Melanie Reber
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 3707
posted
My head is so hot already the thought of a hot compress sounds not so appealing. But if it will help the pain, i'll try it.
THANKS nurse carol!!! Love you too!
Posts: 7052 | From Colorado | Registered: Mar 2003
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lpkayak
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5230
posted
diflucan and / or a nasal spray i get from biological dentist made of xlitol helps my sinus. each year they are harder to deal with. also good air purifyer and de-chemical house
-------------------- Lyme? Its complicated. Educate yourself. Posts: 13712 | From new england | Registered: Feb 2004
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-------------------- You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have. Posts: 807 | From South Dakota | Registered: Jul 2005
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lymeinhell
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 4622
posted
If it is a sinus infection, you shouldn't be taking any antihistamines (not sure if you are). They dry up stuff preventing the infected mucus from coming out.
Saline sprays (Xlear is absolutely the best) will help. You could also try Afrin decongestant only. It's the least likely to raise your BP and will provide relief (a wonderful recommendation from my Allergist).
The old fashioned method of putting your face over a pot of hot water and covering your head with a towel does work. It's like a steamy sauna for your face.
If you start getting grey shadows under your eyes, please call your Dr..... Sinus infections are too dangerously close to your brain to self treat. We wouldn't want anything bad to happen to you.
-------------------- Julie _ _ ___ _ _ lymeinhell
Blessed are those who expect nothing, for they shall not be disappointed. Posts: 2258 | From a better place than I was 11 yrs ago | Registered: Sep 2003
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posted
ROCHESTER, MINN. -- Mayo Clinic researchers say they have found the cause of most chronic sinus infections -- an immune system response to fungus. They say this discovery opens the door to the first effective treatment for this problem, the most common chronic disease in the United States. An estimated 37 million people in the United States suffer from chronic sinusitis, an inflammation of the membranes of the nose and sinus cavity. Its incidence has been increasing steadily over the last decade. Common symptoms are runny nose, nasal congestion, loss of smell and headaches. Frequently the chronic inflammation leads to polyps, small growths in the nasal passages which hinder breathing. "Up to now, the cause of chronic sinusitis has not been known," say the Mayo researchers: Drs. David Sherris, Eugene Kern and Jens Ponikau , Mayo Clinic ear, nose and throat specialists. Their report appears in the September issue of the journal Mayo Clinic Proceedings. "Fungus allergy was thought to be involved in less than ten percent of cases," says Dr. Sherris. "Our studies indicate that, in fact, fungus is likely the cause of nearly all of these problems. And it is not an allergic reaction, but an immune reaction." The researchers studied 210 patients with chronic sinusitis. Using new methods of collecting and testing mucus from the nose, they discovered fungus in 96 percent of the patients' mucus. They identified a total of 40 different kinds of fungi in these patients, with an average of 2.7 kinds per patient. In a subset of 101 patients who had surgery to remove nasal polyps, the researchers found eosinophils (a type of white blood cell activated by the body's immune system) in the nasal tissue and mucus of 96 percent of the patients. The results, the researchers say, clearly portray a disease process in which, in sensitive individuals, the body's immune system sends eosinophils to attack fungi and the eosinophils irritate the membranes in the nose. As long as fungi remain, so will the irritation. "This a potential breakthrough that offers great hope for the millions of people who suffer from this problem," says Dr. Kern. "We can now begin to treat the cause of the problem instead of the symptoms." More research is underway at Mayo Clinic to confirm that the immune response to the fungus is the cause of the sinus inflammation. The researchers are also working with pharmaceutical companies to set up trials to test medications to control the fungus. They estimate that it will be at least two years before a treatment will be widely available. The researchers distinguish chronic sinusitis -- sinusitis that lasts three months or longer -- from acute sinusitis, which lasts a month or less. They say that the cause of the acute condition is usually a bacterial infection. Antibiotics and over-the-counter decongestants are widely used to treat chronic sinusitis. In most cases, antibiotics are not effective for chronic sinusitis because they target bacteria, not fungi. The over-the-counter drugs may offer some relief of symptoms, but they have no effect on the inflammation. "Medications haven't worked for chronic sinusitis because we didn't know what the cause of the problem was," says Dr. Ponikau. "Finally we are on the trail of a treatment that may actually work." Thousands of kinds of single-cell fungi (molds and yeasts) are found everywhere in the world. Fungal spores (the reproductive part of the organism) become airborne like pollen. Some people develop allergies to fungi. The new evidence from the Mayo study suggests that many people also develop a different kind of immune system response.
PS Fix the break ups if you wish!!
Posts: 789 | From CT, | Registered: Jun 2006
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Melanie Reber
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 3707
posted
Thanks so much to each of you for your replies.
The hot compresses actually did feel good on my hot face, and I also used some afrin to try to open my sinuses a bit.
I was able to take my temp today when the afrin reached peak...and I think the fever broke because it was only 100.7, so not too bad now.
I am so tired though and each time I lay my head down it hurts in every place my face hits the feather pillow.
Although I have been dealing with these awful allergy attacks for far too long, this felt more like an infection rather than a reaction...or a combo of both?
I don't know...
Anyway, I am a bit concerned about the fugi/yeast issue. Thanks for that report Al, very interesting. I do have some Nystatin and a few Diflucan. Guess I should try to work those in too.
I wonder if I put some salt in the hot pot of steam water, if that would help? Or if I did an epsom salt bath?
Maybe later...that sounds like a lot of work right now.
Anyway, just wanted to say thank you and head back to the sofa.
~ ~ Hope is a powerful medicine. ~ ~ Posts: 2775 | From MN | Registered: Apr 2001
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randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
i sure hope you get better soon.
i don't know if mine is infection or not, but my nose is very very dry. it hurts.
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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tickled1
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 14257
posted
Al,
That was awesome information. Thank you! I think this has been a problem for me all my life! I'm on Diflucan right now and maybe if I show this to my LLMD she'll keep me on it a little longer!
Posts: 2541 | From Northeast | Registered: Jan 2008
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Melanie Reber
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 3707
posted
Hi Peggy, Hope those boys of yours are doing well. I actually do have a Neti-pot, but my sinuses are too stuffed for the salt water to pour through.
Thanks Randi, My nose isn't dry, but the opposite most days. Hope your nose feels better soon too.
Posts: 7052 | From Colorado | Registered: Mar 2003
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treepatrol
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 4117
posted
Hi missy M
are sure its a cold and not a herx I use to get them alot when I herxed bad nose just full of juices it usually lasted 3 to 5 days then clear up But I ached real bad at the same time. Either way I hope you feel better soon!
-------------------- Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Remember Iam not a Doctor Just someone struggling like you with Tick Borne Diseases.
Melanie Reber
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 3707
posted
Hey there Tree-hugger,
This was unlike my usual allergies, and really couldn't qualify as a herx because I have been off meds for a long time. (besides a few false starts here and there)
My temp is back down to a normal 96.8 and the pain has decreased substantially. I'm still very tired though and very dizzy...so I think that 'something' is certainly not quite right still.
Took another day off of work just in case I was too 'germish'.
Thanks for the well wishes, and right back at ya!
Love, M
Posts: 7052 | From Colorado | Registered: Mar 2003
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treepatrol
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 4117
posted
Hang in there sweety!!
-------------------- Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Remember Iam not a Doctor Just someone struggling like you with Tick Borne Diseases.
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