chigs489

doodledeb,

my 2 year old has developed similar sinus problems (just like daddy). I've had to nebulize him (that's fun), give him multiple rounds of antibiotics, and now he is on Singulair. How old is your daughter?

I wouldn't use prednisone -the stuff is nasty.

Sinus problems are REALLY frustrating. I've been suffering for a couple years now, and even had to have surgery to correct a deviated septum.

It's like having asthma. It never totally goes away, because it is an inflammation problem, NOT an infection issue. Our immune system is out of whack.

But this can cause infection, simply because the sinuses don't drain properly.

I've had some success in the last year through a routine of irrigation using a machine, Allegra, immunotherapy (although I stopped this because my insurance no longer covers it), and occassional decongestants.

Astelin is a joke -it did nothing for me.
Nasonex helps a little bit.

The main thing is irrigation. I've been able to clear my last 3 sinus infections by using a solution of cool distilled water, 5ml of Alkalol, 3ml of hydrogen peroxide, and Xyletol. I use the peroxide for 3 days or until my nasal discharge is clear. Then I continue irrigating with water and Xyletol.

I'm doing this again, because I developed another infection after going to the Peter Murphy concert and breathing in smoke for 4 hours, not to mention all the alcohol, which swells the sinuses.

Antibiotics don't work for sinus infections. You feel relief from these simply because they have an anti-inflammatory effect that sometimes allows the infection to drain. The sinuses are bone, not standard tissue. Antibiotics have no way of getting in there. You have to treat the problem directly.

For anyone with severe sinus problems, I recommend getting a CT Scan to rule out any structural problems that might be causing a lack of drainage or blockage. If you have a blockage, it doesn't matter what you do, bacteria is going to fester in there.