View Full Version : Tonsillitis / Sinus Infection - Need help
Hello, I hope someone can help me out here. First off I'm a 27 Year old Male living in South Florida. Before all this started I hadn't even had a common cold in over 4 years, and never got sick for a very long time.
It all started About 2 years ago when I first started noticing a very mild pain in my right ear and then had a clicking sound (sounded like a clock ticking) in that same ear off and on for several months. Eventually this ear issue went away. Then about a month or two later back in December of 2007 I got tonsillitis. I was given Amoxicillan and got better within a few days. However again in January, February, and March I got the same exact case of tonsillitis almost exactly 1 month apart. I was given z-pack for 5 days, and Amoxicillan twice more for 10 days each. Also every time about 2 weeks before I get sick I get a lot of post nasal drip in my throat where I have to clear my throat constantly (especially after eating and waking up). Then usually about a week before getting sick I would get a very mild dry cough coming from my throat.
I decided to see an ENT at the end of March after my sore throat went away. He told me that we should try a different antibiotic and then I may need my tonsils removed if it keeps happening. He gave me 14 days of Ciproflaxin. I had thought this cured me as I didn't get sick again all through the end of March, April, May and June. I had previously been sick almost exactly every 30 days.
However when July came around, I had the exact same case of Tonsillitis again (Swollen tonsils, fever, chills, fatigue and body aches) that I had in Dec, Jan, Feb and March. I was given Factive 5 at a clinic I went to since I was out of town and couldn't see the ENT.
Then in the End of August (about 53 days later) I again got a case of Tonsillitis. Must note that my brother who I live with also was sick with a sore throat at the time. I wasn't feeling as bad as I normally do, so I didn't go to the doctor and was better in 2 day.
Then in September of 2008, The cough that I normally get before getting Tonsillitis came on, and the next day I had a terrible sore throat. This time however my tonsils were perfectly fine, but the sore throat was deeper in my throat past the tonsils. I decided to go to another ENT as I really didn't like the previous one. This ENT used a scope that he put in my nose to look at the back of my nose and throat. He said I had a sinus infection, and gave me 10 days of Ciproflaxin.
Then about 21 days later I had another appointment with this ENT. I still had not completely recovered. I still had my cough and my throat hurt a litle bit. The ENT gave me 18 days of Avelox.
Then aboutt 17 days later I had another follow up appointment and I was finally feeling better. However that night after my appointment, I went home and started feeling lousy. I woke up the next morning with tonsillitis again. I went back to this ENT and saw his assistant who told me I should get my tonsils removed. I saw the doctor for only about 1 minute and he said I should as well (after overhearing his assistant urging him to have me have them out even though he didn't seem that sure). He gave me Clindamycin for 10 days (3 times daily), which I never took and got better on my own. That night I noticed that I had a lot of yellow discharge in my nose, and my upper teeth ached a little. My tonsillitis got better in about 3 days
About 7 days later however I got a really bad sore throat again but it was not in my tonsils. My tonsils were looking perfectly fine. I also did not have a fever like I get whenever I get Tonsillitis, but the pain was even worse. I finally felt better 5 days later.
Then 10 days later I got a bad case of Tonsillitis once again. After about 5 days I was better.
However I went away on Vacation to New Jersey about 5 days after getting better. I was fine for a few days and then I developed a stuffy nose, and dry cough. I thought it may be because of the cold air since I now live in Florida, and it was in the 20's in Jersey. The dry cough lasted about five days, and toward the end when it started going away I coughed up a big chunk of yellow mucus. Also my nasal mucus was yellow at the time. My stuffy/runny nose is still stuffy, that hasn't gotten any better (it's been about 1 month now with the stuffy nose).
I also just had another case of Tonsillitis, and remain having this stuffy nose. I went to the ENT 2 days ago and he gave me Clindamycin, and told me to have Allergy tests on January 16th. He said it seems as though your tonsils are innocent bystanders and said I probably shouldn't get them out (after telling me I should previously). My throat is almost all better now but I still have a terrible dry cough and very stuffy/runny nose.
