<p>I’ve had chronic sinus infections for quite some time that often exacerbate my asthma symptoms. I saw the doctor today for sinusitis, bronchitis and laryngitis. In addition to some medications, I was sent for a sinus CT. The doctor called this afternoon to say that the CT showed the sinus infection as well as several polyps. He said it’s time to see an ENT, so I have an appointment on January 11. I always get such great information and advice here, so thought I would throw it out there. Has anyone here experienced this and, if so, what was your course of treatment?</p>
<p>Similar story here, splashmom. My ENT appointment is on Jan 8. My doctor put me on Flonase this week, and it is helping while I wait for the appointment. I tried it once years ago for allergies, but gave up after a few days becuase it did not seem to be helping. Also curious about the experience others have had as well.</p>
<p>Have them scope for reflux disease. That ended up being DD’s underlying issue. It is amazing the symptoms that are assoicated with it. Google silent reflux disease.</p>
<p>I’m sorry to hear you’re having problems, too, intparent, and hope yours gets resolved soon. I look forward to hearing about your doctor appointment. I had been using Flonase, too, but I was getting very frequent nosebleeds so I stopped using it. According to my doctor, that’s one of the common side effects.</p>
<p>My brother has been battling polyps for years. They build up, he can’t breathe trough his nose so he has them removed. It’s terrible painful but then he can breathe again until they build up again. There is a surgery to remove them vs. having them kind of threaded out like those eyebrow thinning things you see in the malls, but the surgery is not guaranteed to keep them gone and is more risky, so he does the out-patient thing about every 2-3 years. His ENT guy is one of the best in his city so he trusts him on this.</p>
<p>Polyps are very common with chronic sinus infections. Have your dr check you for immune disorders, especially the IgG subclasses. DD is on surgery #2 in 2 years for her sinus issues. They took 34 polyps out of her nose last time. She doesn’t have any this time though. [Medscape:</a> Medscape Access](<a href=“Hypogammaglobulinemia: Practice Essentials, Background, Pathophysiology”>Hypogammaglobulinemia: Practice Essentials, Background, Pathophysiology)</p>
<p>Many years ago (maybe 20?) I had nasal polyps removed. Before the surgery I couldn’t breathe through my nose for about a year. Since then, no problem whatsoever.</p>
<p>I am sure there are newer microsurgical techniques as well as improved anesthesiology, but even then it wasn’t so bad. I went home the same day and back to work in a week.</p>
<p>Thank you for the replies. Steve, I hope your DD’s second surgery is successful and gives her some relief. Thank you for the link. I had several tubes of blood drawn today to be checked for antibodies. I just look forward to being able to sleep in my bed again instead of the recliner</p>
<p>I had the same issue years ago. Surgery to straighten the septum, push out the turbinates, and remove a bunch of polyps has made a world of difference in my life. I had the surgery on a Friday and was back to work on Monday (2 black eyes and splints still in the nose).</p>
<p>I also have been a long term user of cortisone nasal sprays like Flonase. If you get bloody noses, try Nasonex instead - I found it not quite as drying. You can also try skipping every other or every third dose. Staying well hydrated also helps a bunch.</p>
<p>Magnetron—WOW, 3 days. DD was out for 2 weeks last year with her first surgery. She didn’t have the deviated septum but the turbinates, polyps and all the crud in her sinuses removed. All of her sinus cavities were 100% blocked. It was a 2 1/2 hour surgery.</p>
<p>I had sinus surgery yesterday and I’ve been home for a bit more than 24 hours now. I had a deviated septum, blocked sinuses, multiple polyps, a bone spur and something with turbinates. My doctor spoke with me before surgery and said I could expect to feel miserable this weekend but will start feeling better once I get the splints out on Monday. I’ve got a high pain tolerance and, except for yesterday when we were waiting on my pain medication at the pharmacy, I certainly haven’t been miserable. I tried to just go with Tylenol today but it’s too soon so I’m still taking Percocet. On the plus side, I’m thinking I must have gotten some IV steroids in the O.R. because my knees and feet don’t hurt like usual (arthritis, surgery for torn meniscus last year that hasn’t been right since, and current plantar fasciitis). So far, this experience hasn’t been nearly as bad as I expected. The surgeon told my DH he had a bit of a rough time since my nose is very small, but the surgery was successful. I definitely have some swelling, though, and when I look in the mirror, I feel like I’m looking at W.C Field’s nose. Keeping my fingers crossed that I’ve been through the worst part already.</p>
<p>Ugh. It was suggested a few years ago that surgery might be appropriate but the very idea makes me shudder. Deviated septum and a truly gigantic turbinate. Small nose. Chronic sinusitis and currently taking antibiotics for a full blown miserable infection. I just don’t breath well on one side at all! Enough, I follow up in 3 weeks and will finally do it.
