My daughter has had a sinus infection since Sept. She is 3. They keep on putting her on meds and nothing is helping. They did an x-ray and her sinus's are all plugged up still. So they want to take out her adenoids out. Any advice??
Get another opinion from an ENT.
Sometimes, people can be treated for infections when there is something else going on as an underlying cause. I don't want to cause alarm or concern, but it's not normal to have a 3 month sinus infection.
What anti-biotics have been used?
There are exercises I have people do to put the body back into proper alignment to allow the sinuses to drain properly. These cavities are supposed to be filled with AIR, not fluid. When the body isn't aligned properly, it can't drain properly.
There are also a couple of positions I put people in to do the same. Many times, they need tissue before they even get out of the position. I can ALWAYS HEAR the difference when we're done. Doesn't take much. LOTS better than drugs too.
Where do you live?
Are you seeing an ENT? Has he mentioned saline spray? I was a drug rep and the ENTs I called on really promoted saline. The benefit is that if her infection is due to anaerobic bacteria those are the most difficult to treat with antibiotics. The thrive in the warm moist airless environment of a sinus cavity. The saline flushes the bacteria and allows air to get into the sinus cavity and the anaerobes are naturally destroyed by the air and salt. Sinus infections are so hard to treat. The sinus cavity is very hard to penetrate with the antibiotics. If you can use the saline on her 3-5 times a day she will get some benefit from it. Good luck!
You don't say whether you have gone any other routes first. Surgery should be a last resort. Allergies should be first through either an allergist or immunologist. AN immunologist can also check if necessary on how her immune system is. IGA deficiencies cause sinus problems and other upper respiratory problems. It probably is tough to get a 3 year old to do nasal rinses so I am not sure how you can do that with a small child. Neti pots and sinus sprays are great. I don't how your child would handle that. I have a daughter with chronic sinus problems and they have been tied to allergies and IGA and IGG deficiencies. We are doing everything non invasive before doing any surgeries. She is now 14 years old and we have been dealing with this all her life. THe last year has been the worst for her. She has missed many days of school. Make sure you are working with a pediatric specialist. Dr Wishah is in Westlake. SHe is an immunologist. Dr CHeryl Leuthauser in Richfield is more of a natural approach. She works with young kids too. ALways noninvasive. She is an osteopath. I am working mostly with University Hospitals with my daughter.
I had chronic sinus infections for YEARS. At least, that is what 5 different doctors said. However, I finally went to an allergist. He told me it was an allergy, not a sinus infection, put me on strong allery medicine after doing an allergy test and finding out I'm very allergic to tree pollen and dog. I never had the common symtoms of itching watering eyes or scratchy throat - it was all just sinuses. Anyways... after 4 days the 'sinus infection' went away and has not returned in 2 years.
My 4 year old has had alot of sinus issues as well and even though 2 doctors have told her/me it's sinus infection, it turned out to be an allergy. It cleared up quickly taking Zyrtec.
So... get a 2nd opinion at an allergist before surgery - that's what I would do.
I think all of the moms have given great advise. I have been doing a lot of reading lately about allergies and how they can trigger symptoms that mirror infections. If you suffer from allergies your body is fighting all of the time and this can bring down your immune system. If it were me before I put my 3 year old through surgery, I would visit an allergist and ask for an IGe and IGa test. I would do this especially if there is a history of allergies on either side. It may not be allergies and your daughter may need surgery after all.
Do it! Do it! Do it!
Having my sons adnoids removed was the greatest thing ever! (Well first greatest thing---the next thing was when we went back in and had tonsilles removed!! Do that now too, even if they aren't infected b/c we had to go back to totally fix the problem two years later!)
Really, my son was on antibiotics from Nov. until March the year we had his anoids out, with about a week break max between rounds lasting 14 days long. Post having adnoids removed he went over a year and half without a single infection. Then they started again and he was having sleep apnea so we took out tonsilles, they cleaned out adnoids again (apparently in some cases they can grow back) and put in a second set of PE tubes. He has done great for years now, and hasn't been on antibiotics since. His asthma is gone, he doesn't snore any more and it wasn't until this fall that we had to take allergy medicine again! Do it.
