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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Mariee on November 21, 2000, at 19:37:04
I have tried to control my sinusitis by limiting my time outdoors and around pets. However, I still get crushing sinus headaches and have to, sometimes, take a few doses of sinus meds before I feel better, but they almost always leaving me feeling doozy. Lately, I have tried a eucalyptic (eucalyptus & menthol) saline nasal spray. That seems to be warding off some of the allergens, but not all. I sometimes use one of those gel masks and either freeze it or heat it. This helps to dull the pain, but only as long as the mask stays warm or cold.
Does anyone have any advice for dealing with sinusitis? My goal is to make mine less paralyzing without too much medication.
Posted by Shell on November 21, 2000, at 20:33:24
In reply to Allergic Sinusitis, posted by Mariee on November 21, 2000, at 19:37:04
> I have tried to control my sinusitis by limiting my time outdoors and around pets. However, I still get crushing sinus headaches and have to, sometimes, take a few doses of sinus meds before I feel better, but they almost always leaving me feeling doozy. Lately, I have tried a eucalyptic (eucalyptus & menthol) saline nasal spray. That seems to be warding off some of the allergens, but not all. I sometimes use one of those gel masks and either freeze it or heat it. This helps to dull the pain, but only as long as the mask stays warm or cold.
>
> Does anyone have any advice for dealing with sinusitis? My goal is to make mine less paralyzing without too much medication.I have had both chronic and acute (6-8 times a year) sinusitis for years. It has only been in the last year that I have gotten it under control.
The thing that made the biggest difference for me was having allergy testing done. I now do my best to avoid all of my allergic triggers (though as you know, it isn't always possible). I learned that even foods to which I am allergic can cause respiratory allergy symptoms. I had thought food allergies were responsible only for the hives I get.
I now focus more on prevention of sinus congestion and infection than on treatment of symptoms with decongestants such as Sudafed (pseudoephedrine). I have found (especially in the winter) that drinking more water and using a humidifier to keep nasal passages moist is a big help. I also use prescription antihistamines and steroid nasal spray religiously. The new prescription antihistamines such as Allegra (fexofenadine), Claritin (loratadine) and Zyrtec (cetirizine) are nonsedating and don't give that "cotton balls in the head" feeling common with over-the-counter antihistamines like Benadryl (diphenhydramine), Tavist (clemastine) and Chlor-Trimeton (chlorpheniramine). Steroid sprays like Nasonex (mometasone furoate monohydrate) and Flonase (fluticasone propionate) prevent sinus problems by reducing nasal swelling caused by reactions to allergens.
I know you wanted to avoid drugs as much as possible, but unless you know everything to which you are allergic and can avoid all allergens completely, it will be nearly impossible to avoid the allergic reactions which contribute to sinusitis without some medication.
Hope this helps
Shell
Posted by stjames on November 22, 2000, at 1:57:05
In reply to Re: Allergic Sinusitis, posted by Shell on November 21, 2000, at 20:33:24
Shell said everything I would say ! I have serious
allergies. They started when I was 17. I had to relocate
to the southwest from the deep south to get away from
my major problems.On the non-medical front, hydration, humidification, and
true HEPA filtration help greatly. I drink a gallon or water a
day. I prefer ultrasonic humidifiers, there is no messy pad to
grow molds on. True HEPA is a medical grade air filter. Filters down to
a few microns. Interior air, that is the air inside your house or at
work, is more polluted than outside air. The push to seal buildings
for energy savings has made the air stagnant. For under $200 at Wal Mart
you can get a small one. It the batcholars with ADD dream. I can smoke in the house
and it does not smell like I smoke in the house. The catbox smell is gone !
Get some plants, they make O2 and like the CO2
you breath out. Its the ideal relationship, you need and make what they need and make
and you can talk to them, they will not talk back. With the plants, humidifyer, and HEPA
you have created a healthy environment. If you only use it
for 10 hrs a day it still helps. I find that the better environmet
while I sleep the less my allergies. In general I feel better. I feel
everyone would benifit from these three steps.Wash your hands, often ! Really, how do you think
a lot of stuff get to you mouth ? I'm allergic to dust, in general,
so after dusty work a shower is a must. If I can't, a quick wash of my arms
and face helps.It helps to know what you are allergic to, skin testing is the best
test for this, the blood test is not as good. I found the allergy shots
worked. You can think of it a homoaphy, using dilutle soultion of whatever you
are allergic to and gradually increasing the concentration. You then build tolerance
to what you are allergic to. I am very allergic to cats but not my cat. I have grown
tolerant to her. The HEPA really helps with pets. Knowing what you are allergic to
would indicate what meds would be approprate. I am allergic to seasonal stuff and year round stuff
so I take meds all the time. You may find that you can avoid your allergens or they are seasonal, so
you might need meds from time to time.The current allregy meds are excellent. The newer antihistamines are in many, side effect free. Zertec
is the strongest and my fav, as it is very long acting. Since my #$%@ HMO will not pay for it, Allegra
is the next best. I found Claritin to be weak. I've taken Seldane and then Allegra for
~18 yrs without any side effect. Antihistamines work best started before an allergy attack get bad. Allergy attacks
are a cascade of events and once they get started, antihistamines are not as effective at quickly bringing things under control.
Even one antihistamines my nose is a mess; the steriod sprays are very effective. Your body absorbs little steriod this way. I have
been on Nasalide for ~18 with no side effects. I prefer the water based sprays as they hydrate. If your nose is blocked, generic Afrin
is very effective, lasts 12 hrs. Only use for short periods, < 5 days, or you will get rebound. High blood pressure in a contraindication.At the very least, consider some testing, so you will know what you are dealing with. Allergies do have an effect on mood and cause
"brain fog".James
Posted by JohnB on November 26, 2000, at 22:24:37
In reply to Allergic Sinusitis, posted by Mariee on November 21, 2000, at 19:37:04
I sometimes get bad sinus headaches. The only thing that works for me is to drink 2 to 4 cups of coffee, for the caffeine. I then feel great for 3 of 4 hours, then have to start dealing with the coffee letdown shakes. For this I take lots of B vitamens and maybe some Klonopin. Sometimes the cure is worse than the disease!
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