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Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Sinusitis / October 2004Couple of questions
Hi folks About 4 weeks ago, I had a congested ear with a little ache, and several spells of vertigo. MY GP gave me amoxycillin and said I probably had some sinus infection also. The amoxycillin didnt do much good, switched to Cipro along with a cortisone shot. I felt like the cipro was making me sicker and started having sinus type headaches around my eyes and forehead, then switched to Augmentin the last two weeks. Not much improvement other than milder headaches - seems like the antibiotics and decongestants are making me feel worse and listless. I never had discolored sinus drainage, but I was fairly congested several days before all of this started. Ragweed is very much in bloom here and I also have allergies. Anyway, I had a CT scan of the sinus Friday. It showed no infection or polyps, just "mild inflammation of a maxillary sinus". The substitute GP filling in for my regular told me I should probably see an ENT. I couldnt get an appointment until next week. I usually have some sinus trouble once or twice a year, but it hasnt ever gone on this long and it hasnt involved my ear. I've read that after an infection clears, inflammation can continue for some time? How much of the fatigue, headaches could be caused by the antibiotics and decongestants? Could the allergens be causing the inflammation or contributing to it? What should I expect at the ENT? Ive never been to one. Should I continue taking antibiotics until I see the ENT even though the CT scan showed no infection? Thanks for your replies, David "What should I expect at the ENT?" That will depend on your ENT. My appointments consist of first getting my nose sprayed with a decongestant...then a numbing solution is sprayed in and I wait for those to take effect. My ENT uses a soft-scope attached to a TV screen and scopes throughout the sinus to see disease/polyps/infection. He then uses a rigi-scope with a suctioning device to clear out all of my sinus cavities. I get this each visit. Let us know what happens. Trudy. Hi folks So I went to a well respected ENT here in central Texas. He looked at my ct scan and didnt see any significant problems. Slightly deviated septum, a retention cyst in each maxillary sinus - "not blocking anything, dont worry about it", no inflammation in the sinus'. He didnt even use an endoscope, so I guess my CTscan was proof enough to him that I had no "major" problems. He is running blood tests because of my symptoms and I am to have allergy testing next week. I took allergy shots 30 years ago for a few years. I have always had allergy problems, so they will probably find a bunch of stuff. Im just wondering if allergies could be causing all of my symptoms - fatigue, headaches, woozy, flush, and slightly elevated temperatures in the evening ( 98.9 -99.2)? If they can, I dont ever remember them being this severe and long lasting although we have had explosive amounts of ragweed pollen in our air the last 6 weeks - thats about when my symptoms started. Im ready for some answers for this crap. Any comments? Thanks for your responses, David > "What should I expect at the ENT?" > [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > device to clear out all of my sinus cavities. I get this each visit. Let > us know what happens. Trudy. >Hi folks > [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] >thats about when my symptoms started. Im ready for some answers for >this crap. Conceivably but I would see a good internist to rule out other things... > Hi folks > [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > . . . . > Any comments? Yep. I suggest you take the CT scan films and make an appointment to see a couple more ENTs. At least a second opinion, and maybe even a third or fourth opinion. Because in my case, I had a "well-respected ENT" swear that the cyst in my ethmoid sinus was harmless too. But when I found another ENT willing to do surgery, he found a pus-filled mucocele hiding in there that hadn't shown up on the CT scan, and neither the "well-respected ENT" nor my surgeon who operated on me ever expected it to be hiding in there. Fortunately, my surgeon was willing to diagnose me with needing surgery based on my symptoms and medical history--not on what the CT scan showed or failed to show.  