sinus infection

[Guest guest]

Hi Casey,

I will jump in, also with your question about when and how often to take

to the Doctor. I think it is better to error on the side of " she

didn't need to go to the doctor " than on the side of " I should have taken

her. " In my six years of experience with Sara and her sinus problems, she

has been to the doctor ALOT, but it was always reassuring to know she did not

have pneumonia, and I was never told that it was unnecessary to bring her in.

I have found that she does need longer doses of antibiotics. The last sinus

bout she had took 30 days of augmentin to clear her up, but as she is getting

older and with the steps I am taking to build up her immune system, she is

having fewer problems. (Knock on a BIG piece of wood). Also have you asked

your doctor about the latest pnemovax (SP?) vaccine? It supposedly helps

keep the bacteria that causes sinus and ear infections away, as well as

pneumonia.

, with all the antibiotics Sara has had, she has had little to no

diahrrea. I'm wondering if you are giving Vinnie lots of yogurt and

achidophillus, also known as a probiotic. I really push those two things

when she is on antibiotics--it helps put good bacteria back in her system.

Just some suggestions....Hope all of our children are healthy soon.

Marcia

Mom to Sara (DS) and 6 and Lucas 10

[Guest guest]

> , with all the antibiotics Sara has had, she has

> had little to no diahrrea. I'm wondering if you are

> giving Vinnie lots of yogurt and achidophillus, also

> known as a probiotic. I really push those two

> things when she is on antibiotics--it helps put good

> bacteria back in her system.

Marcia,

Vinnie loves yogurt, he has it atleast once or twice a

day. I'm not sure what " achidophillus, also known as a

probiotic " is??

Since this was the first time that we've seen this

doctor, of course he didn't want to say " allergies "

but he said try this first and we'll go from there.

The Dr. prescribed...

Cardec (decongestant,antihisamine,cough suppressant)

Amoxicillin (with refill)

SOD Sulfacet (antibacterial used to treat eye

infections) Vinnie's eyes have been watering too, but

I think it is all related to " allergies " but what do I

know? I'm only the Mom right? HA HA! Mom's know their

children.

Hope everyone has a good weekend.

~, moma to (DS) & Sloan

P.S.

Vinnie weight 24 1/4 pounds! Tubby Tubba!

__________________________________________________

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[Guest guest]

Hi,

I have two suggestions for you. The first is easy, do-it-yourself: to reduce

the swelling in your sinuses, use a hypertonic saline spray. Make up saline

with 3X the amount of salt in it as usual - 3/4 t. per 2 cups if I remember

right but check for yourself in archives - along with the usual amount of

baking soda. The extra salt will draw water out of the inflamed tissues and

reduce swelling. That in turn should allow more drainage, better access for

antibiotics, and faster clearance of inflammation and infection.

The second suggestion requires a doc: get a prescription for a systemic

antifungal. I just had a course of Lamisil (Rxed officially for toenail

fungus) that resulted in my sinuses clearing up and staying clear for the

first springtime in years.

Jerry

_________________________________________________________________

Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com

[Guest guest]

I think sinusitis has to be helped by eliminating what is causing it. i Had

terrible sinusitis in 1995. I saw and ear nose and throast specialist who OF

COURSE wanted to cut and drain. To his credit, a friend who is an

anesthesiologist, said ti would not solve anything to cut it. He recommended

i steam with Friars Balsam 2 - 3 times per day. I did this. I am sure you

could steam with anything or just plain water.

I also cut out dairy, wheat and sugar and have never had it since, even when

eating these things moderately for a while at times.

HTH

kim

> Ok, a friend says she has heard that for a sinus infection, comparatively:

> >if you leave your body to fight it naturally - the infection will take a

> >week longer than if you were to take antibiotics.

> >Can anybody clarify this for me?

