Following my discharge from the Army back in 1972 after two years in Panama with the extreme heat and humidity and frequent snorkeling off Taboga Island, I was plagued with constant ear and sinus infections for the next 12 years along with a skin disease that left white blotches over my body.
A dermatologist was able to take care of that skin fungus but the frequent sinus and ear infections continued for years and every time they flared up, I would be given an antibiotic.
Then in 1984 the sinus infections continued without help from antibiotics and the headaches were excruciating. I finally went to an ENT specialist who requested an x-ray on my sinus cavities and found them to be completely clogged.
He then performed an Antral Lavage which required him to go up into my nasal cavity with a BIG hypodermic needle, penetrate the bone in order to access the sinus cavity then proceed to flush it out.
The flushing process forced the crap into my throat and into my mouth and ultimately into a tray held by the nurse. I know this sounds gross but the crap that was flushed out of my sinuses filled the tray and it resembled green algae..........
After that final procedure, I've never had problems with my sinuses or ears again........
I guess the bottom line was, the bacterial infection was never completely eradicated by all the antibiotics I took over those years and instead laid dormant in my sinuses until they regained strength and caused havoc...........
Reading that was lovely. Right as I WAS eating supper.
Thanks for the tip. I won’t let my husband snorkel in Panama next time we go there. It has the worst beaches with trash on the shore. Who knows what lurks beneath; probably old hammocks and junk rattan fan palm chairs.
Wow, that is crazy. In a way I’ll bet you were happy to see all that green gunk come out because it meant the doctor had really gotten to the root of the problem.
Glad you were able to get everything resolved. Oh, and EWWW!(Sorry. Couldn’t help myself. Excuse me whilst I grab my Neti Pot.)