Hi Everyone,
I'm generally found over on the CD Forum, But I've also got Akylosing Spondylitis which I treat with Enbrel. On top of that, the CD has given me more trouble with URIs than anyone would imagine. I'm at the point now where my last ENT (a CD-ENT Specialist) actually told me that I had done all the right things and that he was embarrassed to admit he couldn't be of any further help to me. Sigh.
Anyway, CaMom recently posted on the CD Forum about Remicade and URIs and I realized that anyone else using anti-TNFs with recurrent sinus or chest infections might get some help from some of the things that I've been doing. Using saline or a combination of saline, bactroban and baking soda, I've been able to stay off systemic antibiotics for sinus and chest infections for 5 years now. Before I started doing this I couldn't stay off antibiotics for 5 weeks. I was always chronically infected and that was before I started using imunnosuppressants.
So, if this is a problem for you, plese read through the info on the thread below. Feel free to email me or ask any questions that you might have. Sinus pain can be so debilitating and even more so if these infections are delaying treatment with the other meds we need.
Feel good everyone!
Thanks, Keah!
Keah, I have chronic sinusitis and have been to a specialist. He told me it was an occupational hazard, because I work in the education system, and am often in close contact with little ones who have colds etc.
I often have to take antibiotics, strong ones for a 6 week period to try and get rid of it. The pain behind my eyes makes it hard to read, concentrate or do my job which involves reading statistics to analyze standardized test results. I am presently on disability for other reasons. However, even when I am at home and not near the children I still get the chronic sinusitis.
I am wondering about mold in my home, because we have had several floods in the basement until I got the weeping tiles redone. This house is sixty years old. I also think I may have had some bad insulation sprayed in the attic. I am not sure. My first husband was a journeyman carpenter and in the late eighties he applied for some government program, an incentive program, to get the attic insulated. I do not know what it was, just remember these big trucks blowing some kind of insulation in. Shortly after the attic insulation my first husband was killed in an accident.
I remarried 5 years ago. However it took my new husband almost two years to get his Canadian work permit. Then I took ill in September of 2004 and had to go without any salary for 3 months before disability started. I had been ill for quite awhile, but I was able to still work until this year. Needless to say, I just can not afford to have a mold inspection or attic inspection. I also can not afford to move. I have been using saline solutions, secaris gel and minimal use of sinus and allergy tabs in between antibiotics. I am diabetic with high blood pressure and I find the tablets really dry out my sinuses.
I am due to go on Humira this week and am worried about the sinus problem. I would appreciate any info you could give me on how you got rid of these debilitating sinus problems. Sorry this post was so long. judy
I often have to take antibiotics, strong ones for a 6 week period to try and get rid of it. The pain behind my eyes makes it hard to read, concentrate or do my job which involves reading statistics to analyze standardized test results. I am presently on disability for other reasons. However, even when I am at home and not near the children I still get the chronic sinusitis.
I am wondering about mold in my home, because we have had several floods in the basement until I got the weeping tiles redone. This house is sixty years old. I also think I may have had some bad insulation sprayed in the attic. I am not sure. My first husband was a journeyman carpenter and in the late eighties he applied for some government program, an incentive program, to get the attic insulated. I do not know what it was, just remember these big trucks blowing some kind of insulation in. Shortly after the attic insulation my first husband was killed in an accident.
I remarried 5 years ago. However it took my new husband almost two years to get his Canadian work permit. Then I took ill in September of 2004 and had to go without any salary for 3 months before disability started. I had been ill for quite awhile, but I was able to still work until this year. Needless to say, I just can not afford to have a mold inspection or attic inspection. I also can not afford to move. I have been using saline solutions, secaris gel and minimal use of sinus and allergy tabs in between antibiotics. I am diabetic with high blood pressure and I find the tablets really dry out my sinuses.
I am due to go on Humira this week and am worried about the sinus problem. I would appreciate any info you could give me on how you got rid of these debilitating sinus problems. Sorry this post was so long. judy
Post Edited (effie) : 6/14/2005 3:40:54 AM (GMT-6)
If you know anything about mold or other enviornmental issues that could cause health problems, I'd like to know also.
