Chronic sinus infections symptoms and conditions

I thought I was going crazy. I went to the doctor to have Mirena removed and she talked me out of it. I had it inserted after my second child in Sept. of 2006. I keep having all of these problems but no explanation and no one has linked it to Mirena. My sex drive is a big ZERO! I have had nausea, joint pain, back pain, severe mood issues, severe fatigue, chronic sinus infections and unexplained weight gain. I feel so bad for my family having to put up with all of this. I have an appointment to have it taken out on Thursday and it could not be soon enough. There is no way to get back the time that I have wasted being miserable the last 2 1/2 years!

I'm so glad I'm not alone! I am 23 years old and have been thin my whole life (98 pounds). I have been on Singulair for chronic sinus infections for 3 months now and have gained almost 10 pounds (I have never gained weight or had to watch what I eat) and I have intense cravings! I am also experiencing the anxiousness and mood swings that I thought were just because I am a first year teacher. I have not taken it for a few days and my mood and nightmares have already improved.

I'm so glad I found this! I thought I was going mad for a while there. Background: I'm a 34 yr old female. Diagnosed w/ asthma at 12, but they suspect I had it before that. Used only Ventolin for a long time. Five years ago, right around the time I had my second child, my symptoms (and allergies) seemed to get much worse. We moved around that time, to a house with a HUGE Chinese elm in the backyard (which I now know I'm allergic to) and right next to a main freeway. Around this time, Dr. prescribed Advair 250/50 when he realized I was using Ventolin up to 6 & 7 times/ day. The first year, I actually felt so much better (I could BREATHE!!) that I think I wouldn't have noticed any side affects. Year two I had MAJOR hair thinning. Dr said "age and hormones". Following 3 years on it: Almost constant nasal congestion (despite always being on a decongestant), sinus infection, tonsil infections, laryngitis, TWO bouts of pneumonia in 3 years. Around the year mark on it, I did experience the depression and anxiety, however, I had had the "baby blues" with my first child and just thought it was a more severe version of that. Now, I feel CONSTANTLY "run down" and almost always have some low-grade infection (yeast, UTI, sinus, bronchitis...etc.), am always hoarse and am just waiting for another round of pneumonia. I also get dizzy A LOT. I am in the second day of a cold turkey quit and am looking for alternative diet/exercise therapies. Good Luck to everyone!

NO SIDE EFFECTS: POSSIBLE HELP WITH SUPPLEMENTS had very serious sinus infection. two weeks of anit-biotics with no result, symptoms got worse, before taking levaquin for an additional two weeks. within three days was back on my feet. i previously have taken the supplement MSM for continual joint pain in past years, and was pleased to find a wide array of other health benefits from taking it. Having two kids, building a home and busy work schedule led to neglect of my heath supplements. (not smart) Resulting in immune dysfunction, chronic sinus infections over the last two years. After realizing that my health was was in ruins, i decided to start taking my supplements again around the time of my course of levaquin. started taking my multi's again and more importantly my MSM ( similar to chondroitin or glucosamine) Note: I recently read that MSM has been proven to help the body fight infection, as it is required to be present for the body to fight infection. MSM is simply (organic sulfer) found in everyday food we eat. with processed foods and preservatives this element is removed. To make a long story short, after first taking levaquin, I did have some minor joint and back pain (among other things) started taking MSM and effects were diminished, and then gone. After reading what others went through, i made the correlation between the two, and with my previous history of joint pain i would think that i would be a prime candidate for these symptoms. It worked for me, it may work for you, and the worst case scenario is that is doesn't work but you become stronger and healthier from taking it. Brief History. I use to love to play basketball. after joint pain and swelling could only play once a week, and couldn't even walk up stairs the next day. after taking MSM continually for a couple of weeks i was able to play daily, for as long as I wanted. a true miracle. The good news: its at the health food store, it's really cheap, and its a completely natural supplement. take 1000 mg daily with meals or without. its worth a shot for no symptoms.

For just over two years I suffered with chronic sinus infections and I could not understand what the cause of it could be. My doctors (two sinus specialists and also GP) did not even know about this side effect of Lisinopril. I was on antibiotics five times last year. The sinus specialists told me I must go for sinus surgery. I tried to remember when my sinus problems started and tried to link it to something else. Then I realized that I started taking Lisinopril in September 2006. Shortly after this I had my first severe sinus infection and I almost had pneumonia from it. Shortly after I recovered (after taking a strong course of antibiotics) it was not three weeks then I had it again. I had sinus problems the whole of 2007 and 2008. I decided to do some research on the internet to see if the infections are related to Lisinopril. I was shocked to discover that so many people reported the same side effects. I requested my GP to change my BP medication to a different group (Non-ACE Inhibitor). I cannot believe the difference. No more sinus infections! Also, I had flu once so far and I managed to recover from it without the use of antibiotics. This is a real breakthrough for me. I am just glad that I found this forum.
JM, South Africa

1) Stop going to the doctor for "sinus infections". This is one of the most over diagnosed, over treated, self-limiting illnesses in the world. Because 90% is viral, it's also the leading cause of antibiotic resistant bacteria in out-patient medicine. Get some Afrin and blow your nose.
2) Avoid taking fluoroquinolones (Cipro, Levaquin, Avelox) as an outpatient. These powerful drugs should be used to save lives in the hospital. The leading exception would be a urinary tract infection that is resistant to all other antibiotics.
3) All fluoroquinolones can cause tendon ruptures, especially the achille's tendon in patients over 65. This is a devastating injury, though rare with this class of antibiotics.

