allergies or sinus infection?

[apac]

I've never had allergies before but then again these symptoms aren't normal for me either. I've had a sinus infection before but a doctor I went to 2 months ago was skeptical.

Anyway, I went to that doctor 2 months ago and she gave me some nasacort to help clear it up. She did say to check back in a month but it was right in the middle of finals and I felt fine. Well the symptoms have come back every so often, more so in the last couple days. They are:

Stuffy sinuses, when I blow my nose its sort of chunks mixed with white.
Sinus headaches, right in the forehead.
Post nasal drip.
Swollen glands right under the jaw. They are sore when I touch them.
Slightly sore throat.
Tiredness, I'm sitting here at work and its hard to concentrate.

So...allergies or sinus infection? The part I'm not used to is that these only amplified after I spent about 4 hours running/walking in a park on sunday.

 

[Bryophyte]

Sounds like sinusitis, but why do you think they are mutually exclusive? Allergies, as well as colds, can create the environment that leads to sinusitis.

 

[sixone]

Why don't you see a doctor?

 

[labgeek]

Because asking medical advice from ATOT is "much more better"!

 

[apac]

No, because I've already seen a doctor, and I don't want to waste another $30 copay unless I have to.

edit- the doctor basically said "sounds like sinus allergies of some sort so here take this", and then it came back a couple months later.

 

[SacrosanctFiend]

Originally posted by: Bryophyte
Sounds like sinusitis, but why do you think they are mutually exclusive? Allergies can cause sinusitis.

Colds and allergies can precede sinusitis, creating a better environment for infection to form, but they don't cause it. It's caused by bacterial overgrowth in a closed cavity, usually Streptococcus pneumoniae or Haemophilus influenzae. Just a clarification, it does sound like sinusitis. Go check with the doctor so they can rule out some other possibilities with labs as there are a few differentials.

 

[Bryophyte]

Sinus allergies cause your nose to swell inside and cause it to run...this environment encourages the development of sinus infections. So if you treat allergies, you typically reduce the number of sinus infections you get. Short of going to an allergist and having the proper tests run to narrow down your allergic triggers, you could take an allergy med that's gone OTC and generic (like Claritin, I get it for my son at costco for $15 for 180 tabs-six months worth.) The big question is whether your allergies (if you indeed have them) are seasonal or year-round. In other words, are you allergic to pollen that's only around for a month or two a year, or are you allergic to something that's around all the time, like cats or dust mites or molds? If you only need to take allergy meds for a couple months a year, it doesn't make sense to take them all year around.

 

[Bryophyte]

Originally posted by: SacrosanctFiend

Originally posted by: Bryophyte
Sounds like sinusitis, but why do you think they are mutually exclusive? Allergies can cause sinusitis.

Colds and allergies can precede sinusitis, creating a better environment for infection to form, but they don't cause it. It's caused by bacterial overgrowth in a closed cavity, usually Streptococcus pneumoniae or Haemophilus influenzae. Just a clarification, it does sound like sinusitis. Go check with the doctor so they can rule out some other possibilities with labs as there are a few differentials.

That's true. They create the environment for it. So do colds.

 

[Bryophyte]

If you have a sinus infection, and not just plugged sinuses, you will probably be better off taking a course of antibiotics to get rid of it (like Zithromax), and you need to be keeping your sinuses open so that it doesn't return (such as using a decongestant like sudafed, using nasal steroids like you did the first time, hot showers or steam, etc.) Don't hesitate to see a doctor for sinus problems...sinusitis can make your life a living hell for months on end. Better to get it taken care of.

 

[apac]

Thanks Bryophyte and SacrosanctFiend. I think I'll first try taking the old medecine again and see if it helps.

 

[Analog]

sinus infection = green runny gooey snot.

Allergies = clear runny post nasil drip.

Allergies = itchy eyes, throat, sinus, ear canal etc.

 

[SacrosanctFiend]

Originally posted by: yellowfiero
sinus infection = green runny gooey snot.

Allergies = clear runny post nasil drip.

Allergies = itchy eyes, throat, sinus, ear canal etc.

The nasal secretions don't have to be green for an infection to be present, just purulent, which can be a variety of colors. And even if purulent secretions aren't present, it doesn't rule out sinusitis.