HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Sinus Infection/Strep Throat - any alternative to antibiotics?

Support Forums
>
Crohn's Disease
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 1/16/2013 11:08 PM (GMT 0)
I went to the dr yesterday since the flu is all around me - they did a rapid flu test and rapid strep test, both which came back negative, but it was a different dr who I usually go to and he wanted to put me on Tamiflu and antibiotics *just in case*. I told him that for me antibiotics will very likely induce a Crohn's flare and I don't know what effect Tamiflu will have on me so declined that as well (esp since bit tests were negative). They're sending them to the lab for for extensive testing but here's my question - we're in the middle of a flu epidemic in my city and what do you do if you really do have the flu or strep/sinus infection, etc? Do you take the antibiotics?

I also take Humira, so I have a supressed immune system.

Is anyone else dealing with this now?
Posted 1/17/2013 12:19 AM (GMT 0)
I would not take antibiotics without a confirmed positive strep test. I think you did the right thing. Flu is harder to say - do you feel like you have the flu? All over body aches and cough? High fever? If not, then it sounds like just a bad virus. My daughter is busy coughing her way through the week, but she had a flu vaccine and also no fever, so we're just waiting out the misery. There's plenty going around.
Posted 1/17/2013 1:47 AM (GMT 0)
have you tried the Neti pot nasal rinses? they help me quite a bit with sinus issues.
Posted 1/17/2013 2:47 AM (GMT 0)
I'm on Humira also. Just this Monday I had a runny nose and itchy throat. I stuck with throat drops and fluids, esp those with vitamin C. I'm feeling better today, but will probably wait until Friday to take my Humira dose...which is due today.

Last year, I had similar symptoms, but they were a little worse, not as mild, and didn't go away. It turned into really bad pain & pressure in my cheeks so I finally broke down and risked the antibiotics. No flare, thankfully, but it was a concern that I had, too.
Posted 1/17/2013 7:38 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone. I don't have a high fever (sometimes a low grade fever) but I feel achy and tired and my sinuses are stuffed up and runny and my throat is sore. Do you think it could just be a virus? I got a flu shot (but only like a week and a half ago) and I'm guessing without the fever and stomach issues it's maybe not the flu. Along with the flu going around are there a lot of viruses going around too? I guess since my city is on high alert for the flu they just assume it's the flu when you come in.

I got some elderberry tablets and I'm opening my new netipot. I'm starting a round of probiotics too, just in case I end up getting really sick or pressured into taking antibiotics (which I obv won't do without a positive culture for something that needs them).

Thank you!! :)
Posted 1/17/2013 7:49 PM (GMT 0)
wednesday77, just want to correct a couple of things.

Influenza (the "flu") does not cause stomach problems. It is an illness of body aches, high fever and cough.

There are a ton of viruses going around right now in addition to influenza. I think it is most probable that you have a typical upper respiratory infection, usually called a cold. Treat with lots of warm liquids, rest....use a humidifier at night to keep your mucous membranes moist. Take tylenol for comfort and fever relief.

If the fever lasts for more than 5 days go back to your DR.
Posted 1/18/2013 11:54 PM (GMT 0)
What medications are you on? While I was on Humira I had a sinus infection that ended up being a growth in my Adenoid that had to be surgically removed. Up until then I was using the Nettie Pot instead of taking antibiotics since they are so hard on the gut.
Posted 1/19/2013 12:34 AM (GMT 0)
If you do take antibiotics, make sure to take probiotics as well.
Posted 1/19/2013 12:59 AM (GMT 0)
I took the flu shot, and I am on Predisone..The beginning of the week I came down with some kind of flu symptoms..I had low grade fever, nausea, bad aches and pains, and light respiratory symptoms..I stayed home for two days from work, but I am better now..I took a lot of vitamin C and Echinacea..The flu is off the charts here so I caught a milder version it I assumed..If it is the flu, antibiotics won't help, and I have not tried tamiflu with CD and on steroids on top of that?? Hope u get better soon!
Posted 11/13/2015 8:14 PM (GMT 0)
I've had crohn's for about 2 years, lialda, canasa, strict diet for treatment, remicade failed for me. Dr never told me I can't take antibiotics so last year I took a z-pack for strep throat. Holy crap, flare lasted a month.

Past few days, I've had a sore throat, I've been gargling with peroxide mouthwash mix and that will sometimes knock them out, not this time.

Went to Dr this morning, confirmed strep throat. Explained my crohns and that I can't take oral antibiotics without severe side effects.

They gave me a penicillin long release injection, no gut interaction. We'll see what happens overall, just wanted to share, talk to your gastro and see what injectable long acting antibiotics are available and have them added to your medical chart.

Chrohn's antibiotic, crohn's strep throat

Post Edited (indyjps) : 11/13/2015 1:17:53 PM (GMT-7)

✚ New Topic ✚ Reply