ANA Discussion Forum
Post-Treatment => Post-Treatment => Topic started by: Lilan on October 16, 2009, 06:41:26 pm
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I have had a cold (I think) for a few weeks and just can't shake the cough I've had the last few weeks -- so I'm seeing a doctor tomorrow. I was thinking it was maybe bronchitis but was doing a little research just now b/c the doctor working the Saturday shift doesn't know me or my history, so I wanted to at least alert him to the possibility of CSF leak if that might be possible -- and now I'm wondering if I might actually have one! :o
I did the lean-over-for-several-minutes test and have no fluid coming out of my nose, but I have steady post-nasal drip and a bad taste. I wonder if the strain of coughing could've caused a leak, even if it was a cold originally? I suppose it could also just be sinus yuckiness.
I haven't had fever or other symptoms, so I kept thinking it'd clear up, but it hasn't. Now I'm afraid I have a leak!!!
I hope the Saturday doctor can figure it out for me tomorrow and that it's good news. :)
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My guess is that you have a sinus problem and the drip can cause a cough. My neurotologist goes by the drip drip like a faucet from the bend over test and that is what I had when I had the leak. This was 2 weeks post op. Let us know what you do find out as I am always curious with this.
Cheryl R
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Lilan -
I'm guessing a cold - but you never know. Definitely mention your surgical history to the doc tomorrow - and please let us know what his diagnosis is.
Hoping for the best,
Jan
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Thanks for the support, ladies! I think I had Internet-Medical-Reading-Itis last night. ;D
Now I'm back to thinking it's sinus. I have absolutely no fluid in my nose, it's all head and chest.
I swear, I need a Medical Site Blocker function on this thing.
(But I will mention it to him just in case! Always have to be vigilant.)
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I have had a cold (I think) for a few weeks and just can't shake the cough I've had the last few weeks -- so I'm seeing a doctor tomorrow. I was thinking it was maybe bronchitis but was doing a little research just now b/c the doctor working the Saturday shift doesn't know me or my history, so I wanted to at least alert him to the possibility of CSF leak if that might be possible -- and now I'm wondering if I might actually have one! :o
I did the lean-over-for-several-minutes test and have no fluid coming out of my nose, but I have steady post-nasal drip and a bad taste. I wonder if the strain of coughing could've caused a leak, even if it was a cold originally? I suppose it could also just be sinus yuckiness.
I haven't had fever or other symptoms, so I kept thinking it'd clear up, but it hasn't. Now I'm afraid I have a leak!!!
I hope the Saturday doctor can figure it out for me tomorrow and that it's good news. :)
I have the same thing and my doctors said it wasn't a CSF just sinus.....but the bad taste I have is like metal they said that might not go away !!!! yuck
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Hoping it is sinuses! But you bring up a question about CSFs for me. I was thinking that when I reach the 4 week mark next week that I am pretty much home free..but maybe I am totally wrong on this one...anybody know how far out from surgery are we at risk for CSFs?
Cheryl
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Hey Lilan~
Let us know what you find out - bet it is just sinuses!
K ;D
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I do not have a CSF leak, it appears. ;)
The doctor said there is absolutely no reason to think it's CSF and every reason to think it's a classic upper respiratory thing. He said CSF would be more "acute," not lasting for three weeks and manifesting only as coughing and post-nasal drip.
Since it has lingered so long, he prescribed an antibiotic. He actually said my lungs sounded good, which surprised me because my upper chest feels so wheezy and congested. He did say there's fluid behind my left ear, so that may explain the extra fullness I've had, and he recommended a decongestent also. I suppose there still may be some fluid in there from the surgery, too, so if there are bacteria swarming around from whatever this is, better to kill them off!
Cheryl: I remember hearing that by 10 days, when they let you fly home after surgery, the odds of CSF leak are 1-in-1,000. So I assume that once you get into weeks and months, the odds are very, very, very minimal!
(Of course, having a geniculate hemangioma has MUCH higher odds than CSF leak to begin with, so high odds don't reassure me all that much anymore in and of themselves. Hee-hee.)
Hopefully the antibiotic just knocks this out! I've had enough for one year! (For 10 or 50 years, actually!)
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Lilan .....
So glad that it appears you have a nasty sinus infection and not a CSF leak. I think many of us live with fears that we did not have before ..... since having ANs. All of a sudden every earache, stuffy head, new dizziness, etc. make me jump to wondering if it is AN related. Comes with the territory, I guess.
Best wishes.
Clarice
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Lilan -
glad to hear it wasn't a CSF leak.
Get well ;D
Jan
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So glad that it appears you have a nasty sinus infection...
Sorry, Clarice, but it made me laugh. :)
Lilan, I wish you didn't have anything. I'm convinced that sinuses remain sensitive after ANs; I hope your current infection clears up soon, and that they are few and far between.
Steve
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I think I had Internet-Medical-Reading-Itis last night.
Curse you Al Gore and your evil Interwebs!!! ;)
Only this group would be celebrating a sinus infection! But it is actually good news so I guess congratulations are in order :D
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I am happy for you too - congrats on your sinus infection ;)
I was very concerned for you when I came across this post. Hopefully with the antibiotic you will see improvements quickly! A
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Hi Lillian,
Glad things have worked out for the better, I will try and send warm dry weather for the Southern Hemisphere for you.
Rgds
Don
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Thanks everyone! My first surgery cold -- yet another milestone I guess :D
I agree sinuses are extra-sensitive. I could feel the fluid slosh in my ear and it hurt!! And my head hurt, too.
They gave me a Z-Pak of antibiotic and it's helping a lot. The coughing is 80% better I'd say already. And I took a decongestant, which helps too.
Thank heaven it was nothing more serious!
And I am definitely getting a flu shot and probably should get the H1N1 shot, too -- I don't want anything else this year! ;D
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So glad you're feeling better, Lilan.
Yep I got the flu shot, and in a month I'm getting the H1N1 (need to wait one month).
I am a guifenasin pill pusher when I feel the chest discomfort and coughing.
(I find that mucinix doesn't work as well for me, probably because it is long acting.)
I get the generic "guifenasin" tablets from WMart and boy does that help bring everything up. Ymmmmm. I take it around the clock. It's immediate acting. and along with lots of fluids, it really gets rid of the gunk. Just thought I'd share that! Flu and cold season is coming >:( We all have to take extra care of ourselves. I have a hard enough time taking care of myself when I'm healthy!
Happy day,
Maureen
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Lilian,
Sorry to be coming in late, but equally glad to hear your problem is only a cold, even though it sounds like one that is causing you much misery. Hope you're feeling better soon.
Wendy
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Thanks, all! I still have a hint of a cough, but the Z-Pak seemed to have knocked out most of it.
(That's a very long cough though -- makes me wonder if it was H1N1! then bacterial....)
Anyway, had my regular flu shot last week at work -- hoping no more drama for 2009!
(Startlingly, in another month I'll be making an appointment for my 6-month MRI!!!)