Sinus infection?

comeonnow · 10-22-2006, 03:49 AM

I don't even know if that's the right name. I go to a family practice center where there are several doctors. When I go in complaining of a sore throat and bad headache, the one says it's a sinus infection and prescribes an antibiotic. Another time when I get sick (it does really make me feel lousy, this head thing) and go in, I might get someone else and he'll say, "Oh, it's not something that you can treat with antibiotics and will prescribe a nose spray." I get many of these sinus things, whatever you want to call them, and last year from October to April had 9 of them. After I'm done with an antibiotic, I only feel well for about a week and then it's right back to the same old thing. I'm so sick and tired of this. I even bought a sinus irrigation machine (which I guess is basically what you all describe here as your upside down method); the liquid goes in one nostril and comes out the other...well, it hasn't even made a difference at all, so that was $100 wasted. Up until about 7 or 8 years ago, I hadn't ever gotten any of these sicknesses, but now I can always count on getting at least half a dozen every fall and winter. I don't understand why I get them then. I know I'm allergic to dust mites, but they're in the house all the time, not just in the fall and winter. You'd think that I'd get them in the spring and summer too because I'm outside a lot and found out that I'm allergic to grass and various types of weeds and trees. Maybe I should be glad I'm only sick half a year instead of the entire year.

I have asthma, so I don't know if that has anything to do with me getting these things or not. When I have one, I know it right away. I just feel BLAH and my throat hurts (actually what you would refer to as swollen glands, I guess, because it's off to the side a little on either side of my throat) and my whole head hurts, front and back. It hurts above my eyes, belows my eyes, at my temples, in the back, basically just mostly all over really. I kind of feel like you'd feel if you have a fever but I don't ever have one. I just feel run down and wanting to stay in bed all day because of feeling so bad. It makes me almost want to sleep from October to March or April and not even go anywhere. I feel absolutely miserable and have one of them right now. My husband lost his job, so we don't have any healthcare coverage at all. I have one right now and am just putting up with it because I can't afford to go to the doctor. I'm beginning to feel like there's no hope for me.

GLSheridan · 10-22-2006, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by comeonnow

I don't even know if that's the right name. I go to a family practice center where there are several doctors. When I go in complaining of a sore throat and bad headache, the one says it's a sinus infection and prescribes an antibiotic. Another time when I get sick (it does really make me feel lousy, this head thing) and go in, I might get someone else and he'll say, "Oh, it's not something that you can treat with antibiotics and will prescribe a nose spray." I get many of these sinus things, whatever you want to call them, and last year from October to April had 9 of them. After I'm done with an antibiotic, I only feel well for about a week and then it's right back to the same old thing. I'm so sick and tired of this. I even bought a sinus irrigation machine (which I guess is basically what you all describe here as your upside down method); the liquid goes in one nostril and comes out the other...well, it hasn't even made a difference at all, so that was $100 wasted. Up until about 7 or 8 years ago, I hadn't ever gotten any of these sicknesses, but now I can always count on getting at least half a dozen every fall and winter. I don't understand why I get them then. I know I'm allergic to dust mites, but they're in the house all the time, not just in the fall and winter. You'd think that I'd get them in the spring and summer too because I'm outside a lot and found out that I'm allergic to grass and various types of weeds and trees. Maybe I should be glad I'm only sick half a year instead of the entire year.

I have asthma, so I don't know if that has anything to do with me getting these things or not. When I have one, I know it right away. I just feel BLAH and my throat hurts (actually what you would refer to as swollen glands, I guess, because it's off to the side a little on either side of my throat) and my whole head hurts, front and back. It hurts above my eyes, belows my eyes, at my temples, in the back, basically just mostly all over really. I kind of feel like you'd feel if you have a fever but I don't ever have one. I just feel run down and wanting to stay in bed all day because of feeling so bad. It makes me almost want to sleep from October to March or April and not even go anywhere. I feel absolutely miserable and have one of them right now. My husband lost his job, so we don't have any healthcare coverage at all. I have one right now and am just putting up with it because I can't afford to go to the doctor. I'm beginning to feel like there's no hope for me.

Are you taking an antihistimine? If not, try taking one daily. You can get Claritin over-the-counter, and it's relatively inexpensive (especially if you purchase the store brand).

Mora · 10-22-2006, 05:12 PM

See if there is an alergist at the center...do not go back to the general practitioner, they have offered you little relief with what they prescribe you. Gook luck.

comeonnow · 10-24-2006, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GLSheridan

Are you taking an antihistimine? If not, try taking one daily. You can get Claritin over-the-counter, and it's relatively inexpensive (especially if you purchase the store brand).

Yes, I've been taking Clarinex once a day, and have also been using Nasonex nose spray. I just started taking them 2 weeks ago. Maybe it takes longer than that for them to take effect?

comeonnow · 10-24-2006, 01:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mora

See if there is an alergist at the center...do not go back to the general practitioner, they have offered you little relief with what they prescribe you. Gook luck.

This is a rural area and I know that there wouldn't specifically be an allergist at the free clinic. It just has one or two doctors who are retired and volunteer their time there several days a week. My husband has been there already and didn't think too much of the place, so I guess that's not the answer for me. Of course, it wouldn't hurt to go there and find out. At the worst, they wouldn't be able to help me either.