Hi
I'm in the UK and have had continuous sinus problems for several years.
My first ENT was enthusiastic and tried many things including surgery
and drugs but without success. So after a few years I tried a new one
who tried some antibiotics and costisone on me. It didnt work. So after
a few months he just looked at my records and said "The ENT world cant
do anything for you"
I cant decide whether to keep trying new ENTs for the rest of my life
or go back to the first one who at least was enthusiastic about
helping.
Would anyone recommend keep trying lots of ENTs until I find one that
works or stick with an enthusiastic one who knows me?
Thanks
-----
My Background:
I 've had continuously bad sinuses for around 6 years (now in late
20s), tried seeing an ENT and deviated septum surgery, have had a CT
scan that was all clear, tried saline irrigation (gets stuck up there),
a dozen alergy tests were clear etc- nothing helped much.
symptoms : foggy head, feel ill in the morning , pressure below eyes,
bad breathe very little
mucus drainage unless I exercise hard- and thats only temporary
relief.
I don't really get 'bouts' of sinusitis- its just always there.
Don Brady - 14 Oct 2005 12:58 GMT
>Hi
>
[quoted text clipped - 25 lines]
>relief.
>I don't really get 'bouts' of sinusitis- its just always there.
Ok by sinusitis do you mean pain?
That is not the medical definition of sinusitis at all. The medical definition
of sinusitis is objectively-measured inflammation or infection of the sinuses.
If your CT scan is clear, how do you know that you have (true) sinusitis? I
am not saying that you do not, I am just wondering........
sedum41 - 14 Oct 2005 16:21 GMT
Have you been checked for food allergies? You could try to eliminate
various foods and see if it makes a difference for you. Especially stop
milk and dairy products (do for 2-3 months to see a difference).
Do you eat a healthy diet? The reason I ask is many people in the 20's
live a hectic life and don't eat regular healthy meals. You could try
reading up on Dr. Weil's web site www.drweil.com. He has several books on
healthy eating and lifestyles. Take vitamins too they help me greatly.
As for allegy skin testing, it is not foolproof. Keep a symptom diary if
you notice that you are more congested a certain time of year or in
certain environments write this down and bring to an allergist. Also you
could try making sure your bedroom is totally dust free. Get dust mite
covers for mattresses and pillows. Free the bedroom of clutter (books and
misc items), get rid of heavy curtains and keep dust free. Run a good HEPA
filter at night. Use a good humidifier in the winter. See if makes a
difference. Reason I suggest this is year round congestion could be sign
of dust and dust mite allergies. Read about making your bedroom allergy
free at:
http://www.allergybuyersclub.com/allergy-center.html
You may want to get a complete physical and make sure they check your
thyroid levels which I bet they don't if you are male.
Finally do you have pets in the home? May be could be allergic to them.
frankjones@dialstart.net - 17 Oct 2005 16:09 GMT
Thanks for the replies, I'll investigate those links.
I just call it 'sinusitus' - my symptoms are very foggy head, presure
in the head (esp below eyes), I feel (and look) off colour and
lethargic for the first half of the day.
I eat daily vegtables and mostly white meat and fish- though a few
chocolate bars and snack foods too.
Warmer climates seem to help me a bit when I get hot and sweat.
> Have you been checked for food allergies? You could try to eliminate
> various foods and see if it makes a difference for you. Especially stop
[quoted text clipped - 22 lines]
>
> Finally do you have pets in the home? May be could be allergic to them.
Don Brady - 17 Oct 2005 22:10 GMT
>Thanks for the replies, I'll investigate those links.
>
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>
>Warmer climates seem to help me a bit when I get hot and sweat.
Well around the eyes is the area of the ethmoid sinuses all right.
But it could be other things too.
You should not have to see *lots* of ENT's but occasionally you might have to
to find one who can come to terms with your problem.....