Hi,
I have an appointment with a pain doctor the first of September so untill then I will have to deal with the pain.I woke up this morning with terrable pain.Took a hot bath and took some pain meds it has eased up some what.I'am drained,just trying to take it one day at atime.Thanks for your in-put.
Curley........
a.k.a.Mela...........
Curley,
Since you have a cyst in your sinus cavity that is a serious problem that you really need address. Do not let it go. My niece had a cyst in hers and had the surgery and did fine. However, according to the ENT had she not had it done, could have been very bad. Susie
Since you have a cyst in your sinus cavity that is a serious problem that you really need address. Do not let it go. My niece had a cyst in hers and had the surgery and did fine. However, according to the ENT had she not had it done, could have been very bad. Susie
Hi Curley,
I am so saddened to hear that you are suffering. Is it the cyst in your sinus cavity causing you all the pain or something else, like the chrons or arthritis? Or is just everything acting up all at once.
My heart goes out to you.
You mentioned that you had to find a ENT surgeon that was approved by your insurance company. It must be hard to have to be making all the calls when you are already feeling so poorly.
You also mentioned that you have now been informed that the number of prescriptions you can get per month is limited to 5. That is terrible. Some people are just not blessed with good health and need more than 5 prescriptions per month.
When you were on the antibiotics, I know your arthritic pain was worse while you were on the Levaquin, but did it help with the sinus pain?
I totally hate sinus pain and can sympathize. It never lets up and really grates on your nerves. Well at least it does to me, I find I get very irritable from the constant pain.
I do get relief from using a warm compress for 20 minutes, just a wash cloth I have warmed up under hot water and then microwaved for 30 or 40 seconds. After a 20 minute break I then ice my sinuses with a washcloth that I have wet and stuck in a plastic bag in the freezer for about 10 minutes. Then back to the warm cloth. I always finish with the warm cloth. It is very relaxing for me.
I use this for sinus congestion and infections, I have never had a cyst in my sinus cavity. I can not begin to imagine how painful that added pressure must be.
If the antibiotics helped with the sinus pain, perhaps your family doc could give you a sample of something like "Zithromax" to help tide you over before the surgery. It is a broad spectrum antibiotic and works very well on my sinus infections. You take two caplets right away and then one a day for 4 more days. I usually need a couple of extra pills then the normal 6 pack that works for most. Therefore my doctor prescribes me two "Z" packs and I take the first two and then one a day for 7 days. I then save the remaining prescription for the next time I get an infection.
"Zithromax" stays in your system and continues to work for a while, so you do not want to assume that it did not work until at least about 4 days after your last caplet. It is a macrolide antibiotic, somewhat similar to "erythromycin', but much more powerful. It binds itself to a different receptor in the bacterias cell protein or something like that, and that is what makes it different.
Levaquin is a completly different type of antibiotic and it does nothing for my sinuses. Some antibiotics work better for some people than others. I prefer the Zithromax caplets rather than the tablets, because you can take them with food, so it makes it a little easier on the tummy. Just a thought. I would suspect that the cyst is most likely the cause of your pain.
I am not a medical doctor.
I can only share with you what has worked for me and what information I can remember that the doctors told me to try and explain it to me.
I had severe headaches and arthritic like pain with Levaquin, but I have never experienced this with Zithromax. You have to be careful with any antibiotic because you can build up resistance to them.
I hope you find an approved surgeon real soon and perhaps if you tell him how much pain you are in on top of the RA, OA and chrons he will get you in for the surgery on a cancellation. Let's pray that you find a compassionate surgeon.
You are in my thoughts and prayers and I am so sorry to hear about you suffering like this.
I will pray for you.
May god Bless you and keep you safe in his ever loving care.
Judy/Effie
I am so saddened to hear that you are suffering. Is it the cyst in your sinus cavity causing you all the pain or something else, like the chrons or arthritis? Or is just everything acting up all at once.
My heart goes out to you.
You mentioned that you had to find a ENT surgeon that was approved by your insurance company. It must be hard to have to be making all the calls when you are already feeling so poorly.
You also mentioned that you have now been informed that the number of prescriptions you can get per month is limited to 5. That is terrible. Some people are just not blessed with good health and need more than 5 prescriptions per month.
When you were on the antibiotics, I know your arthritic pain was worse while you were on the Levaquin, but did it help with the sinus pain?
