I ate 150 cloves of raw garlic in one month when I was doing a contest with a friend over a web cam to see who could eat the most garlic. It fixed a sinus infection I had had for 10 years that drugs weren't fixing. Obviously I didn't have to eat that many to do it. Less would do it. What it came down to, is that the sinus infection was caused by systemic candidiasis. Here's the candida spit test: get a clear glass, fill it with water. Spit on the top. Wait 7-10 minutes. It should float. If it sinks or develops strings, there is a candida overgrowth.

Potatoes, wheat, rice, dairy, and sugar, make me get sinusitis.

I found Olive Leaf extract drops also helpful for killing candidiasis/clearing my nose.

Also, one morning I cut up ginger and garlic and put it with some cayenne in some very hot water just off the stove, for some tea. Let's just say - my very stuffy nose was clear for the rest of the day.

Disclaimer: garlic lowers blood pressure and blood sugar. Consult with your natural doctor if you have any doubts about what you should do. I am not a doctor.

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I can hardly believe it, after three months:  I can breathe.

I can breathe; I can think; I don't have headaches; my head doesn't feel like an over-filled balloon; I'm not waking up at 4am sneezing, wheezing, and sniffling.

I do have the grouchies, and had a touch of insomnia the first couple of nights, from the Prednisone, but a little aromatherapy has gone a long way, and now I'm starting to taper down on the Prednisone as instructed, so that should help, too.

There is a minor sense of obstruction, still in each nostril, which is probably the polyps, but it's not nearly — not NEARLY– as bad as it was, so I suspect they have shrunken as hoped.  Both passages are at least 80 percent clear 95 percent of the time, and it's an incredible feeling.

For preventive measures, I picked up a book about (I can't remember the actual title at the moment, but it's pretty much the subject) a holistic approach to sinus infections and general respiratory health that this doctor came up with and has tweaked over 20 years-ish called the Sinus Survival Plan.  I'm just reading it, at the moment, and won't be implementing anything I wasn't already doing until I've studied it a bit, but it's interesting so far, and holds some suggestions that make sense and seem to bear promise.

Feeling better in terms of the sinus infection has me feeling better all over.  I have more energy, so I'm better able to take care of myself.  I've been able to work out the timing on all of my meds and vitamins and such, so that I can take everything I need without any of it interfering with each other, or with my general operation (making me drowsy, etc.).  I've been able to get back to my workout, which is good, because I was starting to hurt again, not to mention get a little flabby in a couple of places and have trouble fitting into certain clothing.  I've been able to get back to my nasal lavage, which is only helping more with the sinus issues.  I've been able to focus on things that help me improve myself and my personal care, like reading that sinus book, meditating, and journaling.  I'm doing great, and the best part is, I know I'm actually not at my best, yet.  It's phenomenal to me to feel this good, and know it's going to ultimately get even better!

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Acute-on-chronic sinusitis and a bone spur on the right side of my septum, which I already knew, plus polyps.

This all showed up on the CT scan, and then the specialist confirmed it by sticking a little camera up my nose and taking a closer look.

He told me surgery is inevitable, but not urgent, for the polyps.  He can't do the surgery while I've got an infection, anyway, and he wants to see how I respond to medication, first.  He prescribed a nasal spray to use in addition to the pills I already take for my allergy symptoms and congestion, a new antibiotic for the infection, and steroids to try and shrink the polyps; it won't eliminate them, but should at least provide relief for a while.

Thanks to those who responded with commiseration and suggestions to my last blog.  I am hoping to combine natural remedies with the conventional ones, for added relief, if needed.  So far, heat and steam works pretty well for me, and I do have a health food store nearby where I can get some herbs and things.

At least now there's a plan, and with a plan comes hope.  Relief will come, it's just a question of how soon. 

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Sinuses are incredibly bad, this morning.  Were yesterday morning, too.  I'm very glad I see the specialist tomorrow morning.  I really hope to walk out of there with a good plan of action and means to/plans for quick relief.  Three months is just waaaay too long.  At this point, I'm even experiencing symptoms of poor oxygenation — dizzy spells, excessive fatigue, poor concentration, memory lapses, irritability… Some of that just comes with the territory of a sinus infection, too, because of the pain and whatnot, but this goes beyond that.

I have my films and report, I have my directions and my new patient paperwork, I have the hope that since I've been worse in the morning lately I'll be bad enough off tomorrow morning that s/he can really get a good feel for what's going on… I'm ready.

Is it Wednesday yet?  :p

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