Hello,

I've had severe head/sinus problems for several years now.  7 years ago
I had a very severe episode that totally reduced my brain power and
gave me head pain for several weeks.  I couldn't do simple 2+2 math
during that time, and the symptoms got worse when I tried to
concentrate on school.   I went to several doctors and after 5 weeks
was sent to a neurologist.  He sent me off for a CT scan, but by the
time the CT scan came by (8 weeks later) the symptoms had lessened
(sinus infection went away).  Obviously the CT scan came up negative
and the neurologist even said I might be making it all up because I
didn't like school.  Since then my mom has not believed any of my
symptoms and I have kept quiet about my struggles for so long.
Neverthless, I continue to get severe infections on average twice a
year, which last on average 1 month.

I entered University this year and I began getting severe head pains
about a few weeks into the first semester. It resembled what happened 7
years ago, but more severe.  My left eye was blurrry often, I couldn't
sleep, couldn't think, and my head felt like it was going to explode.
Also, my ears kept blocking up, which I cleared up with wax remover
each time.  I went to the walk in clinic 3 times in a period of 4
weeks, and each time they acted like nothing was wrong or said it was
probably some sinus congestion.  On my 4th visit, the doctor finally
said "I have no idea" and sent me to an ENT.

Now 5 weeks into the symptoms (which are unbearable at this point), I
see the ENT who used an endoscope and said that my sinuses are very
infected.  I told him that I was struggling in school now (even though
I was acing everything up until things became unbearable), and begged
him for antibiotics because I had exams coming up.  He said he wanted
to see CT scans first.  The earliest CT scan they gave me was for
another 5 weeks later.

During this wait for my CT scan, I even went to the Emergency Room at a
local hospital because on one severe day I fainted twice and had more
than usual blurriness in my eyes.  They checked to see if I had a
stroke or heart problems and told me to continue with the ENT.

Throughout this time I was doing my own remedies and taking a lot of
OTC medicine.  I did not write my final exams because I hadn't studied
anything properly for 2 months (as if my IQ was 25% for 2 months) and
by the time my exams came around my symptoms started clearing up.  I
continued taking OTC medicine and my symtomps dropped to almost nothing
and finally my CT exam date came.  I knew the CT scan wouldn't show
much because it was more than 2 months after the onset of the "severe"
symptoms.  I had given my unviersity updates on my condition throughout
this time, and they were very receptive because I had awesome grades
until I became sick.  Nevertheless they wanted a form filled out by the
ENT describing my symptoms (the form specifically had boxes for the
doctor to checkmark to indicate the symptoms I had, and looking at the
list - memory loss, drowsiness , low concentration, insomnia, pain - I
noticed that I had all of these for over 2 months).

Right now, I just came back from the ENT (now almost 3 months since the
start of my infection) and not only did he forget who I was, he didn't
have any record of my original visit (when he diagnosed me with a
severe sinus infection).  I told him he has CT scans of my sinuses.  He
was confused, went into his office and spent some time digging up the
scans on his computer.  He came back and said "you're sinuses look
fine."  I told him I needed him to fill out this form explaining my
symptoms, and he refused saying that I was fine now.  I began explaning
how this was not my first visit, and that on my first visit I had
severe symptoms and how I even begged him for antiobiotics so I could
get better faster, and he didn't remember.  For some reason he didn't
have a "file" or any record of my last visit handy (maybe the
receptionist didn't take it out). Then he started saying how I should
stop complaining and try to study for a change instead of trying to
defer exams. He was implying that I was making everything up, because
my CT scans showed "good" sinuses.   My mother was in the room with me,
and this ENT was still shouting at me, while I was being nice.  He
finally yelled "get out of my office, I have other patients to see."
All I was trying to do is remind him of the original state and how he
refused to give me antibiotics.  Funny thing is, this time he refused
to admit that he refused to give antiobiotics.

Now I'm stuck.  My university, where many professors respect me are
waiting for medical documentation.  I dont' have any at this moment.
The walk in clinic I visited several times couldn't diagnose me, so the
doctors there don't want to give "specific" symptoms, they only gave me
a medical certificate that said I visitted them x times over the last
few months.  The optometrist found nothing wrong with my eyes.  The ENT
won't sign my form because he thinks I'm just making stuff up because
they can't study and face the exams like normal people.

What can I do?  This is the second time I've taken these problems to
such an extent (7 years ago I did the same), but got no resolution.  By
the time the CT scans and specialists come around, my symptoms go away
(infections don't stay for ever).  How am I supposed to get medical
documentation from?

The courses I had this semester were dead easy for me, I had been
programming in C for several years, and I didn't even write the intro
to C programming final exam. Why? Because the symptoms were that bad.
I couldn't think, I couldn't sleep, I was plain "dumb and confused" for
2 months.  What is this? I get this same EPISODE around two times a
year, I got it in February of last year too.... I am
lost................. I don't know what to do.. any advice?