>

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/7/01 6:25:46 PM GTB Standard Time, angela@...

writes:

<< ..does not believe that she can

actually prevent all the sickness in her family. >>

I don't think it is about preventing all illnesses,but rather in decreasing

the severity/number of illnesses AND helping the body resolve the illnesses

by boosting its ability to work rather than merely supressing the symptions

with say OTC meds.

Sara

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/7/01 6:39:19 PM GTB Standard Time, angela@...

writes:

<< rarely a week goes by that someone is not on

antibiotics. Very sad that she will not work on helping her body fight

the sicknesses >>

Sorry,have not followed the whole thread.There are a few more articles over

at healthy.net. Preventative measures and such things. Sounds like she could

use some probiotics too....

<A HREF= " http://www.holisticmed.com/detox/dtx-probio.txt " >Click here:

http://www.holisticmed.com/detox/dtx-probio.txt</A>

You can only do so much.Perhaps in time she will try alternatives.

sara

[Guest guest]

I completely agree...for us, dairy is the culprit. But doesn't

get it....she wants to treat her symptoms...does not believe that she can

actually prevent all the sickness in her family.

At 11:06 AM 12/7/01 -0500, you wrote:

>I think sinusitis has to be helped by eliminating what is causing it. i Had

>terrible sinusitis in 1995. I saw and ear nose and throast specialist who OF

>COURSE wanted to cut and drain. To his credit, a friend who is an

>anesthesiologist, said ti would not solve anything to cut it. He recommended

>i steam with Friars Balsam 2 - 3 times per day. I did this. I am sure you

>could steam with anything or just plain water.

>

>I also cut out dairy, wheat and sugar and have never had it since, even when

>eating these things moderately for a while at times.

>HTH

>kim

>

> > Ok, a friend says she has heard that for a sinus infection, comparatively:

> > >if you leave your body to fight it naturally - the infection will take a

> > >week longer than if you were to take antibiotics.

> > >Can anybody clarify this for me?

> >

[Guest guest]

This is what I meant. ;-) I said all the sickness, because they are sick

all of time....rarely a week goes by that someone is not on

antibiotics. Very sad that she will not work on helping her body fight

the sicknesses.

At 11:30 AM 12/7/01 -0500, you wrote:

>In a message dated 12/7/01 6:25:46 PM GTB Standard Time, angela@...

>writes:

>

><< ..does not believe that she can

> actually prevent all the sickness in her family. >>

>

>

>I don't think it is about preventing all illnesses,but rather in decreasing

>the severity/number of illnesses AND helping the body resolve the illnesses

>by boosting its ability to work rather than merely supressing the symptions

>with say OTC meds.

>Sara

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

You must have radar! is on Clindamycin--150mg twice a day--as we

speak. He failed a stiff course of Vantin, so this was our go-to drug. He

has never experienced diarrhea--short or long term from this drug. His Ped

is excellent, and I think would have mentioned this, so I would have a

choice. Also worth noting: as usual, it's working very well. No more SINUS

INFECTION BEHAVIOR. He is able to eat again, and sleep at night. We also

started the dose with a short (5 day) course of Prednisone, which is the only

way any antibiotic can reach Bri's sinuses. His tissues are very reactive,

and swell shut. I think Biaxin is a good drug, but Bri has failed it a

couple of times. Does oatmeal help 's diarrhea at all? One of the

reasons I think is able to avoid diarrhea as a side effect, is that he

eats a bowl of oatmeal every morning. He's like a little old man in that

respect!

My favorite site for looking up meds is www.themayoclinic.com. They are

very good about listing what appears to be almost all side effects--it may be

worth a try. Also, when in doubt, I call the local friendly pharmacist to

look up a drug. She has been so helpful in helping me decide which course of

action to take. The diarrhea problem could be listed in the fine print, but

it may be the only thing the doc remembers! What Bri's doc remembers about

Clindamycin is that it is very good for treating " bugs " that are resistant to

other meds.

I hope gets well soon. And I hope you find an antibiotic that agrees

with him.

