General Q and A Forum - Allergies? Acid Reflux? Sinusitis?

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Almost everyone experience heartburn or acid indigestion at times. But what is acid reflux and how could it cause more serious problems?...

Q: Allergies? Acid Reflux? Sinusitis?

asked by: suzregier on June 2nd, 2009

New User

I'm sick of being sick! I used to get ear / sinus infections up through college and then I started drinking green tea. I didn't get any ear infections or nasty illnesses after college, but that could be for any number of reasons. Then when I got pregnant in 2007 I stopped drinking green tea because of the caffeine. After my son was born I sayed home and breast fed for 3 months, so still no caffeine. Then, upon returning to work in the fall, the sicknesses started. Last July I got really sick and a terrible ear infection. I went to the doctor and he gave me an antibiotic and fluticasone and allergy meds. When the antibiotic was done, and I wasn't better, he did allergy testing and gave me another antibiotic. The allergy tests came back negative so he said I had sinusitis. So I took Astelin w/ claritin. Then he sent me to an ENT I got another antibiotic with a Z-pack and was told I had acid reflux and to stop taking all the allergy medications and take prilosec. 3 months later, the ringing in my ear finally stopped but I started getting mouth ulcers. I had terrible mouth ulcers for the next 4 months until I stopped taking prilosec, which was around February. Then I got an ear infection without any other symptoms... saw the ENT who said I should start taking the prilosec again and be patient, and if the ear infection didn't go away within 8 weeks to call back. I took the antibiotic, the prilosec, L-lysine, Muscinex, Nasal steriods, Neti-pot, antihisimine (just for good measure) and proceeded to get sicker with allergy like symptoms. I recovered after a few weeks and had about 4 days of no ear infection and then got an ear infection in my other ear with allergy symptoms. Called the ENT, got anthother anti-biotic... continued on my regiment of other meds... got better after about 3 weeks, and I'm getting sick AGAIN!!! The ringing in my ears never stopped from the last ear infection, although they don't hurt, so I'm thinking they are fine. One thing I've noticed, is that if it rains, I tend to get sicker! I've paid a LOT of money to still be sick. It's been 11 months total. I'm irritated and am thinking of going to one of those crazy long-haired hippy medicine doctors next. What's the deal???

Replies(12)

MyrahU

replied on June 2nd, 2009

Active User, very eHealthy

It doesn't sound like your ENT knows what's going on with you. I think you need to see a gastroenterologist for your acid reflux and maybe an allergist. If your acid reflux symptoms aren't controlled on prilosec, you may need something else. You have to find the one that works for you. Uncontrolled acid reflux can cause sinus infections and even pneumonia because the acid and other stomach contents can get into those areas, sometimes without us realizing it. That may be your problem.

Another possibility: are you around a lot of children other than your son? Does he go to daycare, mommy-and-me, anything that would expose you to more germs? Kids get sick a lot, so you may be exposed to more things than you were before you became a mother. If you are exposed to a lot of kids, you need to make sure you wash your hands frequently and keep them away from your face when they aren't clean.

I hope this helps.

suzregier

replied on June 3rd, 2009

New User

The ENT is reputable as far as I know. He recommends putting tubes in my ears next, but that won't solve why I'm getting sick. I just don't buy that it's acid reflux when I'm having allergy like symptoms that seem to be affected by the rain. I'm taking allergy meds and meds to control the reflux. I've tried several acid reflux meds since last September. Yet, still sick. I've started drinking green tea again as well.

My son does go to daycare, but doesn't seem to be sick. He is teething at times, but otherwise, well. I wash my hands constantly.

Thank you for your thoughts.

MyrahU

replied on June 3rd, 2009

Active User, very eHealthy

I'm not saying the acid reflux is causing the allergy symptoms. I'm saying it could be what's making you sick. Did you have acid reflux before you had your son?

Do the meds you take control the reflux? Have you had any tests to see how well it's controlled? When I had pneumonia, the meds they gave me for it made my heartburn worse and my pneumonia wasn't getting any better. The lung specialist I went to sent me for a barium swallow test to see if I was aspirating any acid into my lungs. Luckily, I wasn't. I just thought this was a possibility in your case. It might not be, but if it is, then nothing else is going to help you.

I wasn't saying your ENT wasn't reputable, but I've been to several reputable doctors who couldn't help me with a particular problem because it was outside their experience. They're human, too. He may not think of the acid reflux could be causing anything. That's why I suggested a consultation with a gastroenterologist for the acid reflux.

But it's up to you. If you think my theory isn't worth exploring, then that's fine. I hope you do find out what's wrong and that it can be fixed.

suzregier

replied on June 3rd, 2009

New User

No. I appreciate your input and insight! I am exploring all options. Thank you!

I don't know if I had reflux before or not. I was healthy from 2001 - 2007 without any issues. I did constantly clear my throat, which is why the ENT suggested it was acid reflux, and perhaps it is.

