Plagued by sinus infections

Stargazer · #1 (**permalink**) 08-23-2010, 06:37 AM

Not my snakes - me. I don't know why this is happening. About every two months, I get a nasty sinus infection, and it lasts about 6 weeks. Then I'm okay for a few months, maybe even 5 or 6 months. Sometimes I come down with a virus that turns into a sinus infection. Sometimes my sinuses just get clogged for no apparent reason. It is really stressful because nasal rinses and antibiotics do not work. Nothing seems to work. I am extremely healthy. I eat well, exercise, meditate, and take very good care of myself. I don't get it.

Has anyone had any troubles like this, and did anything work? I don't want to have any surgeries.

Sakara · #2 (**permalink**) 08-23-2010, 06:56 AM

it's where you live

really though... I used to get BAD migraines a LOT, got sinus infections and got sick a lot when I lived in PA... It all stopped when I moved out of the north east...

The only time I ever get migraines or anything now is when my blood sugar is really low or something...

Stargazer · #3 (**permalink**) 08-23-2010, 06:59 AM

Well, if that's the case, it would have something to do with allergies. I'll have to see if a trip to Costa Rica cures it.

Sakara · #4 (**permalink**) 08-23-2010, 07:02 AM

It's not necessarily the allergies... I've never had a problem with allergies... I think it has to do with the barometric pressures or something...

Stargazer · #5 (**permalink**) 08-23-2010, 07:04 AM

Really? It could be that? It started about 10 years ago when I was working at another healthcare organization. I came down with a nasty cold and sinus infection. And it seems like they've just become chronic ever since. I've gone a year or so without getting them. But this past year, it's been horrible!

Sakara · #6 (**permalink**) 08-23-2010, 07:06 AM

I dunno if colds can become chronic or not >.>

I can tell ya that I know when the weather is getting ready to change though... I'll get headaches... It happened a LOT when I was in PA because the weather would change really quickly within a day or so... Texas isn't TOO bad...

Stargazer · #7 (**permalink**) 08-23-2010, 07:08 AM

Well, it really sucks. I have been trying to clear my sinuses all day today, and they won't clear. It will probably keep me up tonight. It also has killed my singing voice, which also sucks because I was hoping to get back in a band at some point.

Keri · #8 (**permalink**) 08-23-2010, 07:08 AM

I've had sinus troubles due to allergies and bad air quality (it's gorgeous out here but I definately notice it when I go to the city) for a couple of years now. What I find really helps is using a neti pot a couple of times a day to flush out your sinuses. You look really stupid and weird doing it but the saline you mix up for it really washes away any irritants and if you're having infections I bet it would cut down on bacterial populations. I would recommend starting it when your sinuses are clear and see if maybe a morning/night flush keeps the infections away.
I saw that you said that nasal rinses don't work but what was in them? Plain old saline does wonders.

Stargazer · #9 (**permalink**) 08-23-2010, 07:15 AM

They are saline rinses. I did them for weeks on end, with no results. Also, I don't think they are bacterial infections because they don't respond to antibiotics--either amoxicillin (sp) or azithromycin (sp).

Someone mentioned today that they could be caused by a fungus. Anyone ever heard of that?

Sakara · #10 (**permalink**) 08-23-2010, 07:16 AM

do you have fungus in your condo? >.>

Stargazer · #11 (**permalink**) 08-23-2010, 07:17 AM

Not that I'm aware of.

Sakara · #12 (**permalink**) 08-23-2010, 07:20 AM

well i sure hope not! cause that stuff could really screw you up

Keri · #13 (**permalink**) 08-23-2010, 07:20 AM

Could be a mold yes. Have you been allergy-tested?

Stargazer · #14 (**permalink**) 08-23-2010, 07:20 AM

Is there any way to find out without spending a fortune? I'm also wondering if there's something in the air at my job. I work in a hospital.

Stargazer · #15 (**permalink**) 08-23-2010, 07:21 AM

No, I haven't been allergy tested. The thought is so creepy. If I have mold in my condo, I'm definitely getting out.

Keri · #16 (**permalink**) 08-23-2010, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stargazer

Is there any way to find out without spending a fortune? I'm also wondering if there's something in the air at my job. I work in a hospital.

...Move to Canada? All of my allergy testing was free - to discover I am allergic to.... *drumroll please*.... cats and dogs. (I work in a vet clinic and own two cats and two dogs. I'm taking Singulair and it's really helped along with the neti pot when I get really bad)

I'm not sure if having your house tested for mold or you tested would be more expensive but you can try looking yourself in the most likely places (bastements, clostes, bathrooms, outside walls with stuff pushed against them)

Stargazer · #17 (**permalink**) 08-23-2010, 07:24 AM

Well, I have my one free annual exam in December. I will see about allergy testing then. If I do it sooner, I will be subject to a gigantic deductible that I can't afford. (Don't even get me started on that).

Stargazer · #18 (**permalink**) 08-23-2010, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keri

...Move to Canada? All of my allergy testing was free - to discover I am allergic to.... *drumroll please*.... cats and dogs. (I work in a vet clinic and own two cats and two dogs. I'm taking Singulair and it's really helped along with the neti pot when I get really bad)
I'm not sure if having your house tested for mold or you tested would be more expensive but you can try looking yourself in the most likely places (bastements, clostes, bathrooms, outside walls with stuff pushed against them)

I have a one-bedroom condo, so if there was visible mold, I'd see it or at least smell it. You'd think anyway. We do sometimes have mold issues in these ground floor units but only when pipes break and walls get flooded. It's altogether possible that I suddenly became allergic to my cat. But neither of those things would explain why I can go for 6 months and be fine.

Sakara · #19 (**permalink**) 08-23-2010, 07:29 AM

I forget how much it was for our mold test when we bought out house... You can probably call a house inspector and ask how much it would be to test for mold only... Our entire house inspection was like $240? I think... I know it wasn't more than that...

Stargazer · #20 (**permalink**) 08-23-2010, 07:31 AM

That's kind of high for me right now. I just had my carpets cleaned about a month ago. I wonder if anything came up through the carpet. It did smell like a wet dog for a while afterward. But I've been getting these infections for 10 years now. Since before I moved in here.

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