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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to be so excited to get my sinus cavity and environs drained and degunked?

20 replies

lolaflores · 11/01/2019 14:52

The sinus problems ahve been getting out of hand and finally saw ENT consultant who did an MRI and showed me sinus area looking like the Nile Delta needing a good clear out.
It has been causing misery. I am nearly permanently sick, it creates asthma symptoms and I have had 10 courses of prednlasone (think thats how its spelled. There is blood in my nose constantly and all the rest of the vertigo etc etc.
Now, I am aware this isn't going to mean I wake up after the operation and do a big breath in through my now miracolously clear nose and its all bluebirds and bunny rabbits but tell me it will get better at least? I will be on the mend?
Please

OP posts:
buckingfrolicks · 11/01/2019 15:01

I have no experience of that but that treatment does sound life enhancing!

Oddsocksandmeatballs · 11/01/2019 15:08

I had surgery on my nasal 'polyp' and sinuses a few years ago and the relief was almost immediate (my polyp turned out to be a tumour) and I have another ENT appointment next week as I have a constant thick post nasal drip that is blighting my life. You will be better fairly quickly from my experience.

Iltavilli · 11/01/2019 15:11

That sounds incredible! I had similar about 18 months ago, but was refused surgery and (after several rounds of prednisolone, clarithromycin, and many others) was instructed to manage via diet. The ability to breathe easily is hugely underrated and appreciated!

lolaflores · 11/01/2019 15:15

I did nasal rinses as assured it would solve it. Burned like acid. Antibiotics. Steroids.
Give up dairy.
Do yoga.
We think you have COPD!!!!
It's taken for so long to get here And I am looking forwards to living a better quality of life. No more mouth breathing for me

OP posts:
lolaflores · 11/01/2019 15:17

oddsocksandmeats that sounds scary. I really hope it all turns out well for you.
Never underestimate breathing easily. I just want to feel like my lungs are working

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YorkshirePuddingsGreatestFan · 11/01/2019 15:22

Oh I've had my sinuses drilled and some turbinate bone removed. That was after years of almost permanent sinusitis. I had loads of headaches, struggled breathing through my nose, had lost my sense of smell and taste and seemed to permanently have snot dripping down the back of my throat.

Had it on day surgery so still felt groggy when I came home. The next day I didn't feel too bad. I did a few jobs around the house and thought it was way better than I expected.

The next day I woke up in extreme pain. It felt like someone had been stamping on my face overnight. You'll get a bag of strong painkillers when you leave hospital. You will need them! It was Mothers Day that day as well, so I had small children dancing around me wishing me well so I had to pretend to be happy when really I wanted to shove them away Blush

The pain settled over the next couple of days. My nose stayed blocked for a few weeks afterwards. They recommend you keep rinsing it with a bicarb and salt warm water mixture in a squirty bottle.

After 1-2 weeks things start to loosen and you'll start blowing out incredible chunks of snot - some the size of your thumb nail. I'm still astonished as to how they fit up my nose. You might get some nosebleeds at this point too.

Another 2-3 weeks and the snot chunks get smaller and the nosebleeds are less frequent and you'll start smelling and being able to taste again. Things like fresh air will smell wonderful at this point.

Not going to lie, it was a horrible operation. But if you can put up with a painful week and another couple uncomfortable weeks till everything settles down afterwards, your life will be so much better.

Since my op I've had a couple of episodes of sinusitis but nothing I couldn't cope with and it cleared up after a couple of days. I've definitely never regretted having the operation and life has been much better since having it.

lolaflores · 11/01/2019 15:33

Yorkshirepudding I really appreciate your honesty.
When I was 22 i had my jaw realigned to correct and undershot lower jaw. If I can survive my jaws wired together for 6 weeks, living off complan but still somehow managing to smoke, then I can survive this.
The thought of being well for longer than a week fills me with such happiness. I know its not going to be a walk in the park but its a chance.
I am going to ask for double meds.

OP posts:
HelloViroids · 11/01/2019 15:36

Colleague had it done - was off for 2 weeks to recover, didn’t tak about the recovery much but the results when she got back were pronounced life changing! Flowers

WontShareMyAuPair · 11/01/2019 15:39

Ive had 2 lots of sinus surgery. Emergency operation when i was 12 to open them up and drain an infection that had grown into a massive orbital celulitis. I had a 2 week hospital stay.

