Sinus infection

[akjnutt]

Hi i had my coiling stent and blood divertor done on 7th march and was released 3 days later.I was doing ok as far as i was aware,i didnt need any painkillers for the first two weeks and then bam i felt nausea and burning pain at crown of head that would come and go and dihorrea.

I just thought it was delayed after effects but i have been very weepy and strong painkillers werent helping much.I had an appointment with my gp yesterday to discuss my hypothyroidism anyway so told him while i was there and he had a look in my mouth and ears and says i have a sinus infection which if going by how long i have had this horrid taste in my mouth i have had since my operation as they put a tube down my nose to my stomach two days prior to my op.

Now i am worried about this as well as wondering what is normal symptoms from my recovery i am wondering what is caused by the sinus infection -sorry if this isnt in the right place just wondered if anybody else had this

Thanks Tom

[goldfish.girl]

Hi Tom,

Nice to 'meet' you. Try not to worry too much about feeling weepy and all the other after effects. You have been through a massive ordeal & it takes a lot of time to recover physically & emotionally after it.

I don't have any sinus problems but there may be others on here who have and can let you know how they are now.

Take care,

Michelle

[Teechur]

My PT (who has worked with neuro patients for years) told me he's never worked with a patient after a brain injury that didn't cry a lot. That's normal and it won't last long. I really thought I was going off my rocker the first few weeks because of the first few weeks. I've read that since then, so don't feel bad about it. I've also read that often we suffer from PTSD and when I first read that I thought "That makes NO sense!" but since getting out of the hospital six weeks ago I can say that yes, that seems to be par for the course.

The sinus infection might just be a coincidence, but it sure isn't helping things! The sinuses are completely separate from the brain. It sure wouldn't hurt to ask, though!

[Liz D]

Hi Tom

I'm also hypothyroid. I used to get a lot of sinus infections but didn't get so many once my hypothyroidism was treated. Now I find I get blocked sinuses if I have too much dairy. Dairy can cause an increase in mucus in some people. No amount of painkillers will take away the pain of a sinus infection, you need strong antibiotics. Steam inhalation will help too. Anything can cause your sinuses to block. A cold, hayfever, red wine etc, anything that makes your nose run, I used to find being in a smokey atmosphere would block my sinuses. If you produce more mucus than your sinuses can drain, then they'll block.

Your so early in your recovery that you should make your GP your best friend! If you have any worries then it's always a good idea to visit your doc and get things checked over.

[Winb143]

Hi Tom,

It is early days....just try and keep calm and listen to Liz D ....she makes sense .....

As for crying..WelI I cry at the drop of a hat, always been watery headed even got hydrocephullis after

SAH...So keep calm and try not to worry and welcome to BTG

All the Best

WinB143 x

[akjnutt]

Hi thanks for the replies they mean so much,

I got ammoxicillin 500mg x3 for 7 days for the sinus infection and so far i still feel very groggy and my ears feel full.As i was a bit upset and weepy when i spoke to the doc i got 7 days of sleeping tablets as i havent been sleeping and have got myself worked up about this infection and all else thats going on.Every time i sit down or go to bed i cant stop thinking about every little twinge and get myself upset and cant shake it.

So far i have only taken two of the pills as he told me to take them two nights in a row then miss a nite or they wouldnt work,but the first nite it worked and second nite i slept for two hours and last nite i missed it out and havent slept yet:shock:

I used to get sinus infections regularly but this is the first for a few years and it is a doozy,my doc thinks its from the tube they put in in hospital

I wasnt even aware until i got the horrid taste in my mouth and looked in the mirror and saw my tongue was discoloured.

I have had a sensation i was wondering about that i have had it is at the crown of my head and feels like a burning/itchy sensation on the crown of my head and was wondering if anyone else had this,i did get a letter the other day from the hospital explaining that some people have reported baldness/skin irritation at the site of stent placement.

Nice to know you all and know yous are there

Thanks Tom

[Winb143]

All I remember is my head itched by scar..so my daughter used to bath scar where shunt was fitted in salt water........

It helped me !! ~ Good luck on recovery and keep smiling and singing

All the Best

WinB143 x .

[Liz D]

Hi Tom

I was coiled, so don't know anything about stents and that healing process. But gosh do I remember the anxiety! I had my SAH in February 2009, the weather was very cold and icy. So when I came home from hospital I was too scared to even stand at an open door because of the cold air. It took me 3 months and warmer weather before I stepped outside. My GP always made home visits (he said the surgery was full of sick people and didn't want me catching anything) and he kept telling me to go out but I just kept saying once the cold air goes away! I used to have to sleep with the light on because a few times I'd woken up having a panic attack, thinking it was happening again, the dark made it worse. Only this past year or so have I not had to sleep with the door open and the landing light on. The anxiety does ease over time.

Have you thought about asking your GP to refer you for some counselling? A lot of us on here found it a great help. You can talk about all sorts of fears and thoughts you have, things you might not want to speak about to your family for fear of worrying them. It was my counsellor that explained that I was suffering with Post Traumatic Stress and unless you deal with it, it only gets worse over time. It's only a thought, I know it's not for everyone.

[akjnutt]

Hi Liz D thanks for the reply,yes i am very anxious but honestly think it would be ok if i didnt have the sinus issue.

I have been taking the antibiotics since thursday(5 days) and felt better last night and even managed a nights sleep without sleeping pills.