May 16 y.o. daughter has chronic sinus infections and sever headaches. They said it was allergies and put her in Allegra D and Singulair. Headaches seemed better with slightly fewer sinus infections. Once I heard about the mood swings and Singulair I took her off. Then the Allegra did not seem to be able to keep up with keeping the sinus infections at bay. We finally figured out that she has a deviated septum and will need surgery. Anyway, we put her back on Singulair so we can get though the season with as few sinus infection until we can schedule surgery around high school and sports. Then we were noticing how her hair has become so thin. She used to have really thick hair and now her pony tail is to thin and small. After doing internet searching, we found out that other people are having this problem with Singulair. I took her off of it 4 days ago and already the shower has less hair in it. You can't tell a teenager that she needs to stay on a medication and lose a ton of hair. I am hoping that her hair will grow back quickly.

OH MY GOD!!!! I thought I might be imagining things. I was prescribed Levaquin and clyndamycin on December 15 2008 for a urinary tract infection that appeared to have gone systemic. After 2 days my right knee swelled up. I went back to the Dr the next day and he looked up both antibiotics in his little book and said the clyndamycin could cause joint swelling and pain. He told me to stop taking the clyndamycin and take 600 mg of ibuprofen for the joint paig. His little book said nothing about levaquin. Well I kept taking the levaquin and the pain spread literally to every joint in my body. I could not walk and had trouble even holding a coffee cup. The pain was unreal. I completed the 10 day course of the levequin as instructed. The joint pain was getting worse. I called the Dr. again and they did blood work to rule out arthritis and stuff like that. He put me on prednisone which has significantly helped with the pain. He said it may be a coincidence that I have developed arthritis and that it had nothing to do with the UTI. Well as I was watching TV last night I saw a lawyers commercial for a law suit against levaquin and cipro. Then today got on the internet and found this site. I am going to call the Dr. and tell him to update his little book he looked up the levaquin in. My fear is how long after you stop taking this poison does the joint pain end? I wish I would have known all of this sooner. I will never take this drug again.

I was given a free 10 day coupon for Avelox by a physician to treat an awful cold that wouldn't go away. He also wrote a prescription for, and I got it filled at a pharmacy, an inhaler. Avelox is the WORST medicine I have ever encountered in my 69 years!! I took it for 4 days and QUIT (today) the *^%(% thing. Who wants to be dizzy, crabby, anxious, short with people, impatient, thirsty all the time, constantly gasping for breath, and NO energy at all?
Bayer should be prosecuted, condemned for creating this poison pill. I can't believe this med it is still allowed for public consumption!??

Singulair is bad!! I have posted this before in October but just noticed the posting is no longer there??? My son is 4 and had horrible side effects. He has been medically cleared by 3 different physicians and everything leads back to the Singulair. We have a happy loving home, no stress than normal everyday stuff. He does great in his catholic school setting. He literally was as almost as a picture perfect kid as you could get. He was only on Singulair. About 2 months ago things started to happen. Unexplained fevers of always 102 or higher, severe headaches, seeing colors, joint and leg pain, stomach aches, sleep walking, night terrors, bad nail biting habit, depression, extremely emotional, chronic sinus infections, poor appetite, and weight loss. He just simply looked lethargic all the time. He missed school, fun activities and simply started to loose interest in things. I too knew something was wrong. The pediatrician thought I was too a hypochondriac. Then one night he had an emotional break down. He said things no 4 year old should ever think let alone say. Like he wanted to hurt us with knifes, he didn't love anyone, he hated Jesus. All along while crying because he did not understand why he felt this way. He wanted to die he said! I was so devastated. His teacher and our family could not believe the night and day difference in him. He was so happy and such a nurturing child to others. Now he simply had no emotion. You could look right through him. So after several doctors and psychiatrist they have concurred that the Singulair has thrown his Serotonin off. So he now has this chemical imbalance that we are working through with a psychiatrist who our insurance does not cover but is the best. All the other physical symptoms have subsided, he eats like a horse now, and no more nail biting, headaches or fevers. HMM coincidence... I think not!!! I have tried very hard to get the word out. I have had so much response just via private email that my friends have forwarded and so on. This is not isolated incidences. We are just the lucky ones to have discovered this website. Imagine those kids and adults that are still suffering. I work on an ambulance and i can tell you we had a 4 year old boy have a seizure out of the blue with no recent illness or history. Guess what med he was one??? Write every health official, contact the FDA, attorney general. Seriously this is the only way things will change!!

