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SINUSITIS=BAD SMELL/TASTE??

A little over year ago I started developing a bad smell/taste in my mouth that was induced my snorting (when my throat and nose was itchy)..it wouldnt last very long. but I noticed that after about a few months later I would get them randomly like if i sneezed or breathed in/out really hard. it would last for hours or unless I lied down on my right side (the affecting nose was my right nose). however, my left side also has had the same occurences.  This occured a few times a month. then i noticed that it was occuring more..so finally I went to my dr. who diagnosed me with sinusitis and put me on antibiotics. which did not help. then i was referred to an ENT.she also put me on antibiotics and a normal saline nasal spray which also didnt help. CT scan and MRI scans were done and they were indicated as "normal". i continued to have symptoms and I saw another ENT that told me that these sympotoms were a result of my sinusitis that would go away within a few months. however, my symptoms became more frequent..i couldnt sneeze..cough..laugh..yell/scream without having to worry about getting the bad smell/taste. if i did get them, i noticed lying on my right side would make it go away. i also found that if i cried..it went away as well. but i still had the symptoms.i decided to see another doctor that looked at my MRI & CT scans. he informed me that i didnt have sinusitis..and that my MRI scan showed swelling in my ethmoid sinuses. i was given a cortiocosteroid nasal spray that was helpful. it MINIMIZED my symptoms in that i would not have symptoms for as long as 2weeks! i noticed i got the symptoms again more frequently. i was prescribed flonase..but have not been able to use it yet. I still notice that it does subside when I lie down or I FORCE myself to cry. i feel like when i cry..i allow my sinuses or my nose to fill..like its blocking a whole or something. please help! what is this caused by?? what does me lying on a certain side have to do with it? or crying? this ruins my day when i have it..and i feel like the odor and taste are getting stronger.
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Avatar universal
Mine started when I stopped taking Flonase. I think Flonase caused it.
Helpful - 0
372606 tn?1198895628
   I had Whooping cough (Pertussis) last December (2006) which left me with a load of problems. Every morning for the past year since I recovered from the Pertussis, I wake up and I'm full of phlegm which makes it hard to breath. I cough/ choke on it and my gag reflex (which has increased since I was sick) kicks in and I throw up phlegm. Throughout the day I have phlegm at the back of my throat and all the way down my airways (which is very uncomfortable btw) and it occasionally comes up on its on or I have to cough it up or I will choke/gag/ and throw it up. People look at me, and I'm not sure that I have a choice in the matter anymore, since it will come up either way (even if I turn white first from holding it in and trying to be polite and not hack it up). I also have trouble digesting foods sometimes. The phlegm gets worse with temperature extremes too.

I have been tossed around from doctor to doctor, using up all my sick and vacation time from work with an hour appointment here and there. I've seen my primary, a gastroenterologist, allergist, ear/nose/throat doctor, an endrocinologist, and now a pulminologist. They all seem to think it's related to my asthma (which I have had forever)/ and the Pertussis which left me injured internally.  

The gastroenterologist  said to take omiprosol for my acid reflux problem, but could not help me with the phlegm problem and sent me to the ENT doctor.

The ENT doctor said I had post nasel drip/ asthma and allergies and to see an allergist.  He gave me flonase.

The allergist said that I have dust and pollen allergies unrelated to this problem and to see a pulminologist/ take claritan.

The pulminologist has given me a steroidal enhaler (Advair) at the max dosage to take bi-daily for the next month or two.  He had me do a Pulmonary function test for asthma and now I have a follow up appointment for Jan 15th, 2008.   It's been a couple of weeks and I don't see any improvement. Does anybody know what this problem might be?  The doctors don't seem to know and it seems that other people here have similar problems.  I don't want to go on with this problem for years... I really need help because I want to kick this problem in the butt.......It is miserable being 26, so young and living with this.
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Avatar universal
I have had a bad taste and smell for sometime now I also am very nausus everthing smells bad and taste terrible perfume actually makes me sick to my stomach nothing tast or smell right can anyone help!!1?
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Avatar universal
I have been having a barking cough, like that of croup also.  I've had this problem for a year and 9months.  I've been to numerous doctors and had many test.  I'm currently being treated for GERD, sinus drainage, and asthma in hopes that one of the medicines will help.  I've been on them about 5 months and they have yet to help.  I'll have coughing spasms that last for long periods of time, such as 3 hours.  That's when I have to go to the hospital for a reycimic epi treatment.  This treatment is what they give to little children who have croup. This normally ends my spasms in about 5 mins.  I've had clear chest x-rays, had a methacolene challange, numerous pulmonary function test, a PH monitor, and 2 bronchs. All of which were negitive.  I've seen 4 specialist and I'm going to Oschners in New Orleans, Louisiana in 2 weeks.  The doctors seem to be at a loss.  I take breathing treatments 4 times a day, sometimes more often.  The only medicine that seems to controll the cough in some way is Tussionex, which is a narcotic cough suppressent and I'm on my maximum dosage of it now.  It's starting not to work.  If anyone has any info that might help, PLEASE let me know.  I'm a student in college and this cough disrups my life.  I've had to miss numerous classes from the coughing attacks.  Thanks so much
Melody
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Avatar universal
I have just found this forum and had to join so I could join this discussion!  There was one mention of GERD in the above messages but it was included with a number of other suggestions.  GERD, regardless of the cause, can do a lot of damage to your esophagus and throat.  There are some prescription medications for a one a day capsule, Prilosec, Prevacid, or Nexium that can stop this problem for most people.  You can help to avoid the stinging in the throat that causes the coughing by raising the head of your bed slightly so the acid doesn't wash up at night.

