Chronic sinusitis | Arthritis Information

I know this topic has been done to death but hey what's one more go round?

It seems that since September I've had just one sinus infection after another. But it doesn't quite fit the profile of chronic sinusitis. See, I'll go for long periods where there is nothing going on, sometimes weeks at a time. Then boom...back to square one. I have no doubt it's due to prednisone because I'm on a high dose and have been since August.

I've read about several others here having procedures done by an ENT that cleared them up rather nicely and I wonder if anyone could tell me more about things like this as I'm almost at my wits end with my sinuses. I'd just love to be able to take other meds for my RA other than prednisone at some point in time. I've even tried weaning down on the pred to see if that might help anything. So far, it's only helping me feel more stiffness but at least some of the side effects are slightly improving.

Bob

I actually saw my ENT yesterday. I have rotten allergies and have been getting allergy shots for about 2 yrs. Before the shots, I always had sinus issues. Recently, they have popped up again.

If you are having lots of sinus problems, an ENT is the way to go. Pred. should actually make the sinuses feel better. It reduces the inflammation. It is often prescribed to relieve sinus pressure. Mine ordered a CT scan and we found out that the left side of my sinuses are blocked. Probably due to the fact that I broke my nose in college. Anyway, he would like to "clear it out", but I can't give him the time now. Jaw first, sinuses second.

If you are still having issues after multiple antibiotics, it might not be an infection. Viruses or allergies cause the same symptoms. I thought allergy testing was a waste of time-even apologized to the nurse doing the testing. Turns out I was allergic to 19 of the 21 allergens tested . Who knew?

Glad some of the pred issues are resolving. How is the weakness?

Weakness is still there pretty bad. But to be fair I haven't done squat in 6 months or more so that might explain a lot of it. We have no doubts that a lot of my sinus issues are from allergies there's just one major problem. Prednisone. You can't do ANY allergy testing while taking it because it will cause false negative results. I was told once by an ENT that my sinuses were pretty narrow and that the least little inflammation can cause obstruction in there. I've had two CT scans when sinus infection was suspected and both were pretty clear and normal looking with one showing a polyp. (very small one) If he wanted to "roto-rooter" and thought it would help I'd let him do it.

Since you're here Rebecca, I found out that I don't have glaucoma today! I still have high pressure issues but no damage from it.

Bob

Do you feel like your infection is on one side? I have a friend who was having pain on one side and the CT scan revealed a small polyp on that side. She had it out and hasn't had any infections/pain since then.

My story is rather long, but I can tell you that I tried everything for my chronic sinus infections. The two things that helped the most were the sinus rinses and the surgery. I'm not sure my allergy shots are even doing anything at all.

Bob, run don't walk to the drugstore for a Neti Pot. I've had sinus problems for years and when I started dmards and biologics I started using a Neti and have had 2 infections in 4 years or more. It made a world of difference. Lindy

I was actually tested while on pred. I didn't think you could do it either but I was told you can. I was on a higher dose at the time-maybe 20mg??? But--I did end up getting retested a year later. Results were a little different, but not too much.

Glad the glaucoma isn't an issue. Always nice to get good news!Bob, I had the 'roto-rooter' procedure. It really worked for me.
I had years of chronic infections (all before the RA). In one 18 month period I had 12 courses of antibiotics, so my PD referred me to an ENT. He did a CAT scan and found that I had very small passages, chronic infection, and a mass in one of my sinuses. He decided he need to make the passages wider, scrape out all the infected tissue, and of course remove the mass. I forget how long the actual procedure was.. an hour or two I think... out patient sx under general anesthesia. The recovery sucked however. Your sinuses are packed with gauze so you cannot breathe thru your nose at all. Its really hard to sleep. After 3 days you have the packing removed (not fun). Then for a period of time you go in 2x a week to have clots removed (also not fun).
But, the good news is that after 3 years I have not had one sinus infection. I do use the sinus rinse if I feel I may be getting one, and that seems to fix things.
I'd encourage you to look into it. It could help you enormously.
I hope you feel better soon!I had a Turbinectomy and a Septoplasty and my ENT only left my packing in overnight. Honestly, one night was enough!

