WVU or Anyone Else..... Allergies/Sinuses

[Deleted]

I'm hoping someone here can point me in the right direction so I can help my doctor help me. Since January 1 I've had what my doctor keeps saying is a sinus infection. When I went to her again last week she sent me home with another antibiotic, allergy meds, nasal spray, a decongestant, and told me to get a saline rinse.

I do have allergies, which were very severe when I was a child but got much better as I got older. I went to an allergist as a teen, so I know exactly what I was allergic to back then, pollen was the worst. I've had the occaisional sinus infection, but they didn't last for months. My only sinus related symptom is post nasal drip, which I've read usually means it's a sinus infection that's been there a long time if it's the only symptom.

What's making me miserable (and confused) is that I keep feeling like I have a fever, including body aches, but when I take my temperature it's normal. I tried to convey to my doctor just how bad I feel, but I don't think she got it. No medicine she's prescribed or OTC painkillers makes that feeling go away. I suffer through work, come home and go to bed. Sleeping is the only thing that makes me feel better. I can deal with congestion, but this other stuff is wiping me out. I've lost 14 pounds that I didn't need to lose.

Has anybody else experienced anything similar to this? The only thing I could find on the internet that didn't include actual fevers as a symptom was a board where people experienced it and some said they finally found out it was an allergic reaction to something, often some food. Those of you that have food allergies or reactions to something else in your environment, do you have similar symptoms to what I've described?

If this round of medicine doesn't work, I'm suppose to go see an ENT or allergist. I want to know what questions to ask if I have to go that route. I mentioned wvu in the thread title because I remember posts about bad problems with allergies.  None of my friends or family have experienced anything like this, so I thought I'd ask you all.

Sorry for such a long post.

[chiver78]

I've had some awful reactions in my life, but nothing that sounds like this. I'm sorry, I wish I could help. I hope someone can.

[plugginaway22]

I would definitely schedule a visit with a board certified allergist.  What you are allergic to changes as you age, and you need to be re-tested.
Then you can avoid the culprits, get more specific meds, or consider allergy injections.  Multiple sinus infections are what is wearing you down.

[Deleted]

I got nothing good for you.

I have fibromyalgia and will feel like I've been hit by a truck or have the flu.  Sleep can make it feel better if it's the right kind - a lot of people with fibromyalgia have disordered sleeping rhythms so no matter how much they sleep it's not restful.  I use a medication that helps regulate it.  I've also found that avoiding alcohol and eating healthy help reduce the symptoms.

DH has IGAN and HSP, which can be made worse by respiratory diseases.  He was diagnosed after a sinus infection that wouldn't go away.  Rheumatoid arthritis aches and general tiredness are symptoms for him.  Certain foods can make it worse but it wouldn't show up on an allergy test because it's vasculitis rather than an immune reaction.

So - not saying you have either but this is worth pursuing these symptoms with your doctor if you are consistently feeling this way because they can be indications of something greater.

[The Captain]

You have my sympathy.

It's a long shot but had she swabbed and done a culture?  My mom experienced something similiar and after numerous courses of antibiotics they finally figured out it was a fungal infection (apparently very rare) after the culture.  It was the first case of it's type her doctor had ever seen.  She had to have IV administered drugs for about three months to clear it up completely but it was like night and day for her once they figured it out.

[Deleted]

I keep losing my internet connection.

Thanks for the empathy and the hug chiver. 

pluggin, that's what I've started wondering, if I've developed a new allergy. From what I understand, if it's not the usual suspects, they can be hard to pinpoint. But I'll never know if I don't go, right? lol

anne, I've heard that fibromyalgia is pretty bad. I'm sorry you have it. I actually did think I had the flu when I woke up New Year's Day (what a way to start the year!), but I didn't. I do often feel like I've been run over by a truck. I do drink, but I haven't had an alcoholic drink in months. I've been taking so many meds for this and for a problem with my shoulder, that I cut out the alcohol for the sake of my liver. My diet has never been all that great, it's been even worse these past few months because I've been feeling so bad.

