Sinus infection | Arthritis Information

 

This is my third Sinus Infection. I had one whe I was just on plaq. But now I am suffering from my second since adding methotrexate. Started a z pack this evening. Well my joints feel good at least. Anyone have this problem?

I have had numerous infections over the past few years. I saw my ENT on Monday and he is pushing for surgery. I said no five years ago, and I said it again. But, when I get these infections, they tend to travel down into the chest as well. I actually have had walking pneumonia these past two weeks. ENT feels that I can't keep going off meds due to infections. RD agrees. I also broke my nose in a rugby game in college-doesn't really help matters. So, after going back and forth I agreed to a CT scan which I will have on Thursday. I then asked the ENT to sit down with me and explain the scan. I don't want him to just come in with a diagnosis. He agreed-knows that I am trying to juggle alot right now. Still caught up with the jaw stuff-I get injections tomorrow. I kinda had planned on spending the summer dealing with that issue.

I guess I just assumed that the infections would just be a necessary evil due to the meds that we take.Lisa, it seems I keep one juuuust brewing on the back burner all the time.  After reading Rebecca's post, I wonder if that is not a reason why I have had such problems with pneumonia?  I do everything I can to keep my sinsus clear... neti pot and all that jazz.  Some times, no matter what I do, it all just feels like a crap shoot!  Just roll the dice and go.

I am sorry you are having a rough time, I hope the zpak keeps the pain at bay until you get this cleared up.

Rebecca, dang!  You must have shoulders the size of Vermont to carry the load you do!  My sinuses are very dry. I actually had to get put under in January to have shots of Ceclor and cortisone into my sinuses. They call it washing your sinuses. I did a three week course of Ceclor and I still had blood raw sinuses and a sinus infection. So I went a head and let them do the wash. Hope your sinus infection clears up soon. Sjorgrens makes it easy for me to get a sinus infection and hard to kick.

Wow rockkyd! The jaw problem still going on.That must be terrible pain. I havent been told to go off my meds during these infections. It feel like I can almost time them now. My family physcian say that the meds I take plaq, methotrexate and Betaseron surpress my immune system and that is the reason for the frequent infections. I am bummed about this part. I am truly loving my mobility and pain free joints these days.....but the sinus issues..need to figure how keep from getting these.

Waddie, I defintly get over these each time..i think..but that must be a bummer to have it always hanging on....I am afraid if i take all this high speed antibiotic every 6 weeks if I am going to get immune to them.,

Lisa; have you asked your RD about going off your MTX while you have the sinus infection? I honestly haven't have too many problems with infections; but I have had several sinus infections while on MTX & Humira; one turned into a month long bout with Bronchitis. It took me FOREVER to get over it and it took me going off both Humira & MTX before I got better. The Humira definately makes an infection worse.....but MTX wasn't helping either. I never had any infections while on MTX.. not til the biologics.... I had constant sinus and bronchitis and my Dr. put a pick line in and I went to the hospital everyday to get antibiotics for like 4 weeks since then I have not had a single problem. That has been 8 yrs ago. Also has anyone seen the nettle pot that Dr. Oz recommends on the Oparah show. It is a little tea pot thing that you mix a solution in of like saline and you lean your head forward and pour into one side of your nose and it comes out the other side. It has been very popular since coming out and they say it really works. You can gey it at the drug store. I bought my sister one. She has a lot of trouble. I have been having trouble with a fullness in my ears  and dizziness since my 2 remicade treatments I am just hoping it is an adjusting time to new med. Well hope everyone has a great day. LauraI swear by my neti pot.  You can get a cheap one at most drug stores: www.sinucleanse.com

They have pre-measured buffered saline packets (salt and baking soda) so there's no need to measure anything.  When things get real bad I use a Water-Pik with a nasal irrigation attachment - oh the stuff that comes flying out of my nose with that!!!

I used to get sinus infections all the time which required weeks of antibiotic treatment.  Since using the neti pot (about 2 years now) I've only had to use antibiotics a couple of times.  My doctor is from India and he told me to use a neti pot.  Best advice I ever got regarding my sinuses!!!
Good luck.I also use the Neti Pot.  A great invention.  It's been over 8 months since I've had a sinus infection.  I usually end up with 2 or 3 a year.  Course I've been off all RA meds for 16 weeks, so that may have something to do with it.  If you haven't used one, please try the Neti Pot.  It truly works and no I don't work for the company.   Lindyokay..I must tell you ...I am nervous about using a neti pot...kinda freaked about putting anything up my nose that comes out the other side..I am day 4 on z-pak. Although I am not better it is not worse..IDK...maybe I will suck it up and try..is it something to try while you have an infection..or is it more a maintance thing? I've used it when I had an infection to help clean out the sinus cavities.  Good luck, Lindy [QUOTE=LisaOnline]okay..I must tell you ...I am nervous about using a neti pot...kinda freaked about putting anything up my nose that comes out the other side..I am day 4 on z-pak. Although I am not better it is not worse..IDK...maybe I will suck it up and try..is it something to try while you have an infection..or is it more a maintance thing? okay..turns out my sinus infection is likely viral. I took a z-pak waited a few days after it was done, called doctor today...feel so miserable sick..joints r hurting in hands and feet again on top of it all...they said it is probably viral thing going around...very nasty..I am so unbelievable tired..totally unproductive..haven't tasted food for 10 days or more...this really sux..I was doing so perfectly...just a whine....talk to you all later.. what goes around, comes around.  Maybe if you were a little nicer to people bad things wouldn't go your way.
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