Luckily, my RSD is pretty much under control at the moment, though it isn't liking the weather changes. Neither, it turns out, did my sinuses. So I bit the bullet and went to see my Family Doc.

Now, I see him once a year for Insurance exams, and that's usually IT. I've been scared of doctors my whole life (needle phobia) and once, as a child I wouldn't sleep over at a friend's house b/c I heard her dad was a doc. Turned out he was a shrink, but what did I know at 6 years old? Docs have needles and every time I was IN that house I wondered where they were or if this was a trick by my Mom and her Dad to get me my shots. So the doc knows that if I'm there, something is more than likely, up.

It's been about 3 months now, or close to it, since my allergies REALLY kicked in. So for a long time I just let it be. But recently I began to feel dizzy. I let THAT symptom sit awhile. Then my ears began to hurt. Throat. Eyes crusted/swollen shut in morning. You get the idea. I was having too many sinus migraines and just felt like crap. (excuse the language.)

So today I finally go in and expect him to say it's an infection, as I've been down this road before. Granted, this is about the worst it's been in recent memory, and the exhaustion & dizziness had me worried. But I didn't expect to hear anything but "it's just a slight infection" and "we'll clear it up."

My doc is very easygoing and kind, and we talk a lot as he examines me. We were talking about his upcoming trip to Hawaii and I was recommending some places to visit. When he got quiet, I knew something was up.

Basically my sinuses are so infected that the mucus is almost like glue. I won't say what color, I'd gross you out even more. The infection is in my ears (which explains why I've felt like I'm under water lately) and in my sinus cavities, even near my eyes. One ear is more infected than the other but both are infected. I think it's actually just the tubes going to the ears that get fluid in them and THAT is why they're called "infected".

The sinus infection is on both sides of my face and my throat is raw from drainage. My eyes are crusting over b/c the stuff is so plentiful it tries to escape just about anywhere it can. When I sleep on my right side, I wake with my right eye all swollen and crusted shut. When I sleep on my left side, the left eye gets it. I guess I should be happy that there's Total Equality in my sinus infection. I can't stand inequality. There's no "back of the bus" for MY infection!

My stomach is upset b/c of the drainage, as well. And my inner ear itches SO bad I want to reach in and scratch it! Add to this my inflamed bronchial tubes which have brought me back to an inhaler (I'd had one for years but hadn't used it regularly since I was in my teens or if around cigarette smoke) and fluid in the lungs.

Some might say I have a BAD cold. Or, as my doctor shockingly repeated, double sinus infection (just means both sides are infected) both ears infected (again, it's nice to know that there's no special treatment going on!) and we can't forget the fever (I hadn't heard about THAT as I didn't ask the nurse what it was till after the appt. Well, I guess 102.6 is a bit high for an adult. And then the diagnosis that sounds oddly funny- "Walking Pneumonia". Does that mean I WALK and cough as opposed to laying down and coughing? Apparently it has something to do with my muscle aches but I'm too tired and too confused to figure it out.

I feel like I left something out. My lower back is a mess but I didn't even mention that, but there was something else...oh yeah! I'm a tad bit dehydrated. Might explain another part of the dizziness.

Now, I've been dealing with most of these symptoms off/on for months, but all together, they SUCK. And could've possibly been prevented IF I'd seen the doc as soon as I felt dizzy or noted a change in the mucus, etc. Just SO glad I'm not flying this week. I look and act like a monster. Yesterday I actually stuck a straw partway down my throat b/c it itched SO bad! I also don't recommend doing that as it doesn't really work. It's really the inner ear that was itching and you can't scratch THAT.

My RSD is actually doing well considering the addition of some sleeping pills. It's AMAZING how much easier it is to fight pain when you've had a FULL night's rest. (And then some!) So I was looking forward to this weekend as I often do when the pain is being controlled and the sleep is actually happening.

Oh well, if nothing else, I should at least SLEEP through a lot of this. The med for the sinuses puts me to sleep and I can take my sleeping pill. (I figure half of each should work well.) The prescribed antibiotic is
Azithromycin, and will be over after 5 daily doses.

It's been a long road but I finally have a diagnosis and a treatment plan. I'm praying it doesn't affect the RSD, and the weather changes don't hurt it, either. One disaster at a time would be nice! Damn, my lower back is so messed up that I can't even find a comfy position. Maybe my body is rebelling against me.

In any case, thanks for listening to me vent. I had plans this weekend that were quite obviously ruined due to this diagnosis. Or is it diagnosi? Or just diagnosisses? Too confusing for me!

Hope you're all healthy- and continue to take care of yourselves! :)