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Original poster

Blocked sinus...so miserable

63 replies

Miserable1 · 12/10/2025 18:37

Anyone sympathise?

I used to get chronic sinusitis and pressure headaches but take daily steroid nasal spray which has mostly helped.

However, as soon as I get some minor congestion it goes straight to my sinuses for long periods of time. I feel heavy, tired, sore and loose all sense of taste.

I currently haven't been able to taste for 6 weeks. I thought I was getting better as I could slightly taste 2 days ago and my smell came back 2 weeks ago. However I feel worse today; more congested, sore, tired, no smell or taste at all. I'm utterly depressed.

So far I've tried nasal washes, daily steroid spray, cold and flu meds, sinus massage, drinking plenty of fluids, steak inhalation. I don't think there's much else that can be done? The last time I had this I went to the GP. I got an appointment with the nurse who said "what do you want me to do?". The Dr sent a referral to ENT but because it's so long, they gave me new steroid nasal drops. Once the last illness past, these seemed to help day to day but again, any minor cold and I'm ill for weeks/months.

So far this year I've spent 4 months out of the 10 with no taste and pain/pressure. However, is there any point in going to the GP again? Or nothing they can do? I feel I've exhausted all treatment options and they won't consider me bad enough for intervention.

OP posts:
Original poster
Miserable1 · 15/10/2025 11:25

I'm heading off to my GP appointment now. I'm actually really stressed/anxious that they probably won't prescribe oral steroids. As there's nothing else that will help at this point!

OP posts:
Noshadelamp · 15/10/2025 12:29

I had similar after a nasty infection and pneumonia. Three lots of antibiotics eventually shifted everything except the sinus pain and congestion.
I struggled on for three more months with home treatments - steam, sprays, massage etc

I eventually went back to gp, who suspected a lingering infection deep in the sinus cavity so was given antibiotics again plus an antihistamine (fexofenadine).

This worked and have been fine, just hoping I don't go through it all again this winter!

So it's possible you might need antibiotics.

Sorry just rtwt, edited.

Original poster
Miserable1 · 15/10/2025 13:28

Well I had the GP appointment. The good news is she was willing to prescribe oral steroids...
However I was tachycardic (heart rate 152) and she wouldn't let me go home. So now I'm sat in hospital. She said if all is ok, then I can ask the clerk to print her prescription. I've no idea how that will work and they'll probably refuse.
Honestly I feel rubbish and do not want to be sat in a busy waiting room.

OP posts:

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General health
Bluemin · 16/10/2025 14:23

Oh no sorry to hear that.

I actually have tachycardia myself so know how it feels. I wonder if its just the stress of being in pain so long.

Im finding my sinus pain has a pattern. Not too bad when I wake up, starts to feel worse around midday and then I huge pain all afternoon. I wondered if it was from being upright so good excuse to lie down this afternoon. Ibuprofen not touching the sides this afternoon.

Original poster
Miserable1 · 16/10/2025 19:35

I have a pattern too, like you it's not quite as bad when I wake up. It's as if the mucus moves lower down. Saying that, when it affects my frontal sinuses, I get awful headaches when up. I always have a fast heart rate and irregular heartbeat. I actually have a GP appointment to discuss next month.

So yesterday at the hospital was odd. I spent 7 hours there and my sinus pain was so bad that I had an awful headache and blurred vision by the end of the day. I had an ECG, bloods etc. I waited 4 hours to see the Dr, who was an ENT dr. She started asking about my sinuses. I explained I wasn't there for my sinuses, that Id gone to see the GP about that issue but they sent me to hospital because I had tachycardia. Anyway, she said my ECG was fine and asked me all about my sinuses. I was in a lot of pain yesterday, my head was agony and vision blurred. She's now made an urgent referral to ENT and said I'll have a CT scan and be seen my a consultant in 4-6 weeks. So I've been so lucky! As I was on a wait list of over a year.

