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Posted 1/6/2009 9:23 PM (GMT 0)
Just wanted to tell you all I am only able to post here and there right now because I have the sinus infection from Hades.  Went to doc yesterday again and she changed my antibiotic to a stronger one because "I obviously have a bacteria resistant infection".  Some of you may know that I also have Crohns Disease and just got off a Prednisone (steroid) taper which has lowered my immune system, which in turn has made this infection difficult to treat.  She gave me a work excuse for yesterday and today, and said I should feel better by Wednesday.  I am a little concerned because I woke up at 2:30 am today with the worst facial pain I have ever experienced in my life and let me tell you I have a strong pain tolerance.  I almost went to the ER because I was taking Percoset and using the saline nasel spray and moist heat and nothing was healping the "severe' pain I was in.  Finally about 7:30 am my husband sent me back upstairs to bed and a put a moist heat bag on my face and I was able to go to sleep for a while.  Everything is okay for the moment, but I am so afraid of tomorrow morning.  If I wake to that kind of pain again, this time I am going to go to the ER, because I don't think after 5 days of antibiotics I should still be in that kind of pain.  I feel really bad about work too, as I have been off work since Christmas on vacation.  I went in yesterday morning and had to leave because I was in so much pain.  So I have that guilt too, I feel bad for my coworkers.  That doesn't help me either, because instead of relaxing I am worrying about work.  So please keep me in your prayers, and I hope to be back with you all again soon.

Hugs,

Gail *Nanners*

Posted 1/6/2009 9:29 PM (GMT 0)
{{{Gail, Gentle Hugs}}}

I am so sorry that you are still sick and even getting worse. You are and still in my prayers dear friend :) Please do go to the ER if you keep feeling pain through the meds you are already on. My aunt takes Prednisone also and has such a time with it and illness like you so I feel for you seeing in first hand. Take care and get better!

Your Bro :)
Posted 1/6/2009 9:56 PM (GMT 0)

Gail i am truly sorry for your pain. there is nothing like the facial pain you get with a rampant sinus infection. i am so sorry that your body is taking a beating- please dont feel guilty about work, i know its easier said than done, but you are REALLY sick and should focus on resting up, recuperating fully and you dont need the added stress of work worry.

you are in my prayers, i know how awful firsthand this can be- even after sinus surgery i still get it. i am so so so so so sorry- have you used a plastic bottle "nasal flush"? its like a baby bottle and the tip of it goes up one nostril and you squeeze it and the warm saline buffered water in it pours out the OTHER nostril, clearing out all gunk in your sinus cavities. then you swap nostrils and repeat the action. it is better than a nasal spray, its totally cleansing and i have found it helpful with the facial pain, as it relieves the pressure in sinus cavities. all good pharmacies should stock them. they come with sachets of buffered salt that you mix with warm water.

I hope and pray you feel better soon, take care and rest up my friend,

Maz XX

Posted 1/6/2009 10:14 PM (GMT 0)
Only using the Ocean moisterizing nasal spray (saline spray) & anitbiotics. Been using it like crazy and no relief. God, please make it better tomorrow, I can't handle that kind of pain again. Thanks for your good wishes.
Posted 1/6/2009 10:36 PM (GMT 0)

Oh Gail, it must be bad, cos as you mentioned, having Chron's would give you a high pain tolerance- i am just so sorry. my best advice beside resting up is to send your hubby to the pharmacy and get the 'nasal flush' kit as it relieves facial pressure so much.

and you know all the rest, like keeping well hydrated- have you tried a ihalation? a bowl of boiling hot water with a few drops of vicks of tea tree oil and a towel and you breathe it all in?

I hope you feel better soon, you dont deserve this on top of it all,

Maz XX i loves ya! XX

Posted 1/6/2009 11:44 PM (GMT 0)
Maz I hope you are still on....I seem not to be draining at all from the infected side. Its not like I am congested and feel like I have a cold or anything, but just alot of pressure in my left sinuses. Its like it is just stuck in there, I can't even blow anything out. I know its not my teeth, but indeed is sinusitis. I know you have alot of sinus probs too, any idea how long before this pain goes away? Thanks for your help.
Posted 1/7/2009 12:18 AM (GMT 0)
I hope you feel better nanners, my grandpa and brother have have bad sinus infections, their face will swell making everything hurt, maybe one of your sinus ducts are clogged, maybe if your husband massages your face, my grandpa said that it made him feel better if start at the center of face and massage your finger away from your nose. i hope you feel better
Posted 1/7/2009 12:22 AM (GMT 0)

