I have really been struggling with something the last 2-3 weeks. I hope this is not TMI, but I'm going to explain what's happening.
I'm not the kind of person to usually get colds, especially the type with snots. Usually my nose is just stuffed up feeling, but doesn't need to be blowed and it never helps anyway.
I had/have a Mycoplasma Pneumonia infection over a month ago. Just a FYI.
A week ago I starting getting terrible congestion in my nose and I'd blow and have some yellowish thick mucous come out. It's like no matter how much I blow, more is there.
This went on for days and was not solved by Mucinex, decongestants, etc. Today, I started using a nasal rinse (Neti-pot). It's a new concept for me and quite strange to get used to! I like it though not that I got over the fear of pouring lots of water up a nostril.
I used it for the first time this morning. OMG. I put it up my nostrils and irrigated them. All of a sudden, an enormous amount of mucous just pours out of both nostrils. Like 10x more than I've ever had. It literally was hanging from my nose into a sink a foot down! The mucous was a yellowish color with a hint of red too.
My mucous has been getting more bright yellowish with a very sticky texture - maybe migrating towards greenish color.
I had bad bronchitis for months on and off. THat's not bad now, but I've been dealing with major drainage issues, ear infection, etc. (better now I think).
Is this a sinus infection? I've never had one I believe. I have no fever. I haven't been on any antibiotics for 20+ days now. My ID doc wanted me on Minocin - maybe it's time.
Any thoughts are appreciated as always.
Posted by onbam (Member # 23758) on :
Well, I'd imagine that mycoplasma in your airways could do this. Also: Any allergies? I have hay fever and this year's been brutal.
WIth my sinus infections I've always had the worst headaches of my life...a week of abx has always taken care of it, though.
Posted by sillia (Member # 23994) on :
Indeed, that sounds like a sinus infection to me! I am not a doctor, but used to have sinus infections frequently for decades.
Your sinuses were pretty badly blocked up. If it were me, I'd continue with the saline rinsing. It is possible that with the rinsing the infection could clear up by itself, but you can probably tell yourself if you are still feeling sick by tomorrow, whether you may need an antibiotic. Certain antibiotics target sinus infections better than others so you might want to check on that.
If you do take an antibiotic, continue the saline rinsing to support that. When I am sick I'll do it twice a day; during allergy season I'll do it nearly every day just to prevent problems from starting up. You rinse out allergens as well as improve the function of the sinuses.
If you had a low-grade sinus infection for a while, with post nasal drip, that could cause a lot of the other symptoms. I've never had a fever with a sinus infection.
Posted by psano2 (Member # 11711) on :
It's better to have that mucous out of you regardless. I agree w/continuing the saline washes. You might look into salt inhalers too.
Posted by Need Lots of Help (Member # 18603) on :
Just remember that sinus infections can be bacterial, or fungal. I always had sinus infections for years. Every month I had a sinus infection, sometimes leading to bronchitis. I would get an antiboitic and I thought it cleared up, only to come back again.
For me, I found out that my sinus infections were fungal. I had taken too many antiboitics. I was on diflucan for 3 months, and for over a year, I didn't get a sinus infection again!!
Also, something to help dry up mucous is to squeeze a half of a lemon into warm tap water. Drink it half an hour before anything else. (Do not do this if you take thyroid medications, the acid make the thyroid meds not work!!)
Posted by Pinelady (Member # 18524) on :
I have it too. I was thinking this was a sign I was getting better/body recognized an invader and reacted??? First cold in over 2 years???
Posted by TS96 (Member # 14048) on :
Just a thought... the LDN you are taking is kicking your immune system in.
or...
Sinus infection. I have had many a time with the same mucus drg. If I didn't use the neti pot it would ultimatley turn into a nasty fungal and or bacterial infection.
Don't let it get bad, keep using the neti pot!
And stay away from any sugar that may be feeding the infection.
Best wishes
Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :
Sounds like you need that neti-pot!
This is the first hayfever season I've had allergies since before I got Lyme (welcome back, immune system!). I feel your pain. I think it could be a combo of the time of the year with not being able to get it all out fast enough. I've always gotten sinus infections this time of year, until I got the neti pot. Use it morning and night! I'm using mine even more than that right now.
Glad you got your head cleared. Mine's been getting so bad I can't even get the water through.
![[Frown]](frown.gif)