Sinus Rinse

[Carebear]

Hello dear friends,

My ENT tells me I have had a sinus infection for many months, as indicated on a couple of CT scans completed in the last year.  So he suggested I use a sinus rinse, which I began last night.

It is a squirt bottle type, so it works on pressure not gravity.  I had no problem using it, but right afterward I started experiencing unpleasantness.  It began with what I will describe as a sinus headache, lasting about ten minutes. Then I got an earache, which again lasted for about ten minutes.  Is it possible that I just used too much pressure on the bottle?  I think so.

The thing is that this afternoon, I have the earache again.  And I am having trouble swallowing.  I felt like I was going to "drown" in the shower this morning.  That doesn't sound right, does it?

I have a minor problem with swallowing already.  Apparently food can go under the epiglottis instead of straight down the throat.  And I am being investigated for neuromuscular disorders including Myasthenia Gravis.

Do you think the two things are related?  Or just another crazy coincidence?

I know I need to contact the doctor.  But maybe I will just try this rinse a few more times to see if it improves.

I've just been through the ringer in the last few weeks.  I'm too sick to think for myself right now.  Thanks.   

[slccom]

Hugs! I wonder if you are just getting a bunch of backed-up gunk out, and that is why you are doing what you do. The ear thing is making me think it is getting into the Eustachian tube, so you may need antibiotics for a while.

Hang in there. Your doctor may be able do a sinus rinse in the office that should clear the long-standing gunk out.

Sharon

[cccourt1942]

I can only speak to the difficulty in swallowing and the ear"ache".  If you can't swallow what is being flushed out of your sinus cavities, it will find its way UP your Eustachian tube.  Unbeknownst to you it is likely in your breathing and attempts to clear your throat AND swallow have assisted that stuff to defy gravity, if you will.   That "gook" ends up in your middle ear.  There is purous otitis media (fluid behind your ear drum ...not infectious) and serous otitis media (ear infection).  It is difficult to imagine infected stuff from your sinuses is already manifesting an ear infection.  Since you use the word "ache" I presume it hurts!!  Sometimes one has purous OM and just the sloshing can bother you.  But does it really hurt?  Otherwise, the ear infection (serous OM) was likely there already.  Just my opinion.  Not a doctor..but a speech pathologist.    If you are in pain, I would run to a "Doc in the Box" because an ear infection is easy to dx and an Rx can be written by a PA or a nurse practitioner. 

[tiffferoni]

Have you thought about using the neti pot?  I like it.  Doesn't hurt or go down my throat like the sprays.

[Carolina]

Hi, I use Simply Saline and Nasonex.

I also take Mucinex to thin my mucus.

Well, I take the generic Mucinex.

I hope you get some relief.

Hugs,  elaine

[susanep]

What kind of rinse did he have you use? I use a saline spray every day, and the nose spray like nasonex.

susanep

[Sleepy In Seattle]

My husband once got an ear infection after using a nasal rinse like that...definitely don't let it go on too long without seeing a doctor!

Personally, I L-O-V-E the Neti pot....takes a little practice to get used to using it, but it works wonderfully for me...I have been able to get rid of sinus infections without using antibiotics by rinsing my sinuses with plain salt water 2-3 times a day for maybe a week. It also helps prevent them (as well as curing stuffiness) when I have a head cold.

I have gotten so used to it that I can change the angle of my head as I pour the water through so it rinses all different parts of my sinuses gently and safely.

At first, I got salt water down my throat, in my ear, etc...but with practice I got better and better at it.

I do have to be careful to only blow my nose VERY GENTLY after rinsing to avoid forcing stuff up into my ear, as a previous poster mentioned.

Nasal rinses are wonderful, but they take some skill - don't worry if you encounter some difficulties at first. And do get that ear seen to if you develop pain or a fever.....

[litliwlowa]

Carebear

Timely your thread. Just did my first sinus irrigation ( I did the gravity one - Neti pot).

Sounds like some of that fluid got backed up in your eustachian tube. I have that trouble with my ears. However, concerning is the ear pain. Speaking for myself, when I get fluid backup in the tubes, I don't have pain but a whole lot of stuffy feeling. When I start having ear pain, invariably it turns out to be serous otitis media

Is it possible that I just used too much pressure on the bottle?  I think so.

Yep, it's possible.

I actually opted for the gravity sinus wash in lieu of the pressure one as I know I have a problem with fluid buildup in eustashian tubes. It wasn't as eeksie as I imagined it would be and none of the stuff got in my ears. Phew!!

No idea on the swallowing difficulty.

...but in my humble opinion you need to see doctor on that ear pain.

[anita]

I personally like the sinus rinse over the neti pot.

A couple tips.  After you do the rinse, it helps to move your head in all direction to help drain all the rinse out...forward, side to side, etc...several times.  This should be done with neti pot also.  It will help keep those sinus headaches away (if they are from the pressure of trapped rinse).

Also, make sure to use distilled water, not tap water...never use tap water!  There is bacteria in all water that can cause major infection if used in sinus rinse or neti pots.  If you google tap water bad with sinus rinse, you'll see all the warnings from reputable sources.

It does take a little time to clear out all the crap from your sinus, so if you just started this (and had an infection for months), then it may feel worse initially, then improve over time.  Once you get it under control, then using the rinse or neti pot more regularly or right when the first hint of sinus pressure/infection begins, it will be much easier to control and stay on top of it.

You may need a decongestant to help break up the congestion, then the rinse will help clear it out.