I started using advair in early December 2006. The first month was great, no asthma symptoms, no side effects. However, after the second month (I am a very healthy female, exept for the asthma), I got pneumonia, chronic sinus infections, night sweats, dry mouth (especially at night), chest pain, swollen glands in neck,constant heartburn, anxiety, cystic acne, leg cramping. I weaned myself off the drug after doing more research on it. I was only on 100/50 once a day. I have been put on singulair for a few days now and feel great. I attribute all these symptoms to Advair use. It is not for everybody and those who use it should be well informed of these side effects. It made my life a living hell.

After taking various dosages of prednisone over a 3-4 year period for severe asthma and chronic sinus infections I discovered that prednisone will destroy your bones. I have bone denisty loss, arthritis in my spine, knee and flare ups in my hands and wrists. I now have chronic pain-not a matter if I will be in pain just how severe. Just this week I developed tendinitis in both ankles. I never would have taken prednisone if I had known what it could do to me. The weight gain, moodiness and hyper feeling are just minor side effects to me-they go away when you finish the treatment. Now I am in pain daily and having a difficult time supporting my daughter and myself. From what I have researched it will just get worse. DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICATION! It is not worth the benefits.

I started taking this drug 6 months ago for chronic sinus infections and it has worked wonderfully. For most of that time I've been having severe acne and skin boils, and severe hair loss. I also relate to others complaining of the loss of mental "sharpness". I'll have to give this drug up after reading everyone's posts. Thanks!

I took it for 10 days for a sinus infection. 3 days after I stopped taking it I broke out itching all over my neck, arms, back, stomach and hips. Then it turned into into a red rash with welphs. I could not attribute it to anything else different in my life. I went to the dermatologist who said I was probably allergic to the levaquin and It was possible that the reaction could occur after I stopped taking it.
Has anyone heard of this????

I have been reading all the mail on this site. I BELIEVE in Levaquin!!!! I have chronic sinus infections and am allergic to sulfa antibiotics. I do NOT have the side effects everyone talks about. Without Levaquin I would NEVER get over sinus infections and everything else that they lead into. Amoxicillian, Augmentin, Biaxin, and Cephzil are all good antibiotics, BUT they only prolong the pain for me. LEVAQUIN is the ONLY antibiotic that works for me and I cannot get over infections without it!!! I suggest people who are prescribed Levaquin and they do indeed have reactions to it, DON'T KNOCK IT... just get another antibiotic. There are others out there who need it like me!!.

my 10 year old daughter was put on singulair by an infectious disease doctor that had seen some improvements in kids taking this who have chronic sinus infections and swelling of sinus tissues...my daughter showed an improvement in sinus problems but noticed a 20 pound weight gain from 62 to 82 pounds in a few months..owed this to better health from pill and tonsil/sinus surgery...went off singulaire that summer...at Christmas my daughter caught a bad cold which turned into a potentially fatal frontal sinus infection from infected swelling frontal sinus (called Pott's Puffy Tumor)...she was put on IV antibiotics and singulair..she takes nasonex and sudafed regularly and does daily sinus rinsing...since starting the singulair again she is increasingly hungry and she is gaining weight again...slightly moody, never feels full...but the new symptom is pain in her side at the lower rib cage..this started after singulair for 2 months...the pain wraps around her side and reaches to her navel area...last night she woke up with severe cramping in her stomach every 10 minutes like labor contractions....after an hour she developed all over hives and was having hot flashes during the cramping...she had just taken her second dose of Entex which is an expectorant to thin her sinus mucous...at the time of these symptoms she has been off her IV drugs for 3 weeks...so these other posts really make me suspect singulair for weight gain and abdominal/rib pain and cramping..anyone with similar symptoms?..

I read everyones posts above and have the opposite comment regarding my child. He is three years old and has been on Singulair for about five days now for chronic sinus infections. He is typically a moster, very difficult to deal with, very negative, etc - similar to the negative side effects listed by parents whose children are on Singulair. Since he's been on the medication, he has been very cooperative, happy, ready to learn new things, etc - a complete opposite of what he was pre-medication. He has also been sleeping very well and deeply through the night. I searched the internet trying to find alternate uses for Singulair and haven't found any. Has anyone else experienced this? I wonder if there's a sort of anti-depressant or mood elevating component to it?

I gained over 50lbs since taking Advair for 2 years with no explanations. I have chronic sinus infections and now..a fungis infection in my sinus. I stopped it today after I looked up fungis infections and saw this for Advair. Now it all makes sense. I too have chronic pain in my shoulders and muscle pain. My memory for long term things is just about gone. I have to take Voltarin for chronic pain and I could not understand why and no one caught this, except me., just TODAY! We have to be our own doctors today, that is ashame. Maybe just ..maybe now my heart attack rate put me in the emergency room one day because of Advair. They called it SVT. Never a heart problem before, now it looks as if Advair did this all to my failing health FROM 48-50 years old. We all need a good lawyer! I'm in for a class action lawsuit. Let me know if there is one!