Any doctors here?

[Serendipity]

I've been to two doctors and they still can't figure this out:

I've had a sinus infection since the last week of August, and I still have it today. Doctor # 1 prescribed me some nasal decongestant, and as I wasn't feeling any better, I went to Doctor # 2 who gave me antibiotics. This was from early September to late October.

The antibiotics Doctor # 2 prescribed made me feel better, but within 3 weeks, I've had this sinus infection sneak back up on me. What's worse is now I have a cold on top of this pre-existing condition and I feel terrible.

Fast foward to today. Sick with a very bad cold and still have all the pre-existing conditions. (I thought you couldn't get sick when you already were sick?)

Anyways, neither doctor can figure this out and it's really frustrating. :(

[janmike]

Go see an ENT.

[Serendipity]

Go see an ENT.

Yes, I did actually. He took a X-ray and said that I have a clog in my sinuses due to the infection. Gave me antibiotics and said that I would be fine in two weeks or so.

Which I was doing fine until I got sick AGAIN over Thanksgiving and not only has the sinus issue come back, I have a typical cold (fever, headache, cough, etc.)

Now I'm thinking - is this the same issue as before/did it come back?

[Strong Bad]

I'll tell you what I did...

I was getting sinus infections every 2 - 2 1/2 months like clock work. My doctor finally ordered a CatScan of my sinuses and sent me to an ENT (Ear Nose & Throat Specialist). I had a severe deviated septum. I went under the knife back in Early May. The surgery and post recovery was a piece of cake (despite all the horror stories I've heard). The Dr said I had a mess up there, including removing some polyps and a small piece of bone pushing the septum off to the side.

Since May, not even the slightest hint of anything. Just crytal clear sinuses! I feel like a new man and wish I would have done that sooner.

Like Janmike said, go see an ENT!

[Serendipity]

Wow, now I'm confused.

I'm not even sure if I've got a sinus infection again over Thanksgiving, or is it just the symptoms of the cold that make me think I have a sinus infection again.

If there was something seriously wrong I'd think the doctors would've noticed it?

[Serendipity]

I'll tell you what I did...

I was getting sinus infections every 2 - 2 1/2 months like clock work.

The thing is, I rarely get sinus infections - this is probably my first or second time.

Anyways, will see the doctor today.

[Ron-P]

Try sniffing warm salt water several times a day. When I have bad sinus problems it's what I do and withing a couple of days it's all good and gone.

[cfrizz]

Wow alot of us have this problem. I have allergies & take meds year round But whenever I catch a cold my nasal inhaler usually stops working. I had a cold a month ago & I'm STILL trying to get my post nasal drip under control!

I'm about the call my MD to get yet another new medication to see if that will work.

As for if you have another sinus infection, if what you are blowing out is clear than it is the cold. If it is yellow or green you need more antibiotics.

Good luck!

Wow, now I'm confused.

I'm not even sure if I've got a sinus infection again over Thanksgiving, or is it just the symptoms of the cold that make me think I have a sinus infection again.

If there was something seriously wrong I'd think the doctors would've noticed it?

[petrym]

Drink a lot of gin. ;)
Michael
Ph.D. (Phony Doctor)

-------------------------
Okay, for real now.
appadv,
How'd your doctor's visit go today?

[dave shepard]

Quit picken your finger is in the way of your breathing :D .

[Serendipity]

Just came back from the doctor. Yes, I've had yellow mucus and I don't feel too well.

Let's just say that it's not a good thing.

[cfrizz]

Oh Joy. Have fun taking a weeks worth of antibiotics. Hope you feel better soon.

[Serendipity]

Oh Joy. Have fun taking a weeks worth of antibiotics. Hope you feel better soon.

Thanks.

Why is it that whenever I get sick, I have midterms and papers due the following Monday?

Good thing I started studying already.

[shawn474]

The problem could be that the doctors have not used the correct form of antibiotic. Sinus infections can be caused from a huge variety of bacterium and unless the antibiotic kills the bacteria it will come back and come back with a vengeance. The wrong antibiotics will supress the infection but not kill it. Once your course of meds is up, it comes back after it recovers from being supressed. Most doctors that I know (I work in the medical field) will only prescribe the meds if they are CERTAIN that the type of meds is definitely indicated for that type of infection. Problem is, most people go to the doctors office and want the "quick fix" actually requesting antibiotics. So doctors prescribe the "lesser" antibiotics to appease the patient thinking that even if it isn't a bacterial infection there is no harm done. It is one of the most debated topics in medicine and precisely the reason that we are hearing about M.R.S.A. in the community now.

I hope you get to feeling better. I would definitely get a second opinion. Strong Bad makes a great point about people getting these infections over and over. Instead of treating the infection alone, you must consider the underlying cause or it will keep coming back no matter what treatment is given.

Take Care,
Shawn

[Serendipity]

The problem could be that the doctors have not used the correct form of antibiotic. Sinus infections can be caused from a huge variety of bacterium and unless the antibiotic kills the bacteria it will come back and come back with a vengeance. The wrong antibiotics will supress the infection but not kill it. Once your course of meds is up, it comes back after it recovers from being supressed. Most doctors that I know (I work in the medical field) will only prescribe the meds if they are CERTAIN that the type of meds is definitely indicated for that type of infection. Problem is, most people go to the doctors office and want the "quick fix" actually requesting antibiotics. So doctors prescribe the "lesser" antibiotics to appease the patient thinking that even if it isn't a bacterial infection there is no harm done. It is one of the most debated topics in medicine and precisely the reason that we are hearing about M.R.S.A. in the community now.

I would never ask a doctor for antibiotics, as I'd think the doctor would know more about the situation than I would. So I rarely take antibiotics unless a doctor tells me that it is necessary to do so.

