Sinus Infection?

[Worried_Dad]

Our son had a sinus infection when he first became ill, confirmed via MRI. He complained of congestion and drainage pretty much constantly over the next 2+ years (despite normal dose abx and prophylaxis). I've noticed quite a few other parents posting about sinus infections occurring in their PANDAS children around the time their symptoms worsened. Just curious about how common this is.

[Suzan]

My girls had chronic sinus infections. They always had an ear, sinus or chest infection when they were younger. Since they got this so early, it's hard to tell how it relates to their very first episode.

 

Susan

[thereishope]

I never really knew what a sinus infection would present like, so I never asked if it was a possibility. Now, I just found out about a month ago, he has/had one. All he had was a cold that came and went on and off for a month. I only questioned a sinus infection because I have read that a lot of PANDAS kids get them. He had a slightly runny nose and his voice sounded like there was inflammation. He wasn't bothered by it at all. So, in hindsight, upon knowing how it may present in him, he may have had sinus infections in the past and I always dismissed it as a stubborn cold. He just finished Augmentin for it and it seems like he is doing a lot better. No more runny nose and his voice sounds fine.

[smartyjones]

*my son had positive rapid strep at 22 months - only symptom vomiting, tested b/c his brother was positive the day before.

*approx 2 years later, he complained of sudden eye aches around the same time i was having sinus headaches. dr found nothing, suggested occular migraines, recommended eye dr if continued, went away a few days later.

*a few months later, isolated intense separation anxiety incident. a few months later, full blown pandas behaviors.

*2 months later, high titers, positive throat culture. we were with a very poor ped who wanted to write him off as a strep carrier after 5 horrible days of azith.

*1 month later, switched ped - new dr suspected sinus infection. CT confirmed all 6 cavities infected. dr thought he very well could have had sinus infection back to eye aches approx 6 months prior. he did not have any typical symptoms - possibly some 'normal' colds, runny nose - nothing to note.

 

i asked if he could have never kicked initial strep 2.5 years prior - no way to know but i believe that's probably the case, or it was in a latent state that then was reenacted and seemed to be hiding in sinuses. could it be that strep is like herpes in that it resides in the body until kicked back up?

[ajcire]

never had a sinus infection that I am aware of, never had an ear infection either.

 

 

 

but now that I think of it... he had one incident of just a really really icky nose to where it was just gross... the dr. felt it was infected, gave nose drops and antibiotics for it... never said sinus infection. I don't know what it was about... I kinda thought it was just a mess because my son for some reason just couldn't figure out how to blow his nose and I thought maybe it was from him just constantly trying to sniffle it back instead of blowing (gross I know). I am trying to remember when this was.... I THINK it was before his 2 minor ocd episodes but it was definitely after in hindsight he already had the eye blink tic and little quirky things.

[melanie]

Danny hAD many infections ears, sinus ,strep, tonsills swollen ,ear tubes tonsills removed,croup (sp) over and over and over .

 

Melanie

[harmony]

Our son had a sinus infection when he first became ill, confirmed via MRI. He complained of congestion and drainage pretty much constantly over the next 2+ years (despite normal dose abx and prophylaxis). I've noticed quite a few other parents posting about sinus infections occurring in their PANDAS children around the time their symptoms worsened. Just curious about how common this is.

My son (age 6) has constant sinus infections. He has already undergone 1 surgery to clean out sinuses- his whole osteomeatal unit was opaque and filled with Staph. We have declined the second sinus surgery (for now) this surgery would be on the ethmoid bone, it is invasive and very close to the eye w/long recovery time.

 

He had a nose injury (bowed his septum) just 2 months before the first PANDAS episode. His sinuses have not been the same since.

 

He gets PANDAS symptoms with every sinus infection.

[P_Mom]

Neither of my PANDAS boys have EVER had a sinus infection.

[MichaelTampa]

Back a couple years ago when migraine headaches were a serious issue, I had an MRI to rule out brain cancer and get me to relax, as the doctor put it, and it showed sinusitis. I have never complained about a sinus infection, symptomwise, and I think was just learning where the sinuses are at age 35. Not sure how I missed that bit of information. I guess I could add that lowering elevations (like landing on an airplane) has always clogged my ears for a couple days, and sometimes been quite painful, so perhaps that is a symptom of the sinusitis (I don't really know).

 

Now, a new doctor I am going to, who has prescribed various antifungals for candida, saw the MRI results and because of that, also prescribed the antifungal ketoconazole, which is sprayed into the nose, either thinking the candida is in the sinuses, or maybe just in case. But, I have been wondering, sure, maybe candida is there, and maybe strep is there, perhaps we'll find out eventually.

 

Michael

[familyof4]

My son never had ear infections but he had such a severe sinus infection (with no symptoms of a cold or runny nose)that he had a seizure at age 22 months old. Confirmed via CT Scan. He has subsequently had many other sinus infections. Because of his sinus issues we do nightly nasal washes and use NASONEX. I have lately started questioning whether or not I am introducing bacteria and more PANDAS flares with the nasal rinses.

 

The first PANDAS episode that we know of was at age 4.

[Ellen]

When my son's PANDAS was at its worst in December of 2007, an MRI was done and it did show evidence of a sinus infection.

 

Ellen

 

Our son had a sinus infection when he first became ill, confirmed via MRI. He complained of congestion and drainage pretty much constantly over the next 2+ years (despite normal dose abx and prophylaxis). I've noticed quite a few other parents posting about sinus infections occurring in their PANDAS children around the time their symptoms worsened. Just curious about how common this is.

[faith]

I'm pretty sure we've never had any sinus infections here.

 

 

Faith

[MomWithOCDSon]

Our son has always had nasal/respiratory issues, attributed to various seasonal and standard (dust, mold) allergies. Now you're making me wonder, though. Maybe we should have his sinuses checked out?

[Fixit]

how should i answer....4/5/09 ds says he wants to see doc too with younger brother he doesn't feel good throat/neck hurts

 

doc sees throat really irritated, swollen glands, sinus enlarged, ears, shiners...doc says alleriges...4/5/09 highest pollen count i ever saw.. neg on strep tests

 

4/6/09 wakes up jumping....doc didn't say it was infected yet..but i guess it could be if it didn't drain...started 14 day anti's on 4/7 could clear up sinuses i guess

 

yes, no, or not sure

[P_Mom]

Worried Dad......I believe once PANDAS is in motion...sinus infections almost ALWAYS produce an exacerbation. Dr. K states on his web-site about sinus infections. I think it will be common in many...but, not the main culprit.