Topic: Sinus infection and already on tons of abx. What to do?
me
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Member # 45475
posted
I am already on lots of antibiotics, and I got a sinus infection. My LLMD is out of state and said to see my local doctor. All local docs won't know what to do with me bc I'm already on so many abx. What do I do?
-------------------- Just sharing my experiences, opinions, and what I've read and learned. Not medical advice. Posts: 1431 | From USA | Registered: Mar 2015
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TF
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Member # 14183
posted
Go to whomever you would normally see for a sinus infection. They will prescribe what they normally prescribe for a sinus infection.
I doubt that the antibiotic they prescribe will be any that you are already on. Each antibiotic has activity only on certain germs.
If they want to put you on Levaquin, you may want to tell them that you would rather avoid this particular med due to the black box warning it carries (possible tendonitis, etc.). That is what I have been telling my doctors for the last year or 2. They then prescribe something else for me. Levaquin is a popular med for a sinus infection, so be prepared.
If you KNOW it is a sinus infection, don't let it drag on. Get it treated.
If the doc wants to get into a discussion of why you are on your current meds, say that you have a number of infections like babesiosis and bartonella and you are receiving treatment from a specialist for these diseases and are doing well.
(Docs generally are not very familiar with these 2 infections, so they will generally shut up if you name these 2.)
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
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WPinVA
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Ask for the B.E.G. nasal spray. LLMD may have to call it in, local MD won't know what it is. Google it.
In the meantime, mucinex and xlear nasal spray (OTC).
Which abx are you on? Also may need to switch it up.
Posts: 1737 | From Virginia | Registered: Aug 2011
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posted
I had a sinus infection for a year and have just recently gotten to the point where I can breathe pretty well. I use Xlear Nasal Spray which contains Xylitol which melts mucous.
I also take, orally, MucusFix which is a remedy for sinus congestion. Both of these have helped me a lot. It is taking a long time but I'm making steady progress. I chose to stop
using steroid nose drops because the paperwork that came with them said a side effect might be, cataracts! 😐 And steroids can diminish the immune system.
Posts: 653 | From Northern Virginia | Registered: Oct 2014
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me
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Thank you for the feedback TF,WPinVA and tulips. I may have to wait til tomorrow to go. I'm so tired.
-------------------- Just sharing my experiences, opinions, and what I've read and learned. Not medical advice. Posts: 1431 | From USA | Registered: Mar 2015
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posted
Homeopathic ColdCalm is an option and can be used in addition to nasal sprays. If I had more details about your case I could narrow it down more for you. But, that mixed remedy has an
affinity to sinus infections and it helps to keep things simple. I am mostly interested in the Kali bichromicum and Pulsatilla in that mixed remedy.
You can try a heat lamp. I went to Home Depot and bought a 10$ red bulb (the bulbs they use in the bathroom ceiling for heat). I screwed that into a
goose neck aluminum floor lamp and shine that on sinus area or whatever area you want to start breaking up stagnation at.
We lived in Germany for 10 years and our MD treated our children's ear infections and sinus infections with the lamp along with homeopathics. It worked every time.
Posts: 764 | From Northwest | Registered: Sep 2014
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bluelyme
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It may be fungal...i use a spray i make with silver ,10 drops gse ,1/4 tsp of xylatol and saline mix ...
you may want to flush with neti...then use ..xylatol bloats staph and kills it ...
-------------------- Blue Posts: 1539 | From southwest | Registered: Dec 2015
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sammy
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Member # 13952
posted
Also know that you may need to stop one or all of your Lyme antibiotics (if they interact) while you treat the sinus infection.
Posts: 5237 | From here | Registered: Nov 2007
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susank
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Member # 22150
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Sammy - good to "see" you.
"Me" - IIRC you are on Rocephin and Flagyl. I guess you can get a sinus infection while on those?
I still think you need to consider IVIG/SCIG.
You have a colored discharge?
Abx choices for sinus infection? Amox (same class as Rocephin?) Augmentin? Doxy? Zith/Biaxin?
Others?
A different class than you are already taking?
Hope you get help and feel better soon.
