Update

06 March 2006 by The General Published in: General News 9 comments

I couldn’t get an appointment with my doctor’s office until tomorrow afternoon, so I don’t have a formal medical diagnosis. However, thirty years of unpleasant experience with sinus infections tells me that the symptoms I’m experiencing are those of a nasty sinus infection and not just the common cold. I felt so bad today that I actually left the office at 12:30 and came home, which is something I never do–I think I had one sick day in 2005, and then it was the flu. I feel like I’ve been hit by a bus–did anybody get its number?–and am in desperate need of a good night’s sleep. Hopefully, starting antibiotics tomorrow will get me back on the road to feeling like myself again.

Scridb filter

Comments

Kevin M. Levin

Mon 06th Mar 2006 at 7:33 pm
Hey Eric,

Take it easy and get well soon.

Kevin
Lanny

Mon 06th Mar 2006 at 8:09 pm
Dear Eric,
Sorry to hear of your malady. I took my 16 year old son to the doctor last Friday with the same problems as you currently have. I took him again today because he began to suffer drainage from his right ear, which concerned the doctor greatly. I have found that this is a common illness right now all over this part of Texas.
I hope that you have great insurance coverage. I am serviced by a great company, named El Shafto–they are not cheap but they are symphathic. In fact, they told me that if, for example, I lost a leg, they would help me look for it!
Best wishes on getting well and resuming your place at the head of the charge!
Lanny
The General

Mon 06th Mar 2006 at 10:24 pm
Thanks, guys. This has been an annual thing for more than 25 years now. I certainly know the symptoms by now. A couple of years ago, I came down with one while we were in Key West on vacation in October, and it tenaciously hung on for nearly five months before we finally found the right combination of antibiotics that did the trick. That was especially miserable.

I see the doctor tomorrow.

Eric
Rob Wick

Tue 07th Mar 2006 at 6:59 pm
Eric,

Hope your feeling better. I have had the crud for about a week and a half, which accordingly has thrown my Conger writing schedule all to hell. Just to let you know I plan to be in front of the computer tonight!

Best wishes
Rob
Shelley

Tue 07th Mar 2006 at 8:09 pm
OK being a mommie, you are worrying me. Being married to a terrific family doc who passed away about a year ago, apparently I have to say something. Do you ever ask the doctor or get decongestants and inhalers to use? Also don’t forget to gargle with mouthwash (as my daughter’s allergist recommends) or with 1/2 teaspoon of salt in 8oz of water as warm as you can take ( as my husband would have told you to do). The idea is to keep everthing moving and draining to avoid infection. We’re both in the Midwest and it is murder on sinuses. Take care and get well soon.
The General

Tue 07th Mar 2006 at 8:13 pm
Rob,

Get busy. You have a story to tell. And thanks for writing.

Eric
The General

Tue 07th Mar 2006 at 8:15 pm
Shelley,

I got to see the doc today, as a matter of fact. This is my second major sinus infection in six months, and I have, sadly, moved into the chronic category. I’ve been referred to an ENT with an eye toward surgery. While the idea doesn’t much excite me, it’s GOT to be better than this. I had one that began in October 2003 and didn’t finally go away until May 2004. I went through five different runs of antibiotics before the ENT finally found one that worked.

I use Sudafed and a a spray steroid. They do little.

Eric
Mike Peters

Tue 07th Mar 2006 at 8:49 pm
Eric:

As a member of a profession that deals with this stuff on a daily basis, I have found that the nasal steroids (Flownase, etc.) or saline do little to rectify the problem.

Surgery, I’m sorry to say, is a viable solution for the chronic patient & can be done on an outpatient basis.

Get well soon my friend!

Mike
The General

Tue 07th Mar 2006 at 8:54 pm
Thanks, Mike. I have, unfortunately, come to that conclusion. There just don’t seem to be any other viable options other than to continue having these obnoxious problems.

Eric