Sinusitis FAQ

Sinusitis and Pregnant…Help!!

Question:

Hi, I’ve been suffering with recurring sinus infections and chronic post nasal drip for about 2-3 years.  It started to improve on it’s own and I was able to ease myself off most of my meds (Flonase, Atrovent 6%, Humibid, etc).  Then I became pregnant and everything came back worse (not uncommon for sinus and allergy problems to get worse during pregnancy).  The Drs said that Flonase was still OK to take but I still try to avoid it. Well, it finally happened.  I caught a cold and, of course, it turned into a sinus infection.  I am currently taking ammoxicillin, which is actually helping (I "normally" would require a stronger anti-biotic), and some Sudafed for the congestion. I have never seen any posts dealing with this (I’ve looked on the pregnancy ng also) and was wondering if/how others handled the situation. I hate taking any meds now, even with Dr’s approval and assurance of safety.  I also know that if my breathing is impaired, then my babies (I’m having twins) aren’t getting the oxygen they need, so I take the meds. I feel better physically, but I can’t help but worry. What can I do to try to prevent another infection, and breath more clearly, without all of the meds. Thnaks in advance, Brenda

Response:

In article <19970207213000.QAA11…@ladder01.news.aol.com>, mtrack…@aol.com (MTRACKMAN) writes:

|> Hi, hi brenda,   you didn’t say whether you were doing nasal saline irrigation…  if   you’re not, i’d sure try it.  i think it’s probably the best thing you   can do to help prevent infections, and if you get into the habit you’ll   wonder how you ever did without it.    -steve. |> [portion of your post deleted] |> What can I do to try to prevent another infection, and breath more |> clearly, without all of the meds. |> |> Thnaks in advance, |> Brenda — Steve Dorland                          Symbios Logic, Inc. steve.dorl…@symbios.com              2001 Danfield Ct.          ~~~~~                         Fort Collins, CO 80525 so, friends, every day                 (970)-223-5100 x 9050  do something that won’t compute.                           ~ wendell berry

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -MTRACKMAN wrote: > Hi, > I’ve been suffering with recurring sinus infections and chronic post nasal > drip for about 2-3 years.  It started to improve on it’s own and I was > able to ease myself off most of my meds (Flonase, Atrovent 6%, Humibid, > etc).  Then I became pregnant and everything came back worse (not uncommon > for sinus and allergy problems to get worse during pregnancy).  The Drs > said that Flonase was still OK to take but I still try to avoid it. > Well, it finally happened.  I caught a cold and, of course, it turned into > a sinus infection.  I am currently taking ammoxicillin, which is actually > helping (I "normally" would require a stronger anti-biotic), and some > Sudafed for the congestion. > I have never seen any posts dealing with this (I’ve looked on the > pregnancy ng also) and was wondering if/how others handled the situation. > I hate taking any meds now, even with Dr’s approval and assurance of > safety.  I also know that if my breathing is impaired, then my babies (I’m > having twins) aren’t getting the oxygen they need, so I take the meds. I > feel better physically, but I can’t help but worry. > What can I do to try to prevent another infection, and breath more > clearly, without all of the meds. > Thnaks in advance, > Brenda

Brenda, I am immune deficient and have had two pregnancies.  During my first pregnancy, I was the healthiest I’ve even been and after for about 1 1/2 years, until my child went to day care.  Then my sinusitis became chronic.  Then I got pregnant again and I didn’t have as much luck as during the first pregnancy.  Since amoxicillin was not effective, I would alternate between it and augmentin (stronger form).  Then I also had complications after delivery and I had to have sinus surgery.  When that wasn’t working either, I required a 2nd surgery and I decided it was time to take stronger antibiotics and stop nursing.  I was able to take cipro, biaxin, and zythromax after that.  I’ve never been on the augmentin or amoxicillin again, since they are now usually ineffective. Because during the pregnancy I couldn’t take strong and needed antibiotics, my condition worsen. Then I made it worse by nursing which ment I still couldn’t take strong antibiotics. After a rollercoaster of a ride for the last few years (my last son is now 2 years old), deliveries, 3 sinus surgeries, etc.  I can say I am doing better and wouldn’t have done it any other way. Unfortunately, when my condition got worse the doctors didn’t advice on alternative strategies like nasal irrigations, warm compresses, etc. Now I find that these strategies are what keep me healthier.  Once you get chronic sinusitis, it seems it is an endless and permanent condition.  It is the manner in which you choose to cope and deal with the symptoms.  I have taken antibiotics only once in the last 11 months!  That is better then most people who have normal immune systems and I am proud to say it is because of my persistance in alternative strategies, like the ones I mentioned above.  In addition I exercise, practice yoga, karate and eat as healthy as I can. Good luck and don’t give up.  There were nights during my second pregnancy where I would just spend it crying because I couldn’t breath! Of course crying didn’t help, but I was desperate and in pain.  Vapor inhalations, warm baths (don’t do this during pregnancy), nasal irrigations, exercise, should all help minimize the severity of the infections. Bye now. — Sonia Vohnout IDF Patient Contact e-mail:  vohn…@primenet.com URL:     http://www.primenet.com/~vohnout

Response:

 ****  On 7 Feb 1997 21:30:05 GMT, mtrack…@aol.com (MTRACKMAN) wrote:  = ****  > What can I do to try to prevent another infection, and breath more  > clearly, without all of the meds. =20 Nasal irrigation has no medicine to speak of.  Go to a really big drugstore or better yet, one of those funny professional-looking pharmacies they have near hospitals and get a large squirting bulb. It’s the kind of bulb used to wash out ears in a procedure often called ear-igation, like irrigation.  You can then go home up the bulb with a warm salt water solution and squirt it straight back into your head through your nostrils. It makes a mess so do it over the sink and lean forward.  You can use plain water but it turns out to be irritating to the sensitive nasal passages.  A more gentle solution, highly recommended by my doctor, is:   1/2 tsp. salt and 1/2 tsp. baking soda in one pint of warm water–mixed thoroughly. This is good to do before you use any medical spray, as it clears away the mucus so the medicine can get to work.  Also, since it is without harmful chemicals, you can do this as often as you want. Warning: I’ve been told that squirting up the nose with too great a force can wedge the mucus into some of the sinus openings.  So be reasonable.         Warren Seltzer         warr…@warrens.seanet.com=09

Response:

Filed under: Chronic sinusitis

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