For years now, my boyfriend has been waking up with headaches and backed up sinuses. He's done everything from antibiotics (for a possible infection) to electrode therapy. Each works for a few days, but he then feels worse afterwards. Last Friday he went to another doctor at my insistance because allergy season is coming and he's already feeling the effects of it. The doc prescribed him Nasacort, Singulair, and Allegra-D. He is also supposed to irrigate his sinuses with a mixture of salt & baking soda which he hates. Anyway, last night he did the irrigation and stringy black mucus came out.
What is this? And is it a good sign that things will get better for him? The doctor said his sinuses were some of the worst he has seen (completely closed off in some areas) and that when he starts to irrigate after awhile he'll start to get all of the old stuff that may have been up there for years.
He's just worried about what it may be... so please give me some insight. Thank you!
2007-03-22 02:39:52 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Allergies
It is most likely old blood mixed with mucus. When nasal passages are irritated then do bleed a little. It is a very thin membrane in your sinuses, so bleeding is not uncommon. Sounds like your boyfriend is really backed up. Wait it out, if it continues on with this gross-ness for awhile, he should go back to the doctor just to make sure everything is ok. One of my friends actually had to get his sinuses cleaned out at the doctor's office and said that after everything came out, it was the first time he could breathe in 20 years.
Also, be very careful on Allegra-D. It can do some bad damage if you're not careful. The decongestant is the same ingredient in Sudafed, which you've probably heard some stories of how damaging that can be. I was on it for 5 years and developed nerve damage from it. I also had a resting heart rate of 115 when I finally went off. It's a great medicine though and I miss it terribly.
2007-03-22 06:10:14 · answer #1 · answered by Awesome Alisa 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Check with the doctor, but the black stuff may be old blood that has been in there for a while. I have bad sinuses and allergies also and I often have blood coming out, it's from the nasal linings which have become thin from all the irritation and bleed very easily. I would follow the doctor's advice, it sounds like your boyfriend really needs to get that cleaned out.
Hope he feels better soon..
2007-03-22 09:54:08 · answer #2 · answered by mom of 2 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I too have sinus problems(a lot). Am currently on my 2nd round of antibiotics and had a steroid shot. When I irrigate, The dark colored mess is actually old dried blood (among other stuff). It sounds normal to me and hopefully he will be feeling soon. I also tried the new shower soothers. They are big tablets that you put in the floor of your shower. As the warm water runs over it, it melts and the vapors REALLY open up my sinuses. Good luck.
2007-03-22 09:53:30 · answer #3 · answered by DOT 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