mysterygrail@yahoo.com (jan) wrote:

Hi Jan... I've been plagued with sinus problems, for the last 30+ years.
I've managed to stay away from antibiotics for a couple of years now.
..I'm currently fighting a rather nasty flare-up, but much like the one
I had a year ago, my increased irrigation regimen is slowly getting the
better of it.

I really doubt the bacterial infection completely goes away, as you're
always stuck with the conditions that initially caused it.. It's like an
abscessed tooth. You take an antibiotic, and it settles the inflammation
down so the Dentist can repair the problem. ...However, if you don't get
that tooth root-canaled, there'll always be that little pocket at the
tooth root that bacteria may use to get a foothold.

Just like in your sinus. ...Once you've damaged a part of them, because
of a previous infection, the conditions prone to bacterial build-up will
always be there, unless you're fortunate enough to find the perfect
surgeon..

As long as you irrigate, I think you help keep things in tow, by
eliminating the excess bacteria before they can get a good foot hold.
However, certain things can upset this "truce". Like a cold, allergy, or
in my case, if I blow my nose a little too hard.   ...Once you've got a
full blown flare-up, the irrigation does help, particularly with regards
to removing the blocking mucus. ...It also helps, I believe, to restore
the cilia, and thus assist the body's own ability to clear itself.  

I think the decision to use an antibiotic should be based on your
condition. In my case, I was feeling pretty crappy the last few day, so
I was going to give it until Monday (Tomorrow), before going to the Dr..
..However, I can tell right now that it is settling down, so I won't
bother.    

...The trouble with people today is that as soon as they get so much as
a sniffle, they're down at the Dr.s office, asking for an antibiotic.
..I'd much rather save using such things, until I develope a condition
that really requires them.   ...Jon

Try lots of rest.  Say 10 hours a day for a few days.

The studies I've seen suggest that roughly half of bacterial sinus
infections resolve spontaneously even without antibiotics, especially if
measures are taken to improve drainage (decongestants, moisture, etc.).
 But it can take a while.  You may still be symptomatic for weeks.

In fact, clinical trials have failed to show a consistent benefit to
taking antibiotics, even for bacterial sinus infections:

http://www.postgradmed.com/issues/2004/01_04/leggett.htm

Many have made major improvements in their conditions.  Some (including the
original FAQ author and others) have mostly dropped out of active participation
because their interest level dropped off once their problem were mostly
addressed.

Surgery should help but often will not alone cure sinusitis because anatomical
variation is usually not the major cause in the first place.   Allergies and
altered immune or other systemic response are often the major causes and they
are not much affected by surgery.

What are the ways in which it so bad for you that it has so much of an eftect
on your quality of life?  I am nto doubting that it can have that effect - I
know it can, but the ways in which ti does so vary and may gove ride to
different approaches....

In other words, what is the worst thing for you?   Coughing?  Fatigue?  Hacking
post-nasal drainage?  Infections?   Depression? Pain?

On 1/22/06 5:43 PM, in article
1137980586.194417.65200@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com, "jan"
<mysterygrail@yahoo.com> wrote:

If you use correct pressure - i.e. Pulsatile stream almost one inch high -
you don't force infection into the ear or sinuses. Also you are instructed
not to swallow when irrigating .