A protocol - Allergies Message Board

chigs489 · 02-14-2004, 09:07 AM

After fighting chronic bacterial sinusitis for months, seeing a lot of doctors (allergists, ENT, GP, etc.) I've developed a method for dealing with symptoms which I think offers some relief.

There are 2 parts to this.

PART ONE: When you have symptoms of a bacterial infection in the sinuses. These include facial/forehead pain, frequent headaches, yellow or green nasal discharge, dizziness/lightheadedness, cloudy vision, and stuffed up sinuses.

1. Antibiotics: either Avelox or Levaquin for a MINIMUM of 14 days. 21 is even better if your doctor allows it.
2. Prednisone: go on this for 4-5 days, and remember to taper off. This reduces inflamation and allows the antibiotic to penetrate the sinuses.
3. Nasal steroids: Nasacort or Rhinocort

PART TWO: if you have chronic sinus problems even when bacteria may not be present, such as nasal blockage, swelling, allergic shiners, etc.

1. Irrigation: Use either a machine (I use a Grossan Hydropulse, but there are others), or a spray bottle. Do this twice daily, once in the morning when you wake up, and once at night. The solution that works for me is:
a) 20ml of Alkalol (you can order this from your drug store)
b) 480ml of warm water (not hot)
c) a pinch of sea salt
d) a pinch of baking soda

2. Mucinix: a mucus thinner. Take 2 tablets twice a day. You can get this from the pharmacy, but you have to ask.

3. Antihistamine spray: Astelin is a good one.

4. Drink TONS of water.

5. Get 8 hours sleep minimum. The less sleep I get, the worse my sinuses feel.

6. Use humidifiers in the bedroom.

7. A "Steam mask": I use one from Conair. It basically blows steam into your face, and helps soothe the sinuses. This works well in winter.

8. Hot baths.

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Now what NOT to do!

1. Do NOT take OTC antihistamines while you have a bacterial infection. You will make it even worse.

2. Do NOT use decongestant sprays. You will have a "rebound" effect later.

3. Do NOT go on antibiotics for less than 14 days. The bacteria will become antibiotic resistant.

hilery79 · 02-14-2004, 10:11 AM

Hi,
Thanks for posting this-I found it very helpful. I did just start taking Mucinix, but I can't take steroids because of my tachycardia. My dr. must be a complete idiot. I am now on my fourth round of antibiotics. NONE of them were more than 10 days worth. I've been on Amoxicillin twice, Augmentin, and now Tequin(only 7 days worth). I did finally get him to do a CT scan of my sinuses on Fri, so hopefully I will hear something on Mon. First thing next week I am going make an appt. with an ENT. I am so tired of feeling awful all the time.

becky1954 · 02-14-2004, 12:04 PM

i am on my third round of antibiotics.the first two were for 10 days.this one has been for 14 days.the dr says it is the strongest antibiotic available for a sinus infection.while it has helped the headache i still have the sinus pain and right under my eyes.it hurts worse when i lie down on my left side and that is the only way i can sleep.i have also been on prednisone and saline nasal sprays.i have had a sinus xray and a mri.the mri showed sinus inflammation and mucous buildup.it feels like it is way up there and just won't come out.when i went to my dr last i was still running a slight fever.i have been to 3 different drs and a ent.nothing seems to help completely.i was taking clarinex but the last dr put me on allegra d.i am always tired.at first i also had a stiff neck which hurt like crazy but most of that is gone.i go back to the dr next wednesday and if it is no better he will probably order a cat scan.i am just so tired of this.it has gone on for 7 wks now.that is too long for a headache.

chigs489 · 02-14-2004, 05:56 PM

Don't feel too bad, I've been going through this since November 2nd (3 1/2 months).

If this round of antibiotics doesn't work, you need to consider

a) IV antibiotic therapy
b) surgery

But before you do that, give my protocol a try. I'm at about 90% now, and I was REALLY sick -to the point of possibly going on disability, or taking the Family Medical Leave Act.

One thing I forgot to mention. Absolutely NO caffeine or alcohol!

Crossbow · 02-15-2004, 08:48 AM

The "sinus infection" I have had alredy survived at least two normal courses of antiobiotics before we ever found anything was wrong. Now I'm on 3 weeks of Augmentin. (I have no pain and little discharge, but the CT scans showed the right maxilary sinus almost completely full and "debris" in the left one.) I sure hope it works. Also Nasonex and Prednisone and Zyrtec. Got a vaporizor in my room, also another vaporizor and two humidifiers in the house, and a fish tank that evaporates at the rate of a gallon per day.

Question: I have a saline spray ("Simply Saline" - water and salt, no preservatives) I was irrigating with but it didn't seem to help. I don't feel it getting into the right Maxilary sinus at all, which is the really bad one. I feel if getting into the left one, but it didn't seem to make much improvement. Should I keep trying? And where to you get machines for irrigation?

Oh, and I actually DO have Family Medical Leave for this! My doctors think I'm on the verge of death. My only discomfort is that my eyes hurt if I miss my Zyrtec.