By the time i was in my mid 20s the sinus infections came back with a vengance. My ct had complete opacification on the left, partial on the right plus a septal spur that was blocking my nose on one side. So they fixed my nose, drilled back the sinuses and enlarged them plus they did something to my adenoids.

The difference was amazing. I used neilmed sinus rinse several times a day and washed out massive clots of blood and gunk. I was signed off work for 3 weeks but after the first week i felt great and so had a relaxing few weeks at home after. Also i used some steriod nasal spray.

15 years later im starting to feel twinges of sinus infections happening again, but they did warn me that i would probably need another surgery in my 40s as my sinuses are freaky

theWarOnPeace · 11/01/2019 16:00

Following on behalf of my DH. We’re all hoping for a referral for sinus miracles! They haven’t worked it the exact cause of his issues yet, we’re still in the stages of “try this and that and let’s see I’m a few weeks” but they said they would refer if the next spray didn’t work. It hasn’t worked.

lolaflores · 11/01/2019 16:04

I am looking forwards to less complications and less medication and less time at the bloody doctors with my collection of symptoms.
To be able to spend time with my family and not be sick all the time and ending up in A+E needing a nebulizer cos I can't breathe.
Or my nose burning when its cold cos the inside of my nose is inflamed.
Worrying about someone sneezing near me as i guarantee it will kick off a sinus infection or start a wheeze in my chest.
Its just taken so much time out of my life recently I am looking forwards to being a bit normal.
cheers to everyone who went through it and felt the benefit

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AfterSchoolWorry · 11/01/2019 16:06

Wow, following this with interest.

I have permanent sinusitis. I use neilmed rinse between 2 and 4 times a day. Avymys twice a day as well as inhalers etc.

I didn't know there was anything that could be done surgically!

AfterSchoolWorry · 11/01/2019 16:07

Keep us updated OP ! And good luck with the surgery!

lolaflores · 11/01/2019 16:10

theWaronPeace keep at them. In the end, i have had the plus of my husbands work private medical otherwise I would not be at this point.

My GP has not been all that much use and I started off in NHS but the whole thing fell apart. I know a sinus problem isn't up there with other conditions, but me being in the surgery every 3 weeks didn't seem to be problematic to them..
Referalls lost because a consultant left a department and it seems my referal just disappeared. Several appointments cancelled at the last minute and reschedule for 3 months time. That on top of being constantly ill was sending me over the edge.
We are very lucky and I know it. I dread to think how much longer it would have taken otherwise and what state I would be in.

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ChestyNut · 11/01/2019 16:11

I had FESS for chronic sinusitis 4 years ago.
It’s been amazing no facial pain, no infections, no fluid pouring out of nose if I bend over.

Didn’t have to stay in overnight but was told if they had to use packing I would. Luckily no packing needed!
Managed on ibuprofen and paracetamol, post op recovery fine. Be sure to do the nasal washes as instructed post op Smile

lolaflores · 11/01/2019 16:13

Afterschool thank you for that.
Get it looked at. this has been going on for bloody ever but the last year has been awful.
I did all the rinsses. used all the sprays ...beconase etc.
I have ventolin and seretide. I take montelukast at night.
they kept saying it was asthma but none of the asthma meds or treatments were really making a long term difference. It should have been controlling asthma but wasnt.

I am booked for 31 January. Overnight stay.
Even if I was booked on a cruise, I couldn't be more excited.
Sad isn't it

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AfterSchoolWorry · 11/01/2019 17:07

It's not sad at all..I completely understand your excitement. It'll be so amazing! Grin

Allthewaves · 11/01/2019 17:15

Dh had similar op twice in his life 10 year gap. He's refusing to have it again as pain was so bad after the op. But he's getting constant infections

lolaflores · 11/01/2019 17:22

Allthewaves i know it must be terrible for him and it must be an awful prospect but the point will come where there is simply no choice left? Caught between two horrible places. IS there any other option for him?any other way to manage it

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YouDancin · 18/01/2019 12:28

@lolaflores if you take Montelukast regularly be sure to keep checking for side effects. 1 in 17 people discontinue to to adverse side effects (new papers published showing the stats int he leaflets are incorrect).

"data showed that depression in adults, aggression in children, headaches, and nightmares were reportedly the most common adverse events in the patient population"
www.mdmag.com/medical-news/asthma-treatment-linked-to-nightmares-depression-in-children-and-adults

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