SignatureSteven D. Litvintchouk Email: sdlitvin@earthlinkNOSPAM.net Remove the NOSPAM before replying to me. thanks for your replies Steven & Pam, I would be more concerned with my ENT if the first word out of his mouth was "surgery" Im sure I could go to several ENTs and find one that said "you need surgery" Ive heard a lots of people say the surgery didnt help them and actually made them worse, including one of my brothers. I think I need to let my current ENT see the results of my blood tests and allergy testing and then see what he thinks before heading off for more opinions. Ill let you know what he has to say about all the results. The referral to an ENT was made by my family doctor of 30 years after 3-4 appointments in September trying to treat whatever it is that I have. How did your surgery go Steven? David > > Hi folks > > [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > based on my symptoms and medical history--not on what the CT scan showed > or failed to show. > thanks for your replies Steven & Pam, > > I would be more concerned with my ENT if the first word out of his > mouth was "surgery" Im sure I could go to several ENTs and find one > that said "you need surgery" I'm more concerned that your ENT didn't even use an endoscope to take a look inside your nasopharynx. If your ENT is one of those who puts blind faith in CT scans, watch out. Even CT scans have a small percentage of false negative results. My CT scans didn't show any of the problems that my surgeon located in the two surgeries I had. > Ive heard a lots of people say the > surgery didnt help them and actually made them worse, including one of > my brothers. I would like to call your attention to an 8-year study conducted by the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit back in 1997, to do long-term followup of patients who had surgery. Some 80% of patients who had surgery were completely cured. But I agree, you should always try all possible options. > I think I need to let my current ENT see the results of my blood tests > and allergy testing and then see what he thinks before heading off for [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > > How did your surgery go Steven? My surgery went very well, but I picked up a post-operative infection--just like I did the last time I had sinus surgery in 1997. The sudden onset combined with the slow clearing suggests that it's viral. In that case, I just have to tough it out. SignatureSteven D. Litvintchouk Email: sdlitvin@earthlinkNOSPAM.net Remove the NOSPAM before replying to me. Agreeing again. I was sure the ENT would use a scope to see inside to get a better idea of what was going on. I had many surgeries like others on this board and as for the polyps, sinus disease have fare very well, it was the cysts that caused all of my ongoing problems right now...five surgeries later. If I had known they were in there, eroding bone and destroying my sinus I would have definately acted sooner. I agree with the allergy testing too, you might find the cause of the initial problem, but a good look inside needs to be done. I have had ten CT scans in the past year...some showing the mucoceles back, some not...so I don't rely too much on their merit. Trudy. > I have had ten CT scans in the past > year... From what my ENT told me, that's too much radiation. You don't want to microwave your brain. My ENT won't let me take more than one CT scan every 6 months. Usually he doesn't even want to do that many. SignatureSteven D. Litvintchouk Email: sdlitvin@earthlinkNOSPAM.net Remove the NOSPAM before replying to me. >> I have had ten CT scans in the past >> year... [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] >My ENT won't let me take more than one CT scan every 6 months. Usually >he doesn't even want to do that many. I was told that the science says that it is actually lifetime-to-date cumulative exposure that is the risk factor, not frequency of scan. Of course, they are highly correlated...... >>> I have had ten CT scans in the past >>> year... >> >> From what my ENT told me, that's too much radiation. You don't want to >>microwave your brain. >> >>My ENT won't let me take more than one CT scan every 6 months. Usually >>he doesn't even want to do that many. > >I was told that the science says that it is actually lifetime-to-date >cumulative exposure that is the risk factor, not frequency of scan. > >Of course, they are highly correlated...... Hello, CT scan no good, because it often doesnot show up the calcification. MRI is what you should be using. I go to Docs. that never use any of that high class stuff, they use their brains and skills instead. + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + http://www.biblebelievers.org.au/benjamin.htm MustRead! http://WWW.PAMINIFARM.COM "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge" Hosea 4:6 >Hello, >CT scan no good, because it often doesnot show up the >calcification. MRI is what you should be using. I go >to Docs. that never use any of that high class stuff, >they use their brains and skills instead. Dr. Grossan has said on several occasions that CT scans are more useful. > >Hello, > >CT scan no good, because it often doesnot show up the [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > Dr. Grossan has said on several occasions that CT scans are more useful. So has my ENT, so why does this person post so much misinformation so assertively? >> >Hello, >> >CT scan no good, because it often doesnot show up the [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] >So