Chronic fungal/sinusitits problem

[duden123]

I have chronic sinusitis all my life (56 yrs) - every month a new infection.  Had 2 sinus surgeries in one year - now doctor sees a fungal ball in CAT scan.  Trying me on amphotericin (nasal douching) - did better first 2 months - then had a bad infection with laryngitis and sore throat (took z pac)- still not over it from a month ago.  Have recurrent sore throat and some yellow phelgm.  About to give up.  Dr. said he would try amphotericin for 3 months and look at CAT again to see if surgery needed.  First sinus surgery was an absolute disaster (bled profusely for a month - then scar tissue formed.  Second surgery went better but got staph infection immediately.  Don't look forward to another sinus surgery to fix something that won't every get fixed.  Any suggestions?  Could my immune system just be messed up?

[National Jewish]

It is difficult to determine the exact reasons for the lack of response you are describing.  This could be because the sinuses are totally blocked and are acting as an abscess, which needs to be drained.  It could be that the infection is not responding to the antibiotic that is being prescribed.  It is possible, but not as likely, that this is a problem with your immune system.  I would suggest seeing an infectious disease specialist to determine how they would approach such a resistant infection.

[ozark]

you should probably get an immunology testing done...sounds like too many infections to not get tested....have you lived in the same house all those years?  maybe there is something in your home that you are sensitive to.......good luck

[duden123]

No - I have lived in many houses in many areas from New Orleans to Tennessee and Arkansas.  Same problems always.  Gotten much worse - and much worse since I've had all the sinus surgeries.  Wish I could go to one stop shopping to resolve all my sinus problems.  Each doctor wants to do surgery which does nothing but get worse.

[duden123]

forgot this - have had pollen/allergy testing - had allergy shots for 1-l/2 years - then food allergy testing - stopped all required foods for 8 months - sinus trouble was worse.  The amphotericin made me feel better for about 2 months then WHAM!

[Inanga]

i had constant post nasal drip for years and recurring sinus infections. Allergy tests showed only a slight reaction to pollen. Allergy specialist wanted me to do allergy shots for pollen but I didn't hink that was the problem (Used to get bad hayfevert but that's gone and this is different). Had prednisone injects a could of times which helped - indicating it was some allergic rection. Eventually determined thought experimentation that is was an allergy to wheat/gluten and SOY. Am now avoinding 100% and mucous has GONE virtually overnight. I can get it back after one bit of biscuit or one sip of instant coffee (usually contains gluten or soy). I am totlly stict on the avoidance and starting to experiment more on what affects me. SOY looks like the main cause. Blood tests showed no problem with wheat, but many what products like bread contain soy too. good luck.

[duden123]

I had the food allergy tests done too and it was OK for the wheat, gluten and soy.  Yours were OK too, but you still had a reaction?

[Inanga]

yep the wheat allergy was ruled out by the GP after a blood test (from memory). He was checking for celiac disease i think (sorry the memory is a bit hazy). I thought soy might be the main problem so I tried some homemade wheat flour based bisuits yesterday and reacted with mucous for most of the night keeping me awake. I'd wake up struggling for breath until I coughed it out. Wheat sesnsitivity is definitely a problem though the tests showed nothing. Avoidance is my best option at the moment - I will look into the process of desensitisation and eventual reintroduction of the allergens later... I'm too happy feeling great avoinding the stuff at the moment. it's been years since I felt and breathed this well. My method of food allergy testing is to try something and see if I get the rush of mucous. Seems the more wheat I consume the longer the problem lasts. all the best

[duden123]

well, went back to ENT.  Sore throat was killing me.  Said he thought it wa acid reflux now.   Started on aciphex now 2 weeks - throat not hurting as bad.  Still have a lot of thickness in throad and coughing.  How long does it take to start working if this is indeed the problem?