Sinusitus :(

Lounge
1

Hi, everyone. Wow, I haven’t posted in a while. But I’ve been lurking still.

So, I’ve been having these awful sinus headaches for a few months now, at least. First, my doc gave me allergy meds, but they didn’t help. So he put me on antibiotics and a 6 day steroid pack. Nada. So, on Saturday I got a catscan. I’ve got a retention cyst in both maxillary sinuses. :frowning: The worst part is not that I probably have to get surgery, but that I have like no time to have it. I’m leaving to go abroad end of August, so I have to get in all of my friend visiting and everything, and it’s stressing me out. I’m going to the ENT tomorrow, so I’ll know more then.

Has anyone else had sinus surgery? How long was the recovery time?

Thanks! :slight_smile:

2

My dad said that his sinus surgery was the worst thing he could have ever done. You might try a neti pot before committing to surgery. It takes some getting used to, but if it helps…

3

What did he have it done for? And did he say why it didn’t work?

Thanks. :slight_smile:

4

I’m not sure what he said it was for…

They cleaned it out and packed it with cotton or something. But he’s had more problems with allergies and sinus headaches since then.

5

Thanks for the input. :smiley: The ENT I’m going to is supposed to be really good, so hopefully whatever he suggests works. I’m hoping that surgery is a good option because I’m just so afraid he’ll put me steroids for a few weeks that’ll wind up not working. I’d be SOL then because I’d be leaving for Italy in only a few weeks. Also, I’m already having headaches and pressure almost every day, so I don’t know if it could get worse.

I’ve read up online about the Neti pots, and I considered getting one. But while it seems as if they’re good at preventing buildup, I’m not sure how well they work to remove large cysts.

6

My father had the sinus surgery and it went great. He was on his feet the next day with his guaze taped under his nose to catch any drainage. Nothing like being in high school and walking around with your dad with a slightly bruised face and guaze taped to his face : )
I have avoided the surgery as of yet - I have hyperplastic something or other. I take Zyrtec daily and when I feel the pressure building I take Mucinex like 2-4 tablets/day. Used to be guafenasin (Mucinex) was by prescription only so I had 1000mg tabs, now it is no longer covered by ins. I also have a blue baby bulb to do saline sinus washes when I feel the pressure building.

7

Yep, I had surgery for polyps, cysts, and a deviated septum. I had been having infections and couldn’t take it anymore. I had heard the surgery was a killer and honestly, didn’t think it was that bad. However…within six months I was having infections again and the doc was talking surgery… again. I went to another ENT and he suggested irrigation using an adaptor with a Water Pik. That helped for awhile, but I finally went a more holisitc route and started working on my immune system. I’m not 100%, but don’t get nearly the infections I used to. The woman I see says thanks to the surgery I now also deal with scar tissue. I’d go online and read about people that have had it. Too many have had several surgeries and still have problems. I feel for ya.

8

Ok, I went to the ENT, and he said I don’t need surgery. He thinks it’s just allergies, so he gave me stronger meds than the ones I’m already taken.

So, yeah, this is good news. I’m just worried that the meds won’t work. But, like my dad said, if a surgeon doesn’t recommend surgery, I probably don’t need it.

9

I agree with your father, if the surgeon says he doesn’t see an opportunity for surgery you should be in the clear. Give the new allergy med a chance. I took Allegra and Claritan before trying Zyrtec and it has worked great for me. There are times I take it in combination with Singulair and Flonase during peak blooming season.
best of luck and enjoy your travels abroad.