possible sinus infection - so what can we take?

[Iksfreundin]

I got somethin' crazy going on in my ears, and I see the doc early tomorrow. The consensus right now is that it's a sinus infection (although I don't really usually have something like that). It is hot and warm in my ear from time to time and the rest of the time it itches; that's not good for someone already freaked out about my blue fingernails. Last night was pretty bad, but today isn't bad yet.

So what can we take to help this along? It seems OTC sinus meds are often used, but those are a big no-no for me. If it's a virus, they won't give me antibiotics anyway, so what can I do elsewise? I am not prepared to suffer through an infection!

[mapleleafgirl25]

Johnnyoffpaxil has this right now....you could PM and ask him ..i know he does not take any medications ect..i think he went to Acupuncture and it worked really well..

[mapleleafgirl25]

oh i see him here on the thread..he will let you know

[Casey1231]

Have you ever tried a sinus rinse with saline? There's a good one by NeilMed, it really helps. I'm a believer in old fashioned Vicks VapoRub on the chest at night, you stink but it opens up the passages and promotes drainage. Also, lots of fluids, a humidifier, warm showers and baths, rest, all should help promote healing. Sometimes a nasal steroid like nasonex also helps shrink the tissues and promote drainage, they are usually well tolerated but I guess everyone is different. I am dealing with the same thing right now. Hope it clears up soon!

[Johnnny off Paxil]

Originally Posted by Iksfreundin

I got somethin' crazy going on in my ears, and I see the doc early tomorrow. The consensus right now is that it's a sinus infection (although I don't really usually have something like that). It is hot and warm in my ear from time to time and the rest of the time it itches; that's not good for someone already freaked out about my blue fingernails. Last night was pretty bad, but today isn't bad yet.

So what can we take to help this along? It seems OTC sinus meds are often used, but those are a big no-no for me. If it's a virus, they won't give me antibiotics anyway, so what can I do elsewise? I am not prepared to suffer through an infection!

OK glad you asked, though some folks here will "battle me " on this , it is pretty common to get a sinus infection and "respiratory ailments" because of exposure to SSRI's.

This is what I have done, because inner ear issues can be serious, so you need to tackle this head on.
My supplement list
6,000 mg of Vitamin C.. 3 doses of 2,000mg spread over the day
Calcium Magnesium citrate 200 mg
Selenium 100mg
Astragalus( immune booster) 300mg..split in 3 times a day
Cats Claw( boosts white blood cells)
Pau D'arco( for red blood celss and lymphatic system)
Echinacea "viral " formula..there are many good brands out there, some more potent than others....also use only when things are chronic, once you feel your getting a handle on the infection , back off
lots of water..not cold..so herbal teas..rooibos if you can
High intensity garlic soup, 3 "bulbs " of garlic..if you want my "crab bisque" recipe I'd be glad to share it with you
Borsht/Barsht...beet soup
avoid citrus fruits too acidic..you wan to be on the alkaline side

optional..detox bath or detox foot pads... I would only recommend this is your at least 10 or 11 months into withdrawal

acupuncture for the "phlegm points"


Thats what I have been doing, I ASSUME..that because of the stress of withdrawal and because it very well documented by many, many members , how the ears and inner ear, throat, lungs are affected by SSRIs

Give this a try, its worked for me

Regards, Johnny

[Esperance]

I had chronic sinus trouble before the ssri, hope I don't have to look forward to this now that I'm coming off of it. A couple things I learned that helped me: hot salty liquids (soups) the doctor actually recommended this, so the chicken soup cure isn't all old wives tales. Ricola throat lozenges. They help keep the passages clear and cut through the goo. There's also in the UK (and possibly elsewhere) a saline nasal spray that I found very useful. I'm the kind of person who would rather cut off my nose than use a nasal spray. . .but this stuff worked and was relatively inoffensive. Cat's claw is a good general booster as well. A lot of people say it's best to avoid cow's milk products if you have trouble with congestion.

[Katesmom]

I always get good relief with the plain old saline nasal spray. It must be used regularly, more often at first, but it works well. If you have an ear infection, it may be hard to treat without getting you really dried out (as with decongestants). When Kate has them, that is the ONLY thing that works, unfortunately.

[Iksfreundin]

Looks like an infection, folks. Amoxicillan three times daily and gentamicin three times daily, for 10 days. Yeehaw. Third time in three months that I've been on antibiotics!!

[scotty]

Originally Posted by Iksfreundin

Looks like an infection, folks. Amoxicillan three times daily and gentamicin three times daily, for 10 days. Yeehaw. Third time in three months that I've been on antibiotics!!

Gentamycin??? For a sinus infection?????

[Iksfreundin]

Originally Posted by scotty

Gentamycin??? For a sinus infection?????

No, he just looked in my ear and said, "oh yeah, we need to get you on some antibiotics and antibiotic ear drops." I don't know what it is - I assumed infection, since I"m on antibiotics!

[Dawn B.]

Go to the health food/vitamin store and get some Oregano oil capsules.
Usual dose is one 500 mg. capsule 2x a day. It's anti-viral, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial, and is not a drug. No side effects.
There are also a variety of natural things you can spray up your nose.
I just saw a story on TV about a doc in Europe who has found that spraying probiotics up your nose with kill off all the bad stuff with no drugs. He was treating kids with chronic ear infections with it.
Probably will NEVER be on the FDA list here. But maybe will show up in a health store. Hmm, I wonder if taking some probiotis and disolving them in water and spaying them up the 'ol shnoz would do the trick?

[Songbird]

How come you need two antibiotics rather than just one?

Originally Posted by Dawn B.

Go to the health food/vitamin store and get some Oregano oil capsules.
Usual dose is one 500 mg. capsule 2x a day. It's anti-viral, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial, and is not a drug. No side effects.

I haven't heard of that, that is interesting! I have read that olive leaf extract will also do this.

[Dawn B.]

Olive leaf is very good too.

[Dawn B.]

My son had an ear infection not too long ago, and this time they just put him on an ear drop, I think it was an antibiotic drop, but nothing by mouth. I thought that was much better than killing off all the good bacteria in his whole body.
If you take the antibiotics, be sure to replace the good stuff that's killed off with some probiotics. Yogurt is good, but not usually enough in it.

i wonder if he (the dr) saw an outer ear infection, b/c drops are used for infection of the ear canal (also called swimmer's ear...even though you don't ahve to be a swimmer). I had this back in August and used the good ol' home remedy of drops made of vinegar and alcohol 50/50 ratio. It worked like a charm. My ear and jaw hurt so badly, and then the ear canal would itch like mad. I would have been given an a/b for sure had I gone to a dr.

[Iksfreundin]

I've already started taking both. It's getting pretty intense with the itching, and I want it GONE!!!

I kind of thought it was swimmer's ear, however strange it would be. I haven't had an ear infection in about 15 years, so this is unusual. But I took a shower one night, and went to bed with hair damp after, and I think I woke up the next morning with my ear starting to hurt already.

At least the good thing is, is that I've never really taken many antibiotics. I think at MOST I have taken 10 courses throughout my 30 years on earth. It's just that the last three courses have all been in the last four months! I always get a stupid yeast infection, too. This will be my fourth yeast infection in four months! ACK!

Sounds like swimmer's ear to me. I got it for the first time in my life a few months ago, and the only swimming I do being completely housebound is sticking my my head under the faucet. You can even get it without water by scratching the ear canal. the only way I knew what it was was b/c audiology was one of my majors in college.

[scotty]

So the Gentamicin is ear drops? That makes more sense!!!

[Songbird]

You can prevent swimmers ear using Vosol drops, this is based on vinegar (acetic acid).