I also have not had any sinus infections since my surgery either. I'm sorry I can't remember how many years it's been. Maybe 4.

All of my CT scans have looked pretty clear. I had two back in September that showed nothing in my sinuses other than a slightly deviated septum on the left hand side. One VERY tiny polyp but the ENT said it didn't amount to much.

I went in to see my ENT today and he looked into my sinuses with his non flexible endoscope. Nothing....no puss dripping, nothing that looked infected. He looked in my ears....no fluid, no infection. So whatever is going on is one of two things: allergic or something like a head cold that's causing the sore throat, stuffy ears, and other symptoms.

He wants me to be allergy tested again the problem is the prednisone and other meds. He doesn't know if I can be treated for anything I might be allergic to because of the MTX and Enbrel. (enbrel could be changing soon) I know there are a few of you that have posted above that take allergy shots. Any special precautions or things I should be aware of in regards to the shots? Lin, I don't have the Neti pot, but I do have the NeilMed bottle thingy that I was told works just as good. I've used it for several months now and think this is exactly why my sinus problems are mild. They don't get bad, it's just the continually being off my MTX and Enbrel because the PCP says sinusitis....again.

What are some of your allergies? Since I have hell with my sinuses all winter...I think it's got to be from my heat and mold/mildew, maybe dogs.

Bob

I have been on Humira, Remicade, and Orencia while receiving allergy shots. Oh, and MTX and various amounts of pred. My ENT did some research and said there isn't a problem. I even got shots on the same day that I got my infusion.

I did get tested on pred. I thought it would be an issue and kept bringing it up. Dr. did it anyway. When I got retested a year later, the tweaked the shot due to a few minor changes.

I am allergic to everything-well it seems like it. Best one was papyrus(paper). Nice, I'm a teacher.

So then things that you're allergic to don't bother you as much with the shots? The thing I know I'm going to be allergic to is the one thing I can't give up....my dogs. My wife and I (as well as my doc) think that it's best that we don't have children because of the potent meds I've taken over my lifetime. So dogs and spoiling our god-child rotten will have to do for us. We thought of adoption one of these days but with our incomes being what they are...not a prayer.

Are you allergic to dairy products as well? I told the nurse in the office that I've been avoiding milk because it thickens the post nasal drip and she was almost certain I'm allergic to dairy products on that alone. I thought that milk in general thickened mucous secretions and that nearly everyone with sinus drainage should avoid it for a while. This is what I've read...avoid milk and dairy products and caffeine.

Bob

Bob, do you give the dogs a bath regularly? That can help cut down on the dog allergens.

Also, you might consider moving up to a Waterpik with a sinus attachment, or one of the sinus irrigator systems. I use my Waterpik w/sinus attachment when things get really bad - it really cleans out the sinuses!!!
Yes, my wife is a pet groomer with her own business so our mutts get a bath on a regular basis, especially the old lady with bad skin.

I have to admit Jas, I've never heard of a waterpik with a sinus attachment. I'll look into it though.

Bob

ok, so now I've heard of the attachment for the waterpik. I'll be picking one of those up asap. Do you use the saline mix for irrigation with it?

bob_h762009-01-14 20:38:44 [QUOTE=bob_h76]Yes, my wife is a pet groomer with her own business so our mutts get a bath on a regular basis, especially the old lady with bad skin.

Linda

I had maybe one or two sinus infections per year. I never had any issues like this though until I went back on Enbrel. What I've been thinking may be a very slight possibility is this. It's no secret that you can develop antibodies to Remicade and have either a reaction or no effect from the drug. Maybe I have developed a sort of allergy to Enbrel and this is why I seem to get sick so quickly after taking it. This could be just a scatter brained thought, but why couldn't it be possible?

I also don't really have other sinus infection symptoms...like the nasty green stuff coming out of the nose. There is no color to my drainage and if there is...it's white not green or yellow. The ENT said a tiny amount of yellow, especially in the morning is acceptable.