Acute sinusitis won’t go away Can someone explain a typical course?

God Bless You! I have battled chronic bronchitis, pneumonia & sinus infections from the first week of July until last week. I had sinus surgery back in 1994 and have been plagued with sinus infections since 1983 along with allergies. The GOLD antibiotic for me was Levaquin 750 mg for 7 days and then I had to do another round of Levaquin 500 mg for 5 days. Irrigating the sinus daily is important to keep the bacteria down. Drink water to thin out mucous. I also use Afrin for 3 days....then come off when I feel an infection coming on. Afrin causes rebound stuffiness if you go past 3 days. Ask your ENT or primary about all of these. My old ENT doctor who passed away was wonderful, as he would culture my sinus to see what bacteria was growing and treat accordingly. I can't get the new ENT to do that. Also, there is a Neosporin antibiotic solution that has to be compounded in a pharmacy that lasts about a month. You irrigate your sinus with this. It worked wonders for me. You could ask your ENT if he would do that for you. Unless you are doing the Amoxicillin (Augmentin 875) I found it usually doesn't work for sinus infections. It's too mild. I also use Flonase, Cromyalyn spray (over the counter) & Asteline spray for drainage (Prescription) The Levaquin with a steroid taper knocked out the bronchitis & sinus infection. I find Z-pac only works on the bronchitis and not the sinus. Use a hepafilter to pull impurities out ot he air in your bedroom and a cool mist humidifier. I feel for you. This has been a very hard summer for upper respiratory infections. The fatigue, sinus pressure & headaches are brutal. Praying you find someone who listens, get some answers & help.

Bless you for replying. I'm terribly sorry for all you've been through and continued anguish from non-stop sinusitis, pneumonia and bronchitis. Have you ever had your IgG levels tested as people with immune deficiencies experience exactly what you do? Exactly!. I originally went to this ENT because I keep getting a sore in my nose. And he DID culture it, lol. It was MRSA last time so I used mupirocin for 10 days and next culture was fine. For my infection he prescribed doxycycline hyclate 100mgX2/day plus the steroid pack and ordered a CT. I had originally gone to. my primary doctor's office and they put me on 850mg Amox-C. I had 1 (giant) pill to go and my dermatologist gave me 500 mg Amox-C since I was still sick. I took both antibiotics for a while and now I'm just finishing the doxy. My mucus is a normal color so no infection that's visible. I'll keep Levaquin in my notes, thanks. My main issue now is that my nose is stilled clogged or running. Plus now I have some laryngitis. What's up with that? I didn't bring up that at the end of June I got a sudden area of bright flaming red skin on the side of my nose that extended up over my eye. It started weeping and then my vision got bad. I thought I had herpes because I've gotten that in my eyes before. Initially the eye doctor said it was probably a dacryocystitis fissure but then a rash developed so it wasn't that. But the eye docs felt sure I had a herpes infection in my eye. Then it went into my other eye. So honestly I worry that something left over from whatever it was ended up clogging my nostril as it's on the same side. And I did get more sores in my nose during that time too. I'm taking a mucous thinner everyday and usually sudafed. Some days I'll use Afrin but I don't really like the feeling it leaves so don't use it often. What does the Cromalyn spray do? I also use just plain saline that comes in a bottle to shoot up there. I used to get sinus infections a lot but I don't ever remember having a real "clogged" sinus. I'm dying to know what's causing it.

