Shari
IsItFridayYet?
Hi guys.
I need some advice/direction/support/courage/HELP!
I have terrible sinuses. I am not an ENT specialist, but my google search returned that adults have 2-3cm of space in their sinuses. I have less than 3mm on my right side, a slightly more on my left. They do not drain, thus I have sinus infections repeatedly. I'm on my 4th one this winter. (and this has been a "good" year)
My sinuses and allergies have been VERY bad all of my life. However, when I was pregnant with difficult child 2 is when the constant sinus infections started. Since that time, my allergies went from being really allergic to 4 or 5 things to being allergic to the world. The last test came up over 80% positive, including a lot of foods that were never a problem before. I live (literally, daily) on Benadryl and Sudafed. I had not drawn a breath thru my nose without the aid of those medications for YEARS prior to about a month ago when I took a round of steroids, and for some reason, it made an IMMENSE difference. I haven't had a Benadryl for a month, and its wonderful, but I've taken steroids hundreds of times before without this dramatic of a reaction.
However, being winter and all, I've caught a cold (actually the first one this winter). But, with non-draining sinuses, despite all the zinc, vitamin c, Flintstone, and sinus rinsing, it has turned into yet another infection. After 10 days, I've finally given in and gone to the doctor to start antibiotics. My sinuses are raw, inflammed, infected, and even tho I don't have too much "snot" from the cold anymore, my sinus tissues, being inflamed, are touching, so its the constant feeling of stuffy nose is there and nothing to do about it.
My allergist wants to do sinus surgery. My gp wants to do sinus surgery. I really would like to have a life that doesn't include constant stuffy nose/sore throat/ear pain (this last month has been GLORIUOS!!!! I didn't know life could be so good!) My allergist and gp both say this can only come from the surgery (ie - draining sinuses = not-infected sinuses). But for some reason, this scares me. Besides the fact that its money I don't really have and time off from work when I only get 5 sick days a year (and I have a difficult child, sinus infections or not...needless to say, those 5 days don't go far)
The surgery that would be done involves removing tissue, not getting into bone.
Has anyone had this? Did it help? How was the recovery/scarring/etc? Just any information would be helpful.
I need some advice/direction/support/courage/HELP!
I have terrible sinuses. I am not an ENT specialist, but my google search returned that adults have 2-3cm of space in their sinuses. I have less than 3mm on my right side, a slightly more on my left. They do not drain, thus I have sinus infections repeatedly. I'm on my 4th one this winter. (and this has been a "good" year)
My sinuses and allergies have been VERY bad all of my life. However, when I was pregnant with difficult child 2 is when the constant sinus infections started. Since that time, my allergies went from being really allergic to 4 or 5 things to being allergic to the world. The last test came up over 80% positive, including a lot of foods that were never a problem before. I live (literally, daily) on Benadryl and Sudafed. I had not drawn a breath thru my nose without the aid of those medications for YEARS prior to about a month ago when I took a round of steroids, and for some reason, it made an IMMENSE difference. I haven't had a Benadryl for a month, and its wonderful, but I've taken steroids hundreds of times before without this dramatic of a reaction.
However, being winter and all, I've caught a cold (actually the first one this winter). But, with non-draining sinuses, despite all the zinc, vitamin c, Flintstone, and sinus rinsing, it has turned into yet another infection. After 10 days, I've finally given in and gone to the doctor to start antibiotics. My sinuses are raw, inflammed, infected, and even tho I don't have too much "snot" from the cold anymore, my sinus tissues, being inflamed, are touching, so its the constant feeling of stuffy nose is there and nothing to do about it.
My allergist wants to do sinus surgery. My gp wants to do sinus surgery. I really would like to have a life that doesn't include constant stuffy nose/sore throat/ear pain (this last month has been GLORIUOS!!!! I didn't know life could be so good!) My allergist and gp both say this can only come from the surgery (ie - draining sinuses = not-infected sinuses). But for some reason, this scares me. Besides the fact that its money I don't really have and time off from work when I only get 5 sick days a year (and I have a difficult child, sinus infections or not...needless to say, those 5 days don't go far)
The surgery that would be done involves removing tissue, not getting into bone.
Has anyone had this? Did it help? How was the recovery/scarring/etc? Just any information would be helpful.