I really feel like there is no solution to this. What can be done? Is there even a way the doctor can determine if it's my tonsils that are the culprit or if it is something else like a sinus infection? What if the Allergy tests come back negative and he sends me for a CT scan of the sinuses. Even if I have a sinus infection, what came first? The Tonsillitis or the Sinus Infection? If you get rid of one, would it cure the other? Which one do you perform surgery for? I'm just feeling really helpless here. Is it even possible that all this illness is caused by a simple allergy? I have the worse insurance ever. They only cover 2 Doctors appointments per quarter and I have a $5000 deductible on surgery and $1000 deductible on tests. I'm starting to feel like there isn't a solution.
I also must note that I went for a physical back in June of 2008 and had bloodwork done. Everything was within range. Also about 2 years ago, my twin brother who I live with had the same problem where he had the same post nasal drip, and dry cough and then tonsillitis every month for 4 straight months. His ended up clearing up though with amoxicillan and never coming back again.
Hi,
I have suffered loads the last few months with my sinuses. I had my tonsils removed when I was 12 (I'm 25 now) but I still get sore throats when I have sinus infections because the mucus affects your throat.
It does sound to me, that it could be a problem with your sinuses. The symptoms you have described are pretty much what I have too. I am currently taking a nose spray instead of antibiotics to see if it clears it up.
Sometimes my sinus infections are bought on by allergens such as dust and smoke so it might be worthwhile if you did get tested for allergies.:shrug:
I really do know how you feel as it does get you down.:weep:
Maybe it might be worth while going back to your doctors to see if he can do any tests to check your sinuses. My doctor suggested getting a scan of my sinuses (if they dont get any better) to see if there are any blocked tubes. If they are then I can go and get them drained (sounds lovely!!)
Try not to worry, whatever the problem is, it will be easily fixed and you will be back to old self within no time! :hugs:
Hope this helps a bit! :D
Vicki x
Thanks Vicki for the information. It's nice to know I'm not the only one with this problem. I'm scheduled for the allergy tests on the 16th, and can't wait to see the results. I believe the next step is the CT scan of my sinuses. Hopefully this help determine the problem.
My question is, "Is it possible for a chronic sinus infections to cause recurring tonsillitis (with fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes etc)?" To me it would make sense since the post nasal drip comes in contact with my tonsils when it drains down my throat. However everything I read online says that PND can cause irratation but nothing about it causing illness (like tonsillitis, fever and everything that goes with tonsillitis).
Ed
I sympathise with you. Since the middle of last year I have had recurring sinusitis, ear infections and, worst of all, labyrinthitis. I can handle the sore ears and sinuses but the dizziness from the labyrinthitis drives me crazy.
My doctors don't have any answers either. My blood tests, taken several months ago, were all normal, and visits to the doctor since then have ended with a dianosis of 'virus'. On the last visit I was asked to come back if it hadn't cleared up by mid Jan to be referred to an ENT specialist.
I just wish it would go away. I'm so tired of it and it's not helping my health anxiety one bit.
I have chronic sinusitis and I had a ct scan last year which showed this. A CT scan would show you exactly what is going on.
I too am having the clicking behind my ear/back of my head (just posted a message about it on here actually). Did your ENT say what was causing the clicking? I am considering going back to mine if things don't improve.
I never mentioned the clicking to the ENT since it stopped happening over a year and a half ago. Today my throat is better and fever is gone but I still have that darn runny nose, post nasal drip and dry cough. I coughed up yellow mucus this morning that was lodged in my throat.
I just want a solution already, one that will work.
Does anyone know if a tonsilectomy would cure a chronic sinus infection? I would think it would be sinus surgery that I would need and that would cure the recurring tonsillitis and chronic sinus infection. Am I correct here?