Take Care,

Sandi--'s Mom

[Guest guest]

Dear ,

My daughter has also used Clindamycin (Cleocin) with no

adverse effects. is now 12 years old. I was also concerned about

the warning given in the Physicians' Desk Reference guide on prescription

drugs regarding severe colitis (diarrhea etc.). The infectious disease

specialist who guided our pediatrician remarked that they see more problems

occuring in adults than in the pediatric population. also has a

bowl of oatmeal in the morning and takes acidophilus (a gut friendly bacteria

that is sold in health food stores and is in a number of yogurt products)

when she is on antibiotics.

When was in the hospital for four weeks of IV antibiotics

(Vancomycin, Gentamycin, Ceftriaxome I think) we had her take acidophilus and

she had no diarrhea.

According to the infectious disease specialist, the reason why

Clindamycin works is that it has a good effect on anaerobic (non-oxygen

growing) bacteria. This antibiotic is not broad spectrum so it usually must

be started almost immediately after a broad spectrum antibiotic such as

Augmentin or Biaxin has been used for at least 10 days.

Of course you will want to talk to your doctor about acidophilus

prior to using it on your son because every situation is different and it

might not be appropriate in your case. Hope this helps.

Martha (mom to , 12 IgA deficiency, polysaccharide coated antibody

deficiency, sinusitis, Truncus Arteriosus etc.)

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Just a thought. Biaxin and Zithromax belong to the erythromycin

(macrolides) family. Zithromax is more expensive but much better tolerated

than Biaxin. You might want to talk to your doctor about trying a different

erythromycin antibiotic that might tolerate better.

--Martha (Chrissy's mom, IgA deficiency, polysaccharide-coated antibody

deficiency etc.)

[Guest guest]

Hi there,

A while back I had mentioned that my son, , was in trouble again, with

a SEVERE ear infection, sinus infection and bronchitis. The doc was

originally going to admit us immediately but the ID doc felt it better to

wait for the culture and sensitivity. The bacteria was Staph A. and he also

grew 3+ Candida A.. The sensitivities should that he had 3 oral drugs that

could still be used. So we are now on Keflex 4 times a day and Diflucan 2

times a day, both for 21 days. I honestly believe that the majority of the

problem was with the yeast infection and not the bacterial. But I'm just a

" lowly, uneducated parent " (heheheheh) so what do I know.

I did want to say that was on 42 days straight of different

antibiotics (Augmentin ES 600, Cefzil and Zithromax). Believe it or not,

some of the older drugs are the ones that he is still sensitive too, Bactrim,

oxicillin and keflex!

Tomorrow ALL of the immune studies are being done again. This is the

healthiest he has ever been (2 weeks into his antibiotic) in 3 years. He has

his MRI of his brain tommorrow and they will do his blood draw while he is

asleep. I can't wait until the results are in!!!! They are FINALLY starting

to take his illness rate and intesity seriously!

I hope all of the little pumpkins out there start feeling better!

Mommy to Annette 12 (Selective Antibody Deficiency-IGG 2 and 4, CP,

Developmental Delay, g-tube, HIV+), 6 (Brain tumor survivor, severe

hearing loss, chronic sinus and ear infections, asthma, seizure disorder,

GERD, PID????) and Trayvon 3 (Ivemark Syndrome, severe congenital heart

defects, asplenia, situs inversus) All wonderful!!!!!

<A HREF= " http://www.caringbridge.com/ny/my2angels/ " >Click here: CaringBridge -

my2angels</A>

[Guest guest]

Thinking of you and hoping that te testing goes well-- keep us posted.

ph starts his cefzil tomorrow.. once he gets on an antibiotic, he starts

feeling better-- what a personality change he has!

Pattie

Tomorrow ALL of the immune studies are being done again. This is the

healthiest he has ever been (2 weeks into his antibiotic) in 3 years. He

has

his MRI of his brain tommorrow and they will do his blood draw while he is

asleep. I can't wait until the results are in!!!! They are FINALLY

starting

to take his illness rate and intesity seriously!