has my ENT, so why does this person post so much misinformation so >assertively? Hello, Because i can? Because God has given me a "calling"? Because i read it somewhere on the Information Highway, and now forget where and cannot give you the link of proof? I guess now i better go find it, as i am your mother and must do everything for the little baby that can do nothing for himself, and who discredits anyone else who can do via the use of their experienced, educated, trained, skills . . . + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + http://www.biblebelievers.org.au/benjamin.htm MustRead! http://WWW.PAMINIFARM.COM "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge" Hosea 4:6 > Hello, > Because i can? > Because God has given me a "calling"? Sorry, I didn't realize that you were a Messenger Of God. Now I can factor that into anything else that you post. > Because i read it somewhere on the Information Highway, > and now forget where and cannot give you the link of proof? At least you have quoted an authoratative source. > I guess now i better go find it, as i am your mother and > must do everything for the little baby that can do nothing > for himself, and who discredits anyone else who can do via > the use of their experienced, educated, trained, skills . . . The mother discredits herself by giving birth to misinformation, and there is no evidence of her education or skills... >> Hello, >> Because i can? [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] >The mother discredits herself by giving birth to misinformation, and there >is no evidence of her education or skills... Hello, Howcome you never answer any of my questions? Howcome youhave already decided it is "misinformation"? Howcome you also know nothing about religion? Howcome you are posting off-topic and sticking your nose in my personal business? Howcome you need to see a person's pedigree or degree before you think they have any worth? When the father of the lie, Satan, comes up to you and hands you his doctorate, you will follow him, and guess where you will wind up (: + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + http://www.biblebelievers.org.au/benjamin.htm MustRead! http://WWW.PAMINIFARM.COM "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge" Hosea 4:6 > >> Hello, > >> Because i can? [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > Hello, > Howcome you never answer any of my questions? Here is an answer: Because you are an uninformed, self-aggrandizing bigot. > Howcome youhave already decided it is "misinformation"? Because it is at odds with accepted and evalutated medical practices. > Howcome you also know nothing about religion? How do you know that I don't? Because I doubt you, the savior? > Howcome you are posting off-topic and sticking > your nose in my personal business? Your personal business ceases to be personal when you post it here. > Howcome you need to see a person's pedigree > or degree before you think they have any worth? I haven't asked for either from you (it's already obvious that you have none). But if someone with such credentials were spouting such nonsense as you, I'd think that their opinons were worthless as well. > When the father of the lie, Satan, comes up to > you and hands you his doctorate, you will follow > him, and guess where you will wind up (: Probably at your house. > "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge" Hosea 4:6 In that case, you are probably not faring too well... Hello, Troll, Drop dead . . . + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + http://www.biblebelievers.org.au/benjamin.htm MustRead! http://WWW.PAMINIFARM.COM "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge" Hosea 4:6 The only time we do an MRI is when we need it to help diagnose a fungal infection. whether someting is high class or low class, cheap or expensive, if its not going to help with diagnosis and tratment, why do the procedure? Besies, an MRI of the sinus ain't a fun procedure. Murray Grossan, M.D. http://www.ent-consult.com Thank you Steven! I was going to tell him to see another ENT also as my "retention cysts" turned out to be mucoceles also and as you know from my previous posts the left maxillary mucocele literally broke out my orbit floor. They might be benign right now but what happens when they grow, unbeknownst to him right into his orbit floor or cheekbone? Trudy. >Hi folks > [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] >Thanks for your responses, >David Hello, Maybe you have a low-grade sinus infection. If you have a family Doc. start there, and let him decide where to send you. Donot confuse the issue with your allergy, however do mention it. The improtant thing is your low-grade temperature and ailments. You have a low-grade fevour and that is bad. Again: donot get too hung-up on allergy "symptoms", because something is CAUSING them- probably Candida. >> "What should I expect at the ENT?" >> [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] >> device