-------------------- Pos.Bb culture 2012 Labcorp - no bands ever Igenex - Neg. 4 times With overall bands: IGM 18,28,41,66 IND: 23-25,34,39 IGG 41,58 IND: 39 Bart H IGG 40 Posts: 1613 | From Texas | Registered: Aug 2009
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me
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Nope, nothing is coming out yet. It's all stuck in there--I can feel it. Ugh. There is so much pressure on my sinus cavities, my ears hurt a tiny bit, tiny sore throat, swollen lymph nodes. I think I'm going to an urgent care center in a bit.
Good times.
-------------------- Just sharing my experiences, opinions, and what I've read and learned. Not medical advice. Posts: 1431 | From USA | Registered: Mar 2015
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randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
I'm going through the exact same thing. after a week I gave up and made appt with dr.
my nose is completely blocked. I am gasping for air. ears, teeth, cheeks, just cut my head off.
my chest hurts. I cough and cough but rarely get anything out.
no temp tho.
everyone jus says oh allergies, it will go away. but I cant sleep as I cant lay dow cause everything closes up.
I am totally miserable.
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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me
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Member # 45475
posted
Ah, Randibear, I'm sorry. Yes, it sounds like you definitely need to see a doc. I hope you feel better very soon.
-------------------- Just sharing my experiences, opinions, and what I've read and learned. Not medical advice. Posts: 1431 | From USA | Registered: Mar 2015
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posted
I have what seems to be a chronic sinus infection. Anyway, if I don't do anything, I have breathing problems. This is what I do and it's better than a neti pot because it's more thorough.
I have a dental irrigator to which I taped a domed rubber type of washer to the tip. I put 2 cups water into a pot and add 1 tsp salt then bring to boil, let sit until cooled down.
When ready, I put some of the water into the irritator tank and add 1/2 tsp hydrogen peroxide then spray it into my nose and sinus cavities. I does keep my nose clear for varying times, at least one day. I keep the rest of the water to use later and heat it in the microwave before using. I used to use it at night so I could sleep but now I don't have to use it so often and I do it as needed.
Good luck. Sinus issues were life-threatening to me when I was so weakened by lyme.
Posts: 705 | From WA state | Registered: Jul 2011
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me
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Wow. That's really interesting. Are there potential harmful effects with the hydrogen peroxide? Sometimes the water from the Neto lot doesn't come out til like 20 mins later and seems to get stuck in areas.
-------------------- Just sharing my experiences, opinions, and what I've read and learned. Not medical advice. Posts: 1431 | From USA | Registered: Mar 2015
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randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
frankly I'm scared to death to put anything up my nose. course that doesnt count the raisin I put up it and had to go to dr as a kid, but hey....
some woman died from using tap water, I think, and I said ok that's it. . not for me....
I know....coward
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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posted
you never use tap water for nasal irrigation
Distilled only. If you will do the Neil Med stuff, you might be able to get rid of the infection.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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susank
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Member # 22150
posted
"Me" - how you doing? See a doctor? Wanted to mention a few things I've read about and tried:
Steam Steam mo better if some essential oils added (like Eucalyptus) Something about ACV (to drink or inhale can't remember).
I use saline flushes. I read somewhere they're ok - maybe great to use. I figure if they're sterile enough to put in a vein - good enough for putting in the nose.
-------------------- Pos.Bb culture 2012 Labcorp - no bands ever Igenex - Neg. 4 times With overall bands: IGM 18,28,41,66 IND: 23-25,34,39 IGG 41,58 IND: 39 Bart H IGG 40 Posts: 1613 | From Texas | Registered: Aug 2009
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me
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Member # 45475
posted
I got over the hump til tonight about twenty minutes ago. About twenty minutes ago, I got into an argument with a loved one about the Lyme treatment I'm doing and started bawling and am now all clogged up and snotty. Maybe it will go away again after I calm down some . . .
Thanks for checking and for the ideas.
-------------------- Just sharing my experiences, opinions, and what I've read and learned. Not medical advice. Posts: 1431 | From USA | Registered: Mar 2015
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TF
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Member # 14183
posted
For temporary relief of nasal congestion, get OTC Afrin nasal spray. It will clear the nose for 12 hours.
Doctor has told me to use it for bad nasal congestion. BUT, you can only use it about 5 days. After that, it will make your congestion worse.
So, get some at the drug store and just use it when you really can't breath through the nose.
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
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me
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Thank you, TF.
-------------------- Just sharing my experiences, opinions, and what I've read and learned. Not medical advice. Posts: 1431 | From USA | Registered: Mar 2015
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