Ed
I think your first port of call is the CT scan, from that they can tell if you have infection/inflamation and if a sinus rinse is needed. Having your tonsils out I doubt would cure your sinus problems, more the other way around but don't quote me on that.
I don't think that having your tonsils out will cure the problem. I have the same symptoms as you but have no tonsils so I really doubt that it is your tonsils that are causing you grief.
I think it is more to do with your sinsues and having your sinsuses cleared out what probably be more helpful. A scan would definitley help.
Might be worthwhile mentioning this to your doc to get his opinion?
Vicki
lucidbarrier
04-02-09, 21:20
First off, I just want to say that I had my tonsils out when I was a child. I have always had problems with sinus infections and ear infections and sore throats. The problem has lessened now but I do still get them.
Do you have a lot of problems with ear wax? That clicking sound might be wax buildup in your ear? I know it sounds silly but when the wax buildup gets to be a big enough problem, your sinsuses will not drain properly. They are all connected, and a problem with the ear affects the nose and throat as well.
The reason this happens is that your ear drum is the way your body equalizes the pressure of your body to the outside atmosphere. If its clogged, it cant equalize the pressure and thats when you start having problems.
At least with me, when I have ear wax buildup, I start having headaches and feel pretty ill.
What I usually do when I have sinus problems is to try to dry them up. The best way that I have found is a combination of a decongestant and Mucinex (guifenison). You can buy both over the counter, you just have to make sure you are not allergic to either one.
What you dont want is them draining into your throat and causing the throat to get irritated and then infected. Also you can gargle when you have a sore throat to lessen the symptoms, salt water is a pretty common remedy. Sipping on hot tea also seems to help.
Allergies can also drain into your throat and cause an infection.
For info on how to tell difference between allergies and infection:
http://thyroid.about.com/cs/newsinfo/l/blsinus.htm
I think the main difference you can tell immediately is is that if its allergies you are going to see a lot of clear or whitish mucous. If its an infection you are going to get this thick yellow or greenish discharge.
Also, I would also recommend taking vitamin C and B vitamins, which you can take by pill or buy some Vitamin Water.
As for antibiotics, I am allergic to most of them, so there are only a few that I can take now. Omnicef for me seems to cause the least amount of side effects. Its not cheap but it seems to do the trick in a few days.
As for Florida weather, its going to be tough with the humidity. You might want to invest in an air purifier/ionizer for the room you sleep in. If its way too humid for you, you could look at buying one of those dehumifiers to see if you can dry out for awhile.
I went to Orlando, and Kissimee with my girlfriend to go to Disney World. Orlando was very very humid, but Kissimee was not too bad.
They stopped promoting removal of tonsils awhile back because, frankly you need them. They filter the air going into your throat and lungs. They help fight infections and its better to have them than not have them.
When they cause problems is when they normally cut them out, like when they develope little tonsil stones or when germs get trapped inside the folds and create reoccuring tonsilitis.
Some of this may apply to you or it may not, but I hope that this has helped inform you a little because much of this information was given to me by my own doctors.
Hello to all of you,
I am a newcomer, so I will introduce myself first.
My name is David and I post under my real name "dkatzmd". I am a Physician located in southern California and have practiced for many years.
This response is related to "Chronic Sinusitis" issues. I hope it will be helpful to all of you.
As you may know, Chronic Sinusitis is the "Darth Vader" of medicine -- and medical dilemmas. It afflicts more than 35 million people in the USA, and is oftentimes confused (or misdiagnosed) by practicing clinicians here, and abroad.
Its symptoms, and consequences, are insidious, protracted and very dibilitating (even in otherwise healthy individuals).
The most important dilemma surrounds the "ineffective" treatment usually prescribed. Let me draw an analogy to help you understand.
Think about your nasal sinuses as a "grass lawn". A grass lawn has many layers -- starting with the underlying dirt surface, followed by the grass "base" and then (finally) by the grass "leaves" and "buds" that we see on the surface of the Lawn.
