Penicillin, doesn't work at all :S

[codeerror]

I've ben struggling for the last 3-4 weeks with sinusitis coupled with Tonsillitis . The firs time i saw the doctor, after about a week I got put on Apocillin (660mg) 1+2.
That didnt work very well, so I went to the doctor another time, after 10 days without any improvement. This time i got Apocillin 1G 1x4. I thought he would change the penicillin when the other one didnt work, but what do I know.
I've used the 1g for 4 days now, with only minor improvement.
My left tonsil still looks much like a red egg. Still feel sick and tired, and my sinuses hurt.

-It's not mono
-It's not strep
-Happened to me at the exact same time last year. I was thinking allergy, but the doc didnt agree.

Could it be a virus after all?
And I haven't been to the gym in 3 weeks. I'm already feeling lazy and unhealthy.
Help!

 

[loperamide]

Well since allopathic stuff has failed try good old fashioned treatments:

-Camphor-menthol in a vaporizer (helps to open up the sinus to drain)
-Steam
-Warm compresses held on the high part of your cheeks to help thin the goo
-Oxymetazole (a.k.a. affrin).
-Decongestants containing pseudo ephedrine (if you cannot get the affrin up your nose)
-Tylonol for the pain (as directed on the label)

These have gotten me through a whole plethora of ear and sinus troubles over the years. I hope you get better soon.

 

[KaraBulut]

I think Apocillin is what is known as Pen VK in the US. It's not exactly the drug of choice because so many bacteria have resistance to it.

It might be time for a throat culture. And a more broad spectrum antibiotic geared for upper respiratory infections.

 

[codeerror]

I personally have never thought Penicillin drugs were all that effective on sinus issues.

Firstly, switch up the antibiotic you are on.

Secondly, book an appointment with your allergist so you can figure out what is causing your sinus issues. Are they seasonal allergies? Chronic allergens like dust mites? Food allergens? Once you establish that you can start to treat the underlying cause rather than the recurring symptoms. If you can reduce/eliminate the allergens flaring your immune system you might have a chance to keep these infections at bay.

Okay. They appear to be seasonal.

Well since allopathic stuff has failed try good old fashioned treatments:

-Camphor-menthol in a vaporizer (helps to open up the sinus to drain)
-Steam
-Warm compresses held on the high part of your cheeks to help thin the goo
-Oxymetazole (a.k.a. affrin).
-Decongestants containing pseudo ephedrine (if you cannot get the affrin up your nose)
-Tylonol for the pain (as directed on the label)

These have gotten me through a whole plethora of ear and sinus troubles over the years. I hope you get better soon.

I can try a few of those. I'm already using a neti pot.

I think Apocillin is what is known as Pen VK in the US. It's not exactly the drug of choice because so many bacteria have resistance to it.

It might be time for a throat culture. And a more broad spectrum antibiotic geared for upper respiratory infections.

I was really confused when I got the same one the second time around. Good thing we got free healthcare, or I'd be pissed.
I could get the throat culture done, but I'm a bit hesitant to tell the doctor how to do his job. What could I tell him to lead him in the right direction?

 

[KaraBulut]

I was really confused when I got the same one the second time around. Good thing we got free healthcare, or I'd be pissed.
I could get the throat culture done, but I'm a bit hesitant to tell the doctor how to do his job. What could I tell him to lead him in the right direction?

In the US, I would say change doctors. In socialized countries, I'm not sure that's an option.

Bluntness is the best policy. Tell him you've had this for 2 weeks and the antibiotics aren't making you better. And tell him that you've had an upper respiratory infection a couple of times this year. Tell him that you want him to try another antibiotic and do a culture on your tonsil.

Insist and persist until he gives in.

 

[codeerror]

In the US, I would say change doctors. In socialized countries, I'm not sure that's an option.

Bluntness is the best policy. Tell him you've had this for 2 weeks and the antibiotics aren't making you better. And tell him that you've had an upper respiratory infection a couple of times this year. Tell him that you want him to try another antibiotic and do a culture on your tonsil.

Insist and persist until he gives in.

I can't change without having to pay alot.
Should I wait a few days before going back, to see if these new ones are working, or should I be feeling better already?

 

[KaraBulut]

I hesitate to second guess other providers but if usually increasing a dose on a antibiotic that has shown little to no response is a waste of time and drugs.

You're 4 days into this higher dose with no improvement. I wouldn't wait any longer.

 

[Dillon6962]

I have found that when the humuity is low you should drink more water. I use to have sinus trouble all the time till I started drinking more water. I really drink more in the winter time than the summer time. Here in south Louisiana you inhale a lot of moisture with the humuity level above 80% most the time.


