hi there,

i was treated in jaw hinge\throat areas in '01 with radiation\chemo. since then - been doing normally ok.

however in the past 6 months, i've gotten a sinus infection about once a month. i brush and swish frequently and get teeth cleaned every 3 months. i've also taken to using salt spray in my noise several times per day.

last week dentist said my teeth are fine, with a bit of gum erosion near back tooth.

i use salt spray to help clean my nose from food going that way.

i see my ENT in a couple of weeks for 6 months checkup.

my question to the group is:
has anyone else had chronic sinus infections and how is it being treated.

my dentist told me that some folks are on continuous low dose antibiotics to get over this problem. i wonder if i'll end up with this type of treatment or something else..

cu,
larryb

Hi Larry

The answer to your question is yes, sinus problems are very common among oral cancer patients. I suffer from them on a daily basis. Its like I have a head cold everyday for months at a time. Not fun, but something you tend to adapt to.

Larry,

How big can I write that "YES!"? I'm 2 years since my last treatment and have had lots of sinus infections. My gastroenterologist (who dilates my throat) agreed that it may very well have something to do with my getting food in my nose so frequently. When I get one, I go on antibiotics and get it cleared up, but I also have prescription Nasonex now that seems so far to be helping to keep my sinuses clear. I've only been using it for a few months, though, so I guess we'll see.

I suppose it's also possible that your 1st infection never really got cleared up all the way and maybe you've been fighting the same infection off and on for 6 months. You might just need another round of really strong antibiotics. You might also ask about the Nasonex, too, though.

Lani

hi Christine and Lani,

thanks for suggestions.

i failed to mention that infections are a big concern because they can cause big time problems for my metal hip.

i just read about Nasonex, and will be sure to ask about it.

i have taken massive doses of Dulfucan (like 30 pills @ 1/day).

then 3 other 10 pill treatments of cephalenix.

all of them seem to get me cleared up for a week or two...
only to have the infection come back.

looking forward to hearing more about sinus infections and treatments.

cu,
larryb
salisbury, md

ps. i was just in Palm Bay, FL visiting my folks and had lunch with some friends at Sebastian Inlet.

Larry,

This is the very best time of year to visit Florida, isn't it - Tourists are gone, snowbirds haven't come down from up north yet, and the weather is incredible - as long as there are no hurricanes aiming for us, that is.

Lani

Larry

Sebastian Inlet is one of my most favorite places in the world. I used to live in Vero Beach and go red fishing way out on the pier. Some of my best memories of when my children were very young are from that place. There used to be the best BBQ restaurant in Vero Beach maybe on US1 or A1A. Long long time ago, but Im sure its still there.

As far as the sinuses go, long story..... I had taken over the counter Advil cold and sinus. I recently got switched to Singular and use Nasonex. I developed some complications from my sinus problems. It was causing my throat to swell up and I had alot of trouble ebing able to swallow. I was then put on a 5 week dose of prednisone, I still had problems so took the Z-Max antibiotic which in turn gave me thrush. That was pretty bad cuz it went into my throat so from there got yet another medicine. Disolving wafers taken 5z a day to fight the thrush.

Overall my sinuses are pretty shot from the radiation. I frequently get scoped by my ENT. Monday is my check up. Im planning on asking him what can be done to fix this if anything. Ive heard that some people get 'vacuumed' out and it works for a while.

Larry,

Do you have allergies? For years I would suffer from sinus infections every winter and frequently at other times of the year, and they would last for weeks. My ENT who treated me for my OC had me tested for allergies, and it came back that I am mildly allergic to a number of things (indoor and outdoor irritants). He also did a CT of my sinuses. He started me on allergy medication in 2005, and since then I have not had any sinus infections. I've taken a few different allergy medications, and currently using Zyrtec and a nasal spray. Just a though to talk to your ENT about. Also, you can develop allergies at any age, so even if you didn't have them as a child you can get them later in life.

I have had chronic sinus infections for years. I have tried systemic corticosteriods like prednisone, ( I am not found of its issues in any long term use) and local steroids like Nasonex to no avail. I have been on various antibiotics with mixed results to no results, but never resolution. Prednisone trashes your stomach. Of course there are issues with long tern antibiotic use as well, assuming you can actually find one that works. It just sucks. The thick post nasal drip actually has caused sleep apnea in me as well. Now I have that to deal with, which makes for nights of little or no REM sleep as the apnea events wake you when they get bad during REM.

thanks for the tips on sinus infections and allergies.

years ago i was tested for allergies... and nothing turned up. however this region is known for a high rate of allergies. i'll talk to my ENT about it. i had thought that infections were different than allergies, and since i responded to antibiotics, that i have an infection problem... could be (as usual), i'm wrong and actually have an allergy.. that might be a good thing, if it means that my hip is safe from infection. i can work around\with my sinus problem, but i don't want it going to my hip!

i'll let you know what the ENT says\recommends\does in a couple of weeks.

cu,
larryb