Antibiotics

Jennifer,
Hi hon. Boy do I know what it is like to have horrible sinus infections and pain. I have chronic sinus problems and at least once a year have to go on a 3 month antibotic stretch which always causes a flare. I guess it boils down to the worst of two evils. I have battled both sinuses and CD for years. ....usually tried to put up with my sinuses until they showed up on an MRI as horribly infected and dangerous. Sinuses are quite litterally connected to your brain.....the danger of serious sinus infections is that the infection can lead to other more serious complications such as encephalitis etc.
Most antibiotics will affect your gut. My way of trying to minimize the damage is to take the antibiotic with food.....lots, and lots and lots of liquids. ...and probiotics in an attempt to keep the flora in my intestines to be completely overun. It doesn't always work, which means that I have to resort to tackling one problem at a time
There are naturapathic methods also of dealing with infected sinuses....I'm hoping someone here will be able to give you advice. I've tried the sinus lavage but have deviated septums so that doesn't work.I feel for you.......I've gone to so many family camping trips etc with pounding headaches and
ecrutiating pain in face and jaw and ears. Darling I hope you find a solutions to this soon.
Hang in there in the meantime.....my thoughts and prayers are with you.

tired old Mary

Jennifer, I have chronic sinusitis along with Crohn's.  I've taken Omnicef a few times in the last 4 years for sinus infections.  It did give me D, but that went away after I finished the Omnicef.  For me at least, it didn't really cause a "flare," just temporary increased D.  But you might be different.  Who knows?

A probiotic is a good idea - even just eating a yogurt or two everyday may be a good idea while you're on the antibiotic.

From your description of your sinus infection (especially your teeth hurting), it sounds like your maxillary sinus(es) are infected - they're the ones below your eyes and above your top teeth.  When I'd get an infection there, my top teeth would hurt too.

Along with the antibiotic, and the yogurt/probiotic, consider the following things to help clear the sinus infection:

*Warm showers.

*Drinks lots of warm liquids (not cold liquids).  Even warm water if you prefer.

*OTC decongestants, ie, sudafed.  Decongestant nasal sprays are very helpful for short term use (2-3 days, not longer or you get dependent on them).  Maybe just use the spray at night for the next 3-4 nights.

*Mucinex, which thins the mucus and helps it drain better (may cause mild upset stomach, but I never had a problem with that).

*Saline nasal spray - get this and use a ton of it, like 10 or 20 times a day give a couple of squirts into your nose.  Don't worry about overdoing this - it's just salt water.

*Steam inhalations - heat up some water on the stovetop and hold your head over it, breathing it in through your nose.

Why don't you call your doctor for his opinion on the antibiotic? Even if he can't see you, he may be available by phone. If he isn't, then he has to have coverage. All doctors have 24 hour coverage if they aren't available. That way you'd have two opinions and hopefully one would be your regular doctor.

Fitzy, I'm a little puzzled about using a steroid with infection present The reason I say this is because when my knee was swollen the rheumatologist had to wait until he got the lyme disease test back before he injected it- said it would not be a good idea to pump steroid into an infected joint. Maybe its dosage related?

Zithromax is one of the antibiotics used to fight MAP, so it shouldn't exacerbate Crohn's, and can be used to fight a sinus infection.

A steroid nasal spray is good to reduce inflammation, which can lead to a bacterial infection. However, once the bacterial infection has set in, then it doesn't seem like it makes sense to use a steroid nasal spray.