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Conditions and Diseases > Sinusitis Forum > recurrent sinusitis
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Q: recurrent sinusitis
asked by: tammyk on October 4th, 2008
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I have had recurrent sinusitis for about 5 years flaring up 4-5 times/year.
It doesn't have to start with a cold, but I am usually around someone that has had one. The symptoms begin with pressure in my maxillary and frontal sinuses always on the right side of my face, then it leads to pain. I don't have a runny nose, but do have post nasal drip- it feels like thick phlegm at the back of my throat that doesn't move. After flushing with saline I may get small amounts of yellow phelgm from my throat- very little discharge from my nose.
About a week ago I was having pressure, so I started taking flonase twice a day and saline irrigations. It didn't help, the pressure lead to pain and swelling, even pain in my upper teeth. My GP started me on amoxicillin 2 days ago 250mg three times/day.
I feel really ill with no energy, sleeping much of the time- missed 3 days of work. I have been doing saline flushes twice/day. Today I have a low grade fever 37.8C. I now have numbness in my right cheek.
My GP is sending me to an ENT, I suspect they will do a CT scan first.
Any thoughts?
Oh I have also had strep throat, but not in the last year. My GP did not culture my throat this time, but if so shouldn't the amoxicilin work?
Perhaps I should give it more time but usually after 48 hrs of antibiotics I start to feel better, I definitely don't feel like I'm recovering.
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rooted
replied on October 6th, 2008
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Have you been tested (skin prick) for allergies?
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tammyk
replied on October 6th, 2008
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Thank-you for your response.
No, I haven't had allergy testing. But interestingly, I watched an internet video presentation from a Standford ENT and he suggested that allergies may not show up on skin pricks but the allergens do colonize in the sinuses therefore still being the cause. Allergists will rule out allergies when it doesn't show up on their skin (prick) tests. This Standford ENT notes that the allergic response will not show on the skin, but it is present in the sinuses- if that makes any sense?

So if that were the case, would you suggest antihistamines? I don't seem to have allergy symptoms (a little sneezing but very little), no itching eyes or running nose- just the sinus pressure that leads to pain.
Today is 5 days antibiotic treatment and I'm not much better- still have the face pain.
I'm waiting for the ENT appointment.
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rooted
replied on October 6th, 2008
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Hmm...strange. I'd suggest that you do a prick for allergies ... and also consult a nutritionist. It might make sense that you're getting blockages from a food allergy, too. But antihistamines --- no, yuck. Don't like them. I'll be interested to hear what the ENT says. Keep me updated.
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tammyk
replied on October 6th, 2008
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It does seem like this is a terrible time of the year for hay fever. My dog is going crazy right now, but antihistamines seem to help him.
Usually the antibiotics work for me, I'm wondering if I'm developing a resistance.
Will find out soon and keep you posted.
Thanks for your replies.

tammyk
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