I have no idea what you said about your husband. I have to look up some of those abbreviations and words lol. But I think the point is the last thing you said, that I need to find out what's going on because I could be having symptoms of a larger problem than just a sinus infection. Right?  It's been going on for months and the feverish feeling/body aches is happening more often instead of less. Almost every day now.

I have a few more days of antibiotics. Any appointments I schedule will be for after I've finished them.

[Deleted]

Apr 18, 2013 18:16:48 GMT -5 The Captain said:

You have my sympathy.

It's a long shot but had she swabbed and done a culture?  My mom experienced something similiar and after numerous courses of antibiotics they finally figured out it was a fungal infection (apparently very rare) after the culture.  It was the first case of it's type her doctor had ever seen.  She had to have IV administered drugs for about three months to clear it up completely but it was like night and day for her once they figured it out.

No, she always looks in my ears, nose and throat, takes some blood, and the first time I went, she did a lung x-ray. My lungs are clear, but my cell count has been off each time. I've read a little about sinus infections (rarely) being fungal. I'll keep that in mind if I end up at an ENT doctor. Thank you. 

[motherto2]

 

Pink, just a thought, but see if she will test you for celiac or a gluten sensitivity.  DD and I both have a gluten sensitivity.  Do you eat alot of things that have wheat, barley or rye in it?  The problem with this type of allergy is that it manifests itself in thousands of different ways.  No two people have the same reactions.  If she tests you for celiac and you have a negative report, it doesn't necessarily mean that you don't have a sensitivity.  It's like looking at a power meter.  You could be very severely positive or somewhere along the scale.  If you do test negative, try cutting all of it out for a month or so and see if it helps.  And believe it or not, alot of people that are diagnosed with auto immune diseases (such as fibromyalga (sp)) have the wheat allergy.  There is tons of info on the internet if you look into it.  There is a lady here in my area that has a huge following of folks on the internet, as well as a local group.  She is a wealth of information and has alot of stuff on her site.  Look up gluten free easily.com and see if you can find her.  Her name is Shirley Braden.  Good luck, and what ever it turns out to be, I hope they figure it out.

[midjd]

I know everyone makes fun of it (and I do too) but have you plugged in your symptoms on Webmd? It usually isn't super accurate but can at least give you a jumping off point.

And have you had your thyroid levels tested? Losing weight is usually a sign of hyperthyroidism and being super-fatigued is usually hypothyroidism, but in my case I had an overactive thyroid and underactive nodule so I was having symptoms of both (which is why it took a while to diagnose). They removed the nodule and I'm fine now, no meds or anything.

Good luck and I hope you get some answers soon... it's so frustrating to feel like crap and not know why.

[Deleted]

I have allergies and lots of food reactions. Do you notice your symptoms getting better or worse throughout the day? After certain activities? Do you have any head or ear 'fluid' feeling? Are you having any intestinal issue?

[Deleted]

But I think the point is the last thing you said, that I need to find out what's going on because I could be having symptoms of a larger problem than just a sinus infection. Right?

Yes.   And after you've been feeling like crap for so long if you get a name and an action plan it can be a relief.

[wvugurl26]

Pollen season has started in a lot of areas. It's high tree pollen season here in Maryland.

I had a sinus infection from mid October through Christmas. It took 3 antibiotics, steroids and Prilosec to kick it because I got acid reflux on top of it. The ENT finally got me straightened out. I had crap in my lungs and was coughing up yellow snot every day. I've never had a sinus infection hang on like that. I will forever love that man for finally fixing me and hooking me up with a new allergy doctor.

An allergy doctor can do a panel of the most common allergens in your state. Each state's assigned to a zone. I think Maryland's 2 and I'm allergic to everything in the damn panel but dogs. They can also do a sinus xray or ct scan to see if you really have a sinus infection.