OP posts:
rockstarshoes · 16/10/2025 20:03

Sorry you had to through all that OP but that sounds like a result! I’m pleased you will get an urgent referral!

I’m a sufferer too! Had an awful cold last week & couldn’t even smell the Vicks vapour!

i

PleaseBeGentleVipers · 20/10/2025 11:44

Miserable1 · 16/10/2025 19:35

I have a pattern too, like you it's not quite as bad when I wake up. It's as if the mucus moves lower down. Saying that, when it affects my frontal sinuses, I get awful headaches when up. I always have a fast heart rate and irregular heartbeat. I actually have a GP appointment to discuss next month.

So yesterday at the hospital was odd. I spent 7 hours there and my sinus pain was so bad that I had an awful headache and blurred vision by the end of the day. I had an ECG, bloods etc. I waited 4 hours to see the Dr, who was an ENT dr. She started asking about my sinuses. I explained I wasn't there for my sinuses, that Id gone to see the GP about that issue but they sent me to hospital because I had tachycardia. Anyway, she said my ECG was fine and asked me all about my sinuses. I was in a lot of pain yesterday, my head was agony and vision blurred. She's now made an urgent referral to ENT and said I'll have a CT scan and be seen my a consultant in 4-6 weeks. So I've been so lucky! As I was on a wait list of over a year.

Edited

@Miserable1 i’ve been wondering how are you getting on? I hope you’re feeling a bit better.

Original poster
Miserable1 · 20/10/2025 11:56

@PleaseBeGentleVipers thank you for asking ☺️
Well, my sinuses are still blocked and I still can't taste! I also haven't slept in 4 days due to the steroids I assume. I feel a little better in myself and can smell a little better, however my smell was coming and going anyway.
I'm still feeling miserable. I'm not sure the steroids have helped and I took my last dose this morning. I can't really do anything now except wait for my appointment. At this point, I just hope I can taste by Christmas!
I'm also loosing some weight as I just don't feel like eating as much!

OP posts:
PleaseBeGentleVipers · 20/10/2025 12:27

@Miserable1 ah I’m so sorry to hear that! I was told never take the steroids after lunch as they do keep you wide awake. I hope the ENT can setup a plan for you, it really is so miserable. I had no idea how much my taste had been affected and it’s definitely still not fully back. I’m not an experienced Mumsnet user but DM if you like re ENT options when the time comes 😊 I also found Reddit had some really useful information about managing severe sinusitis and surgical options/outcomes if you dig around in the threads for posts by people with severe chronic and/or acute sinusitis rather than the more general threads. The main thing I learned was FESS done well can be life changing (in a positive way) which has been my experience. Best of luck!!!

Original poster
Miserable1 · 01/11/2025 21:54

Now 9 weeks of no taste and constant pressure in my ethmoid sinuses. I feel exhausted, eyes are heavy and I can't sleep. Utterly depressed I can't taste anything. I feel I have tried all treatment options. 2 courses of Prednisolone have not helped.

I'm fortunate to have an appointment with ENT on 20th November. I also managed to get my CT scan booked in on the 18th. It was the only date before my ENT appointment and I was hoping the scan results would be available for the consultant and make the appointment more meaningful. I'm just worried that all treatment options have been exhausted and if I do need surgery I'll just have to wait years. These bouts usually last a month at most and I just feel i will never get better. Yesterday I felt my nose was a tiny bit clearer, today I'm worse and now my smell has reduced again.

OP posts:
Original poster
Miserable1 · 01/11/2025 21:56

@PleaseBeGentleVipers thank you for your reply and I am sorry I missed it. I'm so pleased the surgery was beneficial for you. How long was the wait for surgery once you were told it was needed? I'll have a look on Reddit 😊

OP posts:
Bluemin · 02/11/2025 18:40

Mine got a lot better after some reflexology. I was quite sceptical but it seems to have worked!

Elle18 · 16/12/2025 22:11

How are you now @Miserable1 ? What happened at your appointment? X

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