Sinus problems

[Karen from Indiana]

I have had severe sinus and allergy problems forever it seems but since early august have been having almost daily headaches at the base of my skull. My family doc ordered mri and said there was nothing there to be causing the headaches and left it at that. Well, it does say there are mucoperiostal thickening in the sphenoid sinus. I got fed up and made appt with an ENT dr. I told him what was happening and took the mri results and he told me he didnt like that at all about the sphenoid sinuses and that yes, they can cause the headaches Ive been having. Apparently these sinuses rarely cause problems for people...ha, leave it to me, lol....he checked the other sinuses and there are problems there as well, deviated septum and what not. He sent me for a Instascan of the sinuses so he would have a map of everything in there IF he needed to do surgery.

Well, regular sinus surgery doesnt scare me but these suckers are back behind the eyes and very close to the brain. Has anyone ever had surgery done on the sphenoid sinuses? And for those that have had it on other sinuses, did it help?

[Quahog]

Hi Karen,

when I read your post I could swear you were describing me.

In fact I am also dealing with a sinus infection (worst one yet) The doctor has me on Azithromycin 5 day pack. I am so dizzy, nauseous,headaches, vision problems. I have even vomitted because of it (sorry to gross anyone out)

Awhile back I had a CT scan done on my sinuses and they also found mucoperiosteal thickening in my left sphenoid sinus. and this is causing some occulsion (blockage) My sinuses don't drain so when I get a cold or my allergies flare up it turns into an infection. I have a swamp inside my head and I can smell it.

I have seen a few ENT and for some reason they seem to be the worst for having a superiority complex. I wish I knew why these people acted the way they do and I will not go back to them anymore. Anyways, no one will do surgery and I am miserable but, there might be hope from another source.

There is I have heard a small group of physicians that are performing a type of sinus angioplasty. Where the insert a ballon and infate it to open up the passage ways. It sounds very interesting with a recovery time less than that of conventional sinus surgeries. I don't know if it would help but it might be worth checking into.

Glenn

[Karen from Indiana]

Im sorry the ENT's you have encountered have such a complex! This one I went to is so sweet. But they are a very large group that have been in this area for many years and are well liked and respected. I guess given the territory (Ohio Valley) they know they have a hot bed for sinus and allergy cases! I also have been having some vision problems and lord, the drainage down my throat at night is about to set me insane, not to mention the headaches. I really hope you find someone who can help you! I know how you feel. I guess I will find out more next thursday when I go back and show him my little floppy disk thing with my scan results on it.

[Mtngrlrrt]

Karen,

I have had surgery on my sphenoid sinuses as well as all the other sinuses. The sphenoid surgery was done endoscopically as was all the others except for the frontal surgery. The surgery was not bad at all. I had surgery on a Wednesday and was back at work a week later. I had actually developed a fungal type infection in my sphenoid. My ENT had me come in once a week for about 6 weeks so that he could be sure that all was healing well. If you have any questions about sinus surgeries etc please feel free to e-mail me. I have been through it all and have come out the other side. Take Care.

[Linda25]

Haven't had surgery, but have lots of trouble with allergies and migraines, Now I take zyrtec daily and sometimes add singulair at bedtime (have asthma too) and so far this year haven't had one sinus infection

moved to a place without carpets and avoid the outdoors when people are mowing their lawns (high allergy potential)

got a REALLY good allergy doctor last year who put me on my current regimen.

I usually have 3 to 5 sinus infections per year, so this is a real breakthrough for me

Have to take sudafed almost daily and afrin frequently

good luck to you. Zyrtec has been a miracle drug for me (with a decongestant) but I know it's not enough for everyone.

take care

Linda

[simby]

this year seems to be particularly hard for us allegy sufferers. I know a lot of people, including me, that have had a long, tough season where the normal stuff isn't working so well.
I am finally getting good relief from benadryl and sudaphed. I take them pretty much year round, but not necessarily daily.
Haven't had surgery, i have not had a bad infection this year. yet.
*crossing fingers*