Hi everyone,
I’ve been struggling with a stubborn sinus infection on my left side for over five weeks now. A few weeks back, I tested positive for E. coli—I can’t even fathom how that happened— and my physician prescribed Amox-Clav, which I’ve been taking for the last 18 days. I’ve also been performing daily saline rinses and using Flonase to manage the swelling.
On certain nights, both of my nostrils become entirely blocked, preventing any airflow. I’ve had to use Afrin about 5 or 6 times throughout this five-week period, though the Flonase usually keeps the right side open enough to breathe once it kicks in.
Despite the Amox-Clav, my condition hasn’t improved, so my doctor decided to run another test. The results just came back showing that the infection has actually intensified.
Test Status: Final
Specimen Source: Sinus
Specimen Quality: Adequate
Result: Mold isolated. Please notify the lab within three days if identification is required. Heavy growth of Escherichia coli.
Antibiotic Sensitivity:
AMOX/CLAVULANATE: S (4)
AMP/SULBACTAM: S (<=2)
CEFAZOLIN: I (4)
CEFEPIME: S (<=0.12)
CEFTAZIDIME: S (<=0.5)
CEFTRIAXONE: S (<=0.25)
CIPROFLOXACIN: S (<=0.06)
GENTAMICIN: S (<=1)
IMIPENEM: S (<=0.25)
LEVOFLOXACIN: S (<=0.12)
MEROPENEM: S (<=0.25)
PIP/TAZOBACTAM: S (<=4)
TRIMETHOPRIM/SULFA: S (<=20)
In the last few days, the situation has declined. I’m now dealing with total nasal obstruction along with sharp, stabbing pains in my nostril and sinus, plus a mild headache.
My ENT specialist treated this like it wasn’t a major issue, but I’m having a hard time finding any information online regarding the severity or proper treatment for this specific infection.
The problem I’m noticing with the lab work is that many of the effective antibiotics are cephalosporins, which I am allergic to (I developed hives from Ceclor when I was younger). It looks like my only remaining choice might be a fluoroquinolone.
Is there such a thing as a medicated nasal spray or topical antibiotic that could treat this more directly? Or is an oral fluoroquinolone the only path forward at this stage?
I have never had a sinus issue last more than a week in my life, yet this one continues to get worse. What should I do, and is this something I should be seriously worried about?
Thanks!
About me: 32-year-old male, generally healthy and fit. I’ve been training for a marathon for several months, though I’ve had to stop running almost entirely for the past two weeks at my ENT’s suggestion.