Advice recurrent sinus infections

[LostAtTheFair]

Just that really. Since having DC1 last August, I have had 6 sinus infections. Each one leaves me floored and should-be-bedridden (except I have DD to look after) for around 5-7 days and depleted/run down for weeks afterward. Each infection is systemic with a high temp, aches, extreme pressure in sinuses (especially upper cavity) and just knocks me for six. I've had augmentin for each infection (that's a lot of antibiotics ) and am on daily steroid nasal sprays and a neilmed, but nothing seems to work.

I've given up swimming and dairy. Effectively all strenuous exercise is out really though, as I can virtually guarantee that it will be followed by an infection. It's really starting to get me down.

I always have been prone to tonsilitus but bouts weren't as frequent as this. I'm also severely allergic to household dust and have taken steps to address this (hard floors, thorough cleaning etc).

My gp has now arranged for blood tests (thyroid, iron, haemoglobin etc) My diet is good and I get good sleep considering I have a young DC 7-7.5 hours per night).

Does anyone have any advice or tips?

[Handsup]

Sinurinse by Neilmed. Bloody brilliant & helped me wean off nasal steroids, continuous antibiotics & an operation. My only medication for sinuses now is giving them rinse.

[Handsup]

Just read you've used Neilmed - sorry to hear it hasn't worked for you.

[autumnboys]

Ask for an ENT referral. I think at this point a CT scan might be helpful to see what's going on.

[LostAtTheFair]

Thanks both. I think that the neilmed has certainly helped, but when an infection comes i can't seem to nip it in the bud. My gp is keen to see the results of my bloods but has mentioned an ENTreferral possibly after that

[Handsup]

Do you use the sinurinse day and night regardless if you're well or not?
I have to use it continuously otherwise trouble starts brewing again.

[alabasterangel]

I had this. I took advantage of my BUPA cover and asked for a referral to an ENT I'd had enough. The pain bending forward was like someone cleaving my forehead open and I'd lost my sense of smell and taste almost entirely.

He did an MRI of my sinuses and showed me the gaps where there were no gaps and should be.

I'd already tried everything; medication, sinus washes, sprays, etc. in the end we tried Flixonase drops. Within a week of using it I could smell again.

I stayed on it for 6 months. 18 months later and no infections since.

Worth a try?

[LostAtTheFair]

Alabaster angel you may well live up to your name...I have bupa and will try and get an ENT referral. Did the flixonase prevent infections occurring or did it just restore your senses of smell and taste?

Hands up, I religiously use the sino rinse even when well but only once a day...I'll up it to twice a day.

[alabasterangel]

Sorry, late reply I'll message this too in case you don't see this.

It calmed the whole thing down. Stopped my sinuses reacting and I personally felt that the sinus cavities are so small and antibiotics find it so hard to reach them ( tiny blood vessels) that it was a continued battle from an original infection which never fully cleared, just 90% did then kept getting a hold with each cold or hayfever bout I got.

ENT agreed!

Flixonase was the answer for me. Washing the sinuses just washes the crap out, doesn't calm the reaction by the body to an infection or invader. Flixonase stopped the over reactions then cleared the last dregs of infection. Cycle stopped. And staying on it a while for me prevented recurrence. He said I could have another prescription anytime, but seems to be that even after rubbish colds I can fight it off on my own again now.