boy did I need you guys today!

[wanderlost]

Of all the days for the site to be down...argh!

If you read my blog, you might know that I haven't been feeling well. I went to the clinic Friday, and as I already knew, he diagnosed a sinus infection gone upper respiratory...and gave me augmentin. In the back of my mind I vaguely felt that maybe augmentin and I didn't get a long so well, but I kinda brushed it off.

That was Friday. It is now Sunday evening, and my head feels like it is swollen and then placed in a vice being turned to the point of expolsion. Every sinus cavity I have must be completely stuffed with green slime. I mean my cheek bones hurt, my eye balls, between my eyes, my forehead, the top of my head, the back of my head, my upper neck...EXCRUCIATING! I am so miserable.

My lungs feel a bit clearer, though I am still wheezy, but I have no energy or appetite. I truly think it's the augmentin. I remember this was how I felt the last time I took it. Anyone else have such an experience? I don't know what to do to ease my discomfort, as being pregnant I am limited with what I can and am comfortbale taking. I did pop a tylenol this afternoon, but it didn't even dent my pain. I have used my neti pot, heating pad, had many neck and head rubs, have my vaporizer on, used those "shower soothers"....what else can I do? I have to go to work tomorrow, which thinking about is alomst making me sick....I am coughing so much I keep peeing my pants...and every cough makes my head go into spasms....

ARGH!

help me.....please.....

 

[JennifersHope]

Oh I am so sorry you had such a poopie day... I wish I was there to make you a hot cup of tea, ( though with my shakey hands I would probably spill it on you)

Maybe you can put a call into your OB doctor because they know what drugs are safe to take at whatever trimester you are in.

I hate Augmentin, I ususally don't end up staying on it, to many tummy troubles.

Big Hugs to you ,

Jennifer

 

[JazzysMom]

I also am sorry you had a lousy day. I would check with your doctor. I dont have any recommendations for you, sorry! ***HUG***

 

[NoExcuses]

Ah man, I'm sorry to hear you aren't well.

If you're like me and most CFers, you have Pseudo in your sinuses. Augmentin doesn't touch pseudo - so your bacteria aren't being killed by your meds.

I don't know off the top of my head if Quinolones are OK for pregnant women to take. I'll look it up and get back to you. You may want to also look at an oral cephelasporine that has some activity against pseudo that's ok for preg.

Augmentin for sure has the potential to make people feel sick to their stomach.

But if you've been on it for a few days and your head still hurts and you're drained with energy, my guess is that you have pseudo in your sinuses and the Augmentin isn't touching it. And if it's in your URI, your lungs aren't feelin too hot either.

Pseudoephedrine always works well for me when I have sinus problems (Sudafed NOT Sudafed PE). Internasal Steroids work miracles as well (Nasacort AQ, Nasonex) because they will reduce swelling in your nasal terbinates and allow for mucus drainage in your sinuses. Think of it as a clogged drain - you can stuff all the antibiotics in your sinuses that you want - but if things aren't allowed to drain out of your sinuses, you wont' get relief.

Showers don't help me because I am allergic to mold. No matter how much one tries to get rid of mold, its still present in some form, so showers are a no-no for me. But I'm not sure about you.... just keep that in mind.

If you are flushing your sinuses (which I recommend) of course make sure you're not using tap water (lots of bacteria there that can re-infect your sinuses) unless you boild for 10 minutes 1st.

Other than that, i would look into getting a cortisol shot to reduce inflammation (not sure if its ok for preg) and a different antibiotic.

I'll look up Quinolone (Cipro) PI to see if its ok for preg. My initial thought is that it won't be....

 

[Allie]

Everyone has given you wise advice already, but I don't have any of that, sooooo *HUG*

 

[DebbieC]

Keep up with the nasal washes.
To relax, get a bag of frozen peas or lima beans (they are the best shape and size), and a wash cloth and use them as an eye mask when your head is pounding.

 

[ladybug]

Sorry you're feeling so bad today. I can't offer anything more than sending you positive thoughts and hoping you get relief from ANYTHING as soon as possible.

Is there anyway you can call in from work tomorrow if you don't find relief tonight? You need to take care of you and rest if you need to (but, I'm sure you know that).