If you need to "clean" or "fertilize" that Lawn -- you need to penetrate below the top surface of the visible "leaves" and "buds" in order to deliver the fertilizer. Otherwise, the Lawn withers.
Our sinuses are very similar. There is a layer of "base" epithelium tissue that covers the underlying bone structures -- and above that "base" layer of epithelium is a covering surface epithelium (the "grass leaves", so to speak).
Similar to a grass lawn, our sinuses need to be "penetrated" adequately in order to restore their delicate epithelial membranes to proper health.
Therewith is the problem!
In order to properly "aerate" sinus membranes and effectively "eradicate" the infectious organisms that have created a comfortable "home" for themselves on the outer sinus epithelium layers, you must use EFFECTIVE antibiotics for a SUFFICIENT period of time.
Although most of the antibiotics mentioned on this thread (e.g., Clindamycin, Ciproflaxin, etc.) may be systemically effective for other types of infections in the body, they do NOT reach into the sinus membranes very well (if at all)!
There is only one antibiotic that has unique capacity to "break through" the sinus membrane barrier and reach therapeutic levels in the sinus cavities to wage an effective "war" against sinus bacteria. And, in order to be effective in that "war", it must be taken for a minimum of 28 days! (Not 5, 7 or 10 days!)
The name of that antibiotic is Dicloxacillin. It is an early "spin-off" of the penicillin family -- and therefore easily forgotten by current practitioners.
But -- it works! (250 mg 4 times per day for 28-30 days!) It is also relatively inexpensive (another reason why it has been forgotten by modern day practitioners who are deluged with outrageously expensive "new" antibiotics!)
I have treated many patients with the above recommended regimen (including members of my own family) with 100% positive results (sometimes, patients require an additional 2-3 weeks of therapy -- depending on the length of time that they have suffered from chronic sinusitis).
I hope that this helps you!
David
That's very interesting David, thank you.
My sinusitis was diagnosed being viral in origin, therefore antibiotics would be completely ineffective. Do doctors usually assume that chronic sinusitis is bacterial rather than viral?
I'm just worried that people are taking heavy doses of a variety of antibiotics over a long period when, if what they have is a viral infection, doing so will make no difference whatsoever. I'm not sure how easy it is to tell if an infection is bacterial rather than viral, except that mucus is more likely to be clear than green with a viral infection.
There is also the possibility, I assume, that chronic viral infection may lead to recurrent secondary bacterial infections. The patient keeps taking antibiotics that that fight off the bacterial infection without dealing with the underlying chronic viral infection. So the bacterial infections will keep coming back.
From what I understand, overuse of antibiotics is already a widespread problem and is generating antibiotic-resistant bacterium. Antibiotics are a wonderful thing and have saved millions of lives. I'm all for them. I just think that we need to protect their effectiveness and to think about possible viral causes as well as bacterial when considering chronic sinusitis.
I hope you don't mind me saying, David, but I find it a bit odd for a doctor to advocate the use of a particular antibiotic on a forum like this. But I guess drug advertising is common in the US; we're not used to it in NZ/UK, and I know that the States patients often ask their doctor for a particular drug.
I do also see, by the way, that is better to use one effective antibiotic than lots of ineffective ones, when the infection is bacterial rather than viral.
Dear LeeBee,
I understand your points and concerns.
First, let me respond to your comment that you "find it a bit odd for a doctor to advocate the use of a particular antibiotic on a forum like this. But I guess drug advertising is common in the US;"
I certainly was not intentionally "advertising" by pointing out that dicloxacillin has a rather unique ability to penetrate sinus membranes more effectively than most other existing antibiotics. That is a fact. Hence, it is (in my opinion and experience) a more effective choice for antibiotic therapy in cases of chronic sinusitis.