I hope all of the little pumpkins out there start feeling better!

[Guest guest]

Pattie,

I hope ph feels better soon. I can totally relate, a few days of

antibiotics and a total personality change happens. Grace's face around the

bridge of her nose gets puffy....it is right now. We'll see what the immuno

wants to do on Wed.

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone,

Been gone awhile and had so much mail I had to do a lot of deleting. So

forgive me if this has already been answered while discussing sinus

infections.

started complaining on Monday that his right eye in the upper corner of

his eye, nearest his nose, hurts when he blows his nose or swims in the deep

end. today he cant go past 4 ft. in the pool before he feels like his head

is going to explode.

We took him into our Ped on Wednesday and 's nose was not any worse then

he has been before.............the PED looked in the eyes and said

you know your body the best.........when you feel its time tell your mom to

take you to the ENT. has an accupunture appt today and he() wants

to wait to see if that helps.

I believe his Frontals may be filling up again............so a trip to the

ENT will probably be a scope and CAT scan...............I'll let be the

judge for now.............

The left side is not bothering him..............He is due for IVIG until

next Thursday.

Any ideas?

le Penne

12 Selective Antibody Def IVIG every three weeks

[Guest guest]

Hi Kim-

I get sinus infections often, and have no idea I have them! I do have

allergies and constant sinus issues, but it always surprises me when I go into

the doctor for an unrelated issue and they say " you have another sinus

infection " . I used to get severe headaches, pain and pressure in my head, but

now it doesn't even hurt unusually bad and I have an infection.

Sorry I couldn't be much help, but I understand perfectly what you're saying,

because it happens to me!

, Mom to , age 4, IgA Deficient, asthma, chronic sinus/ear infections

and Connor, 6

, I brought him to

the pediatrician for an unrelated issue (he started have a facial

tic) and the Dr. said, " He has a bad sinus infection. " ... I had no

idea!

Is that common??? I am so conscious of bringing him at the first

cough, the first day of fever (don't see much fever anymore???).

And here, he did have an occasional blood drip from his nose, but

nothing major, just a drip. I guess that should have been my clue?

He had no typical symptoms of an infection (of course our kids are

not typical anyway). No fever, headache, stuffed nose...nothing!

How else would I have known??? Are there any other symptoms that

are more vague that I can keep in mind. I was so surprised.

[Guest guest]

I know what you mean about no symptoms. Sam's only obvious symptom was

nosebleeds during the night. For a long time, I thought that his nose was just

dried out because we heat a lot with wood. Nope. Major infection. By the time

I realized it, it had really taken hold. Since then, and since he was put on

prophylactic (Amoxicillan / Septra rotated monthly), he hasn't had a problem,

but I've become aware of the following indicators:

1. Sinus Infection Behavior - occurs when your normally sunny, sweet-tempered

child suddenly could complete about 3 rounds in the ring with a bear.......and

win.

2. Circles under the eyes. - For Sam, they are not usually due to fatigue.

3. Sometimes the breath smells, for no better word, yucky.

4. No drainage that I ever saw come out of his nose - the kid's nose NEVER

runs, but coughing at night because it was going down the back of his throat.

5. If Sam has more than one nosebleed during the week, I can almost guarantee

that a sinus infection has started.

Hope this helps some.

God bless,

Wenoka

Sinus Infection

I was just curious...(8) has been on IVIG for 3 years. During

that time he was getting chronic bronchitis, so they put him on

prophylactic Augmentin, twice a day, long term. Its been about a

year now. Only two minor breakthrough infections resulting in a 10

day change of antibiotics and then back. I am very quick to go to

the Dr. at the first sign of trouble because with even if it

does not get severe, it just won't go away at all. I brought him to

the pediatrician for an unrelated issue (he started have a facial

tic) and the Dr. said, " He has a bad sinus infection. " ... I had no

idea!

