Sinus problems?

[Kristen]

I started having sinus issues when I moved from the northeast to Austin about 7 years ago. The allergies are horrible here! I had my first sinus surgery about 3.5 years ago after feeling MISERABLE (constant body aches, low grade fevers, and night sweats) for several months - I had an infection (can't remember what it was) that antibiotics couldn't cure. The surgery made me feel so much better! I just had my second surgery two months ago - I had another nasty infection (it turned out to be staph).

I have been doing the sinus rinses since my first surgery, which has provided me some relief. I also take allegra, and I was taking veramyst, but I've stopped using inhaled steroids because I cannot seem to stop getting oral thrush. I didn't really notice it did much anyway.

Now my ENT wants me to come in for an endoscopy whenever I am starting to feel crappy, so he can suck all the junk out. He always comments that I don't have the sinuses of a "normal" CFer (whatever that means), so I should only need to come in every 3-6 months. I am super psyched that we are going to start doing this! Hopefully it will seriously delay the need for another surgery!

BTW, I always have a little bit of blood when I blow my nose - I had no idea it was a CF thing, I just thought I was dry or something.

 

[Kristen]

I started having sinus issues when I moved from the northeast to Austin about 7 years ago. The allergies are horrible here! I had my first sinus surgery about 3.5 years ago after feeling MISERABLE (constant body aches, low grade fevers, and night sweats) for several months - I had an infection (can't remember what it was) that antibiotics couldn't cure. The surgery made me feel so much better! I just had my second surgery two months ago - I had another nasty infection (it turned out to be staph).

I have been doing the sinus rinses since my first surgery, which has provided me some relief. I also take allegra, and I was taking veramyst, but I've stopped using inhaled steroids because I cannot seem to stop getting oral thrush. I didn't really notice it did much anyway.

Now my ENT wants me to come in for an endoscopy whenever I am starting to feel crappy, so he can suck all the junk out. He always comments that I don't have the sinuses of a "normal" CFer (whatever that means), so I should only need to come in every 3-6 months. I am super psyched that we are going to start doing this! Hopefully it will seriously delay the need for another surgery!

BTW, I always have a little bit of blood when I blow my nose - I had no idea it was a CF thing, I just thought I was dry or something.

 

[Kristen]

I started having sinus issues when I moved from the northeast to Austin about 7 years ago. The allergies are horrible here! I had my first sinus surgery about 3.5 years ago after feeling MISERABLE (constant body aches, low grade fevers, and night sweats) for several months - I had an infection (can't remember what it was) that antibiotics couldn't cure. The surgery made me feel so much better! I just had my second surgery two months ago - I had another nasty infection (it turned out to be staph).

I have been doing the sinus rinses since my first surgery, which has provided me some relief. I also take allegra, and I was taking veramyst, but I've stopped using inhaled steroids because I cannot seem to stop getting oral thrush. I didn't really notice it did much anyway.

Now my ENT wants me to come in for an endoscopy whenever I am starting to feel crappy, so he can suck all the junk out. He always comments that I don't have the sinuses of a "normal" CFer (whatever that means), so I should only need to come in every 3-6 months. I am super psyched that we are going to start doing this! Hopefully it will seriously delay the need for another surgery!

BTW, I always have a little bit of blood when I blow my nose - I had no idea it was a CF thing, I just thought I was dry or something.

 

[Kristen]

I started having sinus issues when I moved from the northeast to Austin about 7 years ago. The allergies are horrible here! I had my first sinus surgery about 3.5 years ago after feeling MISERABLE (constant body aches, low grade fevers, and night sweats) for several months - I had an infection (can't remember what it was) that antibiotics couldn't cure. The surgery made me feel so much better! I just had my second surgery two months ago - I had another nasty infection (it turned out to be staph).

I have been doing the sinus rinses since my first surgery, which has provided me some relief. I also take allegra, and I was taking veramyst, but I've stopped using inhaled steroids because I cannot seem to stop getting oral thrush. I didn't really notice it did much anyway.

Now my ENT wants me to come in for an endoscopy whenever I am starting to feel crappy, so he can suck all the junk out. He always comments that I don't have the sinuses of a "normal" CFer (whatever that means), so I should only need to come in every 3-6 months. I am super psyched that we are going to start doing this! Hopefully it will seriously delay the need for another surgery!

BTW, I always have a little bit of blood when I blow my nose - I had no idea it was a CF thing, I just thought I was dry or something.