Second, to your question "Do doctors usually assume that chronic sinusitis is bacterial rather than viral?" I certainly have no way of knowing what "most" doctors assume in this regard. I can only speak from my own perspective which is as follows:
Regardless of what the initial cause may be, particularly in the "acute" phases of sinusitis, whenever the situation has reached the phase of chronic (and recurring) sinusitis, the damaging culprits involve very well entrenched bacterial colonies that have established a "home" within the sinus epithelium. Hence, effective eradication of these entrenched bacterial flora is best accomplished through effective (and judicious) use of antibiotic therapy.
Put in other terms, I do not believe that there is any ongoing infection in the upper respiratory tract that can be justifiably considered to be "purely viral." Once initial injury occurs -- by virus infiltration for example, secondary bacterial infection inevitably (and quickly) takes over! Think about the normal upper respiratory tract, and this becomes easily understood.
From the moment of birth -- and thereafter throughout our lives -- the upper respiratory tract is constantly exposed to a virtual "ocean" of common airborne (and non-airborne) viruses and bacteria. In the "normal" course of events, this "ocean" of organisms co-exist with us, and do no harm (thanks to a variety of protective mechanisms (immunity, etc.) that make the respiratory mucosa relatively impenetrable. However, when (from time-to-time) something upsets this fine balance we become "infected" -- and the normally protective "floodgates" become open to this "ocean" of viral and bacterial flora that usually co-exist with us in peace!
Hence, regardless of whether the fine balance was upset by a virus, or a bacterium, BOTH types of organisms become infective and damaging. We only have time-proven therapeutic weapons against bacteria, and the earlier these organisms are "pushed back", the faster the invasion will be aborted.
It is that simple!
Finally I want to address your point about "From what I understand, overuse of antibiotics is already a widespread problem and is generating antibiotic-resistant bacterium." In my candid view, this "widespread problem" has been overstated and has been deleterious to both the public's and physician's understanding of what I referred to earlier as "judicious use" of good, effective antibiotic therapy. The evolution of "antibiotic-resistant bacterium" species has not been as widespread as often publicized, and has been more confined to hospital-borne infectious bacteria (as opposed to those commonly encountered in the general non-hospitalized patient population.)
I hope these comments are helpful.
David
Auntlello1
23-02-09, 05:37
I too had the same problems. For years I had been given antibiotics for chronic infections, and then even had nasal surgery. A year after surgery, I was back to where I started, so they scheduled another surgery. The day before the surgery, I was speaking with the Dr. and had asked him how much this second surgery was going to help. He actually said he didn't think it would do anything because there was no inflamation in the sinuses anyway. WHAT!! So I cancelled the surgery, and had been on a 6 year search for a cure. A couple of years ago I actually had a Dr. tell me that infections do not last for months at a time, since I was in his office AGAIN and the infection never truely went away. Needless to say, I never went back to him again! What I have found to work the best is a TON of water throughout the day, guifinison (?) daily, a nedi (?) pot every morning (you add salt to water and pour it through your nose) and the best thing was pepper nose spray. It burns the first couple of times you use it, but it does about the same thing as if you bit into a hot pepper. Within a minute you can feel stuff start to drain (you may not even notice you are stuffy, but you'll feel the airways clearing out!) I can breath in and out with absolutely no obstruction, but can always tell when the "grass" has gotten too long and shrinks the airways. I have allergies, and use air purifiers all over the house, but my biggest problem has been mold. I have been in two houses in the last 6 years, and both had mold. Funny that all these infections started at that time? Perhaps you may notice that mildew smell where you work or live? If you can get a Dr. to give you the 28 day antibiotic, do that first to help kill it off, then keep up with the water, pepper spray (called Sinusbuster I think) guifinison and nedi pot... sounds like a lot to do, but when you get used to it it becomes a habit and you'll notice no more PND, infections, and you'll even notice how much better you can breath! Funny how you can have open airways, but still feel "stuffy"! Hope this helps, since I tried just about everything, including Oregano oil under my tongue... MADE ME PUKE! You can get Oregano oil to put into tablets, since Oregano oil can kill bacteria as well, but once you put it in your mouth, just the smell of it can make you sick. (It is VERY STRONG!)
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