Sinus issues

[PeteNYNJ]

Hello All

I hope everyone is having a lovely day.  I have had sinus "issues" for close to a month now and cant seem to figure out what is going on.  I say "issues" because it doesn't seem to be an infection (no nasty colored mucus) but it isn't normal.  Pressure and pain are my main issues. 

Anyone else experience this? I remember reading somewhere that sinus problems are common in those who are HIV+.  Is this just another fun thing to deal with?

I had a doctor appointment today but he cancelled due to illness so I guess I will go to a walk in tonight just to get it checked out.

Thanks for reading
Pete

[minismom]

Pete,
Mini had terrible sinus issues.  Her head was all clogged up and her nose was so clogged that it would run thick, but she couldn't blow it.  When it started sounding chesty, I took her in to Quick Care and the doc took chest x-rays, strep test, and after both came back normal, gave her 5 days of antibiotics.  I was really reluctant to give them to her because of the resistence issues, but hubby convinced me.  I can't remember the name, but she took 5mls 1x the first day and 2.5mls 1x/day for the next 4 days.  It completly cleared her up and she hasn't had problems since.  I'm chalking it up to some sort of sinus infection.  Hope you can get in to see someone and maybe talk to them about a short-term antibiotic.

Hugs!
Mum

[sacinsc]

Dude I know how you feel. I am dealing with the same thing. My ID Doc gave me an antibiotic about 2 1/2 weeks ago. I was fine while on it. Two days after I was done, same thing started up again. Don't see the doc again until MLK weekend so I think I am going to just hold out and see if its just the weather changes here that are causing it. Though if I see blood again in my mucus I will be back sooner. I am currently living on benedryl and Vicks under my nose to try and relieve some pressure. Also a heating pad on the face helps loosen you up as well. I do that quiet often. Hope some of this helps.

Matt

[Queen Tokelove]

My nose seem to be stuffed all the time. At one point, I think something was going on so my doc prescribed me some azithromycin which seem to work but nose is still stuffy. I don't know what's going on.

[BT65]

OMG, I have pain and pressure all the time.  But, mine is just due to bad sinuses, I believe.  All the years of smoking I did.  And when my left sinus was crushed one time, the doctor couldn't clear it out because of too many bone fragments, so that one is the one that has pain in it almost constantly.  The heating pad is a very good suggestion.  Also, taking steamy showers is another good trick.  Sometimes I'll let the water run right over my sinus area to help relieve some pressure.  Hope you clear up soon.

[sacinsc]

The shower idea is a great one. They also have those Vick's Vapor tablet thingys you can put in the shower floor and they release the vapors as the water hits them. They work as well.

[beefbud]

HI there,
Just chiming in here, have had sinus issues ever since testing positive and i NEVER had a sinus issue all my life until now.  (I am 39 now)  My t's bounce up and down but my VL is low (about 5000)  have to go see the doc for follow up and will bring it up as I am tired of being stopped up all the time...its like a constant cold symptom. 
UGH, you're not alone.

[ARMANDO]

my sinus problems had become so severe that i finally decided to go on allergy shots,it seems that i am allergic to everything out there.its pretty expensive but thank GOD that i have great insurance!!I see everyone around me sniffling and sneezing but not me!!! I LOVE IT!!!

[PeteNYNJ]

Thanks for all the advice.  Seem to be a bit better this week.  I will bring it up with my doctor though because it is something that I dont want to have to constantly deal with if I don't have to.

Pete

[bear60]

Thats good Pete. I'm glad its gotten better.
You know that part of the newspaper where they have pollen levels and air quality?  Well, it might help you if you check that out on days when you have really bad sinus issues. Because allergies to pollen and spores (mold etc) are a large part of sinus "issues".  I take Claritin once a day and it does help.  Its over the counter.

[redhotmuslbear]

Also try douching your sinuses at least twice a day, soon after waking and after returning home for the day.  Find a small squeezeable bottle with a plastic tip opening on the top that you can insert into your nostrils.  Make a solution with ratios of 1/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp baking soda (not baking powder!) in a cup of warm water, keep it in the bottle and warm as needed before douching.  Tilt your head back, and as soon as you feel water clearing to your throat, tit your head sidewise to try to "pour" it into the other half of your sinuses.  Then, blow out the water.

It doesn't take much salinity to kill a lot of the bacteria and viruses in your sinuses, and the warmth and moisture will make the tissue feel better and move the mucous around.

[Just John]

Mmmm, I've had some serious sinus issues too so I know where you're coming from Pete.

Although it does seem to affect a lot of us poz guys, and in my case only manifested after infection my Doc's are real cagey about linking it with either the virus or the med's.

I had an operation in September to widen the sinus openings and although this has relieved the pressure the mucus is still there.

The Surgeon says that it is definitely a growing problem in the general population and is most likely to have a lot to do with an allergy to modern pollutants.

Antihistamines are worth trying, and you've already had some good advice about steam and menthol inhalations. My Surgeon also echoes what Redhotmusclebear says about the saline douche; but only apparently with sea salt. We can get it over here at the pharmacy as an aerosol called 'Sterimar', it seems to work to ease things and is worth trying.

John.