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Question:

Should throat/sinus inflammation concern me as my body is trying to "fix" something and thus taxing my immune system? Is it worth taking allergy medication and will these meds stop the inflammation? Do you consider the potential side effects of allergy meds worth enduring to get rid of inflammation?

Would allergy testing be a good idea to find out what might be causing the reaction?

Background:

I don't like meds, especially when I'm supposed to take them every day and just for the "symptoms" of what is possibly a larger problem. A visit to the doctor yesterday revealed that what I refer to as my "sinus issues" is actually resulting in chronic inflammation: my throat is apparently red and inflamed.

Other symptoms include fluid in the ear and continuous post-nasal drip. Sometimes a headache springs up as well. I have a feeling "mind fog," light-headedness, fatigue, and similar symptoms are also tied into this...

Even though these symptoms are annoying, I've lived with them for as long as I can remember and I've gotten used to them. The inflammation is worrying me though. I know chronic gut inflammation can cause major issues...what about inflammation in other areas of the body?

The doctor convinced me to try allergy meds. I have tried them before and every time I have decided the side effects are more bothersome than the allergy symptoms. The meds dry my sinuses out, but they also somehow dry my skin. They make me not just fatigued but lethargic, and the mind fog turns into an almost out-of-body experience. If I stay on them, the side effects become less intense, but then if I miss a day or stop taking the meds, it's as if I have withdrawal symptoms: the tiredness comes back full force, I'm incredibly congested, and generally just feel horrible.

Your opinions about the inflammation vs. allergy meds are greatly appreciated! Thanks!

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Are you currently eating Paleo? Do you eat dairy/nightshades? I would personally try tinkering with my diet to try to get rid of the symptoms. It may take some time, but it's better than being on maintenance meds for the rest of your life. – sherpamelissa Apr 5 2011 at 15:24
I agree: I'd rather work on diet than take pills. I currently eat dairy and nightshades, but I have eliminated dairy before without any noticeable difference. I don't know if I'm ready to give up on potatoes, but that might, unfortunately, be what I have to do. – Ali Apr 5 2011 at 18:25

3 Answers

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My sinus problem was cleared up years ago by chewing bees' cappings (the waxy covering from the front of the honey comb) which is clearly Paleo. Never had a problem since. Oil -pulling is also regarded as a natural and effective treatment for sinusitis if no bee-keepers near you.

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Where do you get bees' cappings? I've heard of eating locally produced honey to help with allergies, but I've not hear about cappings. I also need to look into oil-pulling as it showed up on some of the other sinus/allergy posts on here. Thanks! – Ali Apr 5 2011 at 18:28
Are the cappings the same as propolis? You can order propolis online if you can't find it near you. Also, chewing one honey comb is helpful. – Barb Apr 5 2011 at 19:48
DudleyP - interesting. What sort of sinus problem did you have? Did your nose run, or did the lining of the nostrils swell such that you couldn't breathe freely? And for how long did you have to eat the bees' cappings? – Arthur Apr 5 2011 at 20:18
Bees cappings are the waxlike substance that the bees cap the honeycomb with to seal in the honey. Beekeepers scrape the cappings off the comb to release the honey, and any beekeeper will be able to supply the cappings. The cappings are obviously very sweet at first but once the sweetness has gone, the cappings are just like, and have the same consistency of chewing gum. I was prescribed this by a herbalist as a teenagerfor acute sinusitis, when orthodox medicine/antibiotics failed me. – DudleyP Apr 5 2011 at 21:33
Arthur, my sinusitis was so severe that I was confined to bed with it as a teenager. It resulted in swollen nostrils, earaches in both ears, and both eyelids were swollen to the point that my eyes were closed, and my throat and neck glands were swollen. Bees cappings brought almost instant relief when I started to chew some. Within hours my symptoms subsided. They were so bad, that I cannot think the cappings acted like a placebo. I have not suffered from sinus problems since. – DudleyP Apr 5 2011 at 21:41
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Neti pots are great for dealing with the symptoms of that kind of inflammation.

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I've tried the neti pot and it kind of weirds me out. It seems to clear me out, but I don't see how it would solve the underlying issue of whatever is causing the inflammation in the first place. – Ali Apr 5 2011 at 18:27
You could add some herbs to the pot. Here's a useful blurb by a respected herbalist- herbcraft.org/survivingsinusitis.html – Barb Apr 5 2011 at 19:47
There's an easier way to clear your sinuses than Neti pots - [NeilMed Sinus Rinse](neilmed.com/usa). Beware though of using it long-term: webmd.com/allergies/news/20091109/… I also don't see how a Neti pot would solve the underlying inflammation issue. – Arthur Apr 5 2011 at 20:16
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I agree that removing nightshades may be something you want to try. Bitters, probiotics and possible digestive enzymes may help, if you arent' already taking them. Nettle infusions (1 ounce dried to 1 quart near boiling water, capped and allowed to steep for at least 8 hours) are amazing for allergies. I've also experienced relief by adding some raw apple cider vinegar to my daily. These may not be paleo approved but a hell of a lot better than any otc or rx. I hope you find the relief and answers you're looking for.

Oh also, I've found a homeopathic product that's nice to have on hand for acute relief, it's called Nelson's Sinus. It's a "clikpak" containing 84 pillules(dose is 2) and it costs about $7. The formulas contained are hydrastis, kali bic, pulsatilla ans thuja occ all in 30c. Unfortunately for those avoiding lactose, it is an inactive ingredient.

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Two votes for nightshade elimination...yeah, I'll definitely try that. And I love apple cider vinegar, so that will be something to try as well. Thanks! – Ali Apr 6 2011 at 14:36

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