Is that common??? I am so conscious of bringing him at the first

cough, the first day of fever (don't see much fever anymore???).

And here, he did have an occasional blood drip from his nose, but

nothing major, just a drip. I guess that should have been my clue?

He had no typical symptoms of an infection (of course our kids are

not typical anyway). No fever, headache, stuffed nose...nothing!

How else would I have known??? Are there any other symptoms that

are more vague that I can keep in mind. I was so surprised.

Also, while I'm posting...he also complains alot that his legs

hurt? Is that just growing pains or could that be related to

something? The IVIG or maybe blood levels?? Just curious if anyone

has had any of these issues.

Regarding the tic, I know this is not the forum, but if anyone has

experience with ADHD, ritalin and tics...please feel free to email

me. If it's not one problem, its another...it never ends.

Thanks a bunch!

Kim - Mom to 8 (CVID, ADHD); Nick, 10 and 5

knmb2@...

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 9/13/2004 11:26:41 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

knmb2@... writes:

Also, while I'm posting...he also complains alot that his legs

hurt? Is that just growing pains or could that be related to

something?

Kim, Brittany's legs hurt all the time too. I think it's common with Immune

Def. kids.

Janet, mom to Brittany, CVID, age 13

[Guest guest]

It's amazing what I learn here. I tell my ped all the time that my son is

frequently grabbing his feet and crying and saying it hurts. They all think

I'm nuts. I'm glad to know it's not just me.

In a message dated 9/13/2004 11:26:41 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

knmb2@... writes:

Also, while I'm posting...he also complains alot that his legs

hurt? Is that just growing pains or could that be related to

something?

Kim, Brittany's legs hurt all the time too. I think it's common with Immune

Def. kids.

Janet, mom to Brittany, CVID, age 13

[Guest guest]

also complains of leg pain, she usually says the back of her knees

hurt, the Dr's don't know what to make of it.

mom to - CVID, asthma, GERD

Re: Sinus Infection

In a message dated 9/13/2004 11:26:41 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

knmb2@...<mailto:knmb2@...> writes:

Also, while I'm posting...he also complains alot that his legs

hurt? Is that just growing pains or could that be related to

something?

Kim, Brittany's legs hurt all the time too. I think it's common with Immune

Def. kids.

Janet, mom to Brittany, CVID, age 13

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 9/14/2004 2:24:41 PM Pacific Standard Time,

rn4premies@... writes:

also complains of leg pain, she usually says the back of her knees

hurt, the Dr's don't know what to make of it.

,

My son complains of his " back knees " hurting, too!! I have heard this is

common in Di patients, other than that I didn't know what to make of it

and neither do his Docs.

Sandi, Mom to , age 11. Immune Deficiency, Tetrology of Fallot,

Pulmonary Valve transplant, Mitral valve stenosis, chronic ear, nose and throat

infections, asthma, severe allergies (including meds), Carnitine deficiency,

GERD,

suspected Di syndrome.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 9/14/2004 2:24:41 PM Pacific Standard Time,

rn4premies@... writes:

also complains of leg pain, she usually says the back of her knees

hurt, the Dr's don't know what to make of it.

,

My son complains of his " back knees " hurting, too!! I have heard this is

common in Di patients, other than that I didn't know what to make of it

and neither do his Docs.

Sandi, Mom to , age 11. Immune Deficiency, Tetrology of Fallot,

Pulmonary Valve transplant, Mitral valve stenosis, chronic ear, nose and throat

infections, asthma, severe allergies (including meds), Carnitine deficiency,

GERD,

suspected Di syndrome.

[Guest guest]

Hi Sandi,

That is interesting, I haven't heard of anyone else complaining of the back of

the knees hurting. Maybe we aren't nuts after all. Our Dr's also don't know what

to make of it, sometimes she cries it hurts so bad.

