ugh sinus infection!

[soccero]

does anyone get sinus infections easily? it seems like every time i get a cold i get a sinus infection and that just makes my head hurt so much worse!
molly

[BB11]

Thank you for this suggestion. I have terrible post nasal drip w occasional congestion. I just posted about this yesterday. I'll be heading to walgreens tmrw :o)

Molly i hope you're feeling better soon!  

[selmaS]

  Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.'

Thanks for sharing what works for u when u have sinus issues...many of us have this problem and I know there is a more recent thread on this same topic.
I agree with ur logic and how and y  certain things may cause chiari symptoms to resurface....makes total sense to me.

[DecompressedInAustin]

Hi Molly,
I don't know if this is still relevant for you but I have chronic sinus pressure/congestion and it I am certain that is the cause of my chiari related headaches.

I had the decompression surgery two years ago.  Most of my symptoms are better.  My neck is bothersome quite often, but I don't know if it is related to chiari or the fact that I have two cervical discs that herniate a couple times a year.  I bring this up because when either my discs get out of whack or I end up with sinus pressure that guaifenisen and decongestant cannot knock out, I will be on my rear with a headache at the base of my skull that makes me nauseated.

My theory is this:  Anything that takes up room in my pea-brain causes the chiari symptoms to come back because it is negating the impact of the surgery, which created a little space.  When I get muscle spasms in my neck as a result of the discs it causes my neck to "shorten", muscles to contract and bring the spine closer to the base of brain squishing everything and then voila - knock me on my butt headache.

My nuero surgeon thinks I am smoking crack, but I am certain that those two things are triggers.  If you can get your doctor to prescribe a medication called Fiorecet, boy that helps my headaches.

Also, I irrigate my sinuses also.  There is a saline based irrigation thing that you can get where you don't have to lean sideways like with the nettie pot.  I got mine at Walgreen/CVS.  It is a little bottle and you squeeze it to shoot solution through.  This didn't cause as much of a "gag" reflex for me and after a few times I was used to it.  You should always use distilled water though.  There was a story on my local news (I live in the allergy capital of the world) last year during cedar season when lots of people were irrgating, that bacteria from tap water can get trapped in your congested sinuses.  It caused some serious issues for some folks apparently.

I take a daily antihystamine (generic zyrtek) and daily decongestant.  It seems like three or four times a year I end up with severe congestion.  I add the guaifenesin (basically a snot thinner) and drink a ton of fluids.  Most of the time that works.  When it doesn't - I get to the doc to get on antibiotics if it is an infection so that I can get it knocked out.

I hope by now you are feeling much better.  

[Rylanesmom]

It does not make me gag and I too have horrible reflex.  Don't buy the aerosol thing get the box that you make the the rinse and micro the water (warm not hot) it makes the head pressure better...the sinus problems make the chiari symptoms so much worse....good luck

[selmaS]

  I used to gag something awful and what is worse if laughing made my head hurt, then it would cause me to gag...not sure y...but I would end up in a gagging fit....

  Checking vitamins is always a great idea especially when we r post op, as the meds and the surgery itself can deplete us of some vitamins and minerals....

  My DD uses the shower soothers and there is a recipe to make ur own on Pinerest....it helps clear up the sinuses ....she  deals with a lot of allergies....and this does help her.

[soccero]

does it make u gag? i have a horrible gag reflex

[Rylanesmom]

Try the sinus rinse.  It really helped me prior to PFD.  You put warm distilled water and a packet of "medicine" in the bottle and squirt it up one nostril and it comes out the other. (or your mouth if really stopped up) feels weird but I did morning and night and it really helped. You also might need Flonase since allergies are so bad.

[soccero]

thanks everyone. im on allkinds of supplements like vitamin c and b and all kinds of other ones. and before i was diagnosed with chiari i was tested for alergies cause my mom and  my brother have bad allergies but it came up clean idk just another one of my issues lol
molly

[Threewheelmobile]

Have you tried eating foods with viatmine C in them and vitamine B and perhaps get your iron intake tested. If you are eating all the appropriate vegetables, and your  sinuses are still get infected it is most likely an allergy to something. Have you gone for that test?

[bagheesmom]

I am constantly congested and every time I get sick at all I end up with a sinus infection! I use saline nasal rinses and preventatives but nothing helps! I completelty feel your pain

[selmaS]

  Hi Molly I use to,...have not had one since my PFD....but I have heard of others with this issue.

So sorry u have this on top of everything else.....do u have allergies that may cause u to get the sinus infections?....

Hope u feel better soon <3