OK- first, remember i am NOT a medical professional, lol.

 but my experience with this is huge. i dont think the nasal spray you are using will help at all- you need a steroidal spray for your sinuses- i dont know if you have it in the states, but Rhinocort is good stuff. again, the 'nasal levage flush' pump bottle is amazing as it completely carries out all the pressurised gunk from inside your sinus cavities where it is currently blocked- leading to the pain. this may sound weird, but if you cant get the nasal flush bottle from your chemist, my dad taught me a trick as a kid that also works, although its a bit messy. get a glass of warm, salty water and 'drink' it through your nose- it will come out your mouth, dragging infected mucus with it. its like the home remedy version of the nasal flush kit. yes you will gag and choke a bit, but it helps, always do it over the sink. i take prescription painkillers as well and have found a non- steroidal nasal spray called Drixine, which instantly clears nasal pasages and lets you breathe freely, but it can only be used 3 days in a row.

Oh Gail i am so sorry- i also take benadryl which i find dries up alot of excess mucous, and if taken at night time, it will aid in sleeping also. also before you mentioned your teeth? a real bad sinus infection will pain the bones in your face, including ear, jaw and your teeth may ache something fierce, mine do, but it IS caused by the pressure/buildup and lack of drainage. maybe try an inhalation as well- it can loosen up the gunk, and as a bonus, its very relaxing.

just so no one gets the wrong idea, people i am NOT giving professional medical advice. im giving advice from my experience, which is no substitute for that of a doctor, and Gail knows that- thats why she asked me. just making it real clear that im advising from personal experience. you can never be too careful!

Let me now how you go, precious Gail, im sorry you are having to deal with this- i actually woke with a sinus migraine this morning- totally blocked up, feels like i been smacked in the face with a shovel! you are not alone. im sending you a yummy massage and chicken soup via our magic carpet- and a nasal flush bottle!

Maz XX


Posted 1/7/2009 12:28 AM (GMT 0)

Nanners,

Oh sweetie, I am so sorry you are feeling  so awful. Now first of all do not do a Kitt, and blame everything on you.  You are sick,  the business you work for will run.  Lose the guilt, it is a wasted emotion. That is Mum Kitt's best advice.

I worked over Christmas one year as I had to because like you I could not call in sick and have someone else have to work my 3 shifts.  Went to the Doctor on Monday after Christmas and got my butt reamed but good. My Doctor said " So  Kitt, if you were to die tomorrow do you think the hospital would shut down?" shocked I sheepishly  said "no".

So you come first. Perhaps they could give you a antibiotic IV that would kick in faster.

Maz knows a lot about sinus issues, I am sure she will be answering you soon.

Love to you and many prayers.

Kitt

Posted 1/7/2009 12:29 AM (GMT 0)
I have Nasarel a steroidal nose spray I have been using twice a day too. When I went to the doc yesterday she said use this saline nose spray, you will feel so much better. I have been using it like crazy, but still nothing coming out, very frustrating. I don't get these infections often, and I don't know how you live with it all the time. Big hugs and thanks to you Maz.

Machelle I will ask hubby to rub the area tonight, he's a good guy like that. Thanks!
Posted 1/7/2009 12:53 AM (GMT 0)

Nanners,

I am sorry I could not have been more helpful in my post but I knew Maz had the personal experience re sinus.

Kitt

Posted 1/7/2009 3:46 AM (GMT 0)

Nanners, sweetie,

I hope you are feeling better. Sinus issues sound horrible. Take care of yourself or we will come over and staplegun you to youir bed okay??? Nah kidding, we would wrap you gently in soft blankets that repel guilt...NO guilt nono (says she who bought almost entire staff wine and chocolates to apologise for six day hospital stay!!! lol) I need to take my own advice. We didn't choose to get sick. Priority is get Gail well!

Hugs (gently) Meg

Posted 1/7/2009 4:38 AM (GMT 0)
I'm so sorry that you are so miserable.  Take care of yourself and get better!  Praying for a better morning for you tomorrow! 
Posted 1/7/2009 6:36 AM (GMT 0)
Nanners, I'm late posting here but I sure hope you feel better! Also, remember not to think ahead and worry about the morning. Odds are you'll feel better! Your job will be fine, just think about getting yourself well!
Posted 1/7/2009 2:16 PM (GMT 0)

Good Morning Nanners,

I hope you woke up this morning feeling better and the facial pain did not come back.  I feel so bad that you are going through this.