For me the worst part of sinus infections is the fact that my face just aches and that I'm flat out exhausted. It zaps my energy like no other. When I was so sick post Las Vegas, I had zero energy. I could barely drag myself to work and back home to collapse on the couch. It turned out to be my apartment that was the problem. Moving to make dinner was too much effort. My breathing was crap. I had to sleep elevated or I'd wake up in the middle of the night.

For what it's worth since then, I've had a lot of new allergies pop up that didn't exist before. Many of them are food ones. I've always eaten eggs and shrimp and now I'm allergic.

[wvugurl26]

After re-reading the OP, that's pretty much what happened to me when I found out about all of the new allergies I have now. I've had allergies all my life but I've picked up new obnoxious ones in the past three years.

I had some nights where I'd wake up absolutely drenched in sweat, my hair would be completely soaked. I just couldn't function. I called off work one day and went back to sleep for 12 more hours.

In my case the apartment air vents were full of crap I'm very allergic to and there was a busted pipe in the slab leading to mold in other problems. The sinus infection I had last year I have no idea what caused it other than a run down immune system.

Have them check out your immune system too. My new allergy doctor did that and it ties together a whole lot of issues I have.

I would definitely check with an allergist or ENT. The ENT I saw in December was amazing. I owe a lot to him.

[Deleted]

This year has been much better for me. I got a really good air filter. I've been exploring my food sensitivities systematically. I've been taking MSM supplement.

interestingly enough, I NOTICE my symptoms more now. Probably because they aren't continuous. Feeling bad all the time becomes old news after too long... 

I hope you find something that works soon...

[Peace Of Mind]

Sorry that you're feeling so lousy, Pink.  I have bad allergies and chronic sinusitis year 'round.  Everything they gave you sounds right and I did read and hear on the news that this year is going to be the worst in history for allergies.  You may want to get a cortisone shot to relieve some of the swelling but for me that was temporary.  I've done it all - allergy shots, neti pot, pills, sprays, cortisone shots, surgery... nothing works for me.    I had a sinus infection so bad once I was on antibiotics for 6 months straight.  They had scheduled me for surgery (I had a bone spur and deviated septum) and they had to keep postponing it because they couldn't get rid of the infection.  They finally decided to just suck everything out while I was out for surgery and go ahead with the procedures.  They gave me a stronger antibiotic intravenously that worked.  But the relief from the surgery only lasted about a year until my allergies ruined what was done and I needed surgery again.  I'm not going to bother because the ENT said it would just get ruined again. 

I hope you feel better soon and that it's just allergies since there could be worse things.  Have they given you x-rays to make sure it's nothing else going on?  I was given a CAT scan years ago too.  I guess they feared I had a tumor because I was getting such bad migraines at the time.  Those mostly stopped when I quit working though. 

ETA:  Your symptoms sound normal as that's how I feel constantly.  I also had Grave's disease (hyper thyroid) and now after having my thyroid removed I'm even more tired so maybe have that checked too just to be sure that is ok.  You will want a TSH level done which is a blood test.  I have multiply allergies and they've changed through the years so yours may have too.  Not that it made any difference since mine is grass, pollen, trees, animals...  What's one more?  

[Deleted]

I'm rushing, so I may miss some questions. My thyroid hasn't been tested lately. I usually start feeling bad late morning, or in the afternoon, regardless of where I am. Yesterday was the first time since January that I woke up with the feverish/aching feeling. I'm not having headaches, or ear issues that I've noticed. No intestinal issues. No coughing. My nose isn't even congested, just post-nasal drip, which is disgusting and I can't cough it out.

 

I have to leave. I won't be back until this afternoon. Thanks for the responses!

[Shooby]

Fatigue, fever, and body aches could be a lot of things.  You really should go to your PCP and report these symptoms.  You could have something going on not related to allergies.

