I am frequently on antibiotics and steroids for sinus problems. However, I recently had to take three weeks of anti's for a tick bite, then 2 weeks of anti's for sinuses, and am about to start another 3 weeks of a different antibiotic, also for the sinuses. It's over 8 weeks straight. Aside from the obvious problems of becoming resistant to the antibiotics, is there anything else I should be concerned about? I'm pretty limited as to what I can take, since I'm allergic to the penicillin family and cipro. Primarily, I've been on Ceftin and Omnicef.
I'm just starting to get concerned over what this might be doing to my body.
Long term antibiotic use can lead to "C. Difficle" infection. C. Difficle is one of the yeast infections people get while in the hospital and some survive and others do not. My mother was recovering from hip surgery when C. Difficle struck and in 36 hours she died. You do not have to be in a hospital setting to get C. Difficle, you can get it most any place, but, the hospitals have many patients with the infection.
While on antibiotics try to avoid visiting the hospital where the infection is rampant.
I personally would think twice about taking antibiotics for long periods of time.
For sinus problems I irrigate sinuses with salt water solution twice day. I use 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 1 cup boiled water, mix, strain thru paper coffee filter, cool, fill clean nasal spray bottles. To use, lie on bed on back with head hanging off, squirt a few squirts salt water into nostirls, turn head slowly side to side, remain there a minute or two, while getting up say "kkkkk" to keep throat closed so solution does not run down back of throat. Gently blow nose if needed. This will clean out the sinuses, gets rid of mucous, is healing. Many people have asked for this recipe and found it to be very helpful to them. My doctors have approved.
I thought c. difficile only came from certain antibiotics, such as Cleocin -- you can get it from any antibiotic? Or just from being in a hospital? I have heard about people who have contracted this infection and it seems to take months to get rid of it.
As for the sinuses, there's an anatomical problem that needs to be fixed -- the sprays and solutions are worthless for me right now because they cannot get to where they need to go. I have been putting off this surgery for some time, as I've already had two, and I have another condition which complicates things. I am, however, about to give in and do this, especially since they seem to have found exactly where the problem is.
Thanks again for your input.....and I'm sorry for your loss...
Inq, whenever you are on antibiotics, make sure you take acidophilus. Antibiotics also kill the good bacteria beneficial to the digestive tract. Acidophilus will replace this. Make sure you wait at least two hours before or after taking the antibiotic to take the acidophilus or the antibiotic will not be properly absorbed. The best kind to get are the refrigerated ones. Most health food stores carry them. Eating yogurt (with live cultures) is also beneficial but again wait the two hours.
I have been on very long-term antibiotics and have not had problems.
i took antibiotics for a year straight for lyme disease as i had it a very long time before being treated. i now have a constant problem with candida (yeast on the tongue and all thru me) i do use nystantin, but i just can't follow a candida free diet and it keeps coming back. like mentioned above, make sure to take acidolphus and eay plenty of yogurt
Thanks all, for the good advice...I'll be getting some yogurt. Fortunately, so far, so good....Between the anti's and the steroids, it's hard to know what these extraneous symptoms are coming from (thirsty, leg and foot cramps, etc). My guess is that it's the steroids...Never a dull moment, right?
I developed chronic sinus infections some years ago...On and off antibiotics, and steroids, like you.... and finally was diagnosed with polyps which of course created a situation where I couldn't drain properly. Not sure if you have them or not, due to the anatomical issue you mention, but no amt. of meds would budge the trapped infection until my polyps came out.
