Oh My MARCoNS.
Currently digging my way out of sinus hell...
Earlier this Summer I decided to finally bite the bullet and test for something I’d been dreading, because I already knew deep down it was going to be positive… which was a BIG negative, if you know what I mean.
Even as a somewhat chronic sinus girlie, I had been struggling with intense nasal congestion more than seasonally since probably around the holidays last year. Yuck.
I had hoped that once my Estrogen levels stabilized into normalcy post-surgery, things would calm down— since there’s a major connection between elevated Estrogen and heightened histamine levels (file this under things women should know but generally don’t).
Unfortunately, things really didn’t budge, so once I got settled after moving to New Orleans, I did a nasal swab test (linked below) and sure enough— positive for MARCoNS. Side note— don’t blame New Orleans… this shit started months ago and is actually marginally better than it was in Nashville, despite the fact that mold exposure is part of life when you live somewhere below sea level where most centuries-old buildings and homes have flood history.
So what the heck is it?! Straight from Google:
MARCoNS is an acronym for Multiple Antibiotic-Resistant Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci, a type of bacteria that can live deep in the nasal passages. It is antibiotic-resistant and is often found in people with chronic health issues like Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) and mold exposure. MARCoNS can form biofilms that make it difficult to treat and may trigger chronic inflammation and a range of symptoms.
What MARCoNS is
A subtype of staph bacteria that is resistant to multiple antibiotics.
Typically found in the deep nasal passages.
Associated with chronic illnesses such as CIRS, mold exposure, and chronic fatigue.
Can cause symptoms like sinus headaches, chronic congestion, and fatigue.
How it affects the body
Forms biofilms: These are protective layers of mucus that shield the bacteria from the immune system and antibiotics.
Triggers inflammation: MARCoNS can activate inflammatory responses, leading to persistent inflammation.
Lowers MSH: It can reduce levels of melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH), a neuropeptide that helps regulate inflammation and immune function.
What a bag of fun, right?! Well, here’s what I’ve been doing to address it.
Even prior to testing, I’d been using a custom nasal spray, which was really the only thing getting me through the congestion. They include a micro-micro-dose of the active ingredients in several top nasal formulas, including yes— a hint of Afrin, so it works super well at opening nasal passages and supposedly isn’t a large enough dose to be habit-forming. But when I realized I was reaching for this up to 3x per day, I knew I needed to go deeper.
After testing positive, I consulted with a telehealth provider for a prescription BEG spray. I wouldn’t necessarily recommend this provider tbh— she was pushing hormones on me, including a DUTCH test, without even asking me a single question about if I had any hormonal concerns. Major red flag, but she did prescribe me the BEG spray, which is a commonly used antibiotic intervention that targets the strains of bacterias relevant in MARCoNs. We also decided to do a round of Ivermectin for deeper, systemic bacterial support… will probably have to do a whole story about my experience with it.
While I was waiting on the BEG spray and Ivermectin to be compounded, I started using a combo of Xlear nasal spray with xylitol to break up biofilms in my sinuses, alternating with an iodine spray linked below.
It’s now been about 3 months: 2 bottles of BEG nasal (which is pretty gross and makes my throat burn like crazy), 2 rounds of Ivermectin, and adding in systemic subcutaneous peptides… I want to say things are finallllyyyy improving, but there are still good days and bad, here and there.
As far as peptide support— I’ve been going Slow and Low with LL-37, one of the stronger antimicrobial peptides. I am rarely sensitive to ANYthing, but I could definitely tell when I was overdoing it and have only tolerated the smallest dose.
When I really started to turn the corner was when I started pairing LL-37 and KPV, which makes so much sense, since low MSH is associated with MARCoNs (mentioned above) and KPV helps tremendously to improve function in this pathway. I’ve also been heavily dosing the GLOW blend (BPC-157, TB-500, and GHk-cu), not specifically for this intention, but surely helps reduce systemic inflammation like nobody’s business.
Honorable mention to nasal breathwork— specifically Breath of Fire, which forces quick, powerful breaths in and out through the nose. I’ve used breathwork for years and swear it’s better than anything for helping open the sinuses and wake up the brain— thanks to the Nitric Oxide boost from nasal breathing, which I genetically need support with!
I’m planning to retest in a couple of weeks and go from there— if I need further intervention, I’m looking into getting an Ozone machine with nasal insufflation, or perhaps even a Brown’s gas machine (at the suggestion of a client who’s battled MARCoNS— hi Liz :) )
I’ll also be doing a cycle of VIP peptide nasal spray to help rebuild nasal tissues after having blasted them for months… so wish me luck, and let me know if you find this interesting and want updates!
Links for Sinus Support & Testing for MARCoNs