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[DottyD68]

I had been on a new regime of Evorel 50 conti patches for about a month, and getting on ok with them,  when I caught a terrible coughing virus about 5 weeks ago and was producing a lot of phlegm. I lost my voice for about 10 days. After 2 weeks I went to GP who diagnosed bacterial sinusitus and said my sinuses were in overdrive. He gave me antibiotics. They seemed to clear up most of the phlegm although I still have some headaches and residual phlegm / post-nasal drip. It has been 2 weeks since I finished the ABs and although I am much better and gradually doing more each day, I am still not right and spend the afternoons "recovering". My health anxiety has increased again as a result of the episode and the fact I don't feel back to my "normal" menopausal self. I have very little motivation to do anything or see anyone although I am functioning and forcing myself to do some exercise. I am worried I will never feel better. The relentless bad weather does not help as I am an outdoor person.
Could the ABs have affected the HRT as I had begun to feel more motivated and positive before this awful infection? Is it just a question of recovery time? Any words of wisdom would be helpful. Thank you

[CLKD]

Rest Girl, Rest!  Did U have the 'hung over' feeling when you tried to bend down?  .  One C.mas morning I woke with it and hardly dared to move, the pain was awful.   

You will feel better.  Give your body a break, let it heal.  R U taking anything for the pain, perhaps speak to a Pharmacist to see whether there are specific sinus pain relief products over the counter? 

The weather is certainly a downer, especially for those of us who love gardening or walking!


Recovery time.  Doubt whether ABs will alter the HRT effects.  Viruses and bacterial infections can drain the system especially when we are already trying to counter act other infections etc..

Get those feet up!  Doze if your body needs it to recover, sleep heals ;-)

[DottyD68]

Thanks  for replying CLKD

I feel like I have been resting for the past 2 weeks after I finished the ABs. I have been taking other OTC meds for the duration but have stopped as I'm not sure they agree with me. Still taking ibu and/or paracetomol for the headaches.

Appetite still not great so I know I'm not right.

I have had to cancel my monthly acupuncture session twice as I felt so poorly. It is scheduled for tomorrow so I am hoping that will give me a boost.

I will continue to listen to my body and rest.

[CLKD]

Two weeks is nowt when the body is overwhelmed by a 'bug'.  Listen to your body and go with the flow. If possible get into the sunshine as often as possible: sit with a cuppa and take in the bird songs, insects etc..

[shrosphirelass]

I agree with CLKD. I used to get awful sinus infections and when they were really bad and long lasting I would get really down and it would take me quite a while to get back to normal.

Be kind to yourself.

[CLKD]

R U in contact with any1 else suffering from infection?  My work mate and I cross infected each other for months until her GP suggested that we both take a 3 weeks course of ABs to knock the virus on its head.  Worked.

[getting_old]

I'd suggest going back to see the doctor. It's possible you still have some of the infection so need more or different antibiotics. Also, go out, even if it's raining. Just pop on a mac and wellies. Fresh air really does help when it comes to sinuses.

[DottyD68]

Thank you both. Yes, my husband has been going through the same (but slightly different experience, infact I think he gave it to me!  ) So in some ways it makes me feel less worried that I have some serious disease. What concerns me is that we are both quite fit and healthy "late 50 somethings" but this has knocked us for six and recovery is so slow. And for me the low mood/anxiety/confidence menopause symptoms have re-emerged which made me think the ABs may have affected the HRT. I probably need to be a bit more patient.

[DottyD68]

Thank you getting old.
 I agree. I love the fresh air. I do a lot of cycling. But I have very dry eyes and the crazy wind causes more issues despite my wrap-round glasses so I dont feel relaxed going outin the wind. It's been really windy since November!

[Rumbaba]

Hi Dotty

Sorry to hear you have been feeling so poorly, I hope you feel better soon..

Has your cough gone yet? I've had a hacking/barking cough for about a week now, and at the start , I also had some really bad sinus headaches.

I'm constantly blowing my nose, and I've definitely got a pist nasal drip. Like you, it's spiked my health anxiety.

It doesn't help that I work really long hours. Imat my desk by 6.30 am and work until at least 4.30pm., sometimes later. I rarely get about into the fresh air.

[DottyD68]

Hi Rumbaba,

My cough has pretty much gone thank goodness. I was literally wretching with phlegm (sometimes in the middle of the night which was so scary) - I felt like I was suffocating with phlegm (nose, throat, eyes), never known anything like it. I had my head over a steaming bowl of water in the middle of the night on several occasions. The phlegmy cough cleared up once I was on AB's but for another week had a horrible dry/tickly cough as it dried up which was worse at night. The general advice is that GPs wont be interested until you've had a cough for 3 weeks. I cracked at 2 weeks and GP was very understanding. I wish I had gone earlier so my advice (given your sinus headaches) is don't leave it so long and try and see a GP. I wish I had gone earlier. Hope you are feeling better soon.

[Rumbaba]

Hi Dotty

Thanks for the advice. The next available appointment at my surgery is 30/04, so I've booked that, as it will definitely have been 3 weeks by then.

If I get better before then, I can just cancel it.

I get super anxious about coughs as both my Dad and my sister died of lung cancer.

Take care

Rumbaba
 
 

[DottyD68]

Good plan Rhumbaba.

I know what you mean. As bad as it has been, it has been "reassuring" my husband has had a similar thing (not for him obvs  ) and for as long, otherwise I would think it was something really wrong with me. On two different occasions during the night I thought I was going to end up in hospital (sounds dramatic but I felt so awful).

I know of several people who have had lengthy coughing bugs/viruses lately (including the 90 day cough?) so I am sure it must have been something similar, but turned into a sinus bacterial infection for me. Yours sounds similar so please try not to worry it is something more sinister. I can appreciate how worried you must feel especially after our Dad & sister's illnesses - so sorry to hear that. I am just struggling to get back to "normal" and that is stressing me. Being impatient I think. I don't think this damp weather helps.

Hope you start to feel better soon.

[getting_old]

Have you tried rinsing with Neilmed? That can help clear the sinuses.

[DottyD68]

I havent. I will look into it. Thank you.