Got up this morning and one ear is quite painful and feels full of pressure.Tried some paracetamol and just feel it should be easing by now surely but dont want to bother my doctor again as i havent finished the course of tablets yet.The first week out of hospital i felt good no pain or headaches then noticed this foul taste and discolour at back of my tongue-although my sinus didnt seem blocked as i had no trouble breathing.Doctor thinks it could have been the tube they use in hospital so i dont know i just know its scares me to death lol. I just wish it hadnt happened as i feel i have extra issues to deal with you know

Thanks Tom

[Liz D]

Hi Tom

Sounds like the antibiotics are starting to work. Might be an idea to try steam inhalation to clear things and ease the pressure. A good nights sleep works wonders when recovering! Take care.

[akjnutt]

After my sinus infection im afraid it all went downhill from there.I broke down at my doctors crying couldnt sleep it went from sinus infection to weird headaches and internal bleeding (all in my head of course although at the time it feels real)heart pain, heart beat racing etc.Eventually they gave me some diazepam and i was able to calm down and get a nights sleep.I honestly thought i was going to die and my family were amazingly tolerant but must have thought id lost my marbles.Even after getting the diazepam i went home and called the hospital ward just to double check i was allowed to take these along with the anti-clotting drugs im on.Anxiety i have never heard of before but i do now.

My gp is putting me forward for counselling but says it could take some time and mentioned PTSD but in the mean time i am trying to manage.Although i dont like the idea of taking drugs i am willing to try anything as i just want to feel normal.It is really scary when you cant sleep and end up pacing up and down wondering what will be next and whats the causes of all this.I also have thyroid issues and have been on levothyroxine for over a year but after feeling okay the other nite and ready for bed i took my thyroid meds and went to bed but within 2hrs the anxiety attack was in full flow so last nite i never took them and slept all night and today is the first day since getting the diazepam i have been okay(normal)all day and havent required any meds all day sorry for the ramble sometimes i just need to write down whats happened so i remember too.

Thanks Tom.

[MaryB]

Tom, I am sorry for all you have been going though. I have been hypothyriod for 28 years. I do take xanax at bedtime to sleep- it just makes my mind stop thinking so I can let it go and rest. I find the side effects less than the sleep medication. I was left with lack of emotions, I never cry or feel fear or panic- I frighten easily it is so odd. I was almost in a head on collison a about 3 weeks ago & I never flinched while the car that was in my lane went right pastme and into the field.

I broke my foot by "standing up" about a month after my SAH and I was in horrible pain and was depressed thinking I would never return to work or any kind of normal life. We get through it somehow. Just know you can vent anytime here. This place is the safest place on earth. I honestly feel this place keeps me sane.

Take Care, Maryb

[Sandi K]

Hi Tom, come on here anytime. There is almost always someone about.

It can be really scary not knowing what's going on. Our minds wonder all sorts of things and one thing leads to another. It's good you are talking to your GP and nothing wrong with breaking down in tears in front of them. I did the same today in front of the specialist who treats me. Told him I was tired of sounding like a hypochondriac.

Mary I ageree, without BTG I would be a lot worse off. Here we find out that we are not alone.

Hope you feel better soon Tom and are able to get some sleep. That will help you a lot!

Sandi K. Xoxox

[akjnutt]

Thanks for the replies ladies it means so much to realise people have been in my footsteps prior to me and that there is light at the end of the tunnel.I have to go back for a follow up angio this friday and am a bit anxious about this but be glad at the same time to get it over with.I have to speak with a Neurophsycologist while i am there so that might help.I have calmed a little over the last few days but have still pressure/full feeling in left ear leading up to burning sensation on top of head but think its just anxiety/stressed related as it seems to subside when diazepam taken.I have been getting a little more sleep but this will be my first night without zopiclone for last 4 nights so heres hoping.I still dont seem to suffer headaches as such just this pressure so suppose should be thankful.

Thanks Tom x

[goldfish.girl]

Hi Tom,

Good luck for angio on Friday. I'm sure the chat with the neuro psychologist will be the best thing you have ever done! They help you deal with the brain condition you are dealing with. I have found them invaluable! It is a totally different situation from mental health issues and they are worth their weight in gold in my opinion.

The angio results will put your mind at rest too.

Michelle x

[SarahLou]

Hello Tom,

I wanted to send you a big hug and wish you lots of luck for your upcoming appointment.

Sometimes it feels like it's constantly one step forward and two steps back doesn't it, but you will get there.

Give yourself time, patience and understanding.

I also take zopiclone, I have done every night for over a year.

Take care and keep smiling,

SarahLou Xx

[Winb143]

Hi again Tom...

Try not to panic too much..I used to get a twitchy cheek in the mornings and it woke me up ....it felt horrid..bet I looked weird..lol

I never mentioned it to family then after a while it just stopped...then I told hubby..lol.

I panic each time my head aches I think no not another one....but I try not to let it worry me....I have days when I worry more

and days when I feel like my oldself..you will reach this just try and keep calm if poss xx think happy thoughts and sing xx

All the Best and Hope sinus clears up x

WinB143 xx

[Louise]

Panic attacks are a horrible thing I sympathise with you.

I take diazepam when going to the dentist because my heart races SO fast they really do help.....

Hope the councelling happens quickly - that will do you a lot of good......

take care