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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

There’s no cure for Sinus Relief…

53 replies

ButterfliesnWaterfalls · 17/03/2023 11:27

AIBU to think there’s no cure for sinus relief?

I’m 34. I’ve had it all my life. I’ve never had a decent sleep due to it.

Nothing helps. I’ve tried everything. Sprays, steam, neti pot, medicine, acupuncture, herbal stuff.

:-(

OP posts:
Seashor · 17/03/2023 18:38

My husband lived this hell for years until finally last year he was operated on. It’s been an absolute game changer for him and he would recommend it. Good luck.

Original poster
ButterfliesnWaterfalls · 17/03/2023 18:38

ipswichwitch · 17/03/2023 18:31

I’m in the same miserable boat! Constant infections, barely any sense of smell or taste and the snoring is horrendous. I’ve had no relief from anything. Last saw a gp woth “special interest” who had a look up my nose and had a ct scan but everything was seemingly fine. He discharge me with nothing to help the symptoms. I’ve been back and forth to the go a few times now and they’re referring me to ent.

I can relate. Exactly what I’m going through 😭 I gave up doctors years ago and just sort of “lived” with it. Now I just feel crap again. Everyone my age is fit and healthy and I’ve always got something wrong with me. Either sinus or IBS. I’ve had appendix out, gallbladder out previously too. And a hysterectomy 😔

OP posts:
FatAgainItsLettuceTime · 17/03/2023 18:39

www.nhs.uk/conditions/nasal-polyps/

bellac11 · 17/03/2023 18:41

Things remind me of how awful it is, there was a thread on here earlier about a husband who was driving his wife mad with noise, huffing and groaning etc

Cue tons of responses saying their respective partners were sneezing, coughing, sniffing, blowing, hacking up too noisy, why are they doing that, its annoying, cant they shut up, I wouldnt tolerate that blah blah blah....

Every morning Im sniffing up, hacking up, snorting up, I cant help it, I need to get it all out. I do my nasal douching which is really nice and good but nothing really comes of it.

Original poster
ButterfliesnWaterfalls · 17/03/2023 19:02

Yes, around 11 years ago I had an ENT referral and they did some tests and then Dr said the right side of my cheek area near nose has a sinuses which are filled with gunk and need draining. But they also mentioned that draining those with operation, doesn’t guarantee the problem will go and it can come back.

During that time, I had a huge life changing operation. Blood transfusions etc, so I told the Dr I don’t want another surgery if it’s not going to fix the problem completely.

After that, I haven’t been back to the GP regarding this issue.

In hindsight, maybe I should have gone ahead, but mentally I was too traumatised by previous surgeries to go through another one.

OP posts:
steff13 · 17/03/2023 19:07

Why do you call it sinus relief? I've had sinus congestion and pain my whole life. When it gets bad nothing really helps. I did have fluid drained from one of my sinus cavities as part of an unrelated dental procedure and that was fairly awesome.

TTCSOLO · 17/03/2023 19:13

Manual lymphatic drainage treatment can really help with sinusitis. It may take a few sessions but the treatment itself is really gentle and relaxing.

WoofWoofBeachLife · 17/03/2023 20:59

Same here, its awful. I'm still on the ENT list to be seen. All I smell is burning smell and the nasal drip, congestion and facial pain is debilitating. I have steroid sprays but tend to use them sparingly, a couple of days then leave it a while. The Neilsmed nasal rinse did help with relief for a short while. I make up my own rinse with a teaspoon of salt and a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda. I massage my face with a face roller that's been cooled in the fridge. Last year I was miserable for months, could hardly hear and I've developed tinnitus. I'm hoping ENT will help when i eventually get an appointment x

Original poster
ButterfliesnWaterfalls · 17/03/2023 21:46

steff13 · 17/03/2023 19:07

Why do you call it sinus relief? I've had sinus congestion and pain my whole life. When it gets bad nothing really helps. I did have fluid drained from one of my sinus cavities as part of an unrelated dental procedure and that was fairly awesome.

That was done in haste. Meant to be There’s no cure for sinus issues or there’s no sinus relief….Was thinking about relief so wrote it jumbled up lol.

OP posts:
Mysnowmanhasmelted1 · 17/03/2023 21:50

Sinus issues are a nightmare. I have had sinus pain (ethnoid sinus) for around 2 years and can feel blocked high up. I just got on with it and used the occasional sudafed. More recently I couldn't taste or smell for 2 months and was having chronic headaches so I saw the GP. I have been using the seroid nasal spray for 2 months, I also did the nasal douching (not nice but willing to try anything).
My symptoms have largely improved, I can taste and no longer get headaches; although I do still have some tenderness. The go said if after 3.months of the steroids I saw no improvement, she'd refer to ent.
I'm assuming you've been through this already though.

steff13 · 17/03/2023 21:57

ButterfliesnWaterfalls · 17/03/2023 21:46

That was done in haste. Meant to be There’s no cure for sinus issues or there’s no sinus relief….Was thinking about relief so wrote it jumbled up lol.