[LucyD]

Hi CareBear,

I have been using the NeilMed sinus rinse bottle for about 8 years now. I use it twice a day, once in morning and once in evening. I put 1/2 teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of water.
It has been a huge help in keeping me free of sinus infections.
I am careful not to squeeze the bottle too quickly or too hard. Just gentle, steady pressure.
I have had 5 sinus surgeries in all.

I do think it might be that you squeezed a little too forcefully.
Also if you have a lot of backed up mucous from the dryness and previous infection, that might be starting to move and block some.

Another trick one of my ENT docs told me was that it was very important after you have done the rinse and drained as much out of your nose as possible, to lean your head over the sink at about a 45 degree angle to the side and tilt the top of your head down a little. (So, if you are draining the right nostril, you would turn your face slightly to the left as if you were sort of looking at your left shoulder, and also keep the top of your head tilted down - and you will get residual drainage out of your right nostril.) Then do the reverse to drain the left nostril.

If I squeeze too hard, I will notice pressure in my ears.

Also, a trick that helps me, but that might be just because of the uniqueness of my anatomy now from the surgeries - is to bend my head down and put it between my knees for about 30 seconds, then lift it back up and look at the ceiling. (This I discovered by accident when wrapping a towel turban around my just-washed hair. When I "came up" I would drain a bunch of more salt water out of my nose.) Then when I lean forward, a lot more salt water comes out (along with any other lovely things in there.)

Will be keeping you in thoughts and prayers. I know sinus and ear infections and complications are NOT fun and can really take a toll on our energy and well being.

I hope this helps at least a little bit.

LucyD

[LucyD]

Forgot to tell you this little thing that happened to me in the hopes that it will help you laugh a little.

About 5 years ago after one of my surgeries, was helping set up a computer for a guy at work shortly after doing my sinus rinse that morning. I evidently hadn't gotten all of the salt water out of my nose.

I leaned over to connect his keyboard and about 4 ounces of salt water just poured out of my nose onto the keyboard. I was mortified. He looked disgusted.

How do you expect someone to use a keyboard that you have just drained your nose on???!!
Even though it was mostly just salt WATER.

I went and got him a new keyboard. The worst part was trying to explain that I did not blow my nose on his keyboard.

:-)

[Carebear]

Thanks all.  I appreciate your kind remarks so much.

I am using the NeilMed sinsus rinse.  You add a preweighed package of salt to preboiled water (cooled down of course).  The ENT has me adding a teaspoon of unpasteurized honey to the mixture too.

The ear is definitely painful, no fever though.  I had just finished a five day round of antibiotics for the sinus infection so I almost think I can rule out infection...almost.  The pain seems to be from pressure.

I think the swallowing difficultly has something to do with the slow draining of mucus (sorry) along the back of my throat.  Because I have trouble swallowing already, this just makes it even harder.  I feel like I am going to choke.

Do you think it unusual that nothing came out with the rinse?   Nothing other than the rinse of course.

I don't know.  Everything this ENT has me do turns out badly.  He gave me a steroid to add to the rinse too, but I think I will stay clear of that for now.

I think I was too forceful.  I can change that.  I will pick up distilled water too just to be on the save side.  And I may need a decongestant if I see no "results" from the rinse.

How could I have a sinus infection all that time without any symptoms?  Maybe we are all just too tough for our own good.   

[Carolina]

Well, Carebear,

The rinse just goes down my throat, trickle trickle.  Then the Nasonex, which is less pleasant.

But nothing ever 'comes out' with these rinses.  I don't think that's the purpose exactly.

If I forget these treatments, all night long I am choking as I try to clear the 'stuff' at the top of my throat.  Glue?  I don't know.  But it's a misery.

And I have trouble swallowing so I can pull it down.  If that's too gross, I'm sorry.  But I quickly learn to rinse and spray and carry on.

And the worst isn't the glue, the worst is if my sinuses and nose become plugged and then I breathe through my mouth all night.  That is the scariest thing in the world.  I wake up with a terrifying mouth and tongue.  They are like sandpaper in my face.

Not like my mouth and tongue at all.  Does anyone know what I mean.  I mean it is awful.  And of course I don't sleep well to begin with, then if there's glue and sandpaper...well, no wonder I"m exhausted the next day.

Anyway, I SWEAR by Pilocarpine, nasal rinse (simply saline) and Nasonex (the generic is mometasone furoate), and Guaifenesin or however it's spelt.  Then Nature's Tears for my eyes during the night, and Ultra Systane before bed and in the morning.  And massaging my eyelids.

Oh, and Pedifix to keep my feet from getting huge calluses, and on and on.  And socks to bed for my frozen feet.  and Nivea body cream for everything else that's dry.  And a two page list of RX and OTC meds.  AND IVIG once a month. 

sigh. 

It takes both me and my husband and our little bitty quart bags to get all my 'stuff' through security at the airport.

And I dare not check my stuff through for if it's lost I'm doomed.

And so it goes.

Hugs,  Elaine

[Carebear]

Elaine,

I am exhausted just reading about your routine!   

[litliwlowa]

Also, make sure to use distilled water, not tap water...never use tap water!  There is bacteria in all water that can cause major infection if used in sinus rinse or neti pots.  If you google tap water bad with sinus rinse, you'll see all the warnings from reputable sources.

Yep...that's why I boil my drinking and cooking water before I filter it. A pain, but keeps me from being constantly sick.