I had a barium swallow test done in 1994 but they said all looked good. That was when the doctor had me on Biaxin to take care of a lingering ear infection back then. The Biaxin burned the lining of my esophogus (sp?) really bad.

I have been taking acid reflux meds. They don't seem to be working. I've tried 3 different kinds. Do you think a gastronenterologist could do anything more?

MyrahU

replied on June 3rd, 2009

Active User, very eHealthy

Uncontrolled acid reflux needs to be checked by a specialist. Some people just never find a medicine that controls their symptoms, but there are a lot of them out there.

You may need a scope test to check for abnormal (pre-cancerous) cells, which can arise from the acid exposure. While the doctor is in there, they can not only remove any abnormal cells, but also surgically correct the opening to the stomach so you don't have the problem anymore.

At the very least, you probably need stronger meds and another barium test (I know that sucks).

timeisshort

replied on June 3rd, 2009

Experienced User

suzregier, i have been through exactly all this & had no success with conventional medicine & they urged me to try alternative.In doingso i believe i'm having turn around success, i'm a bit short of time at the mo(no pun intended), but if you click on my "behind the 8 ball" picture & send a message i can get you started on your own research, your choice, hope it can be of help!

tcady

replied on June 4th, 2009

New User

try cleaning your deep nasal and middle ear passage (eustachian tube) with my free home remedy for clogged ears. It seems to me like it could help clear out the acid reflux if that is causing it. The remedy is Earadicator. Google it cause they will not let me post a link here, they think I am advertising. I only want to help people. I ask for no money for my cure. It is fre eon my web site.

concernedn

replied on June 4th, 2009

Experienced User

MyrahU wrote:

I wasn't saying your ENT wasn't reputable, but I've been to several reputable doctors who couldn't help me with a particular problem because it was outside their experience. They're human, too. He may not think of the acid reflux could be causing anything. That's why I suggested a consultation with a gastroenterologist for the acid reflux.

Agreed.......

The problem is that we need to go to specialists. If I have a headache I have to go to an ENT specialist, for brain disorder a neurologist, for UTI urologist, for mental disorder a psychiatrist and so on..............There's the problem. What if I have all of these together? If I go to a specialist, he concentrates on his area only but doesn't give much attention in other areas. I wish there were some 'ALL' (!) specialist doctors. Otherwise, if I have a headache, the ENT doc will say sinusitis, the neurologist will say neurological disorder, and the psychiatrist will probably say depression for the same headache! Oops! I am in a big fix now! What's my headache all about? Rolling Eyes

MyrahU

replied on June 4th, 2009

Active User, very eHealthy

There are general practitioners/internists and they are good for most things, but when you have something more unusual, you need a specialist. A good specialist will not only see what they specialize in, but will also see when that doesn't apply. Unfortunately, these are few and far between. When you are a hammer, all you see are nails, as they say.

That's why we need to be proactive and in charge of our own health care. We can't treat doctors like they know everything, because they don't. They are providing a service that we are paying for, so they work for us. If we aren't getting satisfactory service, it's time to go elsewhere.

If your car kept breaking down with the same problem, you'd probably switch mechanics. Why do we keep going back to the same doctor with the same problem expecting different results? Why do we treat our cars better than our bodies in this regard?

concernedn

replied on June 5th, 2009

Experienced User

Wise Words!

MyrahU wrote:

A good specialist will not only see what they specialize in, but will also see when that doesn't apply. Unfortunately, these are few and far between. When you are a hammer, all you see are nails, as they say.

Yes, that's how a specialist should be but they are very rare as you say. I like the statement, "When you are a hammer, all you see are nails, as they say". Very straight, no flattering.

MyrahU wrote:

we need to be proactive and in charge of our own health care. We can't treat doctors like they know everything, because they don't. They are providing a service that we are paying for, so they work for us. If we aren't getting satisfactory service, it's time to go elsewhere.

Agreed here as well, pro activeness is the key.

MyrahU wrote:

If your car kept breaking down with the same problem, you'd probably switch mechanics. Why do we keep going back to the same doctor with the same problem expecting different results? Why do we treat our cars better than our bodies in this regard?.

That was wise as well. Sometimes we are more concerned about how the car is performing than how the body is functioning. Time to think about it! rainbow

trygi

replied on June 7th, 2009

New User

What a lot of the postings about allergies has shown is that it seems to be that your immune systems get stressed. Having went through 6 years of recurring ear infections I found that I have to ensure that I am doing a body detox.
Lemon Juice - 2 parts to 1 part water for 1 week is advised to help.

Zantac has been recently advised that it is a level 2 histamine blocker also used for acid reflux.
Consider reflexology see if there are any tender parts on you feet and hands. Tender points indicate a build up of acidic acid relating to parts of the body.

Frog154

replied on October 13th, 2009

New User

Thats strange it becomes worst during rain, usually sinuses after better off in moist environments. It doesn't sound like acid reflux, like you say its affected by the rain for one and secondly you should have a sore throat most of the time. Maybe try and scrutinize what it is your doing when you get better, maybe even try an elimination diet or see an allergist :/

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