self medicate...bad me. I ended up with a CVST (rare form of a blood clot in my brain) due to the sinus infection. They are very rare,but sinus infections are one of the risk factors. My friend had a sinus infection that lingered, and the ENT did sinus surgery on her becaused he said it was not something to mess around with. After what I went through, when someone mentions sinus infection, I feel compelled to advise that you insist your dr take care of it!

Re: Lingering sinus infection

OKPrincess — Tue, 26 Dec 2017 16:41:28 GMT

What does it mean when you feel like you have fluid built up in the ears but the doctor can't see anything? It has affected my hearing in one ear. My equilibrium seems off sometimes.

Re: Lingering sinus infection

Stevie Nix — Tue, 26 Dec 2017 17:00:28 GMT

I would think its congestion in the Eustachian tube.

Re: Lingering sinus infection

AuntG — Tue, 26 Dec 2017 17:07:30 GMT

What you have sounds miserable. I get sinus headaches, but they are just a nuisance.

Re: Lingering sinus infection

OKPrincess — Tue, 26 Dec 2017 17:10:44 GMT

@Stevie Nix Thank you. Ever since getting the flu about 5 yrs ago I've noticed a difference but the doctors have yet to see anything. My husband was prescribed nasal spray to help with fluid in his ear and dizziness when trying to get up. That worked for him but not for me. I guess I'm learning to live with this little inconvenience.

Re: Lingering sinus infection

catmama — Tue, 26 Dec 2017 17:42:53 GMT

Try a Neti Pot. It can be uncomfortable, but it cleans out the sinus cavities and helps with the healing from the infection. I Neti once a day and use warm (not too warm) distilled water with a little plain salt.

Re: Lingering sinus infection

SilleeMee — Tue, 26 Dec 2017 17:56:10 GMT

My ex got sinus infections frequently. His doctor would give him two shots in the arm...one antibiotic and the other B-12. Seemed to help him get over the infection rather quickly.

Re: Lingering sinus infection

DianeJ2 — Tue, 26 Dec 2017 18:04:39 GMT

I get sinus infections frequently (non allergic rhinitis, immune issues) and sometimes the original antibiotic prescribed doesn't knock it out&I need a second round. I would ask the doctors advice on trying a different one, maybe ten days vs 7 and if a steroid nasal spray might help with the dizziness/sinus. I do get dizzy and nauseous and was told it's the ear and the post nasal drip from the infection. Feel better soon!

Re: Lingering sinus infection

Snowpuppy — Tue, 26 Dec 2017 18:27:46 GMT

The nastiest sinus infection I ever had was fungal. Not bacterial or viral.

Wasn't until I had a culture & sensitivity did they diagnose it properly. Went to a compounding pharmacy and got a script for $26.

Best experience? Finding a pharmacist who talked to me and actually knew something!

Re: Lingering sinus infection

VaBelle35 — Wed, 27 Dec 2017 00:26:19 GMT

You are doing all the right things.

When I've have stubborn ones where a round and a half of antibiotics do not knock it out, I have to do another round of antibiotics with steroids. That is sort of the nuclear option for me. My ENT does everything yours does in terms of scopes and cultures.

Luckily, through diet (Paleo), Andrew Lessman's Immune Factors, daily + neti pot use, and being really diligent about handwashing and touching my face, I have been able to avoid one for over 4 years.

< knock wood >

Re: Lingering sinus infection

sfnative — Wed, 27 Dec 2017 19:05:29 GMT

@OKPrincess wrote:
What does it mean when you feel like you have fluid built up in the ears but the doctor can't see anything? It has affected my hearing in one ear. My equilibrium seems off sometimes.

@OKPrincess

I have the same thing in the left ear. It developed a year after we moved to this new city in different state. Went to a new ENT. He immediately ordered an MRI, which, as a former RN I thought - "Ah, he's meeting a quota this month." It was a ridiculous waste of my time and indicated nothing. I've been back to see him 3 times, 2 of those times for vertigo (which I had previously) and he made my vertigo worse, as did the vestibular therapy he sent me to - way worse!. This guy, who is highly thought of in this medical community is a joke!

My left ear still bothers me and, like you, I had a hearing test at my request, and my hearing in that ear is impaired by 40%.

Per my experience, I'd advise finding a really decent ENT who can properly diagnose you.

Re: Lingering sinus infection

sfnative — Wed, 27 Dec 2017 19:35:00 GMT

@Effie54

Wanted to get back to you after I went through my box of empty rx bottles, which I keep for reference and docs.

You stated you've been through a scope, cultures, antibiotics, etc. However, I just wanted to let you know that I've been fortunate and only had 2 sinus infections, one of them 2 years ago. Was prescribed "doxycycline hyclate 100mg caps, 2x/day for 10 days, and boy, this knocked out that sinus infection in record time. It was prescribed by an urgent care doc and I remain grateful to him to this day that I didn't have to do the antibiotic dance around the block.