Show quote history

That makes sense! 😁 I'm American so sometimes y'all say things that I don't understand and so I'm not sure if it's just something that is a difference in language.

bellac11 · 17/03/2023 22:01

WoofWoofBeachLife · 17/03/2023 20:59

Same here, its awful. I'm still on the ENT list to be seen. All I smell is burning smell and the nasal drip, congestion and facial pain is debilitating. I have steroid sprays but tend to use them sparingly, a couple of days then leave it a while. The Neilsmed nasal rinse did help with relief for a short while. I make up my own rinse with a teaspoon of salt and a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda. I massage my face with a face roller that's been cooled in the fridge. Last year I was miserable for months, could hardly hear and I've developed tinnitus. I'm hoping ENT will help when i eventually get an appointment x

You're meant to use your spray consistently, assuming you mean a proper prescribed one

merlotlover · 17/03/2023 22:03

I've been on nasal steroids since 2018
My appt at ent is nearly here after 18 months
I have popping and whistling and all manner of noises and it's like torture

Whatwouldnanado · 17/03/2023 22:08

Definitely push for a scan. Nasal polyps, deviated septum and results of a childhood injury were discovered when I had mine after years of pain, sleep deprivation etc, antibiotics . Surgery to remove stuff was life changing. That was ten years sgo. Recently had some symptoms again and went back to the same specialist. After some trial and error I've stopped using the daily nasal spray because it seems it was causing irritation.

stbrandonsboat · 17/03/2023 22:42

Have you tried a mucous thinner? I've had nearly 14 years of sinusitis and blocked sinuses and I've only just discovered using a mucous thinner. I've been paid and congestion free for three months now and I don't even need to use my steroid spray.

Snorkers · 17/03/2023 22:52

yep sufferer here too.The only things that I've found works for me is a daily antihistimine tablet, as dust is my trigger. Also a saline/salt nasal inahale/exhale to wash out dust mite poo (that's the trigger, not just dust or even dust mites, but their poo!), and sometimes facial massages with a nice oil to drain the sinuses.

Tried everything else from doctors inc via multiple ENT appts and every drug going. They just want me to take steroids forever, no ta.

Still can't smell that well but keeps infections at bay.

Good luck - it's a horrible thing to be cursed with.

Hankunamatata · 17/03/2023 23:17

If your not congested than pain can be migraines

Original poster
ButterfliesnWaterfalls · 18/03/2023 10:58

stbrandonsboat · 17/03/2023 22:42

Have you tried a mucous thinner? I've had nearly 14 years of sinusitis and blocked sinuses and I've only just discovered using a mucous thinner. I've been paid and congestion free for three months now and I don't even need to use my steroid spray.

What’s a mucus thinner? Maybe I can try that? Thanks 😊

OP posts:
Original poster
ButterfliesnWaterfalls · 18/03/2023 11:00

Snorkers · 17/03/2023 22:52

yep sufferer here too.The only things that I've found works for me is a daily antihistimine tablet, as dust is my trigger. Also a saline/salt nasal inahale/exhale to wash out dust mite poo (that's the trigger, not just dust or even dust mites, but their poo!), and sometimes facial massages with a nice oil to drain the sinuses.

Tried everything else from doctors inc via multiple ENT appts and every drug going. They just want me to take steroids forever, no ta.

Still can't smell that well but keeps infections at bay.

Good luck - it's a horrible thing to be cursed with.

Lol @ dust mite poo. Shouldn’t laugh sorry but it’s amazing how we are created differently with different issues.

I’ve tried anti histamines and they didn’t help unfortunately.

OP posts:
Original poster
ButterfliesnWaterfalls · 18/03/2023 11:01

I’m congested and I get frequent headaches/migraines.

OP posts:
Original poster
ButterfliesnWaterfalls · 18/03/2023 11:02

Whatwouldnanado · 17/03/2023 22:08

Definitely push for a scan. Nasal polyps, deviated septum and results of a childhood injury were discovered when I had mine after years of pain, sleep deprivation etc, antibiotics . Surgery to remove stuff was life changing. That was ten years sgo. Recently had some symptoms again and went back to the same specialist. After some trial and error I've stopped using the daily nasal spray because it seems it was causing irritation.

I will try for an appointment on my day off and push for a scan. I just want to be normal and get well.

OP posts:
Whatwouldnanado · 18/03/2023 13:00

Very best of luck. Do hope you get sorted soon, keep posting.

Ilovechees3 · 18/03/2023 13:26

I had a sinus wash under anaesthetic approx 20 years ago and it helped me a lot. I have perennial rhinitis which I used to keep in check with a steroid spray till they withdrew the spray and replaced with a different formula, nothing has worked as well since. None of the antihistamines work for me even on prescription so am just using a salt spray. A few years ago my hay fever was very bad and my GP gave me a steroid injection which helped enormously, but they don’t appear to do that anymore.

stbrandonsboat · 18/03/2023 22:32

ButterfliesnWaterfalls · 18/03/2023 10:58

What’s a mucus thinner? Maybe I can try that? Thanks 😊

Show quote history

Get Guiafenesin cough medicine. I take a dose a day and it keeps things in check. No more sinus pressure or pain.

mumda · 18/03/2023 22:33

Cold and flu remedy with pseudoephedrine.

Or a Neti pot.