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Sinusitis and Pentasa

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 8/24/2013 1:50 PM (GMT 0)
Sooo...Ever since i was diagnosed with UC (and started taking Pentasa) i noticed an increase in post nasal drip and intermittent sinusitis (usually twice to thrice/year).
However for the past 3 months i've been having almosst constant sinus headaches/pressure especially near the eyebrow bone. I've already been on Doxycycline as initiallly the postnasal drip was dark yellow/greenish and the culture was positive for Haemophilus Influenza. But that was over two weeks ago. Now there is no drainage, and when there is it is white. However the headaches are still there and i still feel this 'pressure', not as bad as when i had the infection but still there nonetheless.

What could this be? Post infection 'sinus IBS'? :p because my sinuses have not returned to normal yet. Im taking aerius (antihistamine) and Ester C (vit C) which have helped but the headache is still there, and pressue behind the brow bone both sides.

Or could it be that im one of the lucky 10% who experience sinusitis and rhinitis with 5ASAs like pentasa? Anyone here had similar symptoms that resolved after discontinuing 5ASAs?

I just hope this isn't another crazy a** problem like colitis. Sinusitis colitis together does not sound like fun, at all!

oh and i've already been to an immunologist last year (one of the top ones in melbourne) and he did a skin prick test with like 18 allergens inc grass, pollen etc. And the result was that i was allergic to Alternarium Alternaria (a mold/fungus).
He said they only treat that with antihistamines because people with this allergy usually develop subsequent allergies to other things like pollen etc in the next few years. So he said to come back in a few years when my immune system is even more whacked out so he can give me the allergy shots. yes this is doctor's, a top doctor's, logic.

So friends, what do you reckon? any insight? ideas? Fire away...
Posted 8/24/2013 2:01 PM (GMT 0)
Do you take medication for reflux? I've also had the same, I had scans done on my sinus's and it came back clear. My perotid gland swelled for no reason for over a month. I had ringing in my ears, which has since gotten a lot better. I'm on pentasa 1g enema at night But have reduced to every third night
Posted 8/24/2013 2:27 PM (GMT 0)
I'm not on any medication right now but a course of hydrocortisone enemas seemed to have really aggravated my sinuses. I ended up getting sinus surgery with minimal results.

After trying many things, I believe the real underlying issue is Candida overgrowth. Treating that (on my own), in addition to frequent nasal rinses and high doses of iodine, are helping much more than anything else I've tried.
Posted 8/24/2013 3:24 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Petah and Xtraordinaryguy...

Im also suspecting that the fungus (alternarium in my case guessing based on immuno tests) may be in my sinuses (ugh grosses me out when i think about it) causing all these issues. Who the heck knows it could even be in my gut. I was handed Abx like lollies when i was a kid so maybe the lack of good bacteria is allowing it to thrive.

All i know is that right before my worst ever and first flare up (after birth to my son) i had this thick white mucous dripping down my throat all the time and i had to frequently cough it up.

So Petah: are you saying that reducing how often you take the pentasa enema has helped with your sinuses?

Im thinking of:
A) quit pentasa and see how i go: although im flaring every 7 months on pentasa and upping the dose has not helped alleviate any flareup it is still too risky right now because im about to move house in less than a fortnight and i need to be well for it

B) get a CT scan or xray? Which is better for sinuses? Which one did you do Petah?

C) trial fluconazole for atleast 10 days to see if symptoms improve...

*sigh* when all this is over, i swear im gonna take on life and enjoy it with every (healthy) breath i have. And i will never let the stupid small things get to me ever ever again.
Oh and maybe i'll have a dance off too (reminds me of the movie 'Die Hard') lol.
Posted 8/24/2013 4:11 PM (GMT 0)
Please don't quit the Pentasa...it's not that.

But, I'd suggest you stop the antihistamine and get on Sudafed instead.

Use a sinus wash, up the probiotics and get rid of the infection with antibiotics if you need it.

q
Posted 8/24/2013 4:55 PM (GMT 0)
conq, sinus issues suck - almost as bad as uc - almost !

the things that always get my head effed up are:

lack of sleeeeeeep

lack of water

too much ac/air conditioning - this summer has been brutal ! not just the dry but just stinking HOT !

I haven't taken any anti's for years - my sinus's were awesome when I was on pred - and asthma too - not a big shock - pred makes everything better !

I think anything that adds to inflammation makes things worse - I would focus on that if you haven't already - the candida thing, like X man mentioned too -

I feel for you - the headaches use to put me flat on my ass for days -

do the sinus flushes & prob's, and stop the auntie histi's like heather said - the pentasa ............hmmm, me, I would do it in a heartbeat - but i'm a dumbass -

 

Posted 8/24/2013 6:33 PM (GMT 0)
da...as in drop them? not good advice since she has enough crap at the moment.

q
Posted 8/24/2013 8:34 PM (GMT 0)
well q, I didn't consider it a resounding affirmation to stop by saying "I probabaly would, but then again, i'm a dumbass"

more as a " hmmmmmm, not sure what You should do there "
Posted 8/24/2013 9:55 PM (GMT 0)
ah, got it. But you do agree a sinus infection should be dealt with first?