to clear out all of my sinus cavities. I get this each visit. Let >> us know what happens. Trudy. + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + http://www.biblebelievers.org.au/benjamin.htm MustRead! http://WWW.PAMINIFARM.COM "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge" Hosea 4:6 Allergy as such does not cause the symptoms you describe. But the blood tests might point the way to a systemic problem. what about the teeth and gums? This is a most common source of "chronic infection". Don't forget the urine either. Many here have reported answers when they went to an infection specialist. sounds like your doctor is on the ball - cysts are of little importance and he didn't perform any unnecessary procedures. Murray Grossan, M.D. http://www.ent-consult.com >Hi folks > [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] >I've read that after an infection clears, inflammation can continue >for some time? You don't even have to have an infection, you can just have inflammation. >How much of the fatigue, headaches could be caused by the >antibiotics and decongestants? It's possible. >Could the allergens be causing the inflammation or contributing to >it? They very probably are. Sinusitis usually has more than one contributing cause. >What should I expect at the ENT? Ive never been to one. >Should I continue taking antibiotics until I see the ENT even though >the CT scan showed no infection? > >Thanks for your replies, >David entconsult, I am really glad you were not my ENT when the cyst turned into a deadly little bugger that wore away my orbit floor, caused periorbital cellulitis and has ruined my life the past three years. There is another one in my right maxillary that is now causing damage and has to come out. How can you say cysts are nothing? Do you differentiate them from mucoceles or am I missing something here? Trudy. The CT scan easily differentiates a cyst that is eroding the bone, from a mucocele from a polyp. We do not operate when the findings are harmless, we do when they are harmful. This is a judgment that must be made on each individual patient. Unfortunately some use the same terms for each of these conditions. Murray Grossan, M.D. http://www.ent-consult.com "Unfortunately some use the same terms for each of these conditions." Therein lies my confusion. Can you clarify for me then or send me a link to the difference in cysts, mucoceles, polyps, tumors? I have heard them all referred to as the same/different depending on the ENT. Thanks in advance. Trudy. Dr. Grossan, Thanks for clearing up some of the misinformation that has been posted responding to my questions. I am going for allergy testing and bloodwork followup tomorrow. Im curious about something you said about sinus MRIs. Why are they not a fun procedure? David > The CT scan easily differentiates a cyst that is eroding the bone, from a > mucocele from a polyp. We do not operate when the findings are harmless, we do > when they are harmful. This is a judgment that must be made on each individual > patient. Unfortunately some use the same terms for each of these conditions. > Murray Grossan, M.D. > http://www.ent-consult.com MRI is difficult for many persons re the noise nad being in a tight space. Some can't tolerate it at all re claustraphobia. Murray Grossan, M.D. http://www.ent-consult.com oh, okay. Ive had an MRI on my shoulder once, didnt bother me. I thought there might be something different about a sinus MRI. I had allergy testing done yesterday. My arm lit up like a Xmas tree. Big surprise. Guess that could account for some of the fatigue and headaches. Wasnt able to have the followup with my ENT because of schedule conflicts, doing that Monday and without a doubt Ill be doing immunotherapy. Still having very low fever in the evenings, so Ill see what the ENT has to say about that. Maybe its always been like that and I just see it because I dont feel good and Ive been checking it. Some sites say severe allergies can cause a very very lowgrade temperature, others say no. Like you said, it might be worthwhile for me to have my teeth checked, its been awhile. Thanks.. David > MRI is difficult for many persons re the noise nad being in a tight space. Some > can't tolerate it at all re claustraphobia. > Murray Grossan, M.D. > http://www.ent-consult.com >oh, okay. Ive had an MRI on my shoulder once, didnt bother me. I >thought there might be something different about a sinus MRI. [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] >Thanks.. >David Hello, Maxillary infection causes tooth/teeth ache . . . Ethmoid causes pain behind the eye . . . Sphenoid causes pain in the temple and behind the eye . . . la la du du . . . + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + http://www.biblebelievers.org.au/benjamin.htm MustRead! http://WWW.PAMINIFARM.COM "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge" Hosea 4:6 |
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