Though a lot of the constant and severe problems started for me during my last pregnancy, they got even worse since I moved 3 years ago this July. I wonder if this house or area is doing something to us - though we're only 12 miles west of our last place, it is very different terrain and temperature if you can believe it. My kids who are never sick are sick a lot (though I know starting school may have something to do with it) - but even my mom complains "something is not right" when she visits....so, she rarely does.
Good luck Effie in starting Humeria.
**
thanks camama. I think there is alot more to this environmental stuff. Too bad the tests are so costly. judt
Post Edited (effie) : 6/16/2005 8:14:23 AM (GMT-6)
Hey Gang,
I have done quite a bit of research on the mold found in homes, when I was working for an atty. The mold we have in our homes will not cause sinus infections, in fact most homes's levels of mold are less than molds found in the air outside. All data available state mold in the home is not the culprit. They would state it could cause an exacerbation because of the small percentage. Hope this helps, Susie
PS: I have always had bad sinus problems, keeping your sinus' flushed with saline is very beneficial.
I have done quite a bit of research on the mold found in homes, when I was working for an atty. The mold we have in our homes will not cause sinus infections, in fact most homes's levels of mold are less than molds found in the air outside. All data available state mold in the home is not the culprit. They would state it could cause an exacerbation because of the small percentage. Hope this helps, Susie
PS: I have always had bad sinus problems, keeping your sinus' flushed with saline is very beneficial.
But, can it harm immune systems or cause illness in general? I wonder. Especially if you are already sensitive to things?
I still want to find out about enviornmental factors that could cause illness. I'm still not convinced my issues are 100% self inflicted (okay, not the right term, but you get the idea) - I still think there might be an external factor helping them along.
**
Hi Effie, I'm sorry I haven't been around much. I had a crazy week last week and then was away for the weekend.
Straydog is right, most of the molds in homes are "safe" and do not cause any real illnesses unless you are allergic. Then you might have a bit of a problem.
Chronic sinusitis can have horrible effects on our lives. I've had it for many, many years and can't tell you enough about how good it is to be able to control it without needing to resort to the systemic antibiotics that upset the balance in my intestines.
Please, read the link that I posted above. Feel free to ask any questions youhave about the info I posted. I'll be glad to answer you. Also, it's going to be a busy few weeks ahead, so if I don't answer, please email me. I may not get here, but I do read my mail daily.
Humira will make you more susceptible to sinus infections, so you really should consider my "concoction" and at least give it a try. I wasn't so sure it would work at first, but I now swear by it.
I hope the Humira goes well and you start feeling better soon.
Straydog is right, most of the molds in homes are "safe" and do not cause any real illnesses unless you are allergic. Then you might have a bit of a problem.
Chronic sinusitis can have horrible effects on our lives. I've had it for many, many years and can't tell you enough about how good it is to be able to control it without needing to resort to the systemic antibiotics that upset the balance in my intestines.
Please, read the link that I posted above. Feel free to ask any questions youhave about the info I posted. I'll be glad to answer you. Also, it's going to be a busy few weeks ahead, so if I don't answer, please email me. I may not get here, but I do read my mail daily.
Humira will make you more susceptible to sinus infections, so you really should consider my "concoction" and at least give it a try. I wasn't so sure it would work at first, but I now swear by it.
I hope the Humira goes well and you start feeling better soon.
