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Is this Chronic Sinusitis? Could I get tachycardia from Chronic Sinusitis?

Please help me.

I became ill in February this year. I had a cold which I got over, then a few weeks later I started feeling tired and then short of breath. My gp said it was a virus. I went back to work and improved each week. I knew I hadn't got rid of the illness completely though because when I did more I felt short of breath.

Then in May I tried to push things on and did more activities but suddenly became very short of breath. I saw my gp and was thinking it was anaemia which I've had before but the blood test only showed my iron stores were low but with unusually high haemoglobin. When I saw my gp for these blood test results I was again told it was a virus. This breathlessness continued for a month during which I felt very short of breath. I then started to feel tingly/trembly and shakey in my back muscles and. The shortness of breath subsided in June and my pulse started racing. I haven't been put on beta blockers because I use a preventer inhaler (Qvar). I've seen a cardiologist who did a 24 hour ecg tape and said I had sinus tachycardia on minimal exercise but was told my heart is perfectly healthy and that the cause is elsewhere. When lying down my pulse is about 85, but as soon as I stand up it jumps to 120. I've also had symtoms of extreme thirst, painful sinuses, severe headaches, vomiting (1-2 times per week), an unsettled/uncomfortable digestive system with lots of wind, diziness/vertigo at times, sniffly nose/slightly sore throat/slightly swollen glands at times.

From June to September I improved a bit, about 20% or so. I was due to start on Ivabridine for the tachycardia but have delayed it for now because of the effect antibiotics have had on all the symptoms (please read on). Blood tests in September showed that I have an infection, and because my sinuses hurt that has been deemed the cause. I'm now on my fifth course of antibiotics for sinusitis and have noticed a massive improvement in all my symptoms. By the end of each course of antibiotics every symptom is very very much better, my pulse returns to normal and all I'm left with is quite a lot of sinus pain (more painful sinuses than when I'm not on antibiotics, the feeling that I'm going to get a big cold and a slight tingly/trembly feeling in my back and head. I feel about 90% better but its like a general infection goes into my sinuses making my sinuses worse. When finishing each course of antibiotics all of the symptoms return after only 2-3 days. (Tachycardia, extreme thirst, painful sinuses, severe headaches, vomiting (1-2 times per week), an unsettled/uncomfortable digestive system with lots of wind, diziness/vertigo at times, sniffly nose/slightly sore throat/slightly swollen glands) I have taken two courses on Amoxicillin and I've just finished my third course of Doxycycline.

My doctor says an infection of this type would not cause tachicardia and its not related but I don't agree. Statistics alone tells you that it must be related. Five courses of antibiotics and the symptoms nearly go each time and then return after completing the course. It has to be related. Surely I have an infection?

I'm due to see an ENT surgeon tomorrow. Could this be chronic sinusitis? Could chronic sinusitis cause tachycardia?

Please help me!  Thank you.
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1061534 tn?1276702061
This is a far more common condition than many people (and some doctors) realize.  There are studies that show a third or more of people diagnosed with "chronic sinusitis" actually have a diagnosis such as migraine, atypical facial pain, midfacial segment pain, etc.  Good luck in getting to the bottom of your diagnosis and getting effective treatment!
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Avatar universal
Thank you for your reply ENTMD. The ENT surgeon I saw today confirmed your suspicions my sinuses are clear and he has referred me to see a neurologist feeling that some of the symptoms may be due to a virus and some may be facial migraine.
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Avatar universal

Thank you for your help.
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1061534 tn?1276702061
There is little in what you wrote that strongly suggests sinus infection.  Pain over the areas where your sinus are located is very nonspecific for sinusitis.  And, incidentally, sinusitis is not known to cause tachycardia - I agree with your doctor's conclusion.  Very severe infections can cause tachycardia (eg, septic shock), but not sinusitis.

The cardinal symptoms of chronic (bacterial) sinusitis are purulent nasal drainage, facial pressure/fullness/pain and nasal obstruction lasting (continuously) for 12 weeks or longer.  These have to be corroborated with either nasal endoscopy or sinus CT.  Since you are seeing an ENT surgeon soon, I would imagine you will get your final answer.  Good luck!
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