Sinusitis- Help!

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Dejaboo
Dejaboo Member Posts: 2,916

I have had a Bad Headache for 2+ months.   In that time I had about 3 days without one.  Headache is usually worse in the morning.   usually my forehead area & Eyes hurt.  I have never had Allergies before.  I have had no fever.

I am not stuffy.  I dont feel any nasal Drain.

I have seen my onco & PCP last week.  I was using per Oncos suggestion an antihistaminat night to see if that took my Headache away.  it did help.  I had 3 out of 5 mornings with no headache.  Although I still felt pressure.   I took that for 6 nights.  The tried a few nights without.  Headache was back every day.    Last evening headache was much worse  it has move down to cover my whole face.  I took 2 Antihistamins earlier then bedtime.  In hopes to be able to sleep a little.   I have also tried a Saline Spray & that sometimes helps the headache.

Headcahe is back this am...Not as bad as last night.

I also have Oral Thrush- I have for about 1 month.   Could this be connected to the Sinusitis?  I cant find any info out there to connect it. 

I have been usign Nystatin Rinse for that- It is not going away.

I bought some Hydrogen Peroxide last night & am rinsing with that to see if that will work

I fly out in 1 week to NOLA for some fun & Stage 2B of my Reconstruction in 13 days.

 I have no idea what to do.  I know flying with a headache this bad will be very hard.

And its hard to have fun with ones head in a vice.

Should I try Amoxicillian?

It will probably make my Thrush worse.

What else can I try for the Thrush?

I will be on Keflex probably after my surgery...it will maybe get rid of the Sinus thing...But I cant wait for that...

Help- Any suggestions for me?

Thanks.

Comments

  • Mantra
    Mantra Member Posts: 968
    edited October 2010

    Have you tried Omnaris? It's a prescription nasal spray used once a day. I too had been having major headaches along with flashing in the peripheral left eye. Had a CT scan that showed sinuses were clear and nothing else to be concerned about. One other suggestion that might help. I seem to go through this at the same time of year. My doctor told me to take OTC allergy meds. It helped with the headache but I still have the flashing. Hope you find some relief soon.

  • GointoCarolina
    GointoCarolina Member Posts: 753
    edited October 2010

    I have always had allergies but since chemo and herceptin,much worse.Severe headaches with it.Get a neti pot and do nasal rinses.You will not believe the relief you get and without medication.I had a terrible sinus infection and the doctor said the one thing that kept it at bay was the sinus rinses.I have had flashing in my right eye and was checked for detached retina,but it was OK.Opthamologist said he has seen several women with worsened eye sight and other problems after chemo.I have heard that grapefruit seed extract is very effective for thrush..

  • Dejaboo
    Dejaboo Member Posts: 2,916
    edited October 2010

    Thank you Ladies.

    I think Omaris may be on my no No list pre surgery.

    I do have a Neti pot.   I have not used it for a year.

    I will see if I can find it.  I know it is somewhere in the linen closet & i will give it a try!

  • Dejaboo
    Dejaboo Member Posts: 2,916
    edited October 2010

    Found the Neti Pot!   My headache is about 1/2 that it was an hour ago. :)

  • vivre
    vivre Member Posts: 2,167
    edited October 2010

    have you looked into the cause of your sinus problems. Mine were linked to toxic teeth. Toxic teeth are also linked to breast cancer.

    2+2=aha!

  • Dejaboo
    Dejaboo Member Posts: 2,916
    edited October 2010

    I have not looked in to the cause yet.  I have never had sinus problems before-ever.  So its all kind of new to me.

    Toxic teeth meaning...Fillings?

    Do they do anything besides a CT to look at ones sinuses?

    What kind of tests can be done?

  • JanetinVirginia
    JanetinVirginia Member Posts: 1,516
    edited October 2010

    I have seasonal allergies and without fail it ends up in sinus infection.  Only antibiotic clears them up for me. Yes - they can do CT scan of sinuses or sinus Xray.  Drink plenty of fluids - that helps too.  I had a sinus infection a week before mastectomy so my ENT prescribed Keflex.  He said Keflex is also often used after surgery (or another in the same family of antibiotics).   Just let your surgeon know so you don't get any interactions.

  • iodine
    iodine Member Posts: 4,289
    edited October 2010

    I think you have tried most everything without finding the cause of the inflammation of your sinus.

    May I suggest you get an appt with a good ENT doc and let him look up your nose to the sinus areas and maybe do a swab to the lab to see what you may grow out?  This is way past being an acute problem and has become chronic, which is more difficult to treat.

