Ok, I've read through hundreds of messages, internet articles, etc. I
have adault onset asthma - it's gotten much worse after an anaphylactic
reaction to a allergy shot. I'm highly reactive to all inhaled
allergins except molds. I've had a chronically stuffed up nose for 10+
years (never knew you could complain about it). I'm taking Advair 250,
Singulair, Nasonex, sinus washing 2X day, Nexium, should own stock in
Sudafed. And, since the shot reaction 3 months ago, my asthma has gone
from mild persistent to moderate and it's really not under control.

So allergist sent me for ct - showed chronic sinusitis, mucousal
thickening in all sinuses, 50% opacified in left maxillary, both
maxillaries have obstructed openings, inferior turbinates on both sides
have hypertrophy. And there's a deviated septum. Went on augmentin for
30 days (I'm nursing a baby so meds. are limited) but was on 3 other
antibiotics for 2 week periods prior to this in the last 3 months and
no change. I have a very persistant PND, hoarse voice, sore throat,
larygitis, cough continuously except at night, I've been on 2 pred.
bursts - helped my sinus until I was off the pred. and then it was
blocked again.

Talked to several ENT's - the most conservative one (actually the one
my allergist originally sent me to), recommended widening the two
openings to the maxillaries, taking the mucus out of the left and
reducing the turbinates submucosally. Couldn't say if the septum would
need to be fixed until he goes in but would rather leave it alone. Will
leave all the rest of the sinuses untouched - if it's not broken, don't
fix it.

So, I've read and read and read and all I read is horror stories. I
have a friend who had surgery 5 years ago - can't blow her nose, still
has sinus headaches, etc. She said she screamed so loudly after the
first packing was removed and then passed out w/ the second.

I'm not exactly a baby when it comes to pain - I've had 7 kids
naturally but I'm not sure I can deal w/ the post op w/ this - the
debridement, stent removal, packing, etc.

Are there people who've had similar procedures made it successfully
through post op? Any suggestions beyond Xanax and lots of pain meds :-)
I go for a pre-op visit in a week - will ask about the packing, but I'm
assuming I'll probably need it w/ what's being done - anyone think
otherwise?

I'm assuming I don't hear about as many successful sinus surgeries
because once it's done and things are good, there isn't a desire to
spread the word - maybe it doesn't seem as big a deal.

I live in the pollen capital of the south - Atlanta - I'm hoping to
start allergy shots again, but my doctor is reluctant due to my severe
reaction. There's only so much I can do to control my environment,
short of wearing a mask. I am reactive now to all irritants - sinuses
swell shut, PND gets worse, etc.

Anyway, I feel like my life is put on hold and I just want to feel
better - my asthma is pretty minor compared to others, but I have
trouble carrying my 2 year old up the stairs, I feel miserable after I
exhale and this is after I take all my meds + albuterol 4X a day or
more.

Michelle