Wellness

[Jackhound Mom]

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@Scorpio1971 wrote:

Z-Pac is a 5 day treatment and then continues to work for 5 more days after.  You may have a very deep & severe sinus infection and may need a double dose after the initial 10 days.  Have you contacted your doctor? 

I get chronic Bronchitis and usually need a double dose because of an underlying immunoglobulin blood issue called IgA deficiency which protects the mucus membranes in the body.  Because it is inherited there is no cure or treatment and because my count is very low I get severe Bronchitis, sinus infections, and sore throats.  My physicians have found the only way to treat me is the double Z-Pac dose with the first 5 days, wait 5 days, then start the 2nd round of Z-Pac.  Good luck.  I know the pain you must be in if it is a stubborn infection.

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Thank you and I hope you feel better!  I have had a double dose in the past and will also revisit the clinic as it has been more than 10 days.

Thank you all for your answers!

[Jackhound Mom]

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@Jk9 wrote:

@Jackhound Mom I have had sinus infections for years and usually end up taking oral antibiotics 2 to 3 times a year.  My advice is to see an ENT doc.  I had sworn off going to an ENT years ago because I was so frustrated with the care.  Saw my regular family doc since then.  He decided to refer me to an ENT  again and the guy is wonderful.  Care has improved and he prescribed two antibiotics added to my sinus rinses (had to be compounded) and I am doing so much better.  

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So glad you are on the mend!  There was an ENT here in my city when we lived here before and I must check to see if he is still in practice.  He is the 1st doctor our Army doctor sent me to after my facial nerve injury happened and he is the one who told me what was wrong even though that wasn't his field, I needed a Neurologist then.  Hope he is still here.

DH has had so many recent problems that I haven't pursued my own.......

Thank you!

[Jackhound Mom]

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@Foxxee wrote:

Amoxicillin and Clavulanate Tablets (Augmentin) work best for me.  

Azithromycin is indicated for sinus infections, but it wouldn't be my first choice.  I'd ask for Augmentin instead because I know it works for me.  

Sinus infections can be a bit stubborn.  How long have you been taking Z-Pac?  

With allergies, I'm prone to sinus infections, so I must keep my sinuses open.  I take over the counter Allegra-D for allergies, Mucinex, Afrin nasal spray when needed, and Nasacort nasal spray during allergy season. 

Mucinex helps drain the sinuses.  You can get generic tablets over the counter.  

Afrin can cause rebound congestion, so I use it sparingly only when I really need it.  

If you decide to try any of the over counter meds, be sure they don't interfere with any meds you are taking.  

Hope you're feeling better soon. 

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Thank you for your advice also!  So many of the OTC  Rx's you mentioned have had negitive results for me.  I do know what you mean about Afrin.  It worked at first and then my nose seemed to swell shut.  Mucinex made the bones in my face ache maybe because I had a severe facial beating as a teen and corrective surgery in my late 20's.

I know your suggestions will help others here.

Thank you so much.

[Jackhound Mom]

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@FancyPhillyshopper wrote:

Jackhound Mom,

So sorry you are in pain.  I have sinus pain occasionally but I have never used any prescription medicine.  Hot showers, and hot face cloths on your face should help to open up the passages.  A saline spray mist is easy to use, and can be purchased almost anywhere, and should offer some relief.  A face massage could also help. You may also want to consider a decongestant. Drink plenty of liquids and keep your head elevated with extra pillows.

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Again my thanks for these great suggestions!  I'm doing it all except for the massage and would love to take advantage of that but I'm getting over a skin disorder and not sure if anyone would do a massage for me right now.  Waiting for one more RX from my Derm Dr. that has been denyed from Ins. co.

Boy I'm a mess!  Sorry to be such a downer here and I appreciate every good wish!

Cathy

[Jackhound Mom]

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@phoenixbrd wrote:

Stopped eating dairy....that happened decades ago, no sinus problems since. Wishing you the best of health.

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Thank you!  I never thought of that and I'm glad it worked for you.  I do eat a lot of dairy, maybe that could work for me.

[Jackhound Mom]

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@Pook wrote:

@Jackhound Mom  No prescriptions (all with swide effects) have worked for me better than a Navage device works for me.  I found that by using it at least once or twice a week I no longer got sinus infections.  There is a learning curve but what a difference it made!!

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Oh my Pook!  You won't believe this but a neighbor in my last neighborhood offered to let me use hers.  I politely declined thinking that would spread germs.  I am a choaker/gagger and thought it might be like being water boarded for me..  Is that what you mean by learning curve?  

I'm so glad it works for you and would be interested to hear more if you have the time.

Thank you!

[deb5555]

Try a neti pot it works. 

[software]

When I have a very bad infection and have made excuses not to go to the doctor for weeks, in addition to all mentioned, I need a nose spray.   The doctor prescribes a steroid nose spray made up at a compounding pharmacy.   Cost me $30, insurance doesn't pay for it.   Well worth every penny

Did that for a month then back on the Flonase.   I'm supposed to do the Flonase regularly during that season but when I'm not sick, it's hard for me to be motivated to use it.

My ENT threatens surgery, there must be something up there he doesn't like the look of.  I don't want surgery so I try to stay on top of it.

Go to an ENT

[BriggsiePeawiggle]

Zpacks do NOTHING for me. One of the odd and rare side-effects is a hearing loss, which a friend of mine -- a well-known classical/jazz composer ended up getting. I refuse to use them, and really why should I when they don't work for me anyway. I get a sinus infection once or twice/year -- usually during season change. For me, it's Amoxycillin 500s -- 10 days of them. I also use Nasalcrom and saline spray a lot to keep them away at other times. Nasalcrom isn't easy to find, but it's steroid free and it works well for me. The Navage things and the neti pots just add to my problems.

[JackieHN]

I'm an RN and have had sinus infections. I went to my GP who said you know it could ber viral. I said and pigs have wings. It's been over a week already. I literally made him put me on Augmentin which worked. Z pack won't cut it.  Next sinus infection I got I went to see an ENT. Treatment was Augmentin and flonase. Please do yourself a favor and go see an ENT specialist.