Know anything about sinus infections?

22 years ago

I had what felt like a sinus infection on the left side of my face in April. It started in my eye, went to the left side of my nose, ended up in my chest, but was nothing major. I didn't go to the doctor. I figured it would get better on its own, and it did.

Now I've got a sore throat on the left side only, an earache in my left ear, and an inflamed area of gum next to a left molar. I don't feel sick, just a little off. Could this be the sinus infection at work again? Or completely unrelated? Could the gum problem, for instance, trigger the sore throat and earache? I'm confused about what comes first, the chicken or the egg!

Thanks,

Susan

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Comments (6)

trekaren
22 years ago
Hi Susan! The symptoms of sinus infections and abcessed teeth can mimic each other. My father swore up and down he had a sinus infection one time and it turned out to be his teeth.

Most people I know with sinus infections have to take a strong dose of antibiotic, because the infection is usually resistant and a small short run of them won't help. Mainly because the infection hides so well it takes a while to get it all knocked out.

Get the dentist out of the way first. Rule out an abcess. If it's not the tooth, it's probably time to see a doctor and get on a round of antibiotics.

I know taking them is the pits, especially for we women if you know what I mean, but you need to go ahead and do it or you will continue to feel 'off'.

Sorry you have to deal with this with all the other things you have going on in your life!
lindac
22 years ago
I doctored for sinus infection for a year...off and on....knew it couldn't be a tooth, because that tooth had a root canal done. I would go on antibiotic and it would get better......then resurface.....
Finally it got VERY acute....miserable pain....swollen face etc......
Turns out there was a portion of the root missed in the root canal job....and I had infection on the root which rested on the sinus cavity.
Insist that the dr give you at least a 5 day Z pack....or a 10 day round of something....and do a throat culture before beginning that treatment.
Then if it returns....see a competent dentist.
Linda C
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I use a neti pot (aka 'nasal irrigation') for general sinus health. Since I started about 2 years ago, my chronic sinus issues have improved by 80%. I mix 1/4 tsp salt (with a little bicarbonate) per cup of water, heat for about 12 seconds in the microwave to make it approximately body temperature, and put it in a neti pot and pour it through one nostril, out the other. This helps moisturize the sinuses, flushes allergens, and improves the health of the cilia and mucous membranes. Some neti practices include adding a drop or two of vegetable oil (sesame or sunflower) to moisturize when humidity is low, or use of diluted herbal teas with salt to directly treat the sinuses. I bought my neti pot at a major pharmacy chain near my house - it included basic instructions and 50 or 100 premixed saline packets (nice for travel). Now I mix my own salt and the cost per day is a fraction of a cent. There is a short book on Neti by David Frawley that covers the subject in more depth. Good if you Really have sinus issues, but not necessary if you just want to do the basic saline rinse from time to time. Here is a link that might be useful: Neti page at Wikipedia
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I'd never heard of a netti pot either, until about a year ago when a friend told me about them. Tonight, no sinus pressure/agony, so that's great! Still stuffy, but much less than before. Magothyrivergirl, my quilting class is this coming Tuesday. I thought about calling the teacher and canceling or postponing it, but I am starting to feel better and I've really been looking forward to it. I wouldn't mind going sick for my own sake, but I'd sure hate to get the teacher or other students (if there are any, it will likely one on one) sick. I also buy the pre-packaged salt packets for the netti pot made by the same manufacturer... not cheap, 8 dollars for 50 packets, but when you're sick, convenience matters more than money. I can't imagine me trying to measure 1/4th teaspoon of anything while enduring that kind of pain... I' probably miss the spoon and dump all the salt on the floor. Plus, I buy iodized salt normally, so I'd either have to buy another jug of non-iodized just for that or used kosher if that will work too (does anyone know if it will in a pinch?). Colleen, thank you for the heat pack suggestion. Last night when the pain was so intense, I filled my hot water bottle (you know the puke orange/pink rubber thing that is also used for enemas) with hot water and just pressed it against my face. After about a half hour it really did seem to help. I just wish there was something instant! I guess prevention is the thing to remember from here on out. About the Sudafed... I have gotten the kind from behind the pharmacy counter before, but it was so long ago that I forgot how well it worked or even if it did. This time I got the Sudafed PE, the pharmacy counter was closed at 2 AM :o), and I'm taking it every 4 hours like the package says. I'm keeping it in my system, and I think that's the reason I didn't have pain tonight. No pain induced mishaps today... I did put apricot exfoliating facial scrub on my Sonicare thinking it was toothpaste, but that's just because I'm absent minded :o) And I realized it before sticking it in my mouth! Thank you all for helping me get through this! Hopefully, I can resume life now!
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Now that is just down right untrue lydia. What is up with you people on this forum? I have suffered from chronic sinus problems for years and years, and that is EXACTLY why I tried the product I am taking. This forum is for people who are having problems and would like suggestions, not for people to bash those that have found things that really help. I have never run into such a bunch of rude negative people in my life. I will state one last time!!! I have NOT given ANY information to ANYBODY that would send them directly to me to proffit. I WONT DO THAT! So why don't you all just get off my back. I am ONLY here because I have found R E L I E F ! I would like to share what I have found with people in pain! I have plenty of ways to market, but the Garden Web Forums is NOT one of them. And are you on the forums I am on? How the heck would I try to sell this on the Birding forums where I hang out? You should know what you are talking about before you start accusing people. This is the ONLY forum I have mentioned ANYTHING about Xango on because it is the HEALTH forum and I am TRYING to HELP. I dont see how it is going to help on a birding or wildlife forum. Those are the forums that interest me (now don't you look silley) I came in this one for one reason only, and that was to share what has helped me! I DO NOT TAKE SINUS /ALLERGEY MEDICATION ANYMORE. I DO NOT SUFFER SINUS PAIN ANYMORE. I cant share this with people who suffer? WHY? For crying out loud I am a resource coordinator for elderly and disabled people, I HELP people, thats what I do! Wanna know how many people I have helped get free medications on line in my spare time NO CHARGE! People I don't even know! Nothing in it for me but to know I HELPED someone! Go find a mean person to pick on. You are barking up the WRONG TREE! Lisa
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That's horrible! I have no idea where anyone would turn to in this situation. Maybe the county health department? I hope someone can help.
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alisande
Original Author
22 years ago
Thanks, Karen and Linda. I had no idea teeth and sinus were so related. Duh...guess this is why we have dumb blonde jokes. :-)