I appreciate the real life experiences, maybe it won’t be that bad. </p>
<p>SplashMom, would love to know when you think things are getting back to normal (looks and feel!).</p>
<p>While the surgery and recovery were not exactly fun, the end results are worth it. I know my D wasn’t excited about having a second surgery however she likes to be able to breathe, she is sleeping better and can smell again.</p>
<p>I’m glad your DD is doing better, SteveMA. As good as my day was yesterday, I had a very rough night and am not feeling so well this morning. Fingers crossed that it improves soon. Nocando, I will continue to update.</p>
<p>SplashMom–in both her surgeries–day one post-op wasn’t too bad, day 2, not so fun, day 3, because she slept a lot day 2 was pretty good and she did too much, day 4-5 she was out for the count :D. One would think that it’s fairly minor but the recovery is harder than you think–add in that you were sick for a long time before the surgery and it’s just a lot for the body to handle. Rest, rest, and more rest.</p>
<p>My husband has sinus problems (and acid reflux). We’ve dealt with these issues on a smaller scale. This may sound trite but you may want to add this ~ wearing a stocking cap to bed. He’s developing far fewer sinus problems & colds since doing this several years ago, and now never goes to bed without it. I thought about newborn babies and their caps when I suggested it. We buy a cotton turban (black is more manly) from the beauty supply store.</p>
<p>Hallelujah! The splints and packing are out and, except for a few seconds where I felt like I was delivering a baby through my nostrils, I got immediately relief from all the pressure. My face, teeth and right ear still hurt, but not near as much as they did and the doctor said that will go away. I can actually breathe through my nose! I have to use saline spray every 15-20 minutes and use a humidifier and then I’ll go back on the 22nd for debridement, but I already feel better. I’ve had to depend upon pain medication for sleep the past few days but now I feel like I could just go lie down and take a much-needed nap on my own. As miserable as I was on Saturday and Sunday, I would do it all again.</p>
<p>SplashMom–the debridement isn’t very fun–fair warning. The more vigilant you are with the saline, the better that process will go. D still thinks it is worth it. She has another sinus infection brewing she thinks though. She made it a month off her antibiotic this time though, 2 weeks longer than last time…</p>
<p>I had have sinus problems most of my life. I had surgery 23 years ago. You’ll be glad you had it done, SplashMom! You will now be able to breathe even when you have a cold or infection. I didn’t have debridement but I sure do remember having that packing taken out. And it reminded me of childbirth too!</p>
<p>SteveMA: re the constant antibiotics for your D’s sinus infections. This is what happened to me too–AFTER the surgery. I was literally on antibiotics constantly for about two years. I would go off them, have two or four or six weeks when I was better, then another cold or just the same infection creeping back. I was seeing an infectious disease specialist. All those antibiotics (sometimes two at once) had an overall bad effect on my health.</p>
<p>I finally went for acupuncture treatment by a woman who was a dr. in China before coming to the U.S. That and sinus rinsing helped a lot and I have only taken antibiotics for sinus infections twice in the last 17 years.</p>
<p>bookiemom–D has an immune disorder, thus the frequent antibiotics</p>