You are one of the kindest and caring members on the board and to hear how ill you are makes me sad.

My prayers are with you and rest my sweet lady. 

Many gentle hugs
Kitt


Posted 1/7/2009 3:00 PM (GMT 0)
Nanners -

I am sooooo sorry you are feeling so bad. I have to agree with Kitt, you are one of the kindest people on these boards. I hope and pray that you start to feel better. As a fellow crohnie, I KNOW that your pain tolerance is high. Being sick stinks - just do the best you can.
Posted 1/7/2009 5:15 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Nanners

I really hope you are feeling better today take care of yourself and i agree you are one of the kindest people on the board and we all love you and value you as an important part of the healingwell A/P family, My thoughts are with you.

Hugs

Ben
Posted 1/7/2009 5:32 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for your kind well wishes!! I woke up with the sinus pain again this morning, but not as bad as yesterday. Thank God, that was horrible. But I still called out of work, just couldn't imagine sitting there feeling like poop. Maz, I have been making a homemade kind of saline flush and I think it might be helping some. This morning I was able to blow my nose a little, so maybe it is starting to break up. I have been using moist heat, the Benadryl with Guaifensen and thats help some too. Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day, and I can get back to work. I have put a call back into the doc, because I think I should be somewhat better by now, and not completely satisfied with my recovery. I have looked on the net and it seems I am doing all I can, so not sure what more the doc will say. But it can't hurt.

Thanks again for your kind words and love, it means alot to me.

Hugs,
Gail *Nanners*
Posted 1/7/2009 9:44 PM (GMT 0)
Good day Nanners :)

I'm glad you are feeling a bit better today and I hope tomorrow will be great! I am glad you decided to take another day off to take care of you :)

Get well soon.
Posted 1/8/2009 1:00 AM (GMT 0)

Gail im so sorry you are still suffering. Maybe you need a 2nd course of antibiotics to beat this properly. Im glad the saline flush is helping, it should be loosening up all the goo. do you have pressure/pain in your ear on the blocked side? keep doing the saline flush, whatever way you do it, sucking it up with your nose using a cup may not sound pleasant, but it DOES work. more steam inhalation with vicks in the water- the combo of heat and menthol and steam will further loosen the gunk and allow the blockage to begin moving.

im so sorry you are still sick, its hellish.

i love you bunches and wish i could give you a hug,

Maz XX

Posted 1/8/2009 3:10 PM (GMT 0)
Well I am back to work today. Sinuses still hurt some, but much better than it was. Maz, I made a modified neti pot of sorts and been using that a few times a day. It seems to finally be working and the antibiotics are finally kicking in. I am sure it will be a while before I am perfect, but I am much better than I was. Thanks again for all the well wishes.
Posted 1/8/2009 4:11 PM (GMT 0)

nanners,

I am so happy for you and glad you are finally feeling better.  remember, rest when you get home...............your body is continuing to heal itself so be good to yourself and think of you first.

Hugs and prayers

Kitt

Posted 1/9/2009 12:07 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Nanners :)

I'm glad you are better today. Take care of yourself!
Posted 1/9/2009 12:20 AM (GMT 0)
Nanners,

That is great news! As one who is also slowly on the mend remember to be gentle with yourself and take it easy. Make sure you don't overwork yourself. I find a little bit of swooning around the reception desk doesn't hurt!!!

Hugs, Meg

Posted 1/9/2009 1:55 AM (GMT 0)

Gail,

I'm sorry I missed this post until today but am so glad you are feeling better.  The only other thing I would have suggested you try is a moist warm washcloth on your face to relieve the pain.  That is what the doctor had me do a few weeks back when I had such bad sinus pain.  That and a cool mist machine in my bedroom at night to relieve the congestion and break up the gunk.  It really did work.  My sister swears by the "nasal flush" thing.  She had a bad sinus infection recently and was on two rounds of antibiotics and the sprays as you are and someone told her about the "nasal flush" and she did it like 3 times per day and she was feeling a lot better after a day or two of doing that.  Again, I am so happy to see you are on the upside to feeling better.

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