So drink up you should feel better

 

[cityboy-stl]

I would advise against Afrin or any other oxymetazoline spray. This stuff does work at first no doubt about it, but your nasal passages become dependent upon it and you're addicted. You get a seriously bad rebound effect when it wears off which is much worse than the original condition and you have to keep using the spray to breathe. Then you have to keep using more and more and more until finally it stops working it all. It is hell to get off of.

Believe me...I say this from experience.

 

[okiedokie]

i had sinus infection about 20 years ago [sickest i've ever been in my life]. i got shots of what the doctor called tri-cillin, in think it was 3 times stronger than a normal shot. i went twice a week for 3 weeks for the shots. the doctor said never try to dry out my sinus with otc sprays, now i use saline spray and just let my nose run.

 

[seven_sins]

I would advise against Afrin or any other oxymetazoline spray. This stuff does work at first no doubt about it, but your nasal passages become dependent upon it and you're addicted. You get a seriously bad rebound effect when it wears off which is much worse than the original condition and you have to keep using the spray to breathe. Then you have to keep using more and more and more until finally it stops working it all. It is hell to get off of.

Believe me...I say this from experience.

My experience also. Stay away from any 12 hour decongestant. You become addicted and it is very, very hard to get off them. Those containing 1% phenylephrine hydrochloride, the ones advertised as 4 hours, don't have that problem. They are also faster acting and more effective. They just don't last as long. When I use it, my sinuses open up almost immediately and drain.

 

[talbot57]

Hi code, I wish you well. I have also been suffering badly this year. I suffer from hayfever and this year we have been suffering badly in the UK. Plenty of fluids are best and try not to get onto the nasal sprays, it can be terrible to get off them.

Hope you feel better soon.

 

[mustangman]

I took so much Penicillin when I was young, that it no longer works for me.I built up an immunity and you may also have the same problem.

 

[Kirbster66]

Although I know it's generally out of favor these days, I'm surprised no one brought up tonsillectomy. I had similar problems with tonsils that wouldn't respond to antibiotics. The regular doc wouldn't consider surgery, so I went to an ear nose throat specialist who, after an attempt at one more antibiotic, said surgery was the best option. Had the surgery, though it was miserable at the time, and that solved the problem entirely.

 

[codeerror]

I don't know if it is the Apocillin or just my immune system kicking in, but im feeling better today. Tonsils doesn't hurt anymore, but I've still got a headache.

Thank you for all your concern and advice!

- I've got a perscription for Nasonex after having a bit trouble with a running nose during demolition work. I read that people using Nasonex are more prone to upper respiratory infections. Stopped using it.

Mustangman: Is that even possible? I thought is was the bacteria that developed resistance to certain types of antibiotics.

Kirbster: My doctor also said I should wait a little while longer before considering surgery. I've only had these peoblems 2 or 3 times.

 

[KaraBulut]

Steroid nasal sprays like Nasonex should be discontinued when there is an infection.

There's an alternative called Astelin that is available in the US that can be used when there's an active infection.

Glad you're feeling better.

 

[thewiz]

Glad you are feeling better Code; I suffer the same problems about this time of year each year. I thought I was going to make it through this spring but it got me about a week ago.

My doctor put me on Levaquin 500 mg for 10 days. My sinuses were starting to feel like I had been punched in each cheek; within days it was starting to drain and now I feel great!

Zithromax Z-pack has worked in years past just as well; you take a declining amount of the pills each day.

The only thing with both is that about one or two days into taking them, I have this huge burst of energy and only can sleep about 4 hours. I'm not sure if it because my immune system and body are relieved of fighting the infection or what but I always enjoy how clean the house is when I'm done! lol!

My daughter had infection after infection. I kept asking for a tonsillectomy from her doctor and finally after four infections in about a four month period, I "pursuaded" her to finally take them out. I had mine out when I was 5 and never have missed them. My daughter was on antibiotics every year to the point many of them no longer work.

Fortunately the doctor and I were professional as well as personal friends and I could speak freely. I told her I think it is total BS that they try to keep them in and dose with antibiotic after antibiotic. Unless you're getting a kickback from the drug companies, it makes little or no sense.

My daughter was also sleeping 11 or 12 hours a day because she snored so loudly and could not breath. Now she gets 6 or 7 hours; doesn't snore and can run and breath so much better.

Good luck getting over what ails you!

 

[3nipples]

You must be feeling better... at least if your pictures are anything to go by

 

[codeerror]

You must be feeling better... at least if your pictures are anything to go by

Yup, much better. Only thing i've noticed lately is that I get a mild headache every time I've been to the gym.

TELL him. At a minimum SUGGEST to him........
Doctors don't have time to keep with everything.
YOU know yourself better than ANYONE else.
Unless your doctor is stubborn (Norwegian I assume...... .....) ......he might listen to you......

I'll try that next time

 

[thewiz]

Glad you are feeling better...keep those tonsils happy! lol!