I have had sinus surgery twice in the last 5 years.  Polyps were
removed both times and passages were opened, the first time they also
corrected a deviated septum.  FOllowing my second surgery in July '04 I
have had frequent infections (everything from staph, strep (twice in 3
months), bronchitis, pneumonia, etc.)  I have been on antibiotics
almost constantly since the surgery.  The infections started in my nose
after the surgery, and then the other respiratory infections followed
from there.  The main antibiotics prescribed for sinuses have been
Augmentin and a gentamiacin irrigation.  I have been on other various
antibiotics for the other infections/illnesses.  I have a thick,
tenacious mucous that comes from the right side of my nose and have a
constant dull ache across right maxillary sinuses and jaw/upper teeth.
I have had a CBC and immunoglobulin panel (which all came back normal)
and am HIV negative.  I am a 26 year old female and have always been
generally healthy other than allergies and chronic sinusitis.  It seems
that these chronic infections and constant pain all started after this
last surgery.  I went back to my ENT in March '05, following an
abnormal CT scan (extensive mucosal thickening and total opacification
of right frontal sinus).  ENT says he feels this is all due to Allergic
Fungal Sinusitis and sent a culture off from my sinuses.
Interestingly, he told me the same thing in October (3 months after
surgery) but when he sent of the culture it came back as a staph
infection.  He said the only thing to do is to wait for the culture and
if a fungus is present this time we can do topical steroids/anti-fungal
nasal sprays.  He felt that surgery to remove swelling will be only a
very temporary fix and that steroids will only work temporarily as
well.  My allergist and family physician felt this was a "weak"
diagnosis (allergic fungal sinusitis)...but at the same time, they have
no other answers.  Just for the record, I do have allergies and asthma
and currently take Allegra D, Singular, Albuterol, Advair, Rhinocort
and get allergy shots as well.  I am hoping that someone out there has
maybe experienced something similar and can give me some good advice
about what to do next...or something I should mention to my Dr., other
tests, etc...Several people have mentioned getting a 2nd opinion from
another ENT????  Anyone???
Thanks for listening!