[suek1958]

Pink-  I'm sorry for your misery  and I just want to add this.  
A couple years ago, I had a %#&* sinus headache for 3 months straight!!!   
I tried many things.  What finally helped me was taking Zyrtec (one of the newer antihistamines, it doesn't make you drowsy)
I got the Walgreen's brand, which is cheaper.  I took a 10 mg, but I got a lil wired or something, so now I take 5 mg every morning and 5 mg every night. 
I'm a whole NEW person!!!!      

GOOD LUCK to you!!  

and be sure to drink LOTS of fluids!!!!!!!  It really helps everything drain better!!

[GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl]

Do you live in an area with ticks?  

Lyme disease can manifest itself in many symptoms including chronic, low-grade fevers and body aches.

Get a blood Test (titer?) for Lyme disease.

Also, and not to scare you, some autoimmune diseases such as Lupus can manifest in your symptoms.   

See your PCP for a full array of blood tests AND see a good allergist.  The goal is to rule stuff out so you can narrow down what IS making you sick.

Hope you get some answers soon.

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

Write down all your symptoms in a day in a journal.  It can help a doctor spot a pattern if you have a record of all your symptoms in one spot.

[doxieluvr]

Sounds like the same thing I went through a few years ago. Turned out that black mold was growing in the wall of my office, causing me to develop sinus infections. Once they replaced the drywall, I was fine.

have you been in any locations that sustained water damage in the last year?

[doxieluvr]

Apr 18, 2013 17:50:17 GMT -5 @anne81 said:

I got nothing good for you.

I have fibromyalgia and will feel like I've been hit by a truck or have the flu.  Sleep can make it feel better if it's the right kind - a lot of people with fibromyalgia have disordered sleeping rhythms so no matter how much they sleep it's not restful.  I use a medication that helps regulate it.  I've also found that avoiding alcohol and eating healthy help reduce the symptoms.

DH has IGAN and HSP, which can be made worse by respiratory diseases.  He was diagnosed after a sinus infection that wouldn't go away.  Rheumatoid arthritis aches and general tiredness are symptoms for him.  Certain foods can make it worse but it wouldn't show up on an allergy test because it's vasculitis rather than an immune reaction.

So - not saying you have either but this is worth pursuing these symptoms with your doctor if you are consistently feeling this way because they can be indications of something greater.

Do you drink diet soda or consume products with aspartame?

[Deleted]

So it could be any number of things, from an allergy causing sinus infections, to an autoimmune disease. Sigh.

To answer a few more questions, yes I live in an area with ticks. I treat my yard for them because I have dogs and my yard was full of ticks when I first moved in. I haven't seen a tick in years, not even on my dog. Thank God, because they seriously creep me out. Black mold, I haven't seen any in my house. There's no telling what's in the building I work in though. I really can't say how much wheat, barley and rye I eat, I don't cook much from scratch, and I don't pay a lot of attention to ingredients.  

I guess I'll start with an allergist and go from there. It all sounds so complicated. I prefer simple lol. I like Drama's idea of keeping track of what's happening, to see if there's a pattern.

I do feel a little better today than I did yesterday. Maybe the meds I'm taking now are finally doing some good. I can always hope!

I really appreciate you all sharing your experiences, thoughts and suggestions.

[wvugurl26]

Definitely keep track of your symptoms. If the allergy doctor doesn't suggest it, ask for immune system testing. Those numbers can also point to autoimmune diseases.

My experience was like dox's. It was related to the environment and subsided to some degree once I left. At least I no longer spent every night on the couch struggling to breathe. In my case it was in the air vents and not a problem until I had the heat on all the time.

And I could be wrong but I thought you were a fed employee. My ENT cringed when he heard where I worked. He says their buildings are awful. This was based on the age though and in the DC area, a lot of them are old. Mine is actually fairly new as far as buildings go.

[Jaguar]

I've had issues with my right eye for two months. I seen a friend on Thursday who is a pharmacist and she recommended something, I see improvement already.