But you believe that the pentasa is part of the cause?

q
Posted 8/24/2013 10:31 PM (GMT 0)
Lol Soy, yes sinus issues do really suck i never thought something as innocent as my sinuses could interfere with my life so much.

Q: the thing is that the infection is gone. Since there is no more coloured mucous coming out. So what i wanna know is what the heck do i have now? It cannot be a bacterial infection atleast because the mucous is white now. It was green 3weeks ago but that went away with a course of Doxy.

I also get the interesting symptom of light-headedness when i get up from lying/sitting position. This always conincides with sinusitis for me. Last time this happened i also had sinusitis with white discharge last year. But this year the headaches are much more fierce.

Can i ask why everyone is suggesting i stop the antihistamines? I thought they were meant to help with any allergies i may have....?
Posted 8/24/2013 11:21 PM (GMT 0)
You could very well have sinusitis without infection...that could be the white mucus instead of clear...I have it sometimes..tends to be more thick than loose too. . This is allergy season after all...and some things can certainly exacerbate them, especially if they're inflamed and prone to infection. Plus...all it takes is a teeeeny little bit of infection to remain and repopulate...especially in an inflamed area where drainage is prevented to happen.

Hence the suggestion to not take the antihistamines. I'm not saying you may not need them, but you don't know if you have allergies causing your issues. You might have some sensitivities that exacerbate the inflammation...but not allergies.

Antihistamines dry out the secretions...making you more susceptible to infection. Very fine line of dealing with them...I do know since I deal with it.

Get a sinus lavage system...I use the NeilMed sinus wash, not the neti pot. The NeilMed is MUCH BETTER...and it helps my Eustachian tube popping.

On the days you do find you're sneezing, have a running nose that doesn't stop, etc.

I also suggest you ask your doc for a steroid nasal spray if you find you're not able to help the sinus inflammation with sinus lavage, Sudafed etc. and if you get another infection.

I truly empathise...Our weather has gotten hot as hell with HIGH humidity..ugh. I was out for a short time and by the time I came in, my sinuses were already reacting...headache, stuffiness and ear popping. I did take Sudafed for the second time today, robaxacet and did a sinus rinse a half hour ago.

I think there are some homeopathic formulas from Hyland's...maybe look into them and they could be of help?

Hope you feel better soon.

q
Posted 8/24/2013 11:38 PM (GMT 0)
quincy heather :

"But you do agree a sinus infection should be dealt with first?"

 I agree :-)

"But you believe that the pentasa is part of the cause?"

meds are always the problem ;-) (i.e., probably not) 

conq :

ya, what heather said about drying - I do much better when things are moving - hence the washing machine action - keeps things fluid and moving - often times I just go to the sink and splash my face just to get some moisture exposure to my face and sinues - it's usually enough to get things going -

humidity, barometric pressure, temp, and airborne allergens all contribute to my ails - that's why they vary from one day to the next - for me it's about reducing the inflammation present in my body and avoiding irritants when I can -

Posted 8/25/2013 12:04 AM (GMT 0)
Hmm i see, ok so i'll stop the antihistamines.
Interesting about the sinus lavage, i only have the netti pot. I didn't know other things existed. I will get on it right away.
Ok, so no more antihistamines, and neilmed sinus lavage. Anything else?
No one supporting i go on fluconazole? It can't hurt right? *nervous giggle*
Posted 8/25/2013 12:14 AM (GMT 0)
P.S. i just had a look online and is this the one you mean Quincy:
http://m.walgreens.com/mt/www.walgreens.com/store/c/neilmed-sinus-rinse-original-sinus-kit/id=prod2598807-product
Posted 8/25/2013 12:29 AM (GMT 0)
this is what I use - generic whatever brand - like 4 buicks :-) most places ..........

http://www.oceannasalcare.com/ocean-saline-nasal-spray.aspx

Posted 8/25/2013 12:32 AM (GMT 0)
No I don't think it was reducing Meds, I'm not sure why, I still get sinus and allergies, worst allergies than sinus but the ringing has stopped.. I'd suggest himalayian salt inhaler, as well as drinking Sole.
Posted 8/25/2013 12:34 AM (GMT 0)
I also had a nurse suggest mucinex. I thins and drains mucus in the sinuses. Make sure to drink plenty of water with it. Also hot and cold compresses on your sinuses and inhalation therapy with eucaliptus oil in hot water and breath in steam. Hope you get to feeling better soon :)
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