some help

[Focusfitness]

I have a sinus infection as a result of a bad cold before this past Christmas...my armpits ache and previously went to the doctor for this and he said they looked fine and didnt feel anything abnormal...am I to attribute this to the sinus infection...still feeling maliase and run down but the headaches and running nose are gone but still spit up yellow pghlem.I am very anxious and have some hypochondria.I have had ecurring sinus infections since this past Sept. I am  a 44 year old male and the only other thing I take is valium 5 mg ...the avelox 400 mg that I have taken two 7 day coursed of recently I can no longer take as it effects my heart rate now...my ent switched to levaqin 500 mg and that also was no good for me...floroquines are not tolerated well anymore by me either now...when I did go to the ENT before the new year he scoped me and saw puss in the nasal cavity and diagnosed another sinus infection brought on by the bad cold I had prior to Christmas. I spoke to my GP says too much antibiotics and now have stopped taking them altogether.Any advise?

[Focusfitness]

thanks for the advise...I have a deviated septum that doesnt help and should be repaired...the avelox and levaquin are like poison to me know and still feel their side effects weeks and weeks later after stopping it...

[Jaybay]

Plain old saline nasal spray can be used regularly with no rebound or dependency problems with products like Afrin.  My doctor has me use it as often as I can with an active sinus infection to help flush all that gunk out and keep the drainage going.  As long as you keep your sinuses draining, the headaches won't be as bad.  I'd much rather use saline spray than decongestant meds that turn me into a shaking, jibbering idiot.  LOL!

I had chronic sinus infections for years in the last building I worked in.  It had been vacant for a few years before the first tenant ever occupied it, and obviously had mold problems.  People like me with mold allergies were miserable all week, started feeling better over the weekend, and right back to misery on Monday.  The allergies kept feeding the sinus infections.  Both saline sprays and regular use of prescription steroid nasal sprays made a big difference.  Hope you feel better soon!

[RubyWitch]

I get really bad sinus infections every winter and for the past two years have passed on the antibiotics and started using a Netti Pot as often as I can during the day and right before bed. Might be worth a try. I swear by it now. Google if you've never heard of this. It's not expensive, there are no side effects besides being able to breath again, much less pressure and it really helps with the headaches.
Sinus infections are notoriously difficult to get rid of due to the fact that the sinus cavities are the perfect breeding ground for bacteria..........dark, warm and moist. It can often take 2 or even 3 rounds of pretty heavy duty ABX to get rid of and as the above poster pointed out, the over use of ABX only makes these infections increasingly difficult to cure in the future. Be very cautious with the use of nasal sprays as well........they do help for awhile, but many of them can "turn" on you and suddenly you find that you can't breath normally without them!
A Netti Pot, hot steamy showers or the good old gramma remedy of a towel drapped over your head while you breath the steam from a pot of boiling water with some good old Vicks Vapor Rub.
Check out the Alternative Medicine Forum for other ideas to get you through this.
As a fellow sufferer, I feel for you. Nasty infections, eh?
Best to you
Peace
Greenlydia

[Focusfitness]

thank-you so much with the response...I hope to feel better soon...

[mammo]

Hi.  This is the time of year when we can suffer a lot of sinus infections and/or a stubborn one.  They will go away on their own, antibiotics only speed up this process.  They are correct in not continuing to give you antibiotics because using them too much will cause your body to become resistant to them and then should you really need them, they won't be effective for you.  Spitting up the yellow mucous is okay since you still are having some drainage, and it sounds like the worst is over. You'll slowly get your strength back, it takes a lot out of our bodies to fight an infection.  Antibiotics have a purpose, but should be used only when absolutely necessary.  You should look into therapy to help with your health anxiety, all the worrying is not good for you and keeps your anxiety going strong. Hope you are back to 100% real soon!  Take care.