It seems whenever I travel, I often get sinusitis or bronchitis or both. I’m washing my hands often and this has really helped. Also rinsing my mouth with water and baking soda. I went through a nice quiet period. But, it’s back. I’m out of town currently (long story). I noticed lots of folks in the hotel coughing. Then BAM, I woke up with a sore throat and then today woke up with post nasal drip and a deep pressure in my chest. I called my doctor back home and she put me on Augmentin.
A few questions/comments…I’m more afraid of the bronchitis than the sinusitis, but both sxck!
*can anything be done to prevent bronchitis?
*what antibiotic typically is used for bronchitis?
*what symptoms cues you to get on an antibiotic for this? I’m thinking for folks with SS, maybe the earlier the better?!!!
*anything natural that can be taken to help resolve the bronchitis faster!
Thank you.
Hi Nomad. Sorry to hear you are battling this again. Those are a lot of questions but I'll be happy to give you my experiences with a couple of them. I do the same as far as going through long periods without infections if I am careful…that's after a few years of getting them too regularly. There doesn't seem to be much rhyme or reason as to when it will turn into an infection for me but I kind of know how I feel when it is one. There is a lot to be said for knowing yourself well and I do get to the doc faster now, which does seem to help. When i get bronchitis or a severe infection affecting more than one thing (sinus and ears, etc) then its Augmentin. More often than not its just the 5 day z-pack. I am lucky that I have a doc that will agree not to have my take steroids. He will give me a fast & slow acting cortisone shot to help kick start settling my system down though. I have no idea what helps bronchitis go away faster but at least some essential oils help with sinus infections for me. A tiny touch of peppermint oil goes a long way for breathing and for the sinus pressure. I'd love to hear what others do for chest congestion.
Hi Nomad,
I cannot believe that it's almost March and I have NOT had one single episode of bronchitis this year! This is a first! I'm not sure if I can attribute this to having a flu and pneumonia shot or the fact that I've taken Claritin D more than usual, but I'm thrilled about it!
I've had the swelling under my eyes more than usual, so know that the allergies are bothering me, dust and mold are the big ones this time of year. I do better with a clean house and the ground completely covered in snow!
Hope the antibiotic does the trick!
Wishing you well,
SK
Thank you both
EnjoyLife…do you inhale the peppermint oil?
SK…when you say no problems this year…OMG…you mean since January? We are talking about seven weeks!!! 7 weeks without a sinus infection is a lot for you? Or are you talking from March to March? If it’s almost twelve months…I will take those shots and Claritin D ASAP!!!
I’m noticing I often get a sinus infection when I travel. And this time I was in a hotel and travelled by plane. I kinda sorta see that maybe many would get sick in this case as I noticed people on the plane coughing as well as the hotel. Now, my husband is coughing. Of course, I had chest discomfort and the doc was concerned about bronchitis and ended up on an antibiotic.
I’m feeling much better today 
Have you tried essential Oils? I have been using them and they have helpedme. I use young living oils. I use RC when I feel something coming on biut I use thieves everyday on my feet. I also diffuse. There are several oils that may help you.
I always have bronchitis. I refuse to take antibiotics unless to save my life. I drink Bragg’s Apple Cider Vinegar, 2 tsp per cup of warm filtered water every morning. Also have flight attendant grown that swears by gargling with such mixture also. As you know, mucus with SS is an ongoing problem. Drink Solomon’s Seal tea, and take generic Mucinex to break it up. Also essential oils, Eucalyptus, Peppermint in Jojoba oil massage around sinuses and on chest.
Young’s Essential Oils are out of my price range!
I agree with a lot of suggestions here. I breathe in pure essential peppermint oil when my sinuses are sick. It has been said to kill bacteria on the mucous membranes. I used to also drink tomato juice and apple cider vinegar every morning (many years ago) because I was so prone to sinus headaches. That used to help so much. Taking Oil of Oregano in capsules is also supposed to be good for bronchitis.
