Am I crazy?
#29461 - 12/01/03 04:40 AM
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I've taken antibiotics for years for my chronic sinus infections, bronchitus, and rhinitis. I've had docs tell me it's all in my head...my tummy troubles AND my chronic illnesses.
I've been going to a chiropracter who told me antibiotics are BAD NEWS and he suggests trying to heal my body naturally.
This makes sense to me. If I have a fever and I take tylenol, I am taking away the one thing that can fight the infection: the fever! If I'm tired and run down, it probably means I need to rest. Taking meds to cover up symptoms and treat symptoms won't get to the root of the prob, right?!
I went without tylenol last week whe I had a fever...I haven't taken anything for my sinus infection (except for two large pots of chicken soup!) and I'm feeling better. Not ALL better...but significantly better.
I come from a family that's big into medicine and the traditional medical route. They think I'm nuts! Am I crazy or can I get better by listening to my body and healing naturally (with things like echinacea and chicken soup instead of antibiotics)?
Sorry for the long post....thanks for any advice!
*hugs*
Ruchie
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Formerly known as Ruchie
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Over use of antibiotics is bad news. Your body has a harder time fighting off the infections.
This happen to my middle child when he was 11/2 year old. He had ear infections all winter and was given one round of antibiotics after another and it stop working and he needed one of the super antibiotics to ward off infection.
Not a good idea to over use antibiotics.
Have you been checked for asthma? My sister is being checked for it because of her chronic sinus infections and bronchitus.
Have you had X-rays of your sinus to confirm if there is an infection? If you have allergies it cause your sinus to fill up with fluid, therefore antibiotics will not treat that.
Hope this helps and hope some other people have good advice for you, especially the nurses on the board.
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Hi Ruchie!
I agree that too much antibiotics is bad news. Antibiotics can help an infection, but it can kill off good bacteria in the gut. If you have been on antibiotics for a while for several different things, I highly recommend that you go on a probiotic. I think I recommended one to you previously. I take a brand called Genestra. I don't know if you can get it where you are. I buy it directly from my Naturopath and I haven't seen it in any stores here. Try this website: web page . Are you taking Heather's Acacia Tummy Fiber? Here is a quote from the website about Acacia: Quote:
Acacia soluble fiber also:
* Increases good gut flora - it's considered a prebiotic, and significantly bifidogenic
I would recommend you take this also. Both Acacia and the Genestra brand probiotic have been VERY helpful for me 
Hope this info. helps!
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Lorna
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Hi Lorna! It's so great to see you!!! 
I'm taking Primal Defense (second time trying it)--so I'll let you know how it goes. I refuse to take meds for my sinus probs at this point...I've had it!
I will look into genestra...maybe it's better for me than Primal Defense?
Heather's products are PHENOMENAL!
How's everything with you? How was your holiday?
*hugs*
Ruchie
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Formerly known as Ruchie
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Glad you are feeling better.
I also get plagued with sinus infections and as a teenager throat infections. I never take antibiotics. IN the last 10 years I have taken 3 courses - 1 for a chronic bronchitis and two for nasty cases of mastitis when I was breastfeeding. I think I am better off fighting infections myself - I hate to take medications anyway.
My son who is almost 4 had so many infections as an infant (ears, throat, upper respitory etc) and it seemed he just got worse and worse and needed stronger and stronger doses.
I do think they are necessary sometimes but I always decide to give it a couple more days figuring if no improvement then I'll go to the Doc but usually by then I am starting to improve.
I hope you continue to keep well.
ann
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It's great to see you too! I've heard of Primal Defense, but have not tried it myself. The reason I suggest probiotics is because it is the best for combating the bad effects of antibiotics. I'm sending you an article on probiotics via e-mail. When I started taking probiotics about a year ago, I had to start with a really high dose (powder that you mix in a glass of water instead of pills) for about a week. Then I moved to two pills in the morning and two pills in the evening. I gradually worked my way down to one pill every morning, which is where I'm at now.
Things are pretty crazy with me right now. Getting ready for the holidays and getting ready to spoil my neices to death! How are things with you otherwise? I think you moved recently???
Hope all is well!
