Looks like a Med Cruise this summer

Viral sinus infections are rough. They can take weeks to resolve and sometimes move into the chest before finally biting the bullet.

You might only be able to reduce the symptom while it resolves. I sometimes try a neti pot to flush out the sinuses and an otc allergy med (flonase, claritan, etc) to reduce secretions.

I hear you. I have been using the neti pot which works well. I have also used Flonase the first week and another kind the second week. It's been 3 weeks, getting weak from inactivity. I also have a tooth that broke off and needs removing. I think possibly that can be a contributing factor. Can't go to the dentist until I get rid of the infection.

Beginnings of the zombie virus.

Went to a specialist today. Another 10 day round of antibiotics. He said the other antibiotics given would not have helped. He felt I picked up a strain of an old virus in Europe. I also have to get a CAT scan of my sinus cavity to make sure it can't affect my brain. What a great summer!

I wonder why they are giving anti-biotics for a virus. They don't work on them.

Actually bacteria, I should have not used the word virus to explain.

Old bacteria?
Good ole fashioned black plague?

The doctor told me it was very similar to Legionnaires' disease. I don't know how without a culture he can say that. He was sure it was from Europe trip and common in the Middle East. Again, I don't know where he can say that. Today, for the first time in a while I am feeling like I'm a little better and can get up and about.

I went to an ENT doctor again today. CAT scan shows no sinus infection. He recommends a Pulmonary doctor. I was able to make an appointment for Monday with my Pulmonary doctor as an emergency visit. He was booked until September. Next will be an infectious disease doctor looking for Legionnaires or Lyme disease. This is one bad summer!

You'd think they'd eventually take a culture and narrow it down.

They'll get you over it just in time to watch it snow all winter.

The ENT doctor today asked if I wanted blood work to see what my white blood cell count was. I told him no, I'll leave it to the doctor on Monday. I lost some faith with the ENT after first guessing I had Legionnaires and prescribing me antibiotics that knocked the crap out of my stomach and now saying no sinus problems.

How ya doing??

Getting better. Doctor visits last Friday and Monday along with CAT scan and X-rays. The last doctor, Pulmonary, said I most likely had pneumonia and Asthma complicated things. More prednisone, inhaler. He thought I should start to feel good after he saw the X-rays. 3 antibiotics for 27 days was rough on the stomach.

Still feeling lousy. I went again to the pulmonary doctor after being there 2 weeks ago. Still sweating like crazy with no fever. Can't stop coughing. The doctor put me on prednisone again at a higher dose and gave me an inhaler with steroids. He told me the cough should almost go away in10 days, but expect to have a slight cough for up to six months. Funny thing, the doctor took the same cruise and ship two weeks after I did.

Man, that stuff is just hanging around.

It won't go away. Some days I feel good, others I don't want to do anything. The prednisone is killing me, gaining weight, always thirsty, sweat like crazy just moving around. I went to the range today, shot 150 rounds of 5.56, was soaking wet and sitting under a shaded canopy. 4 more days or so and I should be done with this round.

Yes, prednisone can get the job done but it's in that dirty med category of anti-inflam steroids. They reach out and adversely touch most every system in the body. Increases blood sugar/appetite, weakens immune system, increased hair loss, thins skin, mood changes, poor sleep patterns, increased edema, confusion, and on and on... Better for short periods of time.

Yesterday was my last day on prednisone. It will be in my system for another week. It has given me bad headaches, and tremors like you wouldn't believe. I was working on a bathroom faucet yesterday and had to ask my son to put the two small screws back in for me as my hands were shaking so bad I couldn't do it. Still on a steroid inhaler to suppress a cough.

Albuterol inhalers sometimes cause tremors and increased heart rate.

Sooo, same trip next year?

I wouldn't do that trip again ever! I would fly over and take my time instead of treating it like a marathon. I vote for Alaska again but only my wife from our family is willing to do that trip again.


Albuterol I use for asthma. Usually when cutting the grass, I don't use it often. Now in addition to the Albuterol I'm using Symbicort twice a day. For the last few days my voice is going. Yesterday I taught a Homeland Security class and could hardly speak by the end of the day.

How you feeling now? Ive been using the hell out of my Albuterol inhaler the last year. Some days none but then other days I overuse it to breathe.

Slowly making progress. Using two inhalers. I have gone thru more inhalers this past year than I have in the last 5. It is nice to not be coughing as much.

Sounds like it's a marathon recovery.

Yes it is. I do feel better than the past few months. As long as I am seeing the green side of the grass I'm happy.

Glad you are feeling better.

Speaking of cruises. I was checking on a family cruise vacation and yikes they are significantly more expensive these days! And the increased risk of contagions only makes them less appealing. Alaska would be nice.

They do get costly. The past two cruises we have been on were paid for by my mother-in-law. The Med cruise for 10 people including air fare cost her close to $60K. She has since gone on 2 more cruises.
In the summer I would like an Alaskan cruise. In winter a warm weather cruise would be nice. Even if people aren't sick on a cruise, a fully load plane seems to have half the people coughing and sneezing the whole flight.