Does this sound like chronic sinusitis?!! - Sinus Problems Message Board

lisat · 02-09-2002, 03:40 PM

Just wanted a little feedback from other people that might be in a similar situation as I. I have had about 5 sinus infections over the last year. (Unusual for me). Anyway, I had a bad cold in December and took a course of Zithromax for my sore throat. I felt better
over the holidays. Then around 1/14 I started developing headaches again. Funny thing is, I am assuming that this is sinus-related, but they were painting some doors at my place of work that day and I felt dizzy, hot, etc... that day, too. I finally made a trip to see my Dr. on 1/29 and he thinks it probably is allergies or sinusitis. He gave me Gatifloxacin (Teflin) to take for a 3 day course. Well, I finished this last week and I still have the headaches and congestion,etc...I am now taking Pan-Mist LA decongestant hoping that would break-up some of my stuffiness and relieve the headaches....so far, no luck. I do not wake with this headache, it develops mid-morning and stays with me most of the day. Tylenol and Advil don't really alleviate the headache pain.
Sometimes by nightfall I feel pretty well again. For instance, last night I felt pretty good and my boyfriend and I watched a movie together. Today I have yet another headache and am all stuffed-up. I have never had any problems with allergies in my past (I'm 39). My Dr. said if I don't feel better soon, he wants me to have a cat scan of my sinuses/head. This frightens me because I am afraid I have something serious wrong, but I think I should go and get the test for peace of mind. Dr. also said that sometimes one must take antiboitics for a stubborn infection for 3-4 weeks, so maybe I need this? I'm sorry this is so long, but I'm about at the end of my rope. I just want my headaches to be gone so I can live my life to the fullest again. I have felt pretty lousy. Thanks for any responses!

02-10-2002, 02:09 AM

Hi Lisat,

Sorry to hear you have been feeling unwell recently.

Have you ever identified anything that you are allergic to? Could it be other things as well as the paint at work?

You could ask your doc to do some allergy tests. Ask him if he feels its appropriate.

I know that its easy to say, but try not to worry too much about the CAT scan. Its fairly routine these days and it is needed so your doc to judge better what is going on. It sounds pretty much like it could be chronic sinusitus. If this proves to be the case then your doc may suggest a sinus washout. They would put you out for the procedure and they wash out one or both sets of sinuses. There are two sets, one nearer the nose and another set further up towards the head.

A lot of people find a sinus washout helpful.

Hope this helps?

Take care

Sarah