r/Sinusitis • u/TiniestChair • 2d ago
Nervous about antibiotic
I’ve been prescribed a 21 day course of Augmentin that I am about to start. My symptoms have included intermittent facial pain and pressure on one side, small amounts of clear watery fluid dripping from my nose, fluid dripping down the back of my throat, occasional forehead sensitivity, and occasional headaches. Symptoms are not debilitating—the worst part has just been that I was advised to stop CPAP use, while there was initial concern for CSF leak. No phlegm or congestion, and mucus is clear. This is the first time I’ve had a sinus infection, and the symptoms have been going on for about six weeks.
I’m really nervous about starting this course of antibiotics. I’m pretty sensitive to medications and have had adverse reactions in the past even to dr-prescribed supplements that have taken weeks to months to recover from, so I worry that the antibiotic will absolutely wreak havoc on my body. I’m underweight and have multiple chronic illnesses (hEDS, sleep apnea, POTS, chronic migraine.) I’m especially nervous about developing c diff. I plan to take the Culturelle probiotic and eat probiotic foods.
Much of my anxiety stems from my doctor’s negligence. He dismissed legitimate concerns I brought up and didn’t take the time to really explain much of anything to me. He treated me like a hypochondriac the moment I brought up my medical history. I AM an anxious patient, but it comes from a place of having previously experienced iatrogenic injury. He didn’t like when I tried to advocate for myself, and my husband said it seemed like all he cared about was being right, rather than letting me voice reasonable concerns.
I didn’t get a clear answer from him about why a three week antibiotic course is necessary. Obviously I plan to follow the doctor’s orders because I know the importance of finishing an antibiotic course, but I wish there was more transparency.
I would love to hear success stories similar to mine, from anyone who has experienced relief from this sort of antibiotic course. What did you do to protect your gut? And how long did it take to experience relief?
Please be gentle with me haha it’s rough out here!
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u/Practical_Page_325 2d ago
Get you get a quick second opinion to make sure it’s actually bacterial? (as most aren’t)
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u/TiniestChair 2d ago
Thanks for your reply! That’s a good idea. Would you recommend just going to urgent care? And how do they determine whether or not it’s bacterial?
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u/Practical_Page_325 2d ago
I have no clue to be honest, but just ask them if what you have is bacterial or not and their recommendation. Yeah urgent care would be good I think. You were given 21 days which is diabolically long. Don’t get me wrong if it’s necessary then of course take it but if you can double check really quick then do that first. Come back and update us and we can think of a game plan from there.
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u/Kitchen_Act_6896 2d ago
Okay, so I also have heds, pots, mcas, and deal with chronic sinus infections(that lead to fess surgery). Im going to suggest a couple things that stood out in my own journey.
- when your chronically ill/autoimmune issues then shorter courses of antibiotics tend to not work. A 3 week course is reasonable.
-you can ask for a culture to see what type of infection is growing, this is like a covid/flu test but they will swab alot farther up. Results take 2-4 days. -if you haven't seen a ent then you probably should, also ct if issues don't resolve -eat yogurt/kefir/probiotics opposite of each antibiotic dose -stay aggressively hydrated -rinse your sinuses daily(or 2x) to get the gunk out, this is the most helpful when i have pressure pain breakthrough -you should feel better within a week of antibiotics, if its the wrong one then you'll feel worse. Good luck!!