COPD & Emphysema Support Group
COPD is a progressive disease characterized by airflow obstruction or limitation. Emphysema is characterized by loss of elasticity of the lung tissue, destruction of structures supporting the alveoli and of capillaries feeding the alveoli. Both have symptoms that include shortness of breath, among other respiratory troubles. If you are a COPD or Emphysema sufferer, join...
Hi. I am new to this forum and am seeking information related to intense sinus infections.
I am a 56 yo male who was diagnosed with late stage emphysema in 2008. I managed to continue to work until 2011 when an xray revealed that I may have had lung cancer. Long story short, a biop was performed and the test for cancer was negative.
However, the needle biop caused two separate instances of pneumo-thorax, collapsing my lungs twice. I was in the hospital for two weeks. When I was released, I could never breathe the same again and was relegated to Disability and moved in with my daughter in Colorado.
The problems started when I moved from MO to CO. 6 months after I moved, I developed a severe sinus infection which moved into my lungs. I was bedridden from January through April of 2011. I could physically walk, but after 3 steps I would be breathing so hard that I would hyperventilate.
After several rounds of various antibiotics, I managed to get back on my feet somewhat, but had lost significant walking function. I began using a cane to help support myself. In June of the same year, the sinus infection came back with the same results. It took four months again and several rounds of antibiotics to get over the second attack.
However, the scenario persists. The infections are back-to-back now. I may have one or two good days after 4 or more rounds of antibiotics, and then a new sinus infection begins. It is literally killing me.
My pfc was at over 50% when I moved to Colorado in 2011. It is now at 19%. I am soon needing a mobility cart just to go to the lobby of my apartment to get my mail. Last year I used 26 rounds of antibiotics. I cannot keep doing this. I have a good pulminologist at Nat'l Jewish Hospital and he is baffled.
I need to know if anyone has dealt with this type of crippling infection as it relates to emphysema, and would like to know if anyone has a possible remedy. I don't think I will survive another year of this, given that my lung function is below 20%.
We have tried the following with no results
* Budesonide treatments:
* Daily sinus flushes
* Adding Johnsons baby shampoo to the flush (Dr ordered)
because it has antibacterial additives, and it breaks up snus matter
*Full range of allergy meds even though two allergy tests showed I have
no allergies
* Sinus surgery, xrays, CT scans
I would appreciate any feedback if anyone has experienced this or has any ideas.
Thanks.
I am a 56 yo male who was diagnosed with late stage emphysema in 2008. I managed to continue to work until 2011 when an xray revealed that I may have had lung cancer. Long story short, a biop was performed and the test for cancer was negative.
However, the needle biop caused two separate instances of pneumo-thorax, collapsing my lungs twice. I was in the hospital for two weeks. When I was released, I could never breathe the same again and was relegated to Disability and moved in with my daughter in Colorado.
The problems started when I moved from MO to CO. 6 months after I moved, I developed a severe sinus infection which moved into my lungs. I was bedridden from January through April of 2011. I could physically walk, but after 3 steps I would be breathing so hard that I would hyperventilate.
After several rounds of various antibiotics, I managed to get back on my feet somewhat, but had lost significant walking function. I began using a cane to help support myself. In June of the same year, the sinus infection came back with the same results. It took four months again and several rounds of antibiotics to get over the second attack.
However, the scenario persists. The infections are back-to-back now. I may have one or two good days after 4 or more rounds of antibiotics, and then a new sinus infection begins. It is literally killing me.
My pfc was at over 50% when I moved to Colorado in 2011. It is now at 19%. I am soon needing a mobility cart just to go to the lobby of my apartment to get my mail. Last year I used 26 rounds of antibiotics. I cannot keep doing this. I have a good pulminologist at Nat'l Jewish Hospital and he is baffled.
I need to know if anyone has dealt with this type of crippling infection as it relates to emphysema, and would like to know if anyone has a possible remedy. I don't think I will survive another year of this, given that my lung function is below 20%.
We have tried the following with no results
* Budesonide treatments:
* Daily sinus flushes
* Adding Johnsons baby shampoo to the flush (Dr ordered)
because it has antibacterial additives, and it breaks up snus matter
*Full range of allergy meds even though two allergy tests showed I have
no allergies
* Sinus surgery, xrays, CT scans
I would appreciate any feedback if anyone has experienced this or has any ideas.
Thanks.
Hope you can get this figured out to help you. Sounds like you may have more going on so maybe a second opinion or two?
Best wishes and hope you get the help you need.
have you been checked for a fungal/yeast infection in your sinus' ?(i got one in my ears once due to so many antibiotics trying to clear up ear infection)
are you on 02?
do you change your canula regularly? (i was told weekly)
do you use the humidifier bottle & if so do you use distilled water in it?(regular water has bacteria in it)
i am a 'fanatic' about changing my hoses & canula often---especially after any illness.
i have personally found that keeping moisture in my nose is a big contributor.
also an antibacterial or a saline type "nose lubricant" helps moisturize my nose & keep the infections down (as many bacteria have a hard time living in salt)
i also found the ol netti pot wonderful, but once again distilled water with the saline packets in it & it being sanitized after every use.
have you gone to an "ear nose throat specialist" & perhaps had a culture done so they can narrow it down?
here's a link that covers A LOT of info about sinus infections
http://www.sinuses.com/faq.htm
Hot showers help me and sinus rinses help but done bake me feel worse...I like the pre mixed Ocean brand spray with the nozzle at the top.
Have they checked your heart?
If you can afford it or get insurance to cover it, I would absolutely have the above linked test available from Quest.
Hugs.