    You will benefit from letting your NOLA surgeon know about what you are experiencing as well.  He will llikely need to discuss this with the anesthesia folks and see if you may need to reschedule your step two surgery.  You do not need a possible chronic infection cooking and then go for surgery.  NO WAY!

  • M360
    M360 Member Posts: 356
    edited October 2010

    Dejaboo, my doctor told me before I started chemo that I would have sinus problems and congestion and gave me a prescription for Claritin D.   I had never had a headache in my life, but do suffer from allergies but no headache with that either.  When chemo started, wow!!!  Did I have sinus headaches.  So I did like others had said and did warm water and sea salt using my Neti Pot, making sure a blew my nose after each wash.  But this is what heals sinuses without antibiotic, you get Aloe Vero Juice (not the gel the juice that you can drink), keep it in the refrigerator after you do the warm water washes, then you can use the cold aloe in the Neti Pot after washing it out or take q-tips and swab with cold Aloe Vero Juice into nasal passages.  I had the best allergist years ago who didn't believe in antibiotics for sinus infections and if you do this three times a day wah lah.  Pain Free, and healed sinuses.

  • Dejaboo
    Dejaboo Member Posts: 2,916
    edited October 2010

    Thank you everyone for your suggestions . Sorry about all the typos in my 1st post!

    My tongue feels so much better then just 2 days ago before I started the peroxide rinse.  it almost feels normal.  I will continue to use that up until I leave & will buy some in NOLA if I need it.   And also use it again when I get back home.

     The Neti Pot seems to be helping so much!

      My headache has gone from a  5/6 to a 1/2! 

    I am not one to do a scan if not needed.  I guess in my mind the CT scan is still not needed.  Same with the Antibiotics.  Before bc I took them 3 times in my whole life.  So when I was thinking of getting a prescription- I was desperate.

    I am going to stick with the neti pot for now.  Bring it along to NOLA.

    if I have an infection...Ill be on Antibiotics soon after surgery anyway.

     I should have asked the forum way sooner about this problem...if I had more time Id get in to see an ENT.  Too bad my Onco or PCP didnt suggest that last week ;p

    Iodine my Nurse in NOLA does know about my sinus infection.  She did not seem concerned.  Id be bummed if I had to delay my surgery.  I have been waiting for this for 7 months.

    Plus gotta get it done this year...

    Thanks again for all of your help.

  • thenewme
    thenewme Member Posts: 1,611
    edited October 2010

    Hi Dejaboo,

    I get sinus infections too, and the nasal rinses do seem to help, but honestly it sounds like you really may need something more since this is so severe and has been going on for 2 months.  I'd definitely suggest seeing a doctor.  My BMX was delayed because of a sinus infection.  There was no way my surgeon would operate on me with any kind of active infection.  The risks outweighed the benefits by far in my situation.  Please make sure you speak with your surgeon (not a nurse or anyone other than the one who will be operating) directly and get his advice.  He may insist that you see an ENT or someone local to you before you're cleared for surgery.  The last thing you want is an infection which can be very serious.

    Thrush is a fungal yeast infection and also may need specific antifungal treatment.  Especially now when you're preparing for surgery, you may want to get everything taken care of properly.  Please take these symptoms seriously so your surgery can be successful and uneventful.

    Best of luck - I know you're anxious to get past this all!  I can't wait for my exchange surgery, and I haven't even scheduled it yet!

  • iodine
    iodine Member Posts: 4,289
    edited October 2010

    Glad your NOLA folks seem fine with it.  Hope you go well and enjoy some shrimp for us all!! 

    Tell you what: I cannot find a happy medium with PC docs.  they either want you to see a sub specialist for a hang nail or won't refer you to a regular specialist for what I consider a "duh" referral/consult. 

  • Dejaboo
    Dejaboo Member Posts: 2,916
    edited November 2010

    I figure I will Jinx it if I update you all.  But I am going to anyway.

    I had my Surgery Nov 2nd.  I even had a Headache that morning.  And Off & on several days up to Surgery.  The Neti Pot did help alot & did make my headache go away for many days when I 1st started it.

    I was given IV antibiotics in Pre op...During surgery & after.

    Then 10 days of Keflex.

    I have had a headache once in the am- it lasted 5 minutes!

    other then that I have not had a headache!

    Now the Thrush is another story & I am working on getting rid of that. (Flucozonal(sp) Started before surgery- finished after surgery,  Acidophilus,  Nystatin Swish & Swollow & Hydrogen Peroxide Rinses)

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