Hi all. Personal story here for those of you with "mold" issues. I moved last May and the place I lived before that seemed a great place to live. Then the vapour barrier went in the upstairs bedrooms. From what the contractors could see the breach was very small but with the way that the townhouse had been built 35 years before there was alot of open space between the bricks and the walls. Therefore when it got cold, the cold air could move freely in the walls for a huge distance. We ended up with black mold growing in the corners of our bedroom and the kids bedroom across the hall. (2 different breaches) My kids went from hardly any allergies to having severe respiratory issues in a matter of 6 months. There were many nights that my son would cough for so long that he would throw up. We got him tested for allergies and part of that was an asthma breathing test. His breath volume barely read on the chart. I firmly believe and the allergist confirmed it that the kids exposure to the black mold caused the asthma. Not all mold is bad and I agree with everyone else that generally there is more mold spores outside then you would ever find in your house but be on the lookout for black mold growth. Check you attic yourself. Often bathroom fans are vented to the attic in older homes instead of directly outside. Check for black, wet mold growth. That is the kind that is really bad for the respiratory system and can case numerous health issues with long term exposure. I have a friend that does inspections for the school board for their portables and he came to my house and checked out the mold and he was the one that put the pressure on me to get my condo to do something about the issue. Our allergies and asthma has gotten considerably better since we moved to our new house. Although I live in a new home subdivision with all the dust blowing around we are healthier here.
Hope that gives you some insight.
Oreo
Hope that gives you some insight.
Oreo
Worry not for tomorrow, for tomorrow will take care of itself.
Remember healing comes one step at a time, sometimes it seems that its one forward and 2 back but ultimately, always in a forward direction!!!
Help HealingWell continue to help people. Please donate today. Every little bit helps. To donate go to www.healingwell.com/donate
Thanks for the info, Oreo.
I'm guessing since I live in a sub-desert, we probably dont have that black mold too often like you described as it gets too hot probably to have it wet all year round. However, my folks claim there is "something not right" about my enviornment here and my mom falls ill every time she visits. She feels there is something envoirnmental that is causing my health issues as they have gotten so much worse since we moved here....the house is not that old (89 or so) - so, it's hard to know.
I wonder how you can get mold checked w/o paying an arm and a leg.
**
Keah and CaMama,
Hi boy this sure is interesting,I have been having problem's finally had to have my Toncils taken out back in March and now I'am having bad problems with my sinuses.
I have a cyst in my sinus cavitiy and no matter what we try nothing helps.Now I was on Remicade for all most a year,and have been off of it for about nine months.
Now my question is could this be from the remicade?Right now the way thing's are going my ENT is talking sinus surgery.I don't want to have it,but if it will give me some relife.Any reply would be great.
Curley.....
a.k.aMela.......
Hi boy this sure is interesting,I have been having problem's finally had to have my Toncils taken out back in March and now I'am having bad problems with my sinuses.
I have a cyst in my sinus cavitiy and no matter what we try nothing helps.Now I was on Remicade for all most a year,and have been off of it for about nine months.
Now my question is could this be from the remicade?Right now the way thing's are going my ENT is talking sinus surgery.I don't want to have it,but if it will give me some relife.Any reply would be great.
Curley.....
a.k.aMela.......
Mela, the chronic infections are most deinitely related to Remicade. The literature available all lists chronic Upper Repsiratory Infections as side effects. The info that I posted about mixing Bactroban into saline can and will help with those infections. Unfortunatley, if you have a cyst or polyp that is obstructing air flow or drainage, you may still need to have it surgically removed.
If you do need surgery, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE discuss al the possibilites with your ENT and have him guarrantee to disrupt as little of your normal structure as possible.
Print this article for your ENT to read. This is what happened to me after my sinus surgery and it has been a nightmare.
http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BUM/is_7_79/ai_64507653
I hope that youcan avoid surgery, but if the cyst or polyp must come out, having your ENT aware of the possible outcomes of surgery will be crucial to your post op treatment and recovery.
Please, feel free to ask me any questions. Go back to my first post and read everything on the thread on the CD forum. If I don't reply to you soon enough, send me an email. This may be a hectic week for me, so I may not be reading as much here as I would like, I do however, read my email everyday.
Be well.
If you do need surgery, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE discuss al the possibilites with your ENT and have him guarrantee to disrupt as little of your normal structure as possible.
Print this article for your ENT to read. This is what happened to me after my sinus surgery and it has been a nightmare.
http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BUM/is_7_79/ai_64507653
I hope that youcan avoid surgery, but if the cyst or polyp must come out, having your ENT aware of the possible outcomes of surgery will be crucial to your post op treatment and recovery.