 

[Kristen]

I started having sinus issues when I moved from the northeast to Austin about 7 years ago. The allergies are horrible here! I had my first sinus surgery about 3.5 years ago after feeling MISERABLE (constant body aches, low grade fevers, and night sweats) for several months - I had an infection (can't remember what it was) that antibiotics couldn't cure. The surgery made me feel so much better! I just had my second surgery two months ago - I had another nasty infection (it turned out to be staph).
<br />
<br />I have been doing the sinus rinses since my first surgery, which has provided me some relief. I also take allegra, and I was taking veramyst, but I've stopped using inhaled steroids because I cannot seem to stop getting oral thrush. I didn't really notice it did much anyway.
<br />
<br />Now my ENT wants me to come in for an endoscopy whenever I am starting to feel crappy, so he can suck all the junk out. He always comments that I don't have the sinuses of a "normal" CFer (whatever that means), so I should only need to come in every 3-6 months. I am super psyched that we are going to start doing this! Hopefully it will seriously delay the need for another surgery!
<br />
<br />BTW, I always have a little bit of blood when I blow my nose - I had no idea it was a CF thing, I just thought I was dry or something.

 

[MicheleGazelle]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>grassisgreener</b></i>

My daughter is 5 and has a lot of sinus trouble. She has had surgery in Feb. bc her cavities were full and buldging from infection and polyps. The fall/winter is her worst time. She does the Neilmed Sinus Rinse twice a day and something that has really helped her over the past few weeks is adding Xylitol to it <b>(thanks Michele for the idea!). </b> She was beginning her 3rd infection in 2 months when we started adding Xylitol and within 4 days she was cleared up. She has always required an oral abx to clear up so we are really happy about it! She also takes Nasonex to help with polyps.</end quote></div>

You're welcome. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

(I actually saw this post much earlier but was unable to reply because my computer has been in shop.)

 

[MicheleGazelle]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>grassisgreener</b></i>

My daughter is 5 and has a lot of sinus trouble. She has had surgery in Feb. bc her cavities were full and buldging from infection and polyps. The fall/winter is her worst time. She does the Neilmed Sinus Rinse twice a day and something that has really helped her over the past few weeks is adding Xylitol to it <b>(thanks Michele for the idea!). </b> She was beginning her 3rd infection in 2 months when we started adding Xylitol and within 4 days she was cleared up. She has always required an oral abx to clear up so we are really happy about it! She also takes Nasonex to help with polyps.</end quote></div>

You're welcome. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

(I actually saw this post much earlier but was unable to reply because my computer has been in shop.)

 

[MicheleGazelle]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>grassisgreener</b></i>

My daughter is 5 and has a lot of sinus trouble. She has had surgery in Feb. bc her cavities were full and buldging from infection and polyps. The fall/winter is her worst time. She does the Neilmed Sinus Rinse twice a day and something that has really helped her over the past few weeks is adding Xylitol to it <b>(thanks Michele for the idea!). </b> She was beginning her 3rd infection in 2 months when we started adding Xylitol and within 4 days she was cleared up. She has always required an oral abx to clear up so we are really happy about it! She also takes Nasonex to help with polyps.</end quote></div>

You're welcome. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

(I actually saw this post much earlier but was unable to reply because my computer has been in shop.)

 

[MicheleGazelle]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>grassisgreener</b></i>

My daughter is 5 and has a lot of sinus trouble. She has had surgery in Feb. bc her cavities were full and buldging from infection and polyps. The fall/winter is her worst time. She does the Neilmed Sinus Rinse twice a day and something that has really helped her over the past few weeks is adding Xylitol to it <b>(thanks Michele for the idea!). </b> She was beginning her 3rd infection in 2 months when we started adding Xylitol and within 4 days she was cleared up. She has always required an oral abx to clear up so we are really happy about it! She also takes Nasonex to help with polyps.</end quote>

You're welcome. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

(I actually saw this post much earlier but was unable to reply because my computer has been in shop.)

 

[MicheleGazelle]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>grassisgreener</b></i>
<br />
<br />My daughter is 5 and has a lot of sinus trouble. She has had surgery in Feb. bc her cavities were full and buldging from infection and polyps. The fall/winter is her worst time. She does the Neilmed Sinus Rinse twice a day and something that has really helped her over the past few weeks is adding Xylitol to it <b>(thanks Michele for the idea!). </b> She was beginning her 3rd infection in 2 months when we started adding Xylitol and within 4 days she was cleared up. She has always required an oral abx to clear up so we are really happy about it! She also takes Nasonex to help with polyps.</end quote>
<br />
<br />You're welcome. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
<br />
<br />(I actually saw this post much earlier but was unable to reply because my computer has been in shop.)

 

[beleache]

Hi Pammie,

I have one sinus surgery (so far and hope it stays that way <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif" border="0"> ) I do nasal irrigations 2 times a day, followed by verimyst (sometimes the verimyst can cause bleeding so i hold off till that clears up, but flonase was was worse for causing the bleeding) ...

