Son cant take it anymore - Ear, Nose & Throat Message Board

eye2797 · 11-25-2007, 07:43 PM

my son is 10 and has had 2 sinus surgeries, first when he was 5-he had major infection that we never knew about. They had to go in and scrape out sinus.
Than in January of 07 he had surgery. Now he has been on meds since than, sometimes 3 or more. He has been on nasal sprays, steriods, antibitiocs. He is now at a point where this is his 3rd time with polyps. His last surgery removed one that was huge, and he has eroded some of the sinus bone,
He is so tired of all the meds. I feel like we go in a circle. I dont know what else to look at.
anyone have any clues, advice, stories, whatever. I want to go to another ENT for second opinion but I dont know, I just dont know
Thanks
Krista

gcsjr · 11-26-2007, 05:12 AM

Krista-
As a long-term sinus sufferer myself, there are a couple of things you should probably consider. The first is that the sinus stuff (polyps, etc.) is typically a symptom of another problem - either allergies, or in some rarer cases even acid reflux (the acid gets high enough into the throat at night to irritate the mucosa).

Has your son seen an allergist to be skin tested for allergies - if not, that should be your first step. Ask the allergist about acid reflux (although you might just ask your pediatrician to prescribe something for it - the medication is pretty mild and you may see some improvement in a week if that's a contributing factor.

Allergy tests are key so that you can address anything that he's exposed to that is causing the problem. There are some other medications that seem to help with polyps - Singulair (which inhibits part of the allergic reaction) seemed to really slow down the recurrences of my polyps - and any good allergist will be able to develop a treatment regimen to address the underlying allergic reaction.

The other thing I would strongly recommend is that you find an ENT who is working in a University/Research setting - many office-based ENTs don't see enough patients to really be able to deal with serious sinus issues. Look online for one who specializes in chronic sinus disease - they will probably recommend regular irrigation (sounds weird but is easy once he gets that hang of it) to help clear away the stuff that's collecting in his sinuses.

Don't give up - the docs may not be able to cure everything but a good allergist and the right ENT should be able to help you and him manage this much more successfully.

CS

mkgbrook · 11-26-2007, 09:39 PM

Dito on the allergy and acid reflux check. However the ENT should have been able to see erosion damage if it was acid reflux related. Also it never hurts to get a second opinion. I always double check everything. Are you using ponaris and pretz regularly with your son. They may give some relief. They are OTC and my ENT has found they are liquid gold to chronic sinus sufferers.

Also look into sleep disorders.. sleep apnea in particular. Chronic sinus issues can be the result of poor quality sleep due to a sleep disorder as can ADHD/ADD and many other issues.

No, you do not have to snore to have sleep apnea. Yes, you can be a child and have it. My son has had it since birth and sleep beautifully on his CPAP now. I have had it for as long as I can remember.. but it took 30 years to get diagnosed. Sleep apnea is genetically dominant and if you or your husband have it or a brother or grandparent have it.. your child can have it as well. There are many degrees od sleep apnea and only a certified sleep specialist can tell you if your son has it after a sleep study. There are many references and question lists out there that can tell you if you have it or likely have it.

I have had two sinus surgeries. I finally got a good group of ENTs. They fixed my sinus issues with a complete endoscopic sinus surgery. Tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, complete window insertion, passage widening, membrane reduction and evacuation. It was rough, but worth it. I suffered nine months out of a year on antibiotics for 31 years until an ENT did my procedure. My son is five. He is suffering the same fate as me. However, my ENT is his. If his allergy testing comes back nil this January we are looking at our third surgery with him. Adenoidectomy and eartubes with sinus cleaning (2 yr 2 mo), Tonsillectomy and sinus irrigation (3.5 yrs), 5 yrs (Sinus window insertion and ethnoid passage widening ??? only time will tell).

You are in my thoughts and I wish you the best.
Sincerely,
MG