Really bad allergies and possible sinus infection.

Sinus allergies/infection?

• Help! two and a half weeks ago, I woke up with a mild headache. At the time, I was on Ampicillin for a dog bite. I went a week and a half then went to urgent care because the headache had become debilitating. I also have facial pain, pressure, and tenderness, congestion, bad breath, and trouble concentratin. Doc said it is allergies/sinus infection. I am certain this is the correct diagnosis based on my symptoms. I also had a particularly awful round of ragweed allergies this season. This headache/symptoms showed up a week after I thought the allergies had passed. He put me on oral steroids, a nasal spray steroid and a Z pack. I also have been doing the Neti-pot (sinus drain), drinking loads of water (about 120-150 oz a day), drinking the apple cider vinegar concoction, and doing steam inhaling. None of it has worked. I went back to the docs 5 days later (when z pack was gone), and he gave me a steroid shot, put me on doxycycline (we figured since I was on ampicillin when I got this, it wouldn't be an effective antibiotic), and he put me on a prescription antihistamine for congestion (Levocetirizine). It's now the evening of the second day after that, and I still have my symptoms. This headache is debilitating. I can't function or concentrate. I did go to the er when the headache got really bad and the ct scan came back normal. So, here is my question (sorry for the long explanation), how long should I expect this antibiotic (doxycycline) to start relieving symptoms if it's going to work? And, if anyone has had a similar experience, please tell me how you got better. I've never had a sinus infection before, and I've never had a headache before, and I'm really scared. Thank you for any help you can give.

• Answer:

  Hi Laura, You are really very sick. Sorry, hope you feel better. You are doing all the right things. There is nothing I can add. Your sinus problem is really bad and the headaches are most likely associated with the sinus infection. This will require intensive treatment otherwise it will keep coming back. Follow your doctor's advice. Your allergy problems are equally bad. In the long run, if possible, move into a different climate zone. I moved from tropical to temperate. I still get very sick when I go back to my roots.