Angelika_23 Posted January 4, 2009 Report Share Posted January 4, 2009 Hey All,I have had this stuff for nearly three weeks. I have been on an antibiotic (Keflex) for 8 days. I used Afrin nose spray for 3 days in the beginning. I have been doing multiple daily nasal rinses. I have been taking Sudafed PE (Which doesn't make me tachy, er, tachier, than I already am), I am taking advil for the aches and pains, and especially the pain in my face and teeth. I am extremely worn down and tired. I cannot hardly do anything. I am almost at the point of needing to be in my wheelchair if I am out and about. I have been having my son drive me places as I'm too tired myself. I've started falling again... Family doctor is hesitant to change antibiotic. Cardiologist basically says it is not his problem. I'm on a decline here, and not sure how to break the cycle. Any suggestions, I'm open to themAngela Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkoven Posted January 4, 2009 Report Share Posted January 4, 2009 I completely understand how miserable sinus infections are. Can you be seen by an ent? I still have a sinus infection lingering, though am trying to avoid more antibiotics. I have felt noticeably improved since adding 1 percent baby shampoo to my irrigation solution (see earlier posts). I still feel kinda bad when I first wake up, still a lot of nose blowing, some but less is thick/discolored. I fo feel less overall crummy/sick/tired since adding the shampoo. Apparently it not only acts as a mild germicide, it also breaks up the gunk somewhat more effectively. I wish I had some more suggestions, but seeing a specialist is probably the way to go. I read that some docs will prescribe antibiotics to dissolve in the irrigation solution, so that it goes directly where it is needed. I've heard that systemic antibiotics have a harder time penetrating where they need to go. I also feel like part of my problem is that the air is so dry in the heated apartment. We haven't bought a humidifier, but I wonder if it would help.All the decongestants aren't spiking your bp, as I see you also take midodrine? My doc said no sudafed... But if you tolerate it, that's great. But i'd see if you can get in with a good ent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flop Posted January 4, 2009 Report Share Posted January 4, 2009 Decongestants can help you feel better but they tend to dry up the gunk which makes it harder to rinse/blow it out. Perhaps stopping the sudafed for a few days may help?Flop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Megan Posted January 6, 2009 Report Share Posted January 6, 2009 I use breathe right nasal strips and a humidifier at night. They help open things up a little while I sleep, and even if I don't feel better when I stop using them (sometimes I do) then at least I got a better sleep.Meg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angelika_23 Posted January 6, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 6, 2009 I have stopped the Sudafed (PE by the way, not regular Sudafed. The regular stuff would make me tachy)... The gunk coming out isn't quite as colorful, but still somewhat interesting. But my face hurts, even my cheekbones and teeth hurt! Will drag out the humidifier again. Sigh. Thanks everyoneAngela Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flop Posted January 6, 2009 Report Share Posted January 6, 2009 If you can tolerate the heat, breathing steam helps clear nasal passages. Use a large bowl (eg mixing bowl) and put in it hot (not quite boiling) water. Hold your face over the bowl (eyes shut) and breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. Making a "tent" over your head with a towel intensifies the steaming. You can add menthol crystals, eucalyptus oil or proprietary oils like karvol or olbas to help even more.Personally I find the steaming exhausting and have to rest afterwards (don't like the heat) so I tend to do a "lesser version" just sitting near to the bowl of steaming water. My Mum does the whole version with a towel and swears by it.Oh - have some tissues handy if you try steaming! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firewatcher Posted January 6, 2009 Report Share Posted January 6, 2009 Angela,Are you using guifenisen (mucinex?) It won't cause any tachycardia issues and will thin out the secretions so that they actually come out. If I feel like I'm going to have a sinus infection I start that and the sudafed PE plus the neti pot with extra salt and hotter water. The hot water helps me so much with the pain! Warm/Hot washcloths over the sinuses and nose help too (lay them on your face and breathe through your nose, through the steaming cloth) you can do this laying down, so it's POTS friendly. I am sorry you have to deal with this. Feel better soon!Jennifer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lloppyllama Posted January 7, 2009 Report Share Posted January 7, 2009 Why didn't they put you on an antibiotic like penicillin or amoxicillin? That is what I was just put on today for my sinus infection. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angelika_23 Posted January 8, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 8, 2009 I was on Keflex, but yesterday they put me on Zithromax. I am hoping to see some improvement soon. Is Zithromax one of those drugs that will cause C-Diff? I always get weird things, so I want to head anything else off if I can.The pharmacist told me that Mucinex will only help with chest congestion, not head congestion so I haven't taken that.Angela Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iheartcats Posted January 8, 2009 Report Share Posted January 8, 2009 I think I have a sinus infection/cold and my symptoms are much worse. I understand where you are coming from - any type of cold/virus/infections makes my POTS worse.Also - I am having a hard time chewing/biting down. My left side of my jaw HURTS and has a lot of pressure. I'm hoping it improves - I can't take any type of decongestant.Did you find anything that helps? I haven't been to the doctor so am not on antibiotics. I'm feeling awful - but don't want to take antibiotics if I don't have to. I guess I'll see if it improves over the weekend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firewatcher Posted January 8, 2009 Report Share Posted January 8, 2009 When I start to get that "going to get a sinus infection" feeling, I immediately start Guaifenesin and sudafed PE. I also Neti (nasal irrigation) 4 times a day with extra salt and hotter water. I don't go to the doc unless that completely fails and it all "goes green." Afrin is a rebound curse, it helps for the first day then you can't breathe without it! I don't use that unless I am flying...even when they are not infected, my sinuses are fairly swollen and the altitude change hurts.The guaifenesin will thin nasal secretions as well as the others, so it's not just for chest congestion.And of course a big bowl of hot and sour or won ton soup! My MRIs and CT scans all showed infected sinuses and scarring, but I was completely asymptomatic at the time and had no clue (no pain or drainage!) I am beginning to think it is a MCAD/histamine inflammation and not infection. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angelika_23 Posted January 9, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2009 The Zithromax seems to be working! Yay! I am feeling so much better today! I stayed out of bed all day today!Just wanted to share my joy! I am half human again!Angela Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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