I have not had bronchitis all winter, but my allergies have bothered me, always do! (I finally realized that bringing in any kind of fresh pine for Christmas was a trigger, a BIG one.) I've also learned I have to do deep cleaning several times a year, could be dust, could be dust mites or both, but have to go high, low, and deep on the cleaning for dust. Come to think of it the last infection of any kind were the UTIs, and my Internist finally prescribed a Penicillin derivitive that was found to have very few side effects for the allergic, I was able to take it and it finally stopped them! Not being able to take the right med was a factor to the UTIs being recurring infections while on Enbrel.
I was lucky, usually by the time the vaccines are available, I'm already sick and on antibiotics, and unable to get them, but was lucky this time, it was the first time I've taken them.
I had been off Enbrel for about a year, so was able to get the shots too, while on Enbrel, my Internist did not think it a good idea. I have since started back on Humira in January. Found out the pneumonia shot is good for either 5 or 6 years, so happy about that, just hope I can get the flu shot again next winter, as the grand kids are always here and usually one is at least a little bit sick with something.
Now that you mention a plane, I have always gotten something during or after plane travel, not sure if it's that they don't clean the air vents, that they recirculate at least some of the same air, or if it's that you're confined with so many people from all over the world and a percentage of them are always coughing or sick?
Glad you're feeling better, seems you did need the antibiotics!
I also use http://www.amazon.com/Grossan-Hydro-Irrigation-System-Original/dp/B000H84D2G/ref=sr_1_7?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1424731867&sr=1-7&keywords=nasal+irrigation
This helps with sinus!
Nomad,
With interstitial lungs disease (bronchiectasis) from Sjrogen's, I have to really watch it.
Flying on an airplane is hazardous to your health--large crowds too. Airplanes are petri dishes. My FP recommended that I avoid eating out during the flu season because some workers don't have sick pay or days off where they can rest up or recuperate.
And then drink chamomile tea.
You got to hold on.
Oh, one more-- I know it sounds gross-- but Cod Liver Oil is a natural preventative remedy.
Old school style. Grandmothers everywhere used to do this.
It's got huge amounts of vitamin D and A, and supposedly works best when combined with vitamin K2, in the form of natto or high vitamin butter oil for absorption. As a bonus, the combo is also good for your teeth. Or so I read. :)
They say most cod liver oil supplements on shelves have destroyed the vitamins when they pasteurized and deodorize it and then they add fake/artificial vitamins back in. But fermenting preserves and protects the original A & D vits.... (Blue Ice does this)
Its not easy to take it if you don't like the taste of fish. But I find that if you hold your breath and swallow, then KEEP holding (not breathing) while you chased it down with a gulp of grape juice... you taste nothing! absolutely nothing.
Oh and as another added bonus... for anyone on Methotrexate, cod liver oil has been studied and show to possibly protect against liver damage from Mtx. I don't know if anyone gets prescribed that for sjogrens now, but google methotrexate and cod liver oil to see the NIH reports. Its super interesting. I wish they'd study more natural remedies like that.
Thieves is the best for me. I use it on my neck and dab it on the tip of my nose, but then rub it between my hands and inhale DEEPLY. I do this three times a day if I can remember, then whenever I am out in public I may walk around with my hands over my nose. I know it looks wierd but it works for me!
Atina said:
Have you tried essential Oils? I have been using them and they have helpedme. I use young living oils. I use RC when I feel something coming on biut I use thieves everyday on my feet. I also diffuse. There are several oils that may help you.
Hey...when I use peppermint I put a (very small) dot right on the cheek bones. They open up the sinus immediately for me. Also, if I am dealing with a sinus headache a dab on the temples. Thieves is strong smelling but great for cleansing properties. Eucalyptus also opens up the passages. I know a ton of people that swear by Bragg's also. I have it but haven't been drinking it...I use it for some many things though.