I'll check all my bloodwork from the rheumatologist/endocrinologist for the level you mentioned. I have taken Augmentin (Amoxicillin) 875 for years for sinus infections...it's not working now for them. Z-Pack most of the time works for the asthmatic bronchitis & pneumonia, but, not for a sinus infection. Since I have long Covid, I am getting these infections (Sinus/Asthmatic Bronchitis/Pneumonia) more frequently. The Levaquin 750 for 10 days worked great and then I rebounded 3 weeks later and just finished the Levaquin 500 for 5 days. I cannot take Doxycycline as it tears up my stomach. I'm glad that one works for you. Cromalyn nasal spray is over the counter and works differently than the other nasal sprays. I felt I needed a break from the steroid sprays and did my homework and Cromalyn was recommended for recurrent sinusitis/allergies. I also took Singulair for 5 months and I couldn't tell it helped as I kept getting infected, so I quit taking it. The Azesteline (Sp?)
spray for drainage helps, but, is not a cureall. I was put back on Flonase and told I could use all 3 sprays and so I am. I also irrigate my sinuses with the NeilMed Sinus rinse which comes with saline packets (I only use 1/8 of a packet as it burns terribly) every day to try and keep the bacteria down. I think Covid did a number on my immune system (hence, a new autoimmune disease they can't diagnose yet) and chronic asthmatic bronchitis & sinus infections and pneumonia again. I never had pneumonia until I had Covid last year. I only use Afrin if I have a lot of sinus pressure with my teeth hurting and facial pressure. Sometimes, it will help greatly. I cannot take decongestants orally and Afrin is a 12 hour spray decongestant. I only use it 3 days. I also get in the shower and let the hot water beat on my face to help with sinus pressure. I use the BedBuddy heat packs on my face as well. Vicks puts out a steamer that is great as well. It helps open up my head when I am all clogged up. You insert a Vicks strip and put your face in the molded plastic. I used this a lot when I had Covid. It does help. I'm wondering if you have a pocket of infection in your sinus cavity that is just not clearing up. Have you had a ultrasound or MRI done of your sinus recently? When I had my old ENT doctor for many year (he passed away) he would call in Neosporin irrigation from a compounding pharmacy and I would irrigate my sinuses with that and it worked great and cleared me up. I haven't find an ENT doctor that will culture my sinus or call the Neosporin Solution in. I think I repeated myself on some things I told you previously....sorry about that. Praying you get relief from this. By that way, have you had Covid? It can cause skin issues is why I ask. I have never had ezecema in my life until Covid. I have it in both ears and just got a prescription from the Dermatologist for it. I ask because Covid can cause skin issues and you mentioned your skin issues. God Bless You. You have been through so much. Hugs & Prayers....

@covidsnks2023

What prescription for eczema did you get from the Dermatologist if you don’t mind me asking?

And yes, Covid can switch on some immune reactions and eczema is an immunologic trigger.

Why is it so hard to find a doctor that will listen on the patient. I am going on my fourth ENT, trying to find the one that will listen and answer my questions.

@sb4ca

If you had chronic sinusitis, you could be having an acute exacerbation of chronic sinusitis.

Tends to last longer than someone whom does not have chronic sinusitis.

What you are experiencing now is most likely just residual inflammation from the immune response which can take a while to return to baseline.

I'll check all my bloodwork from the rheumatologist/endocrinologist for the level you mentioned. I have taken Augmentin (Amoxicillin) 875 for years for sinus infections...it's not working now for them. Z-Pack most of the time works for the asthmatic bronchitis & pneumonia, but, not for a sinus infection. Since I have long Covid, I am getting these infections (Sinus/Asthmatic Bronchitis/Pneumonia) more frequently. The Levaquin 750 for 10 days worked great and then I rebounded 3 weeks later and just finished the Levaquin 500 for 5 days. I cannot take Doxycycline as it tears up my stomach. I'm glad that one works for you. Cromalyn nasal spray is over the counter and works differently than the other nasal sprays. I felt I needed a break from the steroid sprays and did my homework and Cromalyn was recommended for recurrent sinusitis/allergies. I also took Singulair for 5 months and I couldn't tell it helped as I kept getting infected, so I quit taking it. The Azesteline (Sp?)
spray for drainage helps, but, is not a cureall. I was put back on Flonase and told I could use all 3 sprays and so I am. I also irrigate my sinuses with the NeilMed Sinus rinse which comes with saline packets (I only use 1/8 of a packet as it burns terribly) every day to try and keep the bacteria down. I think Covid did a number on my immune system (hence, a new autoimmune disease they can't diagnose yet) and chronic asthmatic bronchitis & sinus infections and pneumonia again. I never had pneumonia until I had Covid last year. I only use Afrin if I have a lot of sinus pressure with my teeth hurting and facial pressure. Sometimes, it will help greatly. I cannot take decongestants orally and Afrin is a 12 hour spray decongestant. I only use it 3 days. I also get in the shower and let the hot water beat on my face to help with sinus pressure. I use the BedBuddy heat packs on my face as well. Vicks puts out a steamer that is great as well. It helps open up my head when I am all clogged up. You insert a Vicks strip and put your face in the molded plastic. I used this a lot when I had Covid. It does help. I'm wondering if you have a pocket of infection in your sinus cavity that is just not clearing up. Have you had a ultrasound or MRI done of your sinus recently? When I had my old ENT doctor for many year (he passed away) he would call in Neosporin irrigation from a compounding pharmacy and I would irrigate my sinuses with that and it worked great and cleared me up. I haven't find an ENT doctor that will culture my sinus or call the Neosporin Solution in. I think I repeated myself on some things I told you previously....sorry about that. Praying you get relief from this. By that way, have you had Covid? It can cause skin issues is why I ask. I have never had ezecema in my life until Covid. I have it in both ears and just got a prescription from the Dermatologist for it. I ask because Covid can cause skin issues and you mentioned your skin issues. God Bless You. You have been through so much. Hugs & Prayers....