Hi, Dannielle! My son had continuous sinus infections for YEARS! He was on antibiotics every 6-8 weeks... to the point where the medication wouldn't help anymore. We ended up taking out his tonsils and adenoids at the age of six, and he immediately saw the results! No more sinus infections, and no more snoring! It was great! I highly recommend getting it done. It's was well worth it! Best of luck!
A recurring sinus infection is most likely allergies.
I suffered from constant congestion for years. Then I started using the neti pot and that helped a lot. Finally I went to an allergist and found out I was extremely allergic to dust mites. Now I feel so much better.
My 6 yr old daughter also had recurring congestion and infections in the spring. She has allergies to tree pollens. Now she takes zyrtec every night and rarely has any congestion. We get the generic version, liquid for children, from Kaiser Permanente. It only costs $5.69 per bottle!! And I get my generic zyrtec in 100 pills for approx. $10. You will not get it cheaper anywhere else.
Anyone can purchase products from Kaiser's pharmacy. You don't need to be a member.
Take your daughter to an allergist.
Good Luck
It never hurts to get a 2nd opinion (if you can afford one) but I'd say pop those babies out! My sister went through the same thing. Hers went on a LOOOOOOOOONG time. Adenoids came out & so did the problem.
Good luck!
Have her try the Netti Pot or Ayr. They are nasal rinses that will help if it is either an infection or allergies - it probably won't cure it, but it will give her some relief until you can decide what to do. It is just a saline/salt water rinse, so you aren't adding any more medication to her system.
I prefer the Ayr because you squeeze it instead of pour it. The directions come in either box. Ayr is available at RiteAid and the Netti Pot at health food stores. Be sure it is a nasal wash and not just a mist. I started using these a lot when I was pregnant and my sinus issues got so bad. I just saw that she is 3 - these may be too much for her, but Simply Saline does have a wash too I think.
Good luck with your surgery decision, and sorry I can't be any help there.
My son has huge adnoids at 4 months and is always plugged up. If this continues I will be in your situation, and I think I'd take them out.
I say this with a horrible sinus infection myself (and possible surgery) so I know how miserable it can be not breathing well.
Have you tried going the natural route yet? I'd go to Whole Foods and buy garlic oil. NOT garlic flavored oil, but actual garlic oil. Warm it and drop a couple drops in each nostril each night before bed. Have her lie on her back as long as she can (I know kids don't stay in one place too long...). Garlic is a great bacteria fighter. The oil works well for ear infections, too.
Good Luck:)
My son had his adenoids taken out three weeks ago and I can't believe the difference in how he is breathing and how he can finally smell! He's even eating things that he wouldn't eat before because he's not congested anymore and can taste now too! I totally recommend for re-occuring sinus infections/ear infections (like my son, plus allergies). It has made a huge difference.
Good luck!
My daughter had the same problem. We had her adnoids out over a year ago and haven't had any problems since. She still gets colds, but they don't last forever like they used to. They surgery is quick and so is the recovery. My daughter had no problems and was up and playing later that same day.
Is it the pediatrician that you have been seeing and wants to have her adenoids removed? Have you seen an ENT (ear, nose, throat doctor) yet for a second opinion? If not, I would suggest taking her to an ENT.
Deb T also has a good suggestion. Could it be allergies? Maybe try some Zyrtec or see if the doctor could give her some Singulair. They have helped my son with his allergies.
If you have explored all the options, then I would suggest to go for it. Have the adenoids removed. BEST WISHES!
My girls both had bad infections when they were young. They removed their tonsils and adenoids and it's been WONDERFUL! They don't sick much at all. Even though they still get a few sniffles during allergy season, it is WAS less than it used to be. I would suggest doing it.