Take note of which stresses your under and like everyone says take note of your foods and symptoms.

My GF used to get awful sinus infections. I've seen it just flat her right out for weeks on end.

I really hope you feel 100% better soon.

[tloonya]

I used to worship doctors. After my customer came in and said her baby hadn't pooped for 10 days and pediatrician said its ok  - I called formula makers and we got her on another formula and baby is pooping now - they wish it stopped for a while

So doctors are not lil Gods to me anymore (not just for pooping incident)...

I say first you must change your doctor and keep changing them until you find one who will actually listen to you. Ask your co-workers, friends, relatives. Someone must have a doctor who is not just trying to get their med school loans paid back! Those that CARE!

You've got to have a full blood work done. Including everyting imaginable. Only then after you can sit down and talk but your current shmuck doesn't look like deserves to be paid anymore!

Now go ask people about their doctors and good luck!

[formerroomate99]

Allergies can keep you from getting quality sleep, which would explain the aches and pains. 

But the aches and pains could also be a variety of other things. 

Definitely switch doctors, see the ENT and allergigist, and start getting tested for other things. 

[Deleted]

An update in case anyone is interested lol. I did go to an ENT who did an x-ray and said I had a sinus infection and gave me another antibiotic and a steroid and scheduled a CT scan of my sinuses.

The next week, I was feeling horrible and called my doctor and told her we needed to see if there was something else wrong with me too, because the ENT didn't think the sinus infection was necessarily causing the feverish feeling and body aches. My doctor had me come in for some bloodwork, to test me for lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, test my thryroid and a bunch of other stuff. The only thing that came back out of normal range was my vitamin D levels were a little low. I'm taking supplements for that and since it's finally warm I can spend some time outside in the sun.

I had the CT scan today. I still have the sinus infection and I have a polyp that's preventing proper drainage on that side. He wants to remove the polyp surgically. Ugh! I hate the idea of any kind of surgery, but I'm SICK of feeling so bad and if that's the only way I'll feel better I guess I'll have to try it and hope the polyp doesn't come back. I've read that they can come back. I also know a couple of people that had surgery on their sinuses (not sure exactly what was done) and it didn't improve their condition.

The ENT that I saw today was different from the 1st one (same office though). I asked him if the sinus infection could be causing the feverish/achy feeling and he said generally any pain would be localized, but since my body has been fighting this infection for so long, it could be the cause. I do feel slight pressure on the side of my face where the infection is, but no facial pain or headaches. Which is weird to me because I apparently have a hellified sinus infection.

I'm at the end of a scheduled 2 week vacation. While it was a big relief to not have to worry about working while I feel so horrible, if I'd known I needed to have surgery, I would've tried to schedule it for while I was off work anyway. It's not like I've been having any fun, at least I could've had that out the way.

Anybody had nasal polyps removed? How did it go?

[justme]

How low is "a little low". I've been having Vit D problems and in my research a lot of studies say anything below 50 is low, yet the labs say anything below 32 is low. And there's a big difference between the two! I've actually been taking at least 2,000 IU a day of Vit D when I remember. You can OD on it, but 2-3,000 a day shouldn't do that. Also, make sure it's Vit D-3. The rx is actually D-2 and your body has to convert it to D-3 to be able to actually use it.

Not saying it's the cure to what's ailing you, just wanted to mention it because I've been struggling to keep my Vit D levels high enough for over a year and I live in FL so it can be hard.

[dannylion]

Sorry you're still feeling low, Pink.  Did either of the doctors do any testing to see if the sinus infection is fungal?  Antibiotics wouldn't do any good for a fungal infection.

For what it's worth, this year is supposedly very bad for allergens like pollen.  I have noticed that when the pollen count is very bad I feel very fatigued and need to sleep a lot.  When the pollen counts are lower, I feel better.  And I've had some fevers and chills without actually having a temperature.  Your symptoms sound a lot more significant, though. 

I hope you are feeling better soon.