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Sinusitis, Stomach Flu. On Amoxicillan, ZPac. Ear Fullness, Lack Of Energy. Do I Need To See An ENT Doctor?
Question: I got the stomach flu AND food poisoning over Christmas holiday. It really weakened my immune system leading to what I think (and two Dr's have said) is sinusitus. I was on a couple days of amoxicillan before I found out I was allergic (by more vomitting). I was then prescribed a ZPac (5 day dosage). I still was not well two days after Zpac. I was then prescribed doxycycle 100mg, two times per day. I have been on this regimen for five (of ten) days now. I STILL have the ear fullness that I started with and no energy. Do I need to see an Ear Nose Throat Doctor now? Or should I finish the doxycycle out before going back? I'm so tired of being weak and the ear fullness feeling...
Hello and thanks for your query.
I shall make an effort to provide you with good professional recommendations specific to your questions.
Doxycycline is a good drug of the tetracycline group of drugs, proved to be effective broad spectrum against bacteria in the sinuses. A 10 day course is normally prescribed for maximum benefit. But, the effectiveness of the therapy would only be seen not until 10 days are complete. So, being midway of 5 days to comment if fullness in the ear still being persistent would not be ideal.
I would suggest you should wait to complete the rest of the course. The fullness of the ear would disappear as the secretions in the sinuses reduce and turn watery as the mucus breaks down due to the death of the bacteria gradually. All this takes time for doxycycline to act.
Get yourself some good citrus fruit juices (without sugar of course) to get back some energy and fight in the sidelines.
Let me know if I have missed out any other concern in your question.
Yet again, I duly appreciate your query to me, I do hope that you have found something useful to help you and I shall be glad to answer any further apprehensions.
Sincerely,
Dr Sujeet N Charugulla, MBBS, MD
Consultant Physician.
I shall make an effort to provide you with good professional recommendations specific to your questions.
Doxycycline is a good drug of the tetracycline group of drugs, proved to be effective broad spectrum against bacteria in the sinuses. A 10 day course is normally prescribed for maximum benefit. But, the effectiveness of the therapy would only be seen not until 10 days are complete. So, being midway of 5 days to comment if fullness in the ear still being persistent would not be ideal.
I would suggest you should wait to complete the rest of the course. The fullness of the ear would disappear as the secretions in the sinuses reduce and turn watery as the mucus breaks down due to the death of the bacteria gradually. All this takes time for doxycycline to act.
Get yourself some good citrus fruit juices (without sugar of course) to get back some energy and fight in the sidelines.
Let me know if I have missed out any other concern in your question.
Yet again, I duly appreciate your query to me, I do hope that you have found something useful to help you and I shall be glad to answer any further apprehensions.
Sincerely,
Dr Sujeet N Charugulla, MBBS, MD
Consultant Physician.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
I really appreciate the fast answer and I understand. However, does the ZPac regimen before I started the Doxycycline not play ANY role in my recovery time then?? I have been on strong antibiotics now for the last 10 of 12 days, counting the ZPac. (Counting Amoxicillan, I have been on antibiotics for 13 of last 16 days)
Thanks for your reply.
I can understand what you mean. No, the fact of amoxycillin and azithromycin days of ingesting the tablets though prematurely stopped due to allergy and inefficacy respectively, would not add to the days that those bacteria in the sinuses get hit by these antibiotics. Because, only a course completed would be taken into count even if resistance is an issue. And since you have been terminated both drugs well before the course was complete, it cannot be added up medically.
Don't worry about the exposure to so many antibiotics, I know it is not ideal, but you definitely are being taken care of and hopefully get alright very soon. And many patients do undergo such instances which you have.
Wish you best of health,
Sincerely,
I can understand what you mean. No, the fact of amoxycillin and azithromycin days of ingesting the tablets though prematurely stopped due to allergy and inefficacy respectively, would not add to the days that those bacteria in the sinuses get hit by these antibiotics. Because, only a course completed would be taken into count even if resistance is an issue. And since you have been terminated both drugs well before the course was complete, it cannot be added up medically.
Don't worry about the exposure to so many antibiotics, I know it is not ideal, but you definitely are being taken care of and hopefully get alright very soon. And many patients do undergo such instances which you have.
Wish you best of health,
Sincerely,
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
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