With that said, I have one more possible cause.  If you are taking a BP med that is an ACE Inhibitor, it causes this problem in some people.  If that is the problem, be aware that it won't stop as soon as you switch to another medication.  If you have been on it several months, you will not stop the coughting for several weeks.

Pat
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Avatar universal
My doctor who is an internist laughed at me again and prescribed Paxil.  Needless to say I am changing physicians as I couldn't get a referral to an ENT or Allergist, but I am going to see an Endocrinologist on the 28th so it's possible I may get a referral from her.  Will keep you posted!
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Avatar universal
Very interesting posting here.  I am joining the group.

I have coughed constatnly for the past 3 months. I do bring up phelm and it is not a pretty color.  I also have some wheezing and tightness and short of breath and yawns that I cannot complete.  The pulmonary doc took an x-ray and it did show some slight scarring at the top of the lungs from a previous "something' that was not treated correctly.  But, he also wants me to see an ENT doc.  His diagnosis was Asthma, Gerd, Infection, Bronchitis, Rhinitis (Nasal) and an allergist.   I had no idea that Sinus problems could be the culprit to all this.

Lets keep each other informed.

Good luck to all.
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Avatar universal
Forgot to mention that my Pulmonary doc said my painful spasms are also muscle.
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Avatar universal
Thanks Billee!  Hope things turn out well for you at the ENT....that is probably my next step@
Good Luck!
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Avatar universal
Learned alot from the new Doctor. I couldn't believe it someone who sat there and listened for a whole hour. Unbelievable! As for the resp problems, cough and spasms. She checked several things. My sinus cavity's are very large and alot of the drainage is going down into my lungs. Which is causing the cough and tightness in the chess. As for the spasms and burning in the back she explained that some people tend to panic and tense up the muscles do to the fact that they are experiencing a tightness which is scary. Anxiety...... You may want your doctor to put you on something for it. I have been on 40mg of Celexa and 0.25mg of Xanax for 3/4 of a year now. Each day gets better. I just needed a new Doctor to tell me the same thing about the anxiety for me to believe it. As for the congestion we are off to a Ear nose and throat specialist for a check up. Hope this helps. Billee
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Avatar universal
Sorry, no Fen Fen.....I don't take nor have I ever taken anything except synthroid..which I've been on for 19 years now.  Good Luck with your appointment.
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Avatar universal
To Julz:
    I am looking forward to the Dr.s appt today. You can email me at Light_meup2***@**** if you wish. Just a quick question I have done some research on diet drugs. I was on Fen Phen for approx a year. Not the full dose though. Also in the past 2 years I took alot of over the counter diet pills. I had my heart checked 3 years ago due to the Fen Phen scare everything was fine. Just curious to see if you were or not. I will let you know of the outcome today. Thanks, Billee
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Avatar universal
To BIllee:
Let me know what you find out, I have an appointment on March 6th.  I am going to ask for a referral to a specialist of some kind. Of course, I thought I was the only one that has these odd symptoms, so it's nice to know I'm not alone.  Looking forward to discussing our outcomes.
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Avatar universal
Finally, I have found someone with the same symptoms as me. I have a Doctors appt on the 4th of March with a new physian. Hoping to solve some issues. I feel the same as you. I do have allergies and have recently been put on Claritin D. However it doesn't seem to help at all. At times the spasms drive me nuts. I lay in bed tossing and turning trying to get them to stop. I will post what I find out at my next appt.
Helpful - 0
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