Hello, my problems started in feb., went to the doctor complaining of severe tiredness, persistant dry cough. My chest ex-ray was fine. A week and a half later I was dizzy and weak that morning, evening ear started to hurt, by night severe pain. My ear drum ruptured by a.m. Went to doc, perscribed amoxacillian. 5 days later woke with severe dizziness, vomiting, went to ER. Ct scan showed severe sinusitis and mastoiditis (ER doc said I was the worse patient he had seen with this). Hospitalized for 5 days sent home with PICC line so I could give myself IV antibiotic (rocephrin), saline and heprin. Now one month later I still have dizziness, ear pain, difficulty hearing and run a low grade fever (today between 99.8 - 100.2) and I am soooo tired. The exhaustion is awful, can only do things for a few minutes and MUST rest. I know they said it would take a month or so to heal but I just feel so awful. (yes antibiotics gave me a yeast infection).
They told me the mastoiditis caused the ear to rupture, that sinusitis caused the mastoiditis. This suprised me because I never had a plugged up nose through out this whole ordeal. I was wondering how long a person could have sinusitis without knowing it? Has anyone had this and how long did it take to gain your strength back? I see my regular doc tomorrow to find out how much longer on iv meds. My infection was even in my forehead, both cheek bones and around my ear. the last ct scan showed improvment, heres hoping they take the PICC line out soon as I am really wanting a nice long hot shower without worring about getting it wet.

My gosh I hope you are feeling better soon. It sounds like you have had quite a trial and although I have not been in that exact situation, I have been pretty close. Regarding the sinusitis, I have been sick up to months with it before and have even had infection in my sinuses clear up without antibiotics. Not all cases of upper respitory infections need antibiotics, although in your case I would definetly think you did. I am hoping you are seeing an ENT about this as a specialist would be needed I would think in your case.

My next question is are you a nurse? And if not are you not getting a home health nurse once a day to administer the IV meds and look at your PICC line? I also had a PIC line installed after I had a right hemicolectomy to avoid colon cancer in March of 2006. Actually they placed it in the second trip into the hospital after they located 3 staph abscesses in my abdomen and had busted every vein in my body. I was malnourished and dehydrated to make my already awful veins worse so it was miserable to have that thing in my upper arm. I was sent home after 3 weeks with the line and a home health nurse came by everyday to administer the drugs and to check my wound site for the PICC. She was the one that changed my bandage with water proof components every two days. She was also the one that removed it. It was horrible and painful, but once they started trying to get IV fluids and draw blood from my suicide veins (that is what I call them) I went for the line they suggested. I think your doctor should be following this more closely. And I hope you see an ENT soon as you are still so miserable. It took me 3 months to recover from that episode and it has taken me 2 weeks to recover from my T&A surgery with Septoplasty and Turbinate Reduction.

Feel Better

Thank you for your reply. Sounds like you have gone through quite an ordeal yourself. No I am not a nurse, they taught me how to administer the drugs myself and come by once a week for blood draw and change of bandage.
I went to a ENT and she said my eardrum is healing nicely, that they have me on the drugs she would have put me on. They performed a hearing test and say I am fortunate my hearing was not adversly affected. Yesterday I saw my regular doc and she says the sinus area (soft tissue) is clear of infection but there is still some in my mastoid and other bone structures so I have to continue IV drugs another two weeks. I still run a low grade fever so that to entered into the decision to continue drugs. I will have another CT scan in a week to check for improvement.
I do have a question about your PICC line. You mentioned a water proof bandage? Were you able to shower with it? I have to wrap my arm in celphane and tape to be very careful not to get bandage wet. I long for a nice hot shower without holding my arm in the air away from shower spray. LOL it is funny some of the things we take for granted. Again thanks for reply and hope that all is well with you.

Yes I was able to shower, but they did have it wrapped up in water proof tape and such. I wanted the dressing changed daily, but in the hospital they changed it every 3 days as protocol and outside the home health nurse did it every 2 days to try to help me out as it was not the most sturdy of inventions if you ask me. I still have the scar, but it did heal nicely to only be a slight one. I do know what you mean by taking little things forgranted. I had TMJ surgery when I was 18 and my mouth was wired shut for 6 weeks. So for 6 weeks no brushing my teeth. I swallowed mouth wash literally to keep me from killing people with my breathe. I can tell you now I no longer find it a chore to brush my teeth (lol). I am glad to hear your doctor said things are looking up. Hopefully, before long, you will find relief as I know the surgery and the PICC line makes things worse. Man, when I had that thing in and 2 IV pumps attached to it I felt like I was in jail, handcuffed to my bed. Best wishes to you and for your recovery.