Sinus infection?

[Liamsmom]

My son gets the same thing around this time of year he is very allergic to environmental things ex: tree pollen , ragweed, mold etc. But both Dr's are right you have these allergies that progress into a sinus infection because of the constant mucus that no matter what drips down the back of your throat . I tend to get them as well always this time of year. My son is seeing an allergist and gets weekly shots that seems to help a bit he much less sinusy this year. But he also takes allergy meds prescribe by allergy doc singulair for asthma and allergies I know you said you don't have insurance at the moment but there are lots of programs out there that assist people in buying their meds if you can get a presciption than research these programs you'll be set but I think perhaps find an allergist in the city closest to you.

[comeonnow]

Originally Posted by Liamsmom

My son gets the same thing around this time of year he is very allergic to environmental things ex: tree pollen , ragweed, mold etc. But both Dr's are right you have these allergies that progress into a sinus infection because of the constant mucus that no matter what drips down the back of your throat . I tend to get them as well always this time of year. My son is seeing an allergist and gets weekly shots that seems to help a bit he much less sinusy this year. But he also takes allergy meds prescribe by allergy doc singulair for asthma and allergies I know you said you don't have insurance at the moment but there are lots of programs out there that assist people in buying their meds if you can get a presciption than research these programs you'll be set but I think perhaps find an allergist in the city closest to you.

I had gotten tested several times in the past for allergies and nothing ever came of it anyway even when we had insurance because we couldn't afford the allergy shots then. My doctor doesn't seem to think much of them and doesn't see much improvement in his patients who do get them, but of course there are some people that they help. I don't use Singulair. Is that different from other inhalers? I use Pulmicort as a maintence inhaler and Albuterol (generic of Alupent) as an emergency inhaler. I use Nasonex nose spray and take Clarinex every day. I forgot to mention that I know about the available programs. I wouldn't be able to get my medicines without them. Thank goodness there's help out there for people like me and my husband who missed the boat in life and seem to be stuck in a state of indigence.

Yes, I hate that dripping down the back of my throat. I don't know which makes me more miserable, the sore throat, bad headache or feeling run down and even feverish sometimes. In a way I'm glad I don't have a job right now because I wouldn't feel like getting up for work. I almost feel like I have to have a job that's only half the year because I'm sick the rest of the year.

[Sannah]

Comeon, I'll answer a few things on this thread too. Allergies make you feel horrible. You said that your dust mite allergy should be the same all year around. Many people on this site agree that dust mites are worse in the fall and winter. I think that it is because the air conditioner is turned off in the fall. The air keeps the humidity low and dust mites can't survive below I think 50%. Also in the winter you wear more clothes and use more blankets where the dust mites live.

[sneezydiva]

So from what I gather you were tested for allergies in the past? And you have quite a few? It seems counter-intuitive, but I also find my allergies are worse in the fall. First, if you are allergic to ragweed and molds, they are fall allergies. Espeically the molds which like to grow under fallen leaves. Like Sannah said, dustmites get worse in the fall/winter too. Spring allergies come and go quickly, everything releases pollen about the same time, you have a few weeks of misery, but then it's done. Fall and Winter, your house is closed up and the allergies build up, and it gets worse as time goes by.

It sounds like you have a continuous cycle of your allergies causing a sinus infection. When you are miserable it can be hard to tell the difference between them, which is why you seem to get different diagnosis from the doctors. The best thing is for you to prevent the allergies in the first place. Use the sinus irrigator. I know it didn't seem to help, but use it before you use the Nasonex. My allergist told me using a steroid nosespray without irrigating first is like putting oil on water. The spray will just sit on the mucus and never reach the nasal tissue where it needs to go to work. After a week, I think you will find the spray working better.

Second, ask about a different antihistamine, Clartin and Clarinex don't work well for some people. Allegra and Zyrtec offer some people much more relief.
If you are allergic to dustmites, get the dustmite proof covers for your mattress and pillows. Wash your sheets once a week in hot water, and the other bedding every other week. Go to Home Depot/Lowes and get a 3M or Dupont high effieciency furnace filter. This will help remove allergens from inside your house. And if you can, buy a HEPA air cleaner for your bedroom.