Sinus congestion...die-off or fungal infection?
hi everyone,
I have been taking a combination of antibioticsi and antimicrobial herbal supplementsi for about 4 months now without knowing exactly what I'm infected with...probably borrelia, and I'm still waiting to find out results for the usual coinfections, and going to get tested for Cpni and mycoplasma this week.
I was on doxyi 200mg x2 for 2 months, then switched to Ceftin 500 x 2 for the last 2 months, and started taking Japanese Knotweed and Cat's Claw at the same time that I started the Ceftin, since these are supposed to kill borrelia and other bacteria as well.
I've also been taking 2400 mg NACi, in case I have Cpn, and to help my liver handle the antibiotics. I started at 1500 mg for a few weeks before going up to 2400 mg. The first sinus flare happened I think a couple of weeks after starting the NAC and increasing my herbs, and there didn't seem to be enough of a direct link to the NAC for me to think it was that. After the congestion seemed to linger I thought it was probably die-off of some kind (yay!) but after reading through some old posts here I'm now wondering if I've just given myself fungal sinusitis from the antibiotics and herbs.
Another reason I'm wondering about the fungal possibility is that I never had a sinus problem in my life before taking a different antibiotic herb (andrographis) a few years ago (I didn't know it had antibiotic properties at the time). The congestion began the first or second day I took it and was the worst in the months after I stopped the herb, which I was on for several weeks.
Is there a sinus-specific antifungal remedy I could try to see if that's what the problem is? I'm taking plenty of probiotics and don't seem to have fungal/candida symptoms anywhere else. The congestion is tolerable, but if it's fungal I don't want it getting any worse than it is now.
thanks-
Brown
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What you might want to try is a saline sinus rinse. Here's a link to the one my husband uses: http://www.drugstore.com/neilmed-sinus-rinse-regular-bottle-kit/qxp142210?catid=183027
BUT put a teaspoon of virgin coconut oil in it. The warm solution will melt the oil and carry it into your sinuses. I've done it myself. It's perfectly safe. The oil has anti-viral, anti-microbial, anti-protozoal and anti-fungal properties. Whatever is causing you problems...the oil will help. I'd suggest once a day at least until the problem clears.
M.S., Dxi 1/2006, CAPi 6/2010. Currently: 200 mg Doxyi, 1 g Amoxi, 250 mg Azithro (MWF), 1 g Tinii (5 d pulse), 2400 mg NACi, 3.5 mg LDNi, 10 g Vit D, 800 mg Vit E, 1 g Vit C, 400 mg ALA, 800 mg ALC, 1 g EPO, 30,000 mcg B-12
Are you taking plenty of "gut bugs"?
Rica
3/9 Symptoms returning. Began 5 abxi protocol 5/9 Rifampin 600, Amox 1000, Doxyi 200, MWF Azith 250, flagyli 1000 daily. Began Sept 04 PPMSi EDSSi 6.7 Now good days EDSS 1 Mind, like parachute, work only when open. Charlie Chan In for the duration.
Thanks for the coconut oil suggestion, Jen. Does it irritate at all to put that into your sinuses? I've used a neti pot before but not with anything added, other than the salt.
Rica- I am taking 2-3 probiotic caps every day, and they are supposed to contain 30 billion bugs, I think, of 12 different strains. It seems to be doing the trick for my intestines. On the whole, my stomach and bowels have been better since starting antibioticsi & herbs. Are they supposed to help the entire body, too? I've always wondered about this, and can see how some parts (like the sinuses) might not be affected.
That amount of oil won't cause any harm. Besides it's anti-inflammatory. My ENT doc wasn't pleased when I told him I was putting it in my nasal rinse, but it never hurt me or caused any problems.
Feel free to use less if your more comfortable with that.
M.S., Dxi 1/2006, CAPi 6/2010. Currently: 200 mg Doxyi, 1 g Amoxi, 250 mg Azithro (MWF), 1 g Tinii (5 d pulse), 2400 mg NACi, 3.5 mg LDNi, 10 g Vit D, 800 mg Vit E, 1 g Vit C, 400 mg ALA, 800 mg ALC, 1 g EPO, 30,000 mcg B-12
You could also use grapefruit seed extract nasal spray 2-3 times per day. This will keep fungal infectionsi at bay (as recommended to me by Dr Powell).
It is better to believe than to disbelieve; in doing so, it brings everything into the realm of possibility (Einstein)
CFSi/FM (2001); 'probable' MSi; Cpni; EBVi; HHV6; Chronic sinusitis/bronchitis/allergies
Cool. I'll have to try that. Never knew it came as a nasal spray.
M.S., Dxi 1/2006, CAPi 6/2010. Currently: 200 mg Doxyi, 1 g Amoxi, 250 mg Azithro (MWF), 1 g Tinii (5 d pulse), 2400 mg NACi, 3.5 mg LDNi, 10 g Vit D, 800 mg Vit E, 1 g Vit C, 400 mg ALA, 800 mg ALC, 1 g EPO, 30,000 mcg B-12
It's great Jen. I don't know about the US, but over here in Aus we can buy it readily in health shops. Otherwise I just get it online when I do my supplement order from iherb :-)
It is better to believe than to disbelieve; in doing so, it brings everything into the realm of possibility (Einstein)
CFSi/FM (2001); 'probable' MSi; Cpni; EBVi; HHV6; Chronic sinusitis/bronchitis/allergies
I might have to add some of this to my next order, too....thanks for the tip!