[shawn474]

Not saying that you did; just saying that it has become commonplace nowadays and contributes to the reason why they are becoming less and less effective. Didn't mean to imply anything if it was taken that way.

Shawn

[Serendipity]

Not saying that you did; just saying that it has become commonplace nowadays and contributes to the reason why they are becoming less and less effective. Didn't mean to imply anything if it was taken that way.

Shawn

I can understand that. I know that antibiotics become less effective the more you take them, so if given the choice, I would only take them if the doctor says I have a severe infection and I must take the antibiotics.

[Serendipity]

Would like to point out - the blood test the doctor did today showed that I had a very high count of white blood cells. Now in layman's terms, what does this mean?

The doctor gave me a long explanation but basically all I can understand is that it means I have a virus?

[shawn474]

High white blood cell count indicates that you have an infection - whether it is a viral infection or bacterial infection I won't even guess. The blood test just shows that your immune system is fighting some type of infection. If it is a viral infection, antibiotics would be useless and actually make matters worse. Reason = when you are on antibiotics, your immune system does not work as hard because the medicine is fighting the bacterial infection. If the meds are not working to fight a bacterial infection (and a virus is present), it is still suppressing your immune system, but not treating the virus at all and in some cases making it "stronger" due to the fact that your immune system is down.

Shawn

[Serendipity]

High white blood cell count indicates that you have an infection - whether it is a viral infection or bacterial infection I won't even guess. The blood test just shows that your immune system is fighting some type of infection. If it is a viral infection, antibiotics would be useless and actually make matters worse. Reason = when you are on antibiotics, your immune system does not work as hard because the medicine is fighting the bacterial infection. If the meds are not working to fight a bacterial infection (and a virus is present), it is still suppressing your immune system, but not treating the virus at all and in some cases making it "stronger" due to the fact that your immune system is down.

Shawn

Well, the antibiotics the doctor prescribed last time did have a huge effect on the infection - it nearly went away. So I'm assuming that this time, the antibiotics will at least do something.

Or am I totally wrong in my thinking?

[shawn474]

You are probably right. They just may need to give you a higher dose or a longer course of meds. However, given the fact that you were never completely better COULD mean (again I am only speaking from a lot of experience here) that it never completely killed the infection. You stated that it "nearly" went away. Even viral infections that are initially treated with antibiotics get better in the short term. However, they almost certainly come back once the course of antibiotics is finished.

Again, I am in no way second guessing your treatment or implying that you are being mistreated or not doing what you should be doing. Just offering advice on a topic that I am quite experienced with.

Shawn

[Serendipity]

What leads me to think that the antibiotics did help is the fact that in late August to early September, I was sick for weeks before I was given antibiotics. The short dosage of antibiotics given to me in October were so effective that I was feeling fine until Thanksgiving. Then the infection came back.

I asked the doctor the first time he gave me antibiotics if they were of the "strong" type, and he said "no, it's not good to give a high dosage in the beginning, if the problem persists come back and then we'll try a higher dosage."

[shawn474]

Sounds to me that he definitely is doing the right thing! Probably just need a higher dose or longer course of antibiotics.

Shawn

[Serendipity]

Thanks for the reassurance!

[schwarcw]

Hang in there appadv! Sometimes sinus infections can be chronic because there isn't much blood flow into the infected area. This makes it difficult to get the antibiotics in there to do their work. In the worst cases like Strong Bad has pointed out, surgery is necessary. Let's hope the antibiotics can do the job. It just may take some time. Good luck and get well soon!

[shadowofnight]

I'll tell you what I did...

I was getting sinus infections every 2 - 2 1/2 months like clock work. My doctor finally ordered a CatScan of my sinuses and sent me to an ENT (Ear Nose & Throat Specialist). I had a severe deviated septum. I went under the knife back in Early May. The surgery and post recovery was a piece of cake (despite all the horror stories I've heard). The Dr said I had a mess up there, including removing some polyps and a small piece of bone pushing the septum off to the side.

Since May, not even the slightest hint of anything. Just crytal clear sinuses! I feel like a new man and wish I would have done that sooner.

Like Janmike said, go see an ENT!

Same exact experience for me....deviated septum and polyps as well...very easy surgery...horror stories are crap...except for the AWE of seeing 7 inches of guaze pulled from each nostril 72 hours after the surgery...and a few pretty large blood clots come out in the following days....that was it...no pain...nothing. Going from sinus infections 4 to 5 times a year to none in the past 6 years was worth its weight in gold ( Got the flu 2 years ago...that didnt count :) )

[Serendipity]

Hang in there appadv! Sometimes sinus infections can be chronic because there isn't much blood flow into the infected area. This makes it difficult to get the antibiotics in there to do their work. In the worst cases like Strong Bad has pointed out, surgery is necessary. Let's hope the antibiotics can do the job. It just may take some time. Good luck and get well soon!

Thanks, I feel worse than yesterday but I hope I will get better.

I'm going back to bed.

[lightman1]

Has he tested you for "COOOOTIEEEES!":D
I had a nasty sinus infection last year. It finally came to round of anti-biotics before it cleared up. Hope you get to feeling better cause a stuffy head boogers up the ears.

[Serendipity]

Thanks. The doctor told me that I have pharyngitis along with the sinusitis, and that I may also have a cold :(

I don't know how the heck I'm going to study, but I've been sleeping most of the time.

[Serendipity]

I had a nasty sinus infection last year. It finally came to round of anti-biotics before it cleared up.

I hope the antibiotics will clear it up.

The thing is that I've been feeling worse and worse and coughing up green. I wonder when I'll feel better. Been sleeping all day and can't get up to do anything other than post on this laptop.