I get bronchitis and sinusitis ALL THE TIME...what's the deal?

[TrevorG]

Hi.

Basically, I get bronchitis and sinusitis at least 5 times a year.  It's terrible.  And now, I'm at college and will have to see the doctor here and to be entirely honest...I am really tired of getting this stuff all the time.

What's my deal?  Why do I get this stuff all the time?  What can I do to prevent it?  I currently have sinusitis again, and I can feel myself working on the bronchitis part.  Lame-o.

Anyways, I'm going to the college clinic this afternoon, and they'll probably perscribe another antibiotic.  What can I do to stop this cycle?

Thanks.

--Trevor

[dmg]

I did have blood work done for my thyroid and they said it's ok. I am not sure to what extent the blood work was done.  But my sister in law said she had blood work done, but her doctor said he is sure hers wasn't working right because of her symptoms.  I feel like I am getting the run around. Have been to the rhuemetologist did an exam and I had to get blood work done, pretty much.  I have an appt. with him the 30th of Nov. which is about 5-6 weeks.  I called about the blood work, the nurse said itlooks ok, but I need to talk to the doctor when I come in. GRRRRR!   I also had blood work done through the asthma/allergist, some of which other doctors do not check and was not common at the medical lab where I had them done.  Meanwhile, I still have pain in my chest and now I have more pain in my right side where the gallbladder was taken out and throughout my abdomain and feel nauscious and back pain across my kiney area and mid back. Thought of it being pancreatitis too. They did an ultrasound on my torso and the report said I have an elongated aorta with calcification. Apparently that is ok to have, but with what I read about it, it can be dangerous. Just so frustrating. It's takes month and months of trying to get to the bottom of things, but go from one thing to another.  Amazes me how they used to get right to the problem years ago. Would they make their sister mother or aunt suffer this long?  Thanks for responding.

[rcash]

Hi after reading your about your symptoms, I too was going through premenopause and had the problems with shortness of breath to the point of total exhaustion!  I used to run around like I was bouncing off the walls then bam I had no energy.  I was having muscle cramps, extremely dry skin, hair falling out really bad, really itchy almost like sand in my eyes and went to the DR. ran a bunch of tests which showed it was my thyroid.  They showed thyroid cancer and the only way to find out was by doing a bioptsy.  Luckly it wasn't, but I am on meds and trying to regulate it with meds.  I suggest you ask your DR. to do a Complete Thyroid Profile blood test showing your T3, T4 and TSH.  Also what may be normal for the so called norm may not be your normal.  Good luck!

[National Jewish]

This sounds more like a problem with chronic sinusitis.  When you have this, one or more of the sinuses are usually blocked.  You get periodic acute infections, which are treated and get better.  Then they sick again!!!  People with this often get lower airway involvement, like bronchitis and/or asthma.

Probably a CT of the sinuses is the first step in the diagnosis of this problem.  Once this is clarified, steps toward treatment can move forward.

[dmg]

I to have had many years of sinus infections and then was diagnosed with asthma.  I am in the process of having more problems and there doesn't seem to be an answer for it.  My thyroid blood test was normal they say.  I have had nurmourous blood tests and the are mostly normal.  I have had a mold blood test for Aveoli and haven't heard back from that yet.  But the cycle is starting again. I had 4 sinus surgeries since 1991 the last one being 2000.  
   My question is, did they do just a blood test on you and it showed you had a thyroid problem? Or did they have to dig deeper with other tests.   I have an appt. with a neurologist this week to check about an auto immune disease.  I have put on weight the last two years, I am tired all the time and can't seem to shake infections very well.  I am 48 and have been told I am in perimenopause, but I was sick the other week and started with sweats during the day and then I get so very cold. Some of it could very well be the hormonal thing, but my mind is telling me it's something else.  I get so short of breath walking up stairs and up grade.  I can't walk too fast or run to get out of the rain.  I get winded after playing with my little great nieces and nephews so quickly. I had been having problems with my throat and getting so very hoarse.  I saw an ENT and he claimed it was from my acid reflux, which it isn't because I take previcid, but my throat still gives discomfort and it hurts to swollow at times.  I can't sing along with the hymns at church anymore because it hurts my throat.  
        It is affecting my working and have to try to make up my hours after being sick and then I get run down with making up hours and then get sick again.  I have been getting bronchitis more this last year, which I rarely ever got it.  I had been tested for allergies many years ago, so I know what my triggers are. But I do have another appt. with another allergy/asthma doctor next month.  I was to the point 3 years ago of having a port put in my vein to administer antibiotics for months. I did not want to do that, so I went the herbal route, but that only seemed to help for about a year and a half.
     But if you could shed some light on how they came to find your thyroid problem, I would greatly appreciate it.

[ArmourGal]

You might want to be checked for thyroid antibodies and hypothyroidism.
Before I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's/hypo, I was at the the doctors every three months for sinus/respiratory infections.  This went on for almost a decade.  They even said I had asthma.  But after being diagnosed and starting thyroid hormone treatment, I haven't been once in two years for anything.

Other clues for this might be paleness, fatigue, gaining weight, depression...and others.  Not everyone gets all the symptoms.  

Hypo causes you to have frequent infections (no immunity) and chest muscles can get weak and fluid can build up in lungs.  

So - just wanted to mention this to you.

[TrevorG]

Thanks so much for the feedback.  I will be sure to check up on these things.

--Trevor

[MarieJR]

Trevor,
     I experienced the same thing several years ago.  I was finally tested for allergies and asthma.  Wallah.....Allergies were the main culprit to my condition.  I suggest you get tested.  You won't be sorry.

Marie