So I moved to a new town, and after a few months got a sinus infection. After it didn't go away, I was referred to the ENT. I first saw the nurse practitioner, and after listening to my history, ordered a CT scan to make sure we weren't up against a resurgance of my chronic problems. She was out sick, the day I was supposed to get the results, so the ENT saw me. I was still feeling very lousy, but basically he said,"your CT scan is fine, so there is nothing I can do for you." But doctor, I have this thick, yellow drainage! " It is a myth yellow drainage always means infection," he said. WHAT?! So I went back to my primary doctor, who I really like, but he trusts the ENT, so he decides to run other blood tests to make sure I am okay. All of them come back normal, and since I feel slightly better, I decide maybe the ENT was right.

About 2 months later, allergy season begins, and I start feeling really horrible. Then one morning, I wake up with a stabbing face pain, it is no mistaking it is sinusitis. I'm treated with Ketek, but when that doesn't work, it is back to the ENT's office. Again, the nurse practicioner listen very carefully does an exam, and puts me on 2 weeks of Ceftin, and orders food allergy testing. The Ceftin breaks up the infection, as I am blowing really gross drainage out, but doesn't clear it completely, so she adds 2 more weeks. So I was antibiotics for 4 weeks, and still feel terrible, a now have thrush. So they call in an antifungal medicine, which clears my thrush and coincidentally, my ears. I am starting to suspect fungal sinusitis.

Anyway, I was supposed to see the nurse yesterday for my food allergy results, and again she was out sick, so they moved it to tomorrow. Now I get another call, that she is still out sick, so would I like to see the ENT instead? Now I am so torn. I hate this guy, and partially blame him for the mess I am in now. If he had just given me an antibiotic(or at least done a culture), things might not have progressed to this point. I'm starting to feel like I did before I had surgery back in 2003. But I want these food allergy results, and they won't release them to me if I don't see somebody. I could just scream!

I really like the nurse practioner, but she always seems to be out sick, and the ENT is one of those surgeons that if he can't cut you open, he can't do anything for you. There is only one ENT practice in this town. We are very isolated. I'd have to go 2+ hours to see anyone else!

Any advice? Thanks for letting me vent.

I would go the 2 + hours to see the other doctor. Yes, it's a long drive, but it's worth it if it addresses your problem.

There's nothing worse than a doctor you don't trust.

the problem is, antibiotics only work about 10% of the time to correct sinus problems. And yet doctors continue to dish them out like candy.

Have you had surgery? Are you irrigating? Immunotherapy?

I'm misearble right now too, and I have yellow drainage, but I'm not convinced it is a full blown bacterial infection, since I been through this a few times in the last 8 months, but I was able to clear it up on my own using irrigation, decongestants, and sinofresh. Allergies are just awful.

I would travel the distance!! I had a doctor I hated while I was growing up and I hated going to the doctors and never did unless my mom made me!! I would hide symptoms from her cause I hated him so much!!!! Then when I was old enough I found another Dr, they were OK, but our insurance changed and I had to change Dr.'s again, and let me tell you the doc I have now (PCP) I absolutly LOVE!!!! I have been to the doctors more in the past year than I have in the last 6!!!! (minus having a baby) Doctors make the difference!! I have seen 2 of the 3 in the allerists group and I like the one so much better!! I have my follow up with the one I like better!! So doc's DO make a difference!! I would at least TRY, and if the one 2+hrs is not better then go closer, but if so the drive will be SO worth it!! :)

Thanks guys for letting me vent! This ENT is actually one of 2 in the practice. He is new to the practice as am I, so I got assigned to him. The other guys patient load is full, so will NOT let me switch. I absolutely love the nurse practicioners though, so if I could just see them I would be fine.

Chiggins, I have had surgery, immunotherapy for 3 years, and I irrigate twice a day. I just found out I have food alergies. Instead if you read my other post, you'll see what a jerk this guy was. Didn't explain anything, just told me,"Well THIS is your problem." and sent me on my way.

My biggest frustration has been getting in to see the doctor at all. One of the guys I was going to had a 2 month waiting list -it was silly.

I found a great doctor that got me in right away, but he's over an hour away.

I know if I go back and see these guys they are going to dish out antibiotics, which don't help me. So I suffer until I can clear this thing on me own. So far I've been able to the last 3 times. My allergies are so bad, my sinuses are almost always swollen to some degree.

What part of the country do you live in?

I live in the Southwest. I've also been on so many antibiotics, I know it has messed up my system. I really waited too long this past time and let it get out of control. I really DID need those antibiotics THIS time, but if I hadn't waited so long, a normal 10 day dose would've sufficed. But it is getting so hard for me to distinguish between infection and allergy anymore.

My primary doctor wants to refer me to an immunologist, but they say they can't see me until JUly 29th! My doctor said he will speak to the doctor personally, so we will see.

So I was antibiotics for 4 weeks, and still feel terrible, a now have thrush. So they call in an antifungal medicine, which clears my thrush and coincidentally, my ears. I am starting to suspect fungal sinusitis.


I took Omnicef for 16 days (3oo mg 2x/day) to treat a sinus infection and developed terrible fungal infections. I was supposed to take it for 20 days, but it wasn't working so I stopped it. Anyway, I found that I actually felt worse when I was on the antibiotics for more than 10 days -- I got major brain fog. I too suspect this is a fungal problem and have read that doctors are experimenting with Rx of antifungals and antibiotics at the same time. Anyone ever try this to treat sinusitis? I'm not talking about using Sinufresh or grapefruit seed extract, but rather an aggressive antifungal nose spray.