Sinus problems and allergies

MaLee · 09-15-2002, 02:56 AM

I was wondering if food allergies could cause sinus problems. (Stuffy, infected, pressure, runny, watery eyes, etc.) I have been suffering with sinus problems since I can remember. My medical charts (until a year ago when PCOS was diagnosed.) is filled with "acute sinuitus" - every two to three months. I had a CT scan and some allergy test done. (Animals and pollens) They all showed nothing. On Tuesday I go back to ENT to see what he says of all my past test. I was wondering if nothing showed, should I ask to have food allergies done. (I won't be going to the same allergy doctor. That story belongs in the rant section.)
Or, what else could be my problem. I'm getting tired of taking antibiotics every 3 months.

MaLee · 09-15-2002, 03:41 AM

The weather definitly doesn't help. It is so humid here, as soon as you walk out your door, your sinuses are clogged and you can barely breathe.

babybokal · 09-15-2002, 04:27 AM

Well, I don't know about actual sinus infections...but I have sensitive sinuses, whenever it's rainy or cloudy or when the weather changes suddenly there's so much pressure in my sinuses it feels like my head's about to explode. So the weather could at least be aggravating the problem. Other than that I don't know...I've never had to take antibiotics. Good luck!

MaLee · 09-15-2002, 01:47 PM

Just a little bump!

KattyK · 09-15-2002, 03:22 PM

I can't believe it! Your story sounds similar to mine. Since I can remeber I have had problems with my sinuses to the point where I can diagnose myself and know exactly what kind of meds the Doc will give me. The only thing that has worked recently is Zyrtec-D. Ask your doctor abt it. The only thing is you have to take it everyday. The second you become "stuffy" it's, most of the time, already too late. I as well came up neg. for all my allergy tests but this med is working. Haven't has sinisitis in 5 mos and counting! Good luck! Cys Jeannette

Tametha · 09-15-2002, 04:00 PM

Is it possibly one of your meds causing sinus inflamation?

I have to take bromocriptine for my prolactin lvls. When im on it it causes swelling to my sinus membranes then i get chronic infections, head aches and stuffiness.

I started taking clariton-d 12 hr tabs now with my meds and been pretty good since.

(I went off bromo for a yr, with in 2 weeks my sinus problems cleared, but my lvls went back up recently so back on em again, and low and behold sinus trouble again, thank goodness for clariton lol)

babybokal · 09-15-2002, 06:26 PM

Well, like I said, I've never taken antibiotics, and when I have a sinus headache nothing helps...Tylenol, aspirin, Advil, Aleve, nothing...the only thing tht works is Sudafed. When I was having frequent headaches my mom used to carry two Sudafed in her purse, and so did I, so I didn't have to suffer.

I know decongestants are really strong stuff, but for me it's the only thing that works...

shenacat · 09-15-2002, 11:51 PM

Yes food allergies can cause all sorts of weird things. They may not be TRUE "Allergies" but intolerances or reactions of a sort that I have no other name for but allergies, although an allergy doc would not call it that!!

There is something called 'nasal irrigation' that may benefit you. Basically you pump a solution up your nose, through your sinuses to clean them out. People say it does wonders, and really helps when nothing else does. Myself, I am too chicken to try it!!

Try a websearch, there are instructions and irrigators you can get.

MaLee · 09-16-2002, 01:49 AM

We had crabs Saturday evening and ever since then my sinuses clogged again, pressure by my eye, running nose, etc. (There were starting to clear up a little before.) Also, it usually goes "straight through my system". Seafood allergies would REALLY SUCK!!! And we do have it year round, if it's not fresh, it's frozen fresh for later. Crawfish, crabs, fish, and shrimp - I think if that is the problem, I will suffer with the sinuses.

Pattyannruss · 09-16-2002, 02:24 AM

I from experience can say YES! food/ingredients do cause allergies!
I lived through 5 months of hives last year. Was on 3 dif allergy meds at once and still suffered untill I statred Gluc XR!

I still have mild iritation from time to time. But thankfully no major out breaks lately.

My trigger.... High Carbs!(SUGAR)That builds over time. In other words if I eat too much high carb foods and snacks the symptoms start. If I don't cut back they progressively get worse symptoms.

My symptoms include....

Itchy skin
Tender scalp, painful at times just to move hair.

Sensitive to a very sore mouth,sore throat.(also dependeing on what I consume)

Sensitive to bug bites(Itchier than usuall,more swelling involved)

Sinus conditions that very at times(presure,earaches,yellow/bloody drainage, nose sores, headahes) All depends on how long I go.

Sun sensitive(eyes)

Welts/Hives

Hands and feet swell.

At the worst times my face and neck swell up.(Very scary!)

Now for how I treated it after trial and errors.....