I totally hate sinus pain and can sympathize. It never lets up and really grates on your nerves. Well at least it does to me, I find I get very irritable from the constant pain.
I do get relief from using a warm compress for 20 minutes, just a wash cloth I have warmed up under hot water and then microwaved for 30 or 40 seconds. After a 20 minute break I then ice my sinuses with a washcloth that I have wet and stuck in a plastic bag in the freezer for about 10 minutes. Then back to the warm cloth. I always finish with the warm cloth. It is very relaxing for me.
I use this for sinus congestion and infections, I have never had a cyst in my sinus cavity. I can not begin to imagine how painful that added pressure must be.
If the antibiotics helped with the sinus pain, perhaps your family doc could give you a sample of something like "Zithromax" to help tide you over before the surgery. It is a broad spectrum antibiotic and works very well on my sinus infections. You take two caplets right away and then one a day for 4 more days. I usually need a couple of extra pills then the normal 6 pack that works for most. Therefore my doctor prescribes me two "Z" packs and I take the first two and then one a day for 7 days. I then save the remaining prescription for the next time I get an infection.
"Zithromax" stays in your system and continues to work for a while, so you do not want to assume that it did not work until at least about 4 days after your last caplet. It is a macrolide antibiotic, somewhat similar to "erythromycin', but much more powerful. It binds itself to a different receptor in the bacterias cell protein or something like that, and that is what makes it different.
Levaquin is a completly different type of antibiotic and it does nothing for my sinuses. Some antibiotics work better for some people than others. I prefer the Zithromax caplets rather than the tablets, because you can take them with food, so it makes it a little easier on the tummy. Just a thought. I would suspect that the cyst is most likely the cause of your pain.
I am not a medical doctor.
I can only share with you what has worked for me and what information I can remember that the doctors told me to try and explain it to me.
I had severe headaches and arthritic like pain with Levaquin, but I have never experienced this with Zithromax. You have to be careful with any antibiotic because you can build up resistance to them.
I hope you find an approved surgeon real soon and perhaps if you tell him how much pain you are in on top of the RA, OA and chrons he will get you in for the surgery on a cancellation. Let's pray that you find a compassionate surgeon.
You are in my thoughts and prayers and I am so sorry to hear about you suffering like this.
I will pray for you.
May god Bless you and keep you safe in his ever loving care.
Judy/Effie
Post Edited (effie) : 7/20/2005 8:50:04 PM (GMT-6)
Effie Hi,
Thanks so much for the info,I have a surgey date for August and to tell you the truth I can't wait (I never thought I would say that but I just can't deal with this much longer.Yes my crohns and arthritis is acting up as well.
My ENT put me on a new antibotic that just came out it is called KETEK it's like Zithamakes I know spelled it wrong.any way you take it for five day's two at a time and it stay's in you system for up to five day's after you stop taking the antibotic.My ENT said that he wanted me to take that so maybe this will help some,but still gona have to have the surgery because he did another CT scan and the cyst has gotten bigger.
On the Insurance part I have filed an appeal and if approved they will pay for the rest of my meds total cost for my meds is 2,600.48 a month with out insurance.They will continue to pay for my meds untill they review my case so please pray that I win other wise I just don't know.I have talked to a few people that help with meds but have not heard back as of yet.they have to verafiey every thing with my Doctors and then will let me know if they can help with my meds.
I will keep you up-dated on how thing go.Now how are you doing?Let me know.
Curley.........
a.k.a.Mela...........
Thanks so much for the info,I have a surgey date for August and to tell you the truth I can't wait (I never thought I would say that but I just can't deal with this much longer.Yes my crohns and arthritis is acting up as well.
My ENT put me on a new antibotic that just came out it is called KETEK it's like Zithamakes I know spelled it wrong.any way you take it for five day's two at a time and it stay's in you system for up to five day's after you stop taking the antibotic.My ENT said that he wanted me to take that so maybe this will help some,but still gona have to have the surgery because he did another CT scan and the cyst has gotten bigger.
On the Insurance part I have filed an appeal and if approved they will pay for the rest of my meds total cost for my meds is 2,600.48 a month with out insurance.They will continue to pay for my meds untill they review my case so please pray that I win other wise I just don't know.I have talked to a few people that help with meds but have not heard back as of yet.they have to verafiey every thing with my Doctors and then will let me know if they can help with my meds.
I will keep you up-dated on how thing go.Now how are you doing?Let me know.