If you're still suffering, then next step is to an Infectious Disease physician for further studies into the bacteria or virus causing your sinus distress. As one nurse poster indicated, this is not something that should be treated lightly (not her words). Insist on involving an Infectious Disease physician at this time so that he/she can really(!) pin down the offending microbe and finally get you better.

Re: Lingering sinus infection

Effie54 — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 16:01:09 GMT

Thank you ladies for your responses. The ENT's office called yesterday and the culture was negative. No bacterial infection, so no more antibiotics. I was told to just used Sudafed, inhale steam and use the Neti pot because this year was the worst for sinus infections that linger. I do believe its clogged eustacian tubes that causes the dizziness. Its getting a little better, so I'm thankful. Bless you ladies and Happy New Year!

Re: Lingering sinus infection

Noel7 — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 18:02:49 GMT

I got one after the respiratory flu, they are awful. My daughter gets them and had me take Mucusin (sp?). It did nothing.

I have a great cold pill for me, Coricidan for heart patients, I took one when I went to bed and sometimes during the day and it helped a lot.

Re: Lingering sinus infection

151949 — Sat, 30 Dec 2017 14:07:35 GMT

My DH had this one winter until the doctor finally gave him a 10 day course of prednisone. The problem for him was that the sinuses were so swollen the mucous could not drain normally. Anyway the prednisone did the trick.

Re: Lingering sinus infection

LilacTree — Sat, 30 Dec 2017 16:08:38 GMT

@Effie54

My youngest daughter suffered for years with chronic sinus problems. She was afraid of surgery (which had been recommended) and I don't blame her, as some sinus surgeries make things worse instead of better.

However, she finally did opt for the surgery when it became obvious that this was not going to be just a "come and go" thing, but a permanent condition. She has been so much better since then and doesn't regret having had the surgery.

I was wondering if you would consider that if this infection persists.

Re: Lingering sinus infection

BriggsiePeawiggle — Sun, 31 Dec 2017 21:12:32 GMT

There is some kind of virus going around here in Michigan at least. It spreads like a virus but goes immediately to sinus infection and bronchitis. Mine started on December 8th, lost my voice completely on December 10th, started antibiotics on December 11th, and had a second round. I am finally on the upswing, but my sinuses are still inflamed -- though I doubt infected. The first week was a low-grade fever, but this lingers for many weeks. One urgent care told a co-worker/friend that she could expect to feel lousy for 4-6 weeks. I believe it. I also have asthma that normally doesn't bother me at all -- except in cold, dry weather. So here we go -- now the asthma has gotten involved because of the bronchitis, and our temps have been below zero and highs of 12 or 13 degrees. My doctor told me to try to stay in the house and inhale steam, using inhalers, cortisone nose spray, I had a Medrol dosepak (steroids) for the asthma which probably also helped my sinuses. I still feel really sick though. This is a crazy one. My voice is still croaky but at least it's back. I have a friend who got it in mid-October and is still suffering from it. At least mine didn't go to pneumonia.

Re: Lingering sinus infection

Effie54 — Wed, 10 Jan 2018 15:41:57 GMT

@BriggsiePeawiggle wrote:
There is some kind of virus going around here in Michigan at least. It spreads like a virus but goes immediately to sinus infection and bronchitis. Mine started on December 8th, lost my voice completely on December 10th, started antibiotics on December 11th, and had a second round. I am finally on the upswing, but my sinuses are still inflamed -- though I doubt infected. The first week was a low-grade fever, but this lingers for many weeks. One urgent care told a co-worker/friend that she could expect to feel lousy for 4-6 weeks. I believe it. I also have asthma that normally doesn't bother me at all -- except in cold, dry weather. So here we go -- now the asthma has gotten involved because of the bronchitis, and our temps have been below zero and highs of 12 or 13 degrees. My doctor told me to try to stay in the house and inhale steam, using inhalers, cortisone nose spray, I had a Medrol dosepak (steroids) for the asthma which probably also helped my sinuses. I still feel really sick though. This is a crazy one. My voice is still croaky but at least it's back. I have a friend who got it in mid-October and is still suffering from it. At least mine didn't go to pneumonia.

Hi, and thanks for your nice note.

I've been to (2) ENT's and have had countless nasal endoscopies; all saying it s viral, and it has to run its course. I've had this for 8 weeks now and still feel dizzy with a swollen left ear eustacian tube. I have glaucoma and osteoporisis, so doctors are reluctant to prescribe steroids because of the side-effects on those conditions. How frustrating it is as it doesn't go away, no matte what. I can try the steroid nasal spray - which I think might help. Feel better!