Please, feel free to ask me any questions. Go back to my first post and read everything on the thread on the CD forum. If I don't reply to you soon enough, send me an email. This may be a hectic week for me, so I may not be reading as much here as I would like, I do however, read my email everyday.
Be well.
Curley,
Please let us know how today went.
My 2 cents in your question about Remicade:
1. When did your cyst and sinus problems start in relation to when you stopped the Remicade. If you've been off of it for 9 months, I would think technically your body should be rid of the med. but, if this problem started relatively close to 9 months ago, or even 6 - then, it could be from it.
2. On the flip side of #1 - your body is more prone to infection by having an auto-immune disease in general. I hear that by stopping remicade, often your body can have a larger than normal attack on itself as it realizes the Remicade is no longer there. That would cause Remicade to be sort of a secondary reason behind why this is happening.
I hear my daughter crying....gotta go...good luck, let us know what happens. We're prarying for your non-surgical recovery.
**
Mela, the cyst you have is just your bodies response to something foreign in the cavity. I had a cyst in one of my nasal cavities for years before I was even Dx with arthritis. It is probably not related to the remicade but I would not rule it out. Sometimes the cycts rupture and empty on their own and sometimes they need surgery to be removed. If it is not causing you much discomfort then I would leave it alone and play it by ear. If it gets worse you can always get it removed later. Talk with your Dr. about it and see what they say.
Oreo
Oreo
Worry not for tomorrow, for tomorrow will take care of itself.
Remember healing comes one step at a time, sometimes it seems that its one forward and 2 back but ultimately, always in a forward direction!!!
Help HealingWell continue to help people. Please donate today. Every little bit helps. To donate go to www.healingwell.com/donate
I had severe sinus clog for 3 years, and doc hinted at syurgery. I found Sinus Busters [a capsaisin - pepper spray, and it was magic. Clear as a bell. You can find it with a google search. It worked for my son, and his doc is now recommending it. The sinus drain into my lungs kept me chronically wheezing, and my be related to the sudden deveopment of rheumatoid arthritis, for which I am still trying to get relief from. MTX, Imuran and the NSAID's did nothing, and I started Enbrel yesterday. wrcs
welcome WRCS!
wow, what an ordeal you've been through! so you had a drain from your sinus from your lungs? i'm not sure if i'm reading it right. like a shunt? i wish you well with the enbrel. will you continue the other meds while on enbrel? perhaps this will kick start everything! i was on enbrel for a year for RA and AS. it helped somewhat. but mine is so severe that it only helped a little for like only 3 months. what dosage of enbrel are you taking? the 25mg or 50mg singles? but if this is new onset RA...your chances of getting GREAT results are super!
i wish you the best!
sincerely,
erin
wow, what an ordeal you've been through! so you had a drain from your sinus from your lungs? i'm not sure if i'm reading it right. like a shunt? i wish you well with the enbrel. will you continue the other meds while on enbrel? perhaps this will kick start everything! i was on enbrel for a year for RA and AS. it helped somewhat. but mine is so severe that it only helped a little for like only 3 months. what dosage of enbrel are you taking? the 25mg or 50mg singles? but if this is new onset RA...your chances of getting GREAT results are super!
i wish you the best!
sincerely,
erin
Thanks for the welcome. My GP Doc thought my sinuses were draining into my lungs, creating a chronic lung infection/congestion. He gave me a round of hi potency/hi priced antibiotic, but then I found Sinus Busters on the net, and have had no more sinus clog for 18 months. Then I got prostatitis, and had another round of antibiotic, and a week later[16 months ago] woke up with severe Rheumatoid Arthritis in wrists and hands only.I am now[7/26 first shot] taking 50mg/ml Enbrel weekly...so far cannot tell anything after 50 hours, and I hope it works.
Medicare Eligibles!!!! Medicare will pay for most to all the cost of Enbrel, and certain other drugs under a [Medicare part D] Medicare Replaement Drug Demonstration program..Look up at:
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/researchers/demos/drugcoveragedemo.asp
or call 1-866-563-5386 M-F . Big financial help for a few limited and expensive meds...but for medicare Eligibles only. wrcs