I almost get paranoid about saying that I've done better with the infections. I was getting 2-3 bad ones a year and honestly I think being on steroids was part of the problem because it can lower your immune system leaving you open to other stuff. Once I started refusing them unless absolutely necessary and just doing antibiotics with the cortisone shot the occurrence lessened. I had a double ear infection back in August and I think it was nearly a year before that that I had had a sinus & respiratory infection. Its nice to go long stretches of not being down like that.
EnjoyLife - The peppermint oil doesn't burn your skin? I had a cat several years ago with bad sinus infections and I put a dab of the pure essential peppermint oil on his sinuses -- but it burned his skin. I felt so badly. The skin took a good while to heal.
EnjoyLife said:
Hey...when I use peppermint I put a (very small) dot right on the cheek bones. They open up the sinus immediately for me. Also, if I am dealing with a sinus headache a dab on the temples. Thieves is strong smelling but great for cleansing properties. Eucalyptus also opens up the passages. I know a ton of people that swear by Bragg's also. I have it but haven't been drinking it...I use it for some many things though.
I almost get paranoid about saying that I've done better with the infections. I was getting 2-3 bad ones a year and honestly I think being on steroids was part of the problem because it can lower your immune system leaving you open to other stuff. Once I started refusing them unless absolutely necessary and just doing antibiotics with the cortisone shot the occurrence lessened. I had a double ear infection back in August and I think it was nearly a year before that that I had had a sinus & respiratory infection. Its nice to go long stretches of not being down like that.
Essential oils are powerful! Safety is a big thing. Some use EOs "neat" (straight out of the bottle) but carrier oils are more recommended, and never on a sensitive area (like mucosal membranes). I personally don't ingest them either. There's definitely a learning curve when you start out... I know I'm just learning, but I think it could be worth it! If anything, they smell fantastic.
https://www.naha.org/explore-aromatherapy/safety/
NAHA has a guide! It lists which oils are prone to irritate which areas.
Hope it helps!
I find that taking daily drops of Elderberry during the winter months helps to ward off germs. Also, drinking Echinacea tea or using the drops when out in the public help too keep the bugs away. But I only do this for about a day. Too much Echinacea is bad for the body.
I use a Neti pot to keep my nose passages clear. I use too have a lot of mucous up there and post nasal drip all the time, but rinsing my passage daily has me breathing clearer than I've breathed in YEARS. Just distilled water, with non iodine salt in a Neti pot. Its better than a drying antihistamine. Not very attractive, but helpful.
If you choose the Elderberry, use the drops which you can add to tea or whatever you are drinking.
Since you travel, you seem to be exposed to A LOT of germs. Which seem to seek you out and you just get sick. These are natural herbs and procedures. I hope some of this helps.
http://www.drugs.com/npp/elderberry.html
http://www.drugs.com/mtm/echinacea.html
http://www.webmd.com/allergies/guide/neti-pot-nasal-irrigation-pros-and-cons
Echinacea stimulates the immune system which is not beneficial to our over-active immune systems. Also, the same for vitamin C. When I was first diagnosed these were the first two "natural" products that the doctor said to strictly avoid due to their stimulation effect.
Wow, no one will tell me anything concerning this illness. I take C daily, I haven't used Echinacea since the first gland swelling which it got rid of, without antibiotics. But I wasn't diagnosed then, but I did have the dry mouth and eyes and then all hell broke loose with the hips ect.
I don't like taking more meds than needed. I take enough. Like I said, I have NO idea where to go with this diagnosis. At least you could use the Neti pot, it really does help.
I’m not a Doctor, Roulette, but my Rheumatologist has warned me that many vitamins stimulate the immune system. He always wants to know about every supplement I take. Our immune systems are already in hyper-overdrive and the Meds often used for autoimmune are actual immune suppressants.
My primary is Psoriatic Arthritis, I currently take the biologic immunosuppresant Humira. In slowing the immune system, you slow down the progression and damage these systemic diseases cause.
Oh no, I just got a winter weather advisory alert! I’m ready, oh so ready, for some WARM weather!