Curley.........
a.k.a.Mela...........
Curley,
I am so glad you are going to have the surgery on the sinus'. Since your cyst is growing its inevitable surgery is the answer. I just know how serious things could have been for my niece had she not had the surgery. They told her Mom w/o surgery it can go to the brain & be fatal left untreated. Now, you know why I have stressed the need for surgery. My sister has had the surgery twice, she kept having chronic sinus infections. This last surgery really helped her alot.
Now, in the event you cannot get your scripts taken care of with the appeal, you can contact the drug co directly and get your meds sometimes free of charge or very little at all. This is what my sister does, there is no way she could afford all of her meds. They sent her forms to fill out, plus she had to show proof of her income and the doctor had to fill out the form too. All of her meds are shipped to the drs. office and she picks them up there. They are real good about helping peeps on limited incomes or no income. Two peeps that see my gi get their Remicade free, they have no ins so he does their Remicade in his office at no charge.
Get your self to feeling better. I have got to manage to get out of bed tomorrow. I have been in bed all week and thats not good. Hugs & love, Susie
Thanks curley,
I sure will start to pray that they will accept the appeal you applied for and you get those drugs covered. My goodness, it is not like you have any choice. Without the drugs you would have no quality to your life at all. It's not like you are asking them to cover you for some kind of 'botox" to get rid of a few wrinkles. You truly need these meds. i do not understand how the US system works. But it just seems like when you need compassion and understanding the most you have to fight for it.
We have some similar issues in Canada, except we can see whatever doc we want. You just sometimes have to wait a long time to get in to see one of the best docs.
Our medicine is not covered either unless you are a pensionere or are on welfare and then they can make you take the chapest form of the drug.
For example my Humira was $1789.00. Luckily, I am on a long term disability leave, but officially I am still employed by my old employer. Thus Humira is covered under my drug plan. The drug plan at my work requires you to pay out for the medicine first and then get reimbursed.
I am pretty sure that I have noticed a couple of posts by different people on how Americans can get drugs cheaper, or for free.
My best girl friend used to be a doctor, well she still is, but as long as she attended some continuing education courses, she would get massive amounts of samples of drugs. She used these for her own family and self, since she did not have a drug plan, self employed, and she would give them to her patients who had told her that the cost of prescriptions was difficult. She would also use the samples if she was not sure how well a drug would work and wanted to do some trials.
I have never heard of that new antibiotic and am not sure if it is available in Canada yet.
But it sounds similar to zithromax and might really help you.
I am glad you found an ENT surgeon accepted by your insurance, and August will not come soon enough for you.
I am going to write a seperate post for all of my wonderful friends here at arthritis HW to tell them all about my rheumy appt. today and that will fill you in on how I am.
Thanks for asking. Take care. keep me posted.
Judy/Effie
I sure will start to pray that they will accept the appeal you applied for and you get those drugs covered. My goodness, it is not like you have any choice. Without the drugs you would have no quality to your life at all. It's not like you are asking them to cover you for some kind of 'botox" to get rid of a few wrinkles. You truly need these meds. i do not understand how the US system works. But it just seems like when you need compassion and understanding the most you have to fight for it.
We have some similar issues in Canada, except we can see whatever doc we want. You just sometimes have to wait a long time to get in to see one of the best docs.
Our medicine is not covered either unless you are a pensionere or are on welfare and then they can make you take the chapest form of the drug.
For example my Humira was $1789.00. Luckily, I am on a long term disability leave, but officially I am still employed by my old employer. Thus Humira is covered under my drug plan. The drug plan at my work requires you to pay out for the medicine first and then get reimbursed.
I am pretty sure that I have noticed a couple of posts by different people on how Americans can get drugs cheaper, or for free.
My best girl friend used to be a doctor, well she still is, but as long as she attended some continuing education courses, she would get massive amounts of samples of drugs. She used these for her own family and self, since she did not have a drug plan, self employed, and she would give them to her patients who had told her that the cost of prescriptions was difficult. She would also use the samples if she was not sure how well a drug would work and wanted to do some trials.
I have never heard of that new antibiotic and am not sure if it is available in Canada yet.
But it sounds similar to zithromax and might really help you.
I am glad you found an ENT surgeon accepted by your insurance, and August will not come soon enough for you.
I am going to write a seperate post for all of my wonderful friends here at arthritis HW to tell them all about my rheumy appt. today and that will fill you in on how I am.
