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Dear Everyone:
This is the first of two summaries listing responses to my question: could Celiac be tied to sinus infections and could they be fungal instead of bacterial?  I am so grateful to all of you who shared your experiences.  You're the best!  If you do not see your answer, it is coming in part 2.  Best regards,  Carolyn O.
 

--It is certainly possible that you have a fungus in your sinuses (though I wouldn't bet on it) and next time you flare up you can get the doctor to culture you and see.  I have chronic sinusitis (have had surgery twice) but so far have responded  to antibiotics whenever I get an infection. Steer clear of the broad spectrum antibiotics if at all possible. My excellent EENT doctor prefers to use augmentin or Septra/Bactrim which is good old  Sulfa. So many antibiotics have been overused and the germs are resistant but Sulfa is an overlooked medicine which will frequently work for that very reason.  There is a new line  Neil Med which has things to irrigate your sinuses. I use the plastic 8 ounce bottle and they have little packets with the salt/soda  pre measured. I use it twice a day per doctor's order and it REALLY helps.   www.neilmed.com   
 
--I don't know a whole lot about this, but struggling with fungus issues myself.  I do know that fungus is opportunistic, so that if your body temps are low and do not average out to 98.6 per day, taken 3x per day, 3 hours after you get up and then each 3 hours after, then you have the potential for fungus problems. Basal temps should be 97.8-98.2.
 
--Yes I have and it was not spelled out to me as you have reported it so well.  Shame on them!  I was treated with Levaquin which made me SO sick and finally I refused to take it anymore. But I just kept getting sick.  I finally developed thrush on my tongue which was so obvious it could not be ignored after I took yet another antibiotic for sinus. The doc then said to me that  " We always think of bacteria but not fungus". So he then started me on fungal medications and 3 times it went away nicely and came right back as soon as I finished the meds. 
     I decided I had to find out what to do , and I had in the past heard of yogurt as a good defense so I experimented and finally combined a couple of low fat yogurts and they have worked miracles. (I have been using Chobani Greek yogurt and Stonyfield organic and I mix them. The second is just plain with a little vanilla and mixes with any flavor.)  I eat them on and off through the day and just before I go to bed. I have gotten my energy back and am regaining some weight. Next I will look into the probiotics. I also have my wits back thank goodness and no thrush anymore.
 
--Sinus infection and CD go hand in hand, as does asthma.  I lived with sinus infection for years before being diagnosed.  I still get a sinus infection on occasion, but not nearly as severe. I am sure you can find an article at www.celiac.com if you do a search on site.
CD is associated with over 177 symptoms
 
--Yes, I have experienced this. It's somewhat easy to cure with sinus irrigation (get a good traditional, large, steel Indian Neti pot), a
low-sugar or zero-sugar diet, immune-boosting supplements, etc. I have also used Dr. Ellen Cutler's allergy elimination protocol with very good success. Acupuncture helps, too. Keep searching: there are many effective treatments or cures for the compromised immunity and sinus probls. Antibiotics will not help for a variety of reasons.
 
--I had chronic sinus infections from hayfever that have caused scarring in my sinuses that started long before I found out about Celiac. My sinuses never improved on a GF diet. I use Nasonex and found a lifesaver on the list years ago. It is bovine colostrum. Sounds crazy but it really works. It beefs up your immune system and I take it at the very start of sinus problems (5-6 capsules twice a day on an empty stomach). It makes my infection very short lived and never have to go see the doctor. Before this I could go for weeks to see if it would go away on its own and it only gets worse. Usually 3-5 infections a year. Now I might get one every year or two and this is usually when I am out of the colostrum. I also use a neti pot to help clear my sinuses out.
 
--I don't know that it was wheat that caused it, but I had sinusitis for many, many years. What finally worked to kill them was: a heating pad. I just put a heating pad over my sinuses for 15-30 minutes a day and that seems to clear it up.
 
--I used to take 14 meds daily before being diagnosed.  Always had some type of infection. Now I take no meds, just vitamins and herbal meds, eat a Paleo diet and exercise.  I used to get a lot of sinus infections, too. That's part of how I arrived at my gluten intolerance diagnosis. Anyway, going gluten free has helped a lot, but I am still prone to sinus problems, having allergic rhinitis. Two things have made me able to ward off infections:  I take 4,000 IU of vitamin D every day and I use a saline spray a few times daily.  The vitamin D has made a huge difference for me. I used to get severe colds every winter and now I haven't had one in several years. I'm still bothered by things like pollen, etc, and the saline spray takes care of that.
 
--I understand your frustration because I have been there.  You say you know about candida but I am wondering if you know that candida can invade your sinuses and cause what seems like a chronic sinus infection?  That happened to me and unfortunately it is an ongoing battle.  I take a very powerful form of acidophilus every day and watch my sugar intake very carefully.  I don't know if there is a diagnostic test for candida that can be used for sinuses (such as a swab test) but you might ask your doctor about that possibility.  I just figured mine  out by the process of elimination method. 
 
 		 	   		  
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