Allegra in the morning.(Mild to med symptoms)

Zyrtec at bedtime.(Add at bed time if I develope more severe symptoms)

Predazone for the extreme cases of face and tongue swelling.
(10 days of hell)This is only for really bad syptoms that the other combined meds won't control.

Then I ween off the last back to the first.

I have been able to go without all the meds for sometime now with the help of eliminateing the foods I'm aware cause the symptoms. Sugar/candy is the worst for me!

But now with the weather changing and the heat systems kicking on, I am starting my Allegra again.(Dust/mold allergy too!)
I just went to a B-day party today and got bit by masqitos or something and instantly started itching and sratching.

I wish you luck,
Please let me know if I can help with anything.

Patty

StaciM · 09-16-2002, 04:29 AM

YES, food allergies CAN cause sinus problems! Case in point is Eggs for me! This last year has been horrible for me with regards to sinus infections. I was on antibiotics for over 9 months for the same infection. It would go away for about 2 weeks and then come back. After going through a month of prednisone and antibiotics, we cleared up the infection and my ENT sent me to an Allergist.

I knew that I had lots of environmental allergies and I always blamed my stuffy nose in the morning on pollen and dust in the air. What a total surprise when I came up really allergic to Eggs! Btw, Eggs were my favorite food and since I had been eating a lower carb diet, I had been eating eggs quite a few times a week. I have been tested for food allergies before and never reacted. So I was totally blown away when I came up allergic to eggs. I kept questioning my doctor about that result because I didn't believe it! LOL

Anyway, I came off of eggs and anything made with eggs. Took just about a week to see the difference! I could actually breath out of my nose when I woke up in the morning! I tested it out and not only did I find it made a difference with my nose, but I stopped retaining water and my bouts of diarrhea lessened tremendously!

So, again, YES, food allergies CAN cause sinus problems. Other than catching the flu a couple of weeks ago and ending up with an infection, it had been over 5 months since I had a sinus infection. I'm also going through allergy shots so eventually I can be off of Allegra. My recommendation is to go to an Allergist. Has made a great difference with me!

MyJourney · 09-16-2002, 10:23 AM

Hi Ladies,

I know the suffering of allergies and sinusitis.
Regarding the 1st, I've read (but have yet to try) that Homeopathy can really help with allergies.]
Regarding the 2nd, acupuncture! Yes, the fastest relief I have ever had for congested sinuses was acupuncture. My healer put needles in the sinus areas and it all went away!
My healer also suggested heating large crystal salt in a dry frying pan (let it cool a bit), putting it into a sock and applying it like a compress to the face. That gives some relief but not much.

HTH, Oshrat

MaLee · 09-17-2002, 03:12 AM

Thanks for the information! I will definitly ask the ENT tomorrow about it. Hopefully, he can recommend a Good Allergy dr. - I HATE the dumba** I have now. He tried to tell me it was cat allergies that was causing my sinus troubles. Even though, I do not, did not, nor will not ever own a cat. (Sorry, I'm just NOT animal person.) They did a skin test on my back. They told me that if I was allergic to any of the things they were testing me for, it would appear larger than the histene (sp?) control. The nurse who did it said it was one of the largest histene controls she has seen. (Think the palm of your hand.) The cat spot was smaller than a dime but was "a little irregularly shaped" She had to go ask about 3 different people about it. They said " Well, since that is all that showed up, that must be it." The dr. never saw the test and told me "Of course that's it. Take your Flonase or Rhinocourt and let me know if you decide to do allergy shots." When I asked about food allergies, he said those were unnessary since it was cat I was allergic to. Besides, allergy shots don't help food allergies." AARRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH!!!

My DH came with and also said the Dr. was a quack! We both believe he just wants the allergy shot money.
So, hopefully tomorrow things go better.

P.S. The idiot nurse told me she forgot to trace the histene control (they are supposed to trace the results from the back.) So, she just drew it in, but (and I quote) "it was actually much larger than what I drew." AAARGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHH!!!

StaciM · 09-17-2002, 03:17 AM

Sounds like a good plan to get a new Allergist! What a bunch of goofs! Eventhough allergy shots don't work for food, it's important to know if you are allergic to any so that you can avoid them. Staying away from eggs has been really helpful for me. Good luck with your search!

P.S. When I asked my ENT for a recommendation to an Allergist, I asked him who was the best. Not just who is out there. I didn't want to mess around.

patu · 09-17-2002, 09:20 AM

Here is a link, where is a lot of talk about allergies. Maybe reading some of those articles can give you a better idea what is going on
http://www.msnbc.com/news/MSNSP-fallallergy_Front.asp

Good luck, and hopfully you will find help soon!

I personally get a runny nose every time I drank beer