Thanks for asking. Take care. keep me posted.
Judy/Effie
Curley, hope you are feeling better, and not to stresed over the wait.
Straydog, I 'm praying you have the strength to get up and get some movement
Camama, hope you are feeling better also,
you are all in my thoughts and prayers,
flopsie
Don't walk in front of me....I may not follow
Straydog, I 'm praying you have the strength to get up and get some movement
Camama, hope you are feeling better also,
you are all in my thoughts and prayers,
flopsie
Don't walk in front of me....I may not follow
Don't walk behind me....I may not lead
Walk beside me..and be my friend...
Albert Carnus
and Lord, put your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth
hey curley,
straydog is very, oh so correct. drug co's and docs are willing many times to have you fill out forms if you do not have the income to get meds such as remicade or humira for example, and they approve you and send them at perhaps just shipping costs and that is it. you might already know this though. i wish you well with it curley!
Aha! this fact is very true.....any infection in the area around your mouth and eyes and inner cheeks will GO STRAIGHT TO YOUR BRAIN IF LEFT UNTREATED! scary right? lets tell our kids not to pop their pimples today! LOL
take good good care curley, will be praying for you!
erin
straydog is very, oh so correct. drug co's and docs are willing many times to have you fill out forms if you do not have the income to get meds such as remicade or humira for example, and they approve you and send them at perhaps just shipping costs and that is it. you might already know this though. i wish you well with it curley!
Aha! this fact is very true.....any infection in the area around your mouth and eyes and inner cheeks will GO STRAIGHT TO YOUR BRAIN IF LEFT UNTREATED! scary right? lets tell our kids not to pop their pimples today! LOL
take good good care curley, will be praying for you!
erin
Susie Hey,
You know I don't know what I are alot of other people on this site would do with out you.I can remember When I first found HealingWell I felt so alone and you were the first person to reply and I have been greatfull for you every since.
Between my sinuses my gut and I'am sweeling again and I'am in terabile pain.I guess you could say I'am drained.I have no energy and to tell you the truth I'am ware down.
I guess maybe after I get this sinus thing out of the way at least maybe my head will quit hurting.I see my Rhumey Monday was suppose to have seen him this past Tuesday but he had emergeny.
So We have got to set down and see if there is any cheaper meds that he can put me on.I got a letter yesterday and my insurancwe will no longer pay for my Humira and Remicade.
All I can say is the Govener of the State of TN is going to kill alot of people because they will know longer have the meds that will keep them alive.
Now Susie enough about me how are you doing?I hope that you were able to get out of bed this morning.How is your pain doing?Let me know how you are.
Curley....
a.k.a.Mela....
You know I don't know what I are alot of other people on this site would do with out you.I can remember When I first found HealingWell I felt so alone and you were the first person to reply and I have been greatfull for you every since.
Between my sinuses my gut and I'am sweeling again and I'am in terabile pain.I guess you could say I'am drained.I have no energy and to tell you the truth I'am ware down.
I guess maybe after I get this sinus thing out of the way at least maybe my head will quit hurting.I see my Rhumey Monday was suppose to have seen him this past Tuesday but he had emergeny.
So We have got to set down and see if there is any cheaper meds that he can put me on.I got a letter yesterday and my insurancwe will no longer pay for my Humira and Remicade.
All I can say is the Govener of the State of TN is going to kill alot of people because they will know longer have the meds that will keep them alive.
Now Susie enough about me how are you doing?I hope that you were able to get out of bed this morning.How is your pain doing?Let me know how you are.
Curley....
a.k.a.Mela....
Flopsie and Erin,
Thanks so much for for being so careing.Not feeling real well my head is hurting and I'am swelling again you can't tell what is my feet and what is my ankles.I'am in so much pain.I'am haveing one of thoes shoot me day's.I will keep you'll up-dated on how I'am doing.
Curley.........
a.k.a.Mela............
Thanks so much for for being so careing.Not feeling real well my head is hurting and I'am swelling again you can't tell what is my feet and what is my ankles.I'am in so much pain.I'am haveing one of thoes shoot me day's.I will keep you'll up-dated on how I'am doing.
Curley.........
a.k.a.Mela............
I have sent an alert to admin. and to the mods related to above post, this lady is selling her book. We all know there is NO cure for RA
Don't walk in front of me....I may not follow
Don't walk in front of me....I may not follow
Don't walk behind me....I may not lead
Walk beside me..and be my friend...