Hope you're much better soon!

 

[Ratatosk]

I don't have cf, but when I was pregnant, I got a dreadful sinus infection. My doctor prescribed amoxicillian (not as heavy duty as the augmentin), tylenol, sudafed, an expectorant and told me I could use a decongestant nasal spray for three days. I also used saline washes, got some Dr. Bonners peppermint castile soap, which I'd use in the tub to wash my face, then I'd place a hot washcloth on my forehead... Hope you feel better soon. Liza

 

[wanderlost]

Amy - yes, I probably do have pseudo in my sinuses, though I just recently cultured them (type 2) for the first time in my sputum. I have always reacted well to typical antibiotics - even things like zithromax, and I feel better chest wise(things are breaking up, congestion is lessening) from the augmentin. I did however get a fever last night, which my, about a month ago, my son had a fever and kept complaining that his eyes and head hurt - so I am starting to think I have actually ocntracted his little flu bug and that maybe that's what is actually causing all the pain -
I'm at work doped up on tylenol and I am getting by....barely <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> Thanks for the info <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
Karen: actually, I do do acupuncture and was actually thinking of calling. I also have ghee at hime, so I do not think you're crazy, though I generally just cook with the ghee and haven't taken it medicinally - though I know it is in my ayurveda encyclopedia - I don't think my ears are actually stuffy. just my sinuses - i have ear candled before though <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> like minds, eh?

 

[anonymous]

Did a CF doctor put you on Augmentin? I've never heard of using that for a congested CFer. Hope you feel better.

 

[anonymous]

That's what they always give DS when he's had sinus infections.

 

[julie]

I don't have any advice that hasn't already been stated but I just wanted to say I'm thinking about you and hope that you feel better very soon!

 

[skh]

Like Julie, I don't have any advice that hasn't already been passed on but just wanted to let you know that I am thinking of you. Karen, I too was thinking about acupuncture. I have actually done the candle waxing and love it!

 

[NoExcuses]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>wanderlost</b></i>

Amy - yes, I probably do have pseudo in my sinuses, though I just recently cultured them (type 2) for the first time in my sputum. I have always reacted well to typical antibiotics - even things like zithromax, and I feel better chest wise(things are breaking up, congestion is lessening) from the augmentin. I did however get a fever last night, which my, about a month ago, my son had a fever and kept complaining that his eyes and head hurt - so I am starting to think I have actually ocntracted his little flu bug and that maybe that's what is actually causing all the pain -

I'm at work doped up on tylenol and I am getting by....barely <img src=""> Thanks for the info <img src="">

Karen: actually, I do do acupuncture and was actually thinking of calling. I also have ghee at hime, so I do not think you're crazy, though I generally just cook with the ghee and haven't taken it medicinally - though I know it is in my ayurveda encyclopedia - I don't think my ears are actually stuffy. just my sinuses - i have ear candled before though <img src=""> like minds, eh?</end quote></div>

The reason that Zithro works for you to break things up and reduce tightness is it reduces inflammation - most antibiotics do.

But if you want to kill the bacteria, Augmentin and Zithro won't do jack squat.

Cipro is Preg Category C - meaning no tests have really been done. You can read it for yourself <a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.univgraph.com/bayer/INSERTS/CIPROTAB.pdf">http://www.univgraph.com/bayer/INSERTS/CIPROTAB.pdf</a> page 14.

But really, if you're not feeling better, you should call your doc.

Sinus infections, if not treated, can penetrate into the bone.... and then you have REALLY bad problem. Most people don't realize that...

Hope you feel better soon.

 

[wanderlost]

Thanks everone for your warm thoughts...I decided that I am going to give it a few days, as I really think I have the bug my son had a few weeks ago...since my chest is feeling better, I am not as concerned about CF complications.

To the anon peerson, yes, a CF doctor put me of augmentin. I do not do any routine antibiotics in my CF care, and actually rarely take antibiotics at all, which is the reason i think they aren't too aggressive at this point...more of a wait and see kinda thing - along with the pregnancy.

I was feeling decent this morning (tylenol) but now I am back to kinda crappy. I got things in line for tomorrow off work, so I'll be posting, I'm sure <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

thanks again everyone!