Mom to - CVID, asthma, GERD

Re: Sinus Infection

In a message dated 9/14/2004 2:24:41 PM Pacific Standard Time,

rn4premies@...<mailto:rn4premies@...> writes:

also complains of leg pain, she usually says the back of her knees

hurt, the Dr's don't know what to make of it.

,

My son complains of his " back knees " hurting, too!! I have heard this is

common in Di patients, other than that I didn't know what to make of it

and neither do his Docs.

Sandi, Mom to , age 11. Immune Deficiency, Tetrology of Fallot,

Pulmonary Valve transplant, Mitral valve stenosis, chronic ear, nose and

throat

infections, asthma, severe allergies (including meds), Carnitine deficiency,

GERD,

suspected Di syndrome.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 9/13/2004 10:26:59 PM Central Standard Time,

knmb2@... writes:

> He had no typical symptoms of an infection

Kim:

never gets a fever with sinus infections (she gets fevers with viruses

and big bacterial infections but not sinus or ear infections, I think that's

not uncommon). More often than not, when she has a sinus infection she is

swollen shut so there is no drainage out the nose. What she does get is bad

breath,

dark circles under the eyes, drainage in the back of the throat (I'll " catch "

her ruminating on this junk and then ask her if she has lots of boogers going

down her throat, or I might even get the pleasure of seeing the drainage on

her tongue if she's really playing with it. GROSS I know, but it actually

helps!), bloody drainage from the nose or usually down the back of the throat,

and

most interestingly, the infamous Sinus Behavior. To explain, when her behavior

is so horrible that I feel she must be POSSESSED, I will all of a sudden put

the smaller signs together. Then I will have her bend over to see if she

complains of the pressure (so as not to put the idea in her head, though she

usually tolerates this regardless), push on her cheeks to feel for " bulkiness "

which

I have come to recognize, and then point-blank ask her if she has a sinus

infection. Confirmation from her is usually followed by Mommy saying, " Why

didn't

you tell me!?! "

I remember once when she was younger and less able to tell me what was going

on, I took her to the ped and told him, " She either needs antibiotics or an

exorcist. You tell me which. " (she had a sinus infection) He appreciated the

humor!

(mom to , age 5-1/2, dairy intolerant-related GERD -- currently

has polysaccharide antibody def, previously had transient IgG, IgA, t-cell &

other defs... and also to Kate, born 9/19/02, dairy intolerant)

[Guest guest]

from Dale, Mom to Katy, CVID, age 20

Amy, I would certainly ask for an antibiotic. We don't avoid

antibiotics with Katy. If she's got all the signs of an infection -- we

start antibiotics agressively. IVIG doesn't replace the need for them

-- just makes it possible for her to fight a lot of her own battles

without ever needing them. If you think this has turned from a virus to

a bacterial infection -- I would call the doctor first thing tomorrow

and get something started. For Katy -- the dark circles were a sign to

call the ped.

In His service,

Dale

Amy Bolich wrote:

> Hi All,

> I hope everyone is doing well. I have a rather strange question.

usually gets his IVIG thru the vein and today they just couldn't get an IV

started so he got it subQ, meaning he only got half his dose. We have to go

back in 2 weeks to try again. He has a pretty good start of a sinus infection

right now. Low grade fever (100 to 101.7), green gunky nose, dark circle under

the eyes.. this all started about 2 to 3 days ago. Usually I would just let the

IVIG kick it out, but with him getting it subQ, is that going to be enough of a

dose to kick the infection all the way out? How long should I give it before I

give the ped a call to maybe start a treatment dose of antibiotics?

> Thanks in advance,

>

> Amy,

> mom to , 2 years old, CVID, asthma, GERD, on prophalatic abx (rotating

Septra and Amoxicillin) and IVIG (Carimune NF) every 4 weeks, flovent, xopenex,

albuterol and claritin. Allergic to milk, soy and latex.. among other things.

Visit Nick's Caringbridge site at http://www3.caringbridge.org/ne/nicholasb/