Hi all:

Ok, long story short I have terrible sinuses and have chronic sinus infections. I have had 2 sinus surgeries in the past due to antibiotics not working and being in pain, etc. I'm just getting over another infection, my doc had me get a CT scan and it showed my left frontal sinus is 100% blocked, and my left ethmoid is blocked as well.....also in that area it shows something that is blocking it--he said it could be a polyp, a bone, etc.
The infection I have now is fungal, but that area is not draining at all. I don't have any major symptoms from it--just some pressure in that area. I also just got done taking a round of steroids which helped some--but the side effects of the prednisone was too much for me to handle.
My question is.....I am pondering surgery to get this area cleaned out b/c it's not going anywhere....and in my experience in the past it will just get worse.
Do you all think I should have the surgery? What would you do?

Thank you for your opinions!

schao

I has surgery for my chronic sinusitis and it was worked extremely well for me. This is a summary of what my ENT did.

Removed 50% of sinus membranes in frontal and maxillary sinuses.
Punched windows in the Maxillary and frontal sinus cavites for drainage.
Punched windows into the ethnoid sinus cavity from the frontal sinuses.. erradicated all ethnoid membranes.
Punched windows through the ethnoid into the rear sinuses.. erradicated all sinus membranes.

Sinus passages were widened and adenoids and tonsils removed. The only thing that was omitted was the UPPP because my insurance company didn't deem it medically necessary. Well I still have sleep apnea, guess the UPPP was a good idea after all.
:) Well I am fine with my CPAP. So my insurance will just have to deal with that lifetime expenditure.. not going back for surgery just for a UPPP. If I had to have my thyroid removed or something.. then I might think about it, but I think my head is in the best structural shape in a long while. My sinuses were always described as small, but well formed. Unfortunately they were too small to drain effectively and I had a constant sinus infection as a result.

I would not rule out surgery.. especially with the pollump you described. Talk with your ENT about getting windows inserted to improve drainage and if the infections are festering in your ethnoid and rear sinuses ask about getting those endoscopically cleaned and cleared. My sinus surgery was a pretty easy recovery. After the first two weeks of tonsil pain.. the sinuses only gave me a mild headache. The worse was they couldn't pack my nose.. so I had to maintain perfect posture and not bend over or the niagra blood falls commenced. So talk to your ENT. Tell them you want to solve the source of the problem.. not just clear out your sinuses this time. Obviously you have drainage issues. so window insertion should be a no brainer. Depending on the ENT resources and facilities you may need to go else where to get the ethnoid and rear sinus work done.

Good luck finding a solution.
SIncerely,
MG

Hi MK:

Thank you for your resonse. I will definitely mention the window thing to my ENT. With my last 2 sinus surgeries...my recovery was rather long and painful...so if I choose to do surgery this time hopefully it will go a bit better after.

Thanks again,
schao

Anyone else have thoughts for me?

Thanks!

I'm going through something very similar now.

I have frontal, maxillary, ethmoid and sphenoid sinus disease, a polyp on the right side, "bilateral osteomeatal unit obstruction" and "bilateral concha bullosa". I experience constant daily headaches and lightheadedness due to my sinus disease.

I was told by a ENT Physicians Assistant that I would need endoscopic surgery and it would be expedited. One month later when I finally met with an ENT to discuss my sinus issues, he said they weren't that bad and I was put on Flonase and sinus rinses. :confused:

It's been one month and I'm beginning to get blood clots with the sinus rinses and my headaches are getting worse. THe ENT PA took me off the Flonase, increased the sinus rinses, and I have an appointment with the ENT this coming week.

I've had sinus surgery 20 years ago to correct a deviated septum and remove a polyp that filled my entire left maxillary sinus cavity. I would really like to avoid another surgery, but I'm a bit unsure as to whether the approach my ENT is taking is going to be effective. It sounds a bit "conservative" to me. I've just about had it with the daily headaches and pressure!

The endoscopic surgery and "windows" does sound very promising.

I'm curious as to what you finally decide. Keep us updated!

Hi MK and 6:

Well, I decided to have the surgery. It's just going to get worse if I don't--and since winter is around the corner, it's probably a good time to get it done now. I'm nervous as usual---I HATE being put to sleep--actually I'm a big baby when it comes to that, I ususally cry :(
Anyways--it's next Thursday, October 4th. I'll let you know how it goes!

schao:wave:

Good luck to you. You will feel so much better once it is done.

I will think of you on the fourth. Best wishes.

MG