Just wondering if my sinus infection may be causing my flare up? what kind of antibiotics would be best to take?
Q: RA and sinus infection.
Answers (4)
2/ 4/10 1:14pm
If you by taking any of the Biologics or other types of immunosuppressants, they tend to carry a lot of sinus crap with them. Check out my post on managing side effects, as it has a section on how to keep things down to a dull roar in your sinuses, which can help you avoid taking too many antibiotics.
1/29/10 3:54pm
Hi Melly, I don't think the sinus infection would cause a flare, but it might be related to medication - What medications are you on? Some can irritate sinuses by themselves, like Enbrel.
A lot of folks with RA have chronic sinus problems - (The word Rheumatologist comes from rheumy - watery, flowing) both viruses and bacteria can cause a sinus infection, or it could be a lot of post-nasal drip (my problem). Some docs these days say migraines are really sinus infections and some say the opposite - hard to tell, sometimes.
Since you can't prescribe for yourself (unless your a doc or PA or NP) you'll have to go have it checked anyway. I usually am given a "Z-pak" (Zithromax/azithromycin) when I've had one - but after following some advice of an allergist, I have not had one in quite a while. He said to use Ocean, a sterile saline nasal spray, 4 squirts in both nostrils, 4 times a day. It is OTC, not a prescription, and inexpensive, and it helps wash the nostrils out. Some people also use a 'neti pot' to clear the sinuses. I also have an RX for Nasonex, and also have pseudoephedrine, to keep congestion down, as needed. These have basically eliminated sinus infections for me. Hurray!
1/29/10 10:33pm
Hi Mel,
About a month ago I had a sinus infection that caused a big flare. My doctor put me on
erythromycin. After several days on the antibiotic, the infection was better and so was the flare. What she told me is that any infection can cause a flare beause it stimulates your immune system.
Ish
2/ 2/10 11:10am
Hi,
I'm so glad to hear that you're feeling better!! 
I'm in the same boat. I don't know anyone else who has RA or who can really relate. I always feel like I'm whining when I try to explain how I'm feeling.... but here, everyone understands.
Take care,
Ish
2/ 8/10 8:56am
Hi - well, I guess everyone's experience is a little different. Maybe I have a wimpy immune system - when I get an infection it seems to divert the attention of my immune system. But it is true that antibioitics can decrease inflammation in and of themselves. There is even an 'antibiotic protocol' for RA, using tetracycline class of antibiotics such as Minocin (minocycline), azithromycin, clarithromycin, etc. There is a website http://www.roadback.org/ about this protocol. This started in the middle of the last century with a Dr. Thomas Brown (if my memory is correct), and there are several books about it. There is some evidence that cell-wall-deficient bacteria live INSIDE the immune cells and make them go wacko. I have talked with some people on this protocol (also a similar one called the Marshall Protocol for immune diseases) and it seems to work slowly but effectively for them. Both the people I talked with were seronegative and nothing else had worked...
I once heard of someone who had RA, developed cancer and got treated for it. The RA went into remission during the cancer episode, and returned afterward. The explanation was, was that the immune system was "otherwise occupied." So - maybe it depends on the person.
When I went on antibiotics for sinus infections a few years ago, I had to go off Enbrel until it was over. I thought I'd be in trouble,but the antibiotics seemed to keep me going until I'd taken the full course, then I needed the Enbrel again.
2/22/10 9:17am
Hi Ellen, I have similar experiences as you do. My R/A symptoms seemed to get better every time I used a new medicine or developed other health problems or got on anti-biotic. I also felt like my immune system could only deal with one problem at a time. I also asked my doctor to put me on anti-biotic txs hoping that I would feel better. It took my immune system about 4 weeks to figure out what happened and my R/A returned with vengeance.
I also developed severe sinus infections that made my life miserable. I had many sleepless nights because of total blockage of nasal passages. For some reason anti biotics would only help for a short period of time and then the infection would resume its course. My ENT specialist told me that oral antibiotics are not as effective as topical creams. So he ordered Bactroban cream which helped me the most.
I had to quit Embrel 5 months ago due to severe side effects after 5 years of usage. My sinus symptoms mostly disappeared now. I am able to control it pretty well by frequent washes with H2o.
I am in the process of exploring some Malaria drug for my R/A symptoms.
good luck
12/ 1/10 10:57am
Well, I am beginning to wonder the same thing. I have RA and today I woke up and all the sudden felt much better. My flare up was gone. My sinus headache was gone. The weather went from rain to snow. Not sure how all this relates but I am wondering if my sinus infection caused the flare up. All I know is I knew I hurt but didn't know I hurt as bad as I did until today when I woke up and felt better again. I have also noticed over the last 24 hours I have lost a lot of fluid which tends to relate to when I am feeling better. All things I have noticed over time. I do seem to have flare ups around the time the seasons change. Or even right before the big temp change. This is year after year that I notice at the same time of year that I have flare ups. All so odd. I do wonder though if my sinus problem caused my flare up this time because I woke up today and the sinus pressure is gone and my hands are amazingly better.
Important:
We hope you find this general health information helpful. Please note however, that this Q&A is meant to support not replace the professional medical advice you receive from your doctor. No information in the Answers above is intended to diagnose or treat any condition. The views expressed in the Answers above belong to the individuals who posted them and do not necessarily reflect the views of The HealthCentral Network. The HealthCentral Network does not review or edit content posted by our community members, but reserves the right to remove any material it deems inappropriate.
Featuring Content From:
By using this service, you accept our Terms of Use. Please read them. The consumer health information on is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions. You should promptly seek professional medical care if you have any concern about your health, and you should always consult your physician before starting a fitness regimen. Copyright © 2012 Remedy Health Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Thank you so much for your response was extremely helpful. Gave my Dr. a call and he prescribe some really good antibiotics for me and you were so right the flare is subsiding and i'm beginning to come around. I just joined this support group and I am so thankful to be able to ask about my RA because i dont know anyone who has it that can relate to me, i felt so alone for so long and know i'm so thankful for this group. I live in Belize and have been living with RA for the past 3 yrs. Once again thanks for your response.