I'm confused about my chronic sinusitis

[susieq0726]

Hi Vicky,
I too suffer from Chronic sinus infections. I had no typical symptoms when it was discovered on a CT scan. I had no drainage, runny nose, sneezing - None of that. I had some weird feeling pressure in my forehead and felt very unbalanced. Not really dizzy, but not right either.
I took Augmentin for 14 days and then was prescribed Avelox. YUCK! Don't take that! I took one pill and threw the rest down the drain. Made me feel very strange.
My doctor then put me on Bactrim for 20 days and Singulair. I haven't been taking the Singulair on a regular basis, but did finish the Bactrim.
Another thing I found VERY helpful was steaming. I bought one of those individual face steamers that have a eucalyptus ring (smells like Vick's) that goes in the middle of the steamer. I steam two to three times a day for 15 minutes per session. I really helps clear your head. You might want to try that.

[VMLeichliter]

Hi, Thanks, I have one of those. I bought it just for this reason. I also have one of those cool eye masks that I stash in the fridge and put over my eyes too.

Another thing I thought of: my first two doctors said I virtually had no opening for sinus drainage on the right. So I'm spraying this stuff up my nose and it comes right back out. If my drainage can't get out of my nose, how is this cortison spray supposed to get in??????? Grrrrr. I acidentally ate on the right side today and now my face throbs. I know it's not my teeth because my dentist just examined them. Thanks for listening. Vicky

[Super123]

Vicki,

I hope you decide to have the surgery. It will change your life and once you recover, which really won't take that long, it will end the cycle of sufferring you are enduring.

If you have no drainage space, then secretions will stagnate and bacteria will colonize and set up an infection. Fixing the septum equalizes the available space on either side, and widening of the sinus passages promotes better drainage. The surgeon may also remove the middle turbinate (as in my case), which will mean it will never swell up and get stuffy again.

Go for it.

[tat888]

Originally Posted by VMLeichliter

Hi, Thanks, I have one of those. I bought it just for this reason. I also have one of those cool eye masks that I stash in the fridge and put over my eyes too.

Another thing I thought of: my first two doctors said I virtually had no opening for sinus drainage on the right. So I'm spraying this stuff up my nose and it comes right back out. If my drainage can't get out of my nose, how is this cortison spray supposed to get in??????? Grrrrr. I acidentally ate on the right side today and now my face throbs. I know it's not my teeth because my dentist just examined them. Thanks for listening. Vicky

Vicky,

It sounds like you are still confused about why the doctors recommend the surgery. I would ask for further explanation until you feel comfortable, and pick the doc who can talk in laymans terms and can explain it so you know why and what they are going to do. Forget that third doc he is bad news. Docs that talk like that don't want to do anything, so he certainly shouldn't have a scapel in his hand ever.

I would ask if you have polyps and whatever kind of structural defects you might have besides the swelling. And I would ask what he belives is causing the swelling/inflammation/ and irritation. Steroid type sprays etc are meant to reduce the swelling, shrink the tissue , get the redness etc out, that should be your first attempt but unfortunately if it usually works to some degree the doc may just keep prescribing it to you and long term that is only taking care of the symptoms not the problem. I can't recall if you had an MRI but other things such as tumors etc may need to be ruled out. You definitely need a work up and since you didn't mention it I wonder if it was real obvious to the doc that it was a simple matter of opening the passageway by reconstructing your septum etc. And it could be he didn't look in there very far due to the extreme swelling.

Lastly, I would consider some alternatives, such as parasite zapping, or echinacea, things to boost the immune system, because those antibiotics that you take although very good especially augmentin, can wreak havoc on your immune system. My last concern would be the constant nasal drip on the other side of that blockage of tissue, which may be dripping into your lungs. I have known people who end up with lung problems requiring inhalers due to the damage from the constant drip etc. I am no ENT but....we do need to ask questions and take some part of our health into our own hands. Good Luck!

[rush_rulz]

I am in a situation very similar to yours. I only saw one ENT though and he just rubbed it off as needing the surgery, too but I didn't feel like he really listened to my story...while I've tried everything he suggested like avoiding smoke and not sleeping w/ pets in my bed, I still get on average about 4 or 5 sinus infections a year and it does not matter what time of the year it is I am sneezing coughing and my eyes are red. That same ENT seemed to to think it was my SINUSES Causing my allergies when I've always thought it went the other way around....? Anyone else heard of this? Anyway, I think getting 2nd and 3rd opinions are good but it's hard to find a dr. who will really listen to you! At this point I think i'd try the surgery just to breath right again, as well as smell right! I'm pretty sure i'm allergic to stuff that grows around my house. Never been tested for allergies (have you?) but since I've moved in w/my husband the sinus pressure part of it, the pain and all has gotten worse.....still i've always had an intolerance to 2nd hand smoke.