Sinus Infection And Bactrim

[mkoven]

So on day 14 of the cold that morphed into a sinus infection, I've given up and agreed to antibiotics. I'm allergic to penicillin, zithromax, doxycycline, and leary of the quinolones, because of the risk of tendon rupture and my eds. So I've started bactrim-- which I've taken before for UTI's, but before my ans issues. Any experiences, good or bad with bactrim?

[firewatcher]

mkoven,

Antibiotics tear me up! Have you tried a neti-pot? They were a major miracle for me and chronic sinus infections! There are several threads on them earlier.

Feel better soon!

Jennifer

[momofsara]

Sara is allergic to Bactrim, however it has worked wonders for me for UTI's etc.... good luck-----Susan

[MightyMouse]

I've taken bactrim multiple times for sinus problems. Unfortunately, my most recent infection is now back with a vengence, despite having taken bactrim for 10 days. Now they want me to go to an infectious disease doctor b/c they're not sure what to use next. My last option is ketek, which is now black boxed and after reading why, I'm not sure I want to try it. I had no side effects with bactrim.

Nina

[mkoven]

Thanks for your input! Nina, sorry to hear about your infection.

I"ve been using the neti pot and mucinex since the start, but I guess it was destined. At first I was too congested to get any liquid to pour out. I had been feeling a little better, but had nonetheless plateaued--feeling lowgrade crummy, sore nose/throat/face/full head, and "discolored secretions" (sorry). I just hope I don't develop any bactrim issues-- as my options are limited.

What's wrong with ketek?

[Angelika_23]

Hi,

I've been plagued with a nasty sinus problem for about two weeks now. It is really doing a number on my POTS. The best thing I did for the congestion was to use Afrin nose spray (for 3 days ONLY). It made me able to breathe through my nose. Then I started taking Sudafed PE (not regular Sudafed) to get the stuff in my head to drain. On top of those things, I've been using my sinus rinse and a humidifier. My doctor put me on Keflex for the infection, but I'm not sure how effective it is so far.

Good luck!

Angela

[firewatcher]

Thanks for your input! Nina, sorry to hear about your infection.

I"ve been using the neti pot and mucinex since the start, but I guess it was destined. At first I was too congested to get any liquid to pour out. I had been feeling a little better, but had nonetheless plateaued--feeling lowgrade crummy, sore nose/throat/face/full head, and "discolored secretions" (sorry). I just hope I don't develop any bactrim issues-- as my options are limited.

What's wrong with ketek?

Try increasing the salt in your Neti-pot till it almost stings (as much as you can stand) and increase the temperature (again, as high as you can stand!) The combination really opened me up and the salt is a natural anti-bacterial! The heat felt so good on my poor sinuses too. If you are only using body temp water, it's not hot enough to open you up.

Feel Better!

[mkoven]

Arrgh! After second dose of bactrim, red, itchy blood shot eyes, and intense bladder irritation. talked to doctor who said to stop bactrim. We'll see if I can lick the rest of the infection without antibiotics--but I may be $%^#ed now in terms of antibiotic options. Nina, you'll have to let me know what options you are given by infections disease specialist. I hate taking antibiotics, as I always end up with new intolerances.

[MightyMouse]

Ketek was black boxed b/c of cases of severe liver damage, even after just a few doses, some of which were fatal, and others which required liver transplant. Also, it's contraindicated for anyone with Myasthenia Gravis, or any type of liver problems/elevated liver enzymes, and those taking certain meds, including some of the statins

for full info see:

http://www.fda.gov/CDER/Drug/infopage/teli...cin/default.htm

and here's a really interesting articles in the New England Journal of Medicine outlining some very serious concerns with the reporting of problems with this medication to the FDA (omissions of data and suggestion that some of the original drug trial data was fabricated).

http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/356/16/1601

http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/356/16/1675

And this is a direct quote from the black box warning label required by the FDA:

“WARNINGS

“Acute hepatic failure and severe liver injury, in some cases fatal, have been

reported in patients treated with KETEK. These hepatic reactions included

fulminant hepatitis and hepatic necrosis leading to liver transplant, and were

observed during or immediately after treatment. In some of these cases, liver

injury progressed rapidly and occurred after administration of a few doses of KETEK.

“Physicians and patients should monitor for the appearance of signs or symptoms of

hepatitis, such as fatigue, malaise, anorexia, nausea, jaundice, bilirubinuria, acholic

stools, liver tenderness or hepatomegaly. Patients with signs or symptoms of

hepatitis must be advised to discontinue KETEK and immediately seek medical

evaluation, which should include liver function tests. If clinical hepatitis or

transaminase elevations combined with other systemic symptoms occur, KETEK

should be permanently discontinued.

“Ketek must not be re-administered to patients with a previous history of hepatitis

and/or jaundice associated with the use of KETEK tablets, or any macrolide

antibiotic.

“In addition, less severe hepatic dysfunction associated with increased liver

enzymes, hepatitis and in some cases jaundice was reported with the use of KETEK.

These events associated with less severe forms of liver toxicity were reversible.”

end quote (also, I left out the portion that states ketek can lead to visual disturbance and syncope... )-Nina

[mkoven]

SO the doc had me stop bactrim and see how I do. I felt better, infection-wise for about 24 hours, and then started feeling crummy again. But I don't know what antibiotics to try next, and am hesitant! I looked online and saw that some people add 1% baby shampoo to their sinus irrigation solution. It supposedly helps break up the "biofilm" (yuck!) around all the gunk in sinuses. I found a bonafide referecne to what appears to be a legitimate study. Anyway, I figured it's relatively harmless and will try that for a couple days. I'll let you all know. I just want to get over this infection and NOT have to take antibiotic

[firewatcher]

Eeewww! Not sure I'd snort that! Hotter water always does it for me. You could do a stage 2 Neti and pull it out of your sinuses that way, you can look it up or PM me. (It's not pleasant the first couple times you do it, and I don't want to get too graphic )

I have a friend who has a chronic fungal infection of his sinuses AND he's allergic to that strain of fungus (serious double whammy!) and he Neti's with a fungicide! His doc knows and does not approve, but can offer no other alternative!

I hope you feel better soon.

Jennifer

[mkoven]

Here's the reference:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18284857?dopt=Abstract

If I don't feel better by Monday, I'll ask you about stage 2 neti. I googled and it looked a little involved.

[firewatcher]

O,K,

I wonder what made them think of that!?

If you use too much, do you blow bubbles?

[mkoven]

YES! It was strange. But I do feel a little better. Will keep you all posted.

[Megan]

I don't have problems with most antibiotics (except being prescribed too many of them...). I hope you start to feel better, whatever works for you!

Meg

[pamyla]

Hi, I just wanted to add that my doctor has me adding 3-5 drops of tea tree oil to my nasal irrigation to help with infection. It stings a little but otherwise has been working out fine for me.

good luck,

Pam

[MightyMouse]

There's an article here on how to make your own rinse mixture

http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2007-0...l-washing_N.htm

and my doc has me add Agrumax, which I get from National Allergy (a catalog). It's pricey but supposed to be a natural antifungal and antibiotic--like 25 or 30 dollars for a small bottle. Unlike the tea tree oil, it doesn't sting. I don't use any more than 3 or 4 drops, otherwise it WILL sting. Because I only use a little bit, it lasts a long time.

My allergist has me using the NeilMed rinsing system, which I buy at Target--they keep it behind the counter.

Nina