The winter is so harsh and drying on my nose/throat because the heat is on.. Sometimes i keep the window cracked.. I also will use a little ointment (abx kind) in the tip of my nose.. I will also do extra irrigations if i feel extra dry/stuffy..

Take care <img src="i/expressions/noseblow.gif" border="0"> joni

 

[beleache]

Hi Pammie,

I have one sinus surgery (so far and hope it stays that way <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif" border="0"> ) I do nasal irrigations 2 times a day, followed by verimyst (sometimes the verimyst can cause bleeding so i hold off till that clears up, but flonase was was worse for causing the bleeding) ...

The winter is so harsh and drying on my nose/throat because the heat is on.. Sometimes i keep the window cracked.. I also will use a little ointment (abx kind) in the tip of my nose.. I will also do extra irrigations if i feel extra dry/stuffy..

Take care <img src="i/expressions/noseblow.gif" border="0"> joni

 

[beleache]

Hi Pammie,

I have one sinus surgery (so far and hope it stays that way <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif" border="0"> ) I do nasal irrigations 2 times a day, followed by verimyst (sometimes the verimyst can cause bleeding so i hold off till that clears up, but flonase was was worse for causing the bleeding) ...

The winter is so harsh and drying on my nose/throat because the heat is on.. Sometimes i keep the window cracked.. I also will use a little ointment (abx kind) in the tip of my nose.. I will also do extra irrigations if i feel extra dry/stuffy..

Take care <img src="i/expressions/noseblow.gif" border="0"> joni

 

[beleache]

Hi Pammie,

I have one sinus surgery (so far and hope it stays that way <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif" border="0"> ) I do nasal irrigations 2 times a day, followed by verimyst (sometimes the verimyst can cause bleeding so i hold off till that clears up, but flonase was was worse for causing the bleeding) ...

The winter is so harsh and drying on my nose/throat because the heat is on.. Sometimes i keep the window cracked.. I also will use a little ointment (abx kind) in the tip of my nose.. I will also do extra irrigations if i feel extra dry/stuffy..

Take care <img src="i/expressions/noseblow.gif" border="0"> joni

 

[beleache]

Hi Pammie,
<br />
<br /> I have one sinus surgery (so far and hope it stays that way <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif" border="0"> ) I do nasal irrigations 2 times a day, followed by verimyst (sometimes the verimyst can cause bleeding so i hold off till that clears up, but flonase was was worse for causing the bleeding) ...
<br />
<br /> The winter is so harsh and drying on my nose/throat because the heat is on.. Sometimes i keep the window cracked.. I also will use a little ointment (abx kind) in the tip of my nose.. I will also do extra irrigations if i feel extra dry/stuffy..
<br />
<br /> Take care <img src="i/expressions/noseblow.gif" border="0"> joni

 

[Raynie]

I've never had sinus surgery and I'm avoiding it at the moment. I'm doing IV antibiotics instead because I don't have time for the month-long recovery right now. I have chronic sinusitis. I'm on allegra and nasonex and will start up irrigations again after I get some relief. Right now my sinuses are too blocked to irrigate.

Joni, what is the ointment you mentioned and what does it do?

-Annie

 

[Raynie]

I've never had sinus surgery and I'm avoiding it at the moment. I'm doing IV antibiotics instead because I don't have time for the month-long recovery right now. I have chronic sinusitis. I'm on allegra and nasonex and will start up irrigations again after I get some relief. Right now my sinuses are too blocked to irrigate.

Joni, what is the ointment you mentioned and what does it do?

-Annie

 

[Raynie]

I've never had sinus surgery and I'm avoiding it at the moment. I'm doing IV antibiotics instead because I don't have time for the month-long recovery right now. I have chronic sinusitis. I'm on allegra and nasonex and will start up irrigations again after I get some relief. Right now my sinuses are too blocked to irrigate.

Joni, what is the ointment you mentioned and what does it do?

-Annie

 

[Raynie]

I've never had sinus surgery and I'm avoiding it at the moment. I'm doing IV antibiotics instead because I don't have time for the month-long recovery right now. I have chronic sinusitis. I'm on allegra and nasonex and will start up irrigations again after I get some relief. Right now my sinuses are too blocked to irrigate.

Joni, what is the ointment you mentioned and what does it do?

-Annie

 

[Raynie]

I've never had sinus surgery and I'm avoiding it at the moment. I'm doing IV antibiotics instead because I don't have time for the month-long recovery right now. I have chronic sinusitis. I'm on allegra and nasonex and will start up irrigations again after I get some relief. Right now my sinuses are too blocked to irrigate.
<br />
<br />Joni, what is the ointment you mentioned and what does it do?
<br />
<br />-Annie