Hi, I'm wondering what questions I should ask in trying to get in to see a good ENT (I have a few referels) to get facial X-rays or scanrs or what not, to see what could be causing my frequent sinus infections. I get them about 5 times a year, on average, every time the weather changes, which in Louisiana is frequent! :yawn: So my questions is, being that I don't have health insurance, yet and most ENT's i've talked to, won't even consider X-raying me untiL I DO have coverage, what questions can I ask them (Besides the cost of those X-rays..I was hoping to get that question answered here on the boards)? I mean, what else do they do for you besides take a scan or an X ray? What other tests are there besides the skin allergy tests? I haven't gotten that done yet, but I think I need the ENT to do the X-rays first to see what else may be going on as I don't get the sneezing and watery eyes allergy type symptoms as much as excessive mucus, facial swelling and pain and dark circles under the eyes (all sinus related). The one ENT I actually saw in person, said that most likely it's the other way around and that my allergies (whatever they may be!) are causing me to get the sinus infections! Hmm..... :confused: I'm just so SICK of being sick and suffering--It seems I'm always blowing my nose and this time it was so bad for about a day straight I had just BLOOD coming from my nose. Disgusting and really rough to sleep all night w/ blood going down your throat!!

I'm on antibiotics now, 2nd day and i'm still blowing blood out. Any suggestions on what questions to ask the ENT people I call and also, how much did X rays of this sort run??

My ENT sends me for a CT scan of the sinuses...I go to a teaching hospital. The scan is about $800.00 to a $1000.00. Last year I was getting sinus infections about every two months. I would finish the medicine and get another sinus infection. I had a problem with scar tissue from a previous surgery. Just know too that once they go up the nose....they will more than likely need to go in again. i just had surgery in August and I feel so much better.

You probably need to get your allergies under control....Have you tried nasal irrigation? Find a good teaching hospital near you. Sometimes they have endowments and will take you without insurance, but I would ask first. The doctors at teaching schools are better trained and have better equipment. My surgery was state of the art at the teaching school I went to. The doctors are usually better too because they are teaching students.

I can remember how awful it feels to have blood coming from the nose! I feel for you! Try the irrigation though or just buy a bottle of salt water to squirt up your nose every day. Sorry I can not help you more than this.