I saw the dentist today. My molar has a root canal, too, so I didn't think it could be the cause. But he offered to take a look (and didn't charge me--nice guy!). He took an x-ray and said the tooth wasn't abcessed. But the gum around the tooth was infected, and he felt that was the cause of the throat and ear problems. He squirted some liquid antibiotic around the tooth, and told me to rinse with warm salt water 2x a day and peroxide 1x, and to use my Hydro Floss, and he felt that would take care of everything. Hope so.

Now I have a herpes cold sore on that side of my lip. :-(

Thanks again,

Susan
trekaren
22 years ago
Oh Susan! When it rains it pours. The cold sore could have been triggered by all the stress you have been going through lately lowering your immunity.

I hope you feel better soon!!!!!
downsouth
22 years ago
My husband went to our family doctor and they said he had a sinus infection. This was around Thanksgiving of last year. We both then got the flu bug on top of his sinus infection and were sick until about the 2nd week in February. We didn't think we were ever going to get over the flu and the weakness (needless to say, we will be getting the flu shots this winter). Anyway, back to the sinus infection...sorry, I got off track.

They gave him Z Pack for 5 days which was like taking candy for him. He was then put on an antibiotic...sorry, can't remember the name. He took two different prescriptions and went back to the family doctor and was given a third prescription. Wouldn't you think by now that none of this stuff is working? On top of this, he has high blood pressure & they keep pumping him with antibiotics that aren't working.

He never got better and we went to an Ear, Nose & Throat doctor in the same building. This doctor told him that sometimes antibiotics won't work for sinus infections and my husband had to go back 2 times for shots in his hips. These were $150 a shot. He was also given a prescription nasal spray and in a week, he felt so much better. He said this was the best he had felt since Thanksgiving. Morale of the story: go see an ENT doctor if you think you have a sinus infection.
toad08
18 years ago
I went to an Ear, Nose & Throat doctor for strep but he wouldn't take a culture nor prescribe anything. Instead I got a lecture on why I was wasting his time.
A friend recommended that I see her homeopathic doctor which I did. Going to a homepoathic doctor was the best thing I ever did for myself. The homepoathic doctor cured my strep and staph.
My sinuses are getting better due to salt water irrigation.

Know anything about sinus infections?

Comments (6)

trekaren

lindac

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alisande
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Know anything about sinus infections?

Comments (6)

trekaren

lindac

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alisandeOriginal Author

trekaren

downsouth

toad08

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alisande
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