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Lorna
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Do you take multivitamins? I notice that if I take a multivitamin fairly frequently, I never get sick. Once I stop taking it I always end up getting sick!
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IBS-C
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Hey Ruchie!
No you are not crazy! I love my meds, but I agree that sometimes you really just need to listen to your body. Plus, I presume you were taking the antibiotics orally? This could make you IBS worse because it will strip the friendly bacteria from your gut. Take those probiotics!
Echinacea really works. My mum swears by it. I like the tea, but the pills are really expensive over here.
Are you taking vitamin supplements? I need to because I know I don't eat enough or absorb enough because of the IBS.
Good luck!
Linz
PS. A lot of "regular" docs are now against prescribing antibiotics all the time and recommend stuff like vitamins and echinacea. Over here, you now have to PROVE you need antibiotics before most docs will give them to you.
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Yep, I take a multivitamin. Which one do you take...maybe I should switch? Thnx for the advice! 
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Formerly known as Ruchie
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Linz,
Thanks for all the info.! I'm ALWAYS sick (as I write this, I have ANOTHER stomach bug...my 5th in 3 months...I just can't seem to be healthy right now no matter what). It's very frustrating (sorry to whine). I don't know what's wrong with me! It's scary actually. For three months straight I've been sick once a week. I've had chronic sinus infections, rhinitus, and bronchitus. IBS. Possible Celiac (I'm getting tested tomorrow). 2 yeast infections (from the antibiotics I'm guessing). 5 stomach viruses...not related to IBS. I can't go to work so often because I'm always sick. My home is falling apart. Things are always a mess. When I get better, I have to work super hard to catch up, and then the next thing I know I'm sick again. I've been to two docs in my new environment already...and one chiropracter. the chiopracter is GREAT--but he can't make diagnoses...he's not a medical doc.
I just want my life back. I want my hubby to come home to a clean house and a healthy wife--and I want to come home to a clean house and to live with a healthy me...the one I used to know.
I'm scared and I'm desperate. What's wrong with me? Why can't I get well...and stay well? What's wrong with my body?
I'm sorry to go on and on...thanks for reading this.
I know that everything happens for a reason--and I'm sure my being sick has a positive side that I can't see right now. But I also know I have to take care of myself the best I can--giving up is NOT an option.
If anyone has any advice or kind words, I greatly appreciate it!
Love,
Ruchie
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Formerly known as Ruchie
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Awww, it's ok! Hang in there, Ruchie!! I hate being sick too, because then I realize how much I take feeling normal for granted! If this keeps up for much longer, maybe you should either switch doctors or go to the hospital for osme tests. Five problems in 3 months doesn't sound very normal to me! I'll be praying for you, and I hope you get to feeling better soon! 
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It comes down to the art of living on [color/red]
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Peaches,
Thanks! It means a lot to me that you responded. I plan to get as many tests as I can done...I don't think it's very normal either!
I'll def. keep you posted on how things turn out.
Thanks again for caring!
*big hugs*
Ruchie
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Formerly known as Ruchie
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Ruchie - this may sound crazy, but I figured I'd throw it out here. But, since you keep getting sick and can't figure out why, have you ever considered it could be from mold? Especially since I know you just moved a few months ago. I've never known anyone this has happened to, but I read about this happening all the time. And they always have people that are gettng sick and can't figure out why. Here's some info I found real quick on it: http://www.toxic-mold-news.com/toxic_mold/info.html. This page also includes this:
Health Effects of Toxic Molds
Although mold affects individuals differently and to different degrees, the following are some of the most common adverse health effects.
Respiratory problems---wheezing, difficulty in breathing
Nasal and sinus congestion
Eyes-burning, watery, reddened, blurry vision, light sensitivity
Dry, hacking cough
Sore throat
Nose and throat irritation
Shortness of breath and lung disease
Chronic fatigue
Skin irritation
Central nervous system problems (constant headaches, loss of memory, and mood changes)
Aches and pains
Fever
Headaches
Diarrhea
Immune suppression
I'm sure it probably isn't this, but just wanted you to be aware of it just in case.
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Thank you so much Mags!!!!!!! I just read about mold in First magazine...and it didn't sound enough like me. I'm just so greatful that you responded...I feel a lot less alone when I know others are rooting for me! Thank you so much for thinking of me--and if you come up with anything else, Please le me know!
