Are Sinus Infections a part of MS?

[Rose1963]

I noticed that quite a few people with MS have sinus infections.  My recent MRI showed that my ethmoids to maxillaries were full of fluid.  I had no symptoms of this chronic infection.  However, my ENT ordered an CT Scan which I had done Friday.  I am just curious, do chronic sinus infections go hand in hand with MS?  Does anyone want to guess?  

[Heather3418]

People with MS are no more prone to sinus infections than the general population.

As with any infection, if you have MS, it needs treatment at once since any disruption in the body's immune system, can spell "flair-up."

Hope you feel better soon, Heather

[Rose1963]

Thank you for your prompt answer.  I am on 875 mg of amoxillan 2x day.  This scared me and  I am still somewhat unnerved about the situation.  My neuro wrote a letter and I had it faxed to my ENT.  I trust this ENT with my life!  He was my doctor when I had such a horrific experience with my interferon.   I will keep you updated about this infection.  

Before the infection was found I had to have a round of solumedrol treatments for the numbness in my right hand.  

[Quixotic1]

Heather is correct.  People with MS are not more prone to infections and the interferons do NOT make them more suscepticle either.  The truth is that sinus problems and infections are extremely common in the general population, both from the high number of allergic people and from, in my opinion treating asthma, from the heavy pollution in our air.

On that dose of Amox you will likely get diarrhea and a yeast infection.  Get yourself on a strong Probiotic (which replaces the good, appropriate bacteria in the gut) and take it at least twice a day.  There are many and your local health food store can help, but one I personally and professionally have used is called Lactobacillus GG.  It is a little spendy, but less than what you will pay to clear of the yeast infection.  This one a good supermarket might have.  Talk to the pharmacist.  This isn't just my opinion.  Probiotics should be used in most cases where a hefty, broadspectrum antibiotic is being taken.

Infections of any kind can trigger a relapse.  And, you do have a point.  High-dose solumedrol treatment do suppress the immune system and can predispose you to an infection.  There could be a connection between that and your sinuses.  Or it could be vice versa.  The infection (which may have been there a while) could have triggered that relapse with the numbness in the hand.  No can say which way it went.

Good luck, Quix

[mooers777]

I was wondering the same myself.
Quix is right about the yeast infection, i just finished my amox as you know. And I had that side effect. But because I go to the doc it seems, like every other day for the MS, I didn't go for that. It cleared up on its own.
They told me I had a sinus infection. If they hadn't I never would have known. I had no symptoms at all. I thought anyway.

[T-lynn]

thanks for the info on the sinus infections.I have suffered from sinus infections since I was a kid,summer or winter.My mom swears thats how I ended up with MS.

I started out with ON, a sinus infection,now a relapse and now having the last solu-medrol infusion tomorrow.But its like the old adage what came first the chicken or the egg.Did I have a silent sinus infection that irratated the ON ,then the sinus infection show up- the fever, all causing the relapse.I'm sure my neuro will never figure it out.

With anti-biotics I seem to always get an yeast infection so the GP always writes a script for that to take with the antibiotics.

T

[BondyinOz]

It's funny, because I found that I had Chronic Sinus Disease when I was looking for an answer - I didn't even know that I had sinus problems! hehe Go figure... I went on the amox but I also did the nasal spray, with an anti-hystamine tablet to boot.

Mel

[essdipity]

We know that an infection of any sort can trigger an attack, because the immune system is involved, so that could provide at least part of an answer.

But another thing I've noted is that when we undergo brain MRIs, of course the sinuses show as well. Lots of times the MRI report makes reference to sinus problems of one kind or another. I'm thinking that that's because sinus snafus are so prevalent generally. It's just that most people don't get brain MRIs which see them. I think (may be wrong) that the usual test just for sinus problems is the CT scan.

Ho Ho Ho to all on this special Eve. May your day be merry and bright. My Christmas will be white this year because I'm in the frozen tundra of NY State for a few days. I envy all now sitting somewhere under a palm tree. Santa finds them as well!

ess

[Heather3418]

I have a therory about why sinus fluid is seen when we have an MRI, when we are NOT feeling any stuffiness at all BEFORE the test..  I think it's due to the fact that we are laying in one spot for so long, with our legs propped up.  It's just causing any nasal fluid to flow backwards.  Add in that we are not allowed to move, cough, clear out throats or do anything "nasty" while we are in that contraption, LOL; that our sinus fluid naturally builds up a little.  I have never known one MRI that I have had, where it didn't show some fluid in the sinus cavity.  And I have had many....

What do you think?

big ((((HUGS))))) ess,
Heather

[T-lynn]

Great point.

I have had several MRI's also,but mine never show sinus back up.

But heck in my neck of the woods the radiologist aren"t that bright.!!!!!!

T

[Heather3418]

Maybe in your "neck of the woods," your radiologists don't know what sinus's are...whatcha think?

[T-lynn]

Only my GP,Lord knows he has treated me for enough of them.

Our radiologist aren"t the brightest.

T

[Rose1963]

Well, my ENT phoned me on the 27th and the CT Scan showed some inflammation.  So I have to call and make an appt.  Hopefully this is jus something routine and can be fixed very easily.

Thanks for all your comments

[Candyland02]

I've had chronic sinus problems for years and have MS as well.
I actually just came online now to research this topic since I have another sinus infection now.

[LATW]

I was diagnosed about one year ago and have not had one sinus infection since starting medicaition for MS.

I was on an antibiotic for sinus infection several times a year before my diagnosis. I think the Avonex or something has helped me.

LA

[Quixotic1]

Hi, Welcome to the forum!  I see that you wandered by here looking for info on sinus infections and MS.  I will tell you, as a physician, that sinus infections are not a part of MS, but are just a very common problems in the general population.  That means that many people with and many without MS will have them.

If you would like to stay and talk more and let us get to know you, why don't you click on "Back to Forum" and then Post a Question and tell us about yourself.  The information and fun fly fast around here.  Join in!

Quix