Why see a Dr. for a sinus infection?

[singer1]

I have heard that sinus infections are so hard to treat that one can be on an antibiotic for a couple of months easy because these infections are so hard to treat IF they can even be treated! So, what the point in going to Dr.s and taking all this medication that may or may not work? Does anyone know of any home remedies that can help a sinus infection?

[chigs489]

Antibiotics do a pretty lousy job of treating sinus infections. I've been on 2 rounds this year alone (Levaquin & Avelox).

If sinus problems are the result of an obstruction or physical defect (deviated septum, bone spur, polyp, etc.), surgery is required to correct the problem. Most sinus problems fall into this catagory, and virtually all "chronic" problems have an obstruction componant.

Home remedies include irrigation and steam masks, but if your problem is chronic, you are looking at surgery.

I've had some nasty side-effects from Avelox, including muscular pain and carpal tunnel syndrome (which I hope will go away).

[Halls]

Well, I just had the surgery to fix my sinus problems and they are worse now than I had them before. I have a bad sinus infection and am on Ceftin and it is doing nothing. I have about another week to go on it and if it doesn't cure it than I'm going to let my immune system try and do the job. Irrigate, hot steam over the face are really good for the sinus's. To be honest with you I wish that I had let my immune system heal my first sinus infection instead of reaching for antibiotics cause I may be in better shape than I am now.

Hope it gets better.

Halls

[chigs489]

Hey Halls,

what part of the country do you live in? I'm in Chicago, and the weather gives me big sinus problems. I would attribute 75% of my problems to cold, dry weather, which dries out the sinus cavities, leaving them prone to infection, not to mention all the pollution and people sneezing on me in the subway.

I NEVER get colds in the Summer, or in a tropical climate.

[Halls]

I live in Dallas, Tx. I really don't know why i have more sinus problems down here, but it stinks.

I just got back from getting my MRI done and the tech showed me my scans and you could see my sinus passages were totally infected. he even acknowledged how infected they looked. Pretty sad!!

I get the results tomorrow and hopefully that is all that is wrong w/me from the MRI's view. I am miserable. Suppose to go on a trip to Arkansas on Thursday for Easter weekend and starting to think it isin't going to happen. My kids will not understand.

Halls