Albert Carnus
and Lord, put your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth
I used to have bad sinus infctions,so one day I told my Dr.we are not getting rid of ALL the infection,leaving 1%.So,he gave me a shot of Rocepfin,& followed up with 10 days of Cipro,I haven't had a sinus infection since,that was 5 yrs ago.
SnowyLynne
SnowyLynne
Jeanine,
although we appreciate your drive and ambition to help RA....there really isn't allowance of solicitation on HW. that is commercialling your book and literature. the post may be deleated, i apologize. but rather....please still post with us and share YOUR personal story about what foods worked for you and YOUR success.
sincerely,
erin
Dear Curley,
we are here for you babe! i am so sorry as well for your pain. no ankles eh? maybe they are gone for good and that will be 2 less joints you gotta worry about! 
tee hee hee, LOL 
tee hee hee, LOL just wanted to see if i could get a laugh outa ya during this very tough time...i know its soooooo hard. having a bad pain day myself.
you have a pain spec. app. coming in sept. what are you taking now for pain?
Susie,
you have been a godsend with your wisdom and knowledge of how the Rx system works. you are so right. if not for you i would never have been able to file my forms for humira! thank you! this is something i never even knew about.
you all are great!
erin
jeanine,
i did find your post about acids very interesting. yes, i believe that people are sensitive to specific allergens and acids indeed. but what about people who suffer from gout? who need acids? or are you specific to JUST RA? are you an MD? a RD? i have read that peppers triggers flares? is this true? maybe, can you post the BIG triggers of diets that may cause RA flares? lots of people here say that milk and tomatos set them off. how long did your diet last until you went into remission?
looking forward to speaking with you! please keep posting!
sincerely,
erin
i did find your post about acids very interesting. yes, i believe that people are sensitive to specific allergens and acids indeed. but what about people who suffer from gout? who need acids? or are you specific to JUST RA? are you an MD? a RD? i have read that peppers triggers flares? is this true? maybe, can you post the BIG triggers of diets that may cause RA flares? lots of people here say that milk and tomatos set them off. how long did your diet last until you went into remission?
looking forward to speaking with you! please keep posting!
sincerely,
erin
great job snowlynne!
those were strong antibiotics that totally kick bacteria butt! sometime docs do not give enough days supply to totally wipe out the infection and then they come back stronger! thats fantastic you were rid of it. i wish you lots of sinus well being always!
sincerely,
erin
those were strong antibiotics that totally kick bacteria butt! sometime docs do not give enough days supply to totally wipe out the infection and then they come back stronger! thats fantastic you were rid of it. i wish you lots of sinus well being always!
sincerely,
erin
Erin,
I want to thank you for the laugh,I really needed that.As for the pain I'am still in pain but it has eased up some what.I take Locets for pain but I have been on them for a little over a year and they just don't work like they use to.
my Rhuemy nurse called today and wanted to know if I have had my blood work done and I told her yes and she ask when did I have it done because they have not gotten the results (my PC does my blood work because he is close to me and my Rhuemy is an hour and a half away)any way I told her that I had a copy and that I would bring them monday.
I have been trying to move around to try a stay limber as possible,when I get still for any lenth of time it makes my pain worse.I thank all of you for being so caring and thoughtfull.
Curley......
a.k.a.Mela.......
I want to thank you for the laugh,I really needed that.As for the pain I'am still in pain but it has eased up some what.I take Locets for pain but I have been on them for a little over a year and they just don't work like they use to.
my Rhuemy nurse called today and wanted to know if I have had my blood work done and I told her yes and she ask when did I have it done because they have not gotten the results (my PC does my blood work because he is close to me and my Rhuemy is an hour and a half away)any way I told her that I had a copy and that I would bring them monday.
I have been trying to move around to try a stay limber as possible,when I get still for any lenth of time it makes my pain worse.I thank all of you for being so caring and thoughtfull.
Curley......
a.k.a.Mela.......
wishing you a very peaceful nite curley! 
yea, tolerance to pain meds is fustrating, especially since many docs are hesitant to Rx stronger analgesics. darn those stupid kids who party and abuse narcotic pills! 
makes the world a tough place for folks like us who need them for health reasons.
makes the world a tough place for folks like us who need them for health reasons.your in my thoughts.....stay limber the best you can. remember "a little goes a long way"
till tomorrow
erin