Love,
Ruchie
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Formerly known as Ruchie
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Ha! I just read it in First also! But, I've read it/seen it other places too. Guess it was just fresh in my mind from the First though!
The only other thing I can think of is that you're sick with the same thing, and it's never leaving your system and it keeps 'coming back'. That happened to me once. I was sick EVERY month from August thru December. It was horrible! 
Hope you find some answers soon, and if I think of anything else, I'll let you know.
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Ruchie,
If you have completely exhausted your medical resources, and a lot of REALLY GOOD doctors say there is nothing wrong with you, then there isn't a lot you can do.
If you have reason believe that you have a medical condition, write to a really good internal medicine specialist... try looking one up at www.yale.edu .
If you start to feel better -- great! I recommend lots of sleep, good nutrition (including enough iron), and (of course) reducing stress in your life. Stress is the number one cause of illness and disease! Yikes!
As always, I'll be rooting for you! Keep sippin' the soup, and keep us informed on your progress!
Love,
Shanna
-- A positive, optomistic outlook is great medicne for the mind, body, and soul --
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"The most wasted of all days is one without laughter." -- e e cummings
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Ruchie,
You work with kids, right? Of course you're sick! I've had three sinus infections, one ear infection, one stomach bug, plus "acid-related" probelms--all since July 25th.
This morning I called in sick--I'm going back to my nurse-practitioner this afternoon, b/c I'm on antibiotics (I know, I don't like them either), but I'm not getting any better.
When I called my supervisor this morning, she chewed me out. Finally I said I'd just come in after all, and she said I couldn't and hung up!
So if it makes you feel any better, I think we're in the same boat....
Amelia
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Amelia,
It's great to hear from you!
The first year working with kids is the worst because your immune system isn't used to it yet. This is my 2nd year already and it's worse than last year! If being around kids is the prob....I fear what it will be lik to be a mom.
I believe a person being sick so often isn't "normal". It means the immune system is down. I'm trying to boost my immune system with herbs, vitamins, minerals, and a no-sugar/low yeast and wheat diet. I'm also going to a chiropracter. I'll let you know how I make out.
I've bee sick with upper respiratory probs. all my life...and I refuse to just take it stting down. I drink heaps of water, home-made chicken soup, use steam as often as possible, a humidifier, I wash my hands with soap like crazy, and get as much sleep as I can...even naps are great! I have given up antibiotics...and I've never felt better! I feel like I'm listening to my body for the first time in my life instead of just covering up the symptoms. I don't know if this is for everyone...but it's working for me right now.
I hope you feel better soon!
Love,
Ruchie
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Formerly known as Ruchie
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My goodness no! You should be proud of yourself for finding alternative routes to the regular, "Let's just write a prescription" route! I am excited that you are seeing a chiropractor. My mom works for one and my family has been going for years. They are a very good source of knowledge on complementary medicine. I am sure that after you get some of the good stuff in you, you will wonder why you used to pop all the pills. Way to go!!!!!!!!!
Christianne
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What if the Hokey Pokey is what it's all about???
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Christianne,
I feel that way already! I hope, G-d willing, to never pop a pill again...just vitamins! I am thrilled with my chiropracter an with alternative medicine. It's funny that it's called alternative medicine...it's the most natural and basic way to go around!
How are things with you lately? Are you still going to a naturopath? What is the diff between a naturopath and a homeopath? I'm really getting into this 
Btw, thanks for the article on probiotics! I'm off to work in a few...but I noticed it and I'm looking forward to reading it soon!
Love,
Ruchie
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Formerly known as Ruchie
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Did you get your tests done yet? I've been sick this whole week, and yesterday I was feelign better when I woke up, so I decided I'd go to schoo land work. BAD IDEA!! Working made it all come back since I was pushing myself, and the bad thing is that I KNEW that I was getting sick again an didn't go home. I wasn't functioning well or doing anything right, and today I feel just as bad as I did before! Maybe you should take some more time off for the holidays if you can. Maybe all you need is some rest and relaxation! 
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It comes down to the art of living on [color/red]
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