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Original poster

What on earth is going on with my sinuses

49 replies

itwasnevermine · 28/09/2024 12:07

I'm currently waiting on a referral to ENT - I've been on the waiting list for 6 months and it's apparently going to be at least another twelve.

My sinuses have always been awful. I was told when I was 16 I had a problem with the tubes in my ear, was given a nasal spray and left to go on.

I get sinusitis 5-6 times a year, always in the winter and always after a cold. Bright green gunk, facial pain, fever, nausea, awful taste in my mouth, I end up on antibiotics probably every two months in winter.

I have been offered steroid nasal sprays but that just makes it worse.

I have a cold at the moment and it feels like there is something sat in my nose. I've done nasal rinses, nothing comes out. When I blow my nose nothing really comes out but clear fluid drips out of my nose. I have sneezing fits and the pressure in my head is making me feel so lightheaded. I don't have the headache or bright green gunk yet so my doctor has just told me to take some cold and flu tablets and wait it out.

I just don't know what to do. I can't take another winter of illness. I've done it all - anti inflammatory diets, supplements out the wazoo, regular nasal rinses, sprays, facial steaming, but every year it hits autumn and this happens. I'm so miserable. I just don't know what on earth it could be. My doctor isn't interested because I'm on the waiting list, but because ENT is just so busy, it's going to be ages - and apparently it's likely I'll just be given information about how to manage it. I have private health insurance through my work but they'll only cover a second opinion, so I need to wait for my consultation first.

What on earth could this be???

OP posts:
Original poster
itwasnevermine · 28/09/2024 12:24

Anyone? I'll do literally anything to solve this. It almost feels like Hayfever levels of irritation but nothing makes it go away

OP posts:
GooseClues · 28/09/2024 12:29

I have sinus issues too so feel your pain but don’t have anything helpful to say, sorry.
Could it be that it’s not the right antibiotic or that the course is not long enough?
Could there be a physical object stuck in there triggering this? Like a button you put up your nose as a child or something?

Original poster
itwasnevermine · 28/09/2024 12:32

GooseClues · 28/09/2024 12:29

I have sinus issues too so feel your pain but don’t have anything helpful to say, sorry.
Could it be that it’s not the right antibiotic or that the course is not long enough?
Could there be a physical object stuck in there triggering this? Like a button you put up your nose as a child or something?

I don't think it's a physical object as this has only really come on since age 17/18, if it was something physical surely it would've happened before then?

My GP is utterly unhelpful as sinusitis is now something they refer to pharmacies, and their first stage is 10 days of steroid sprays before antibiotics and I'm terrified of having to take 10+ days off work because it just makes me feel so rotten! It's annoying as right now I don't feel physically poorly as such but the sinus issue is making me feel horrendous if that makes sense? Because my nose is so bad it's giving me a sore throat and making me feel lightheaded but I don't feel unwell 😩 such a nightmare

OP posts:
Alwaysoneoddsock · 28/09/2024 12:37

I’ve got no real advice but my regular bouts of sinusitis (no where near as bad as yours) resolved after I found I had an infection under a crowned tooth. I go to the dentist every six months and it was never picked up. I did not have any pain. I was changing the crown (which was around 20 years old as it cracked) and the dentist found an infection that had destroyed the root of my tooth. It had been there for several years according to dentist. Could you have anything like that?

Alwaysoneoddsock · 28/09/2024 12:37

Also just to say I feel for you as sinus issues are horrible.

Original poster
itwasnevermine · 28/09/2024 12:38

I have mentioned my sinus issues to my dentist but she doesn't think it's related at all - I had a root canal about 18 months ago that I hoped would help but it didn't at all

OP posts:
Original poster
itwasnevermine · 28/09/2024 12:38

Alwaysoneoddsock · 28/09/2024 12:37

Also just to say I feel for you as sinus issues are horrible.

They're the bane of my life during the winter. I just dread it because I spend the whole winter poorly and miserable, there's nothing I can do to fix it either because nothing seems to work

OP posts:
Terfified · 28/09/2024 12:41

Can't you go privately and get a second opinion then your insurance will kick in?

Have you had an MRI?

Have nasal polyps been ruled out?

Original poster
itwasnevermine · 28/09/2024 12:42

Terfified · 28/09/2024 12:41

Can't you go privately and get a second opinion then your insurance will kick in?

Have you had an MRI?

Have nasal polyps been ruled out?

I can't afford a private consultation at the moment and my insurance will only cover a second opinion

No MRI, no further investigations other than looking in my ears last March and the doctor realising I had a sinus infection, double ear infection and chest infection all at once 😩 my GP just prescribes me nasal sprays

OP posts:
underused · 28/09/2024 12:44

Has your doctor mentioned possible fungal sinusitis? The only cure for it is having the fungal sacs surgically removed.

Original poster
itwasnevermine · 28/09/2024 12:45

underused · 28/09/2024 12:44

Has your doctor mentioned possible fungal sinusitis? The only cure for it is having the fungal sacs surgically removed.

Nope, because the antibiotics seems to kill it off for a while they say it's just chronic bacterial sinusitis, they say to take steroid sprays but the steroid sprays make it worse - as in within 24 hours of being prescribed a spray and taking it I'm in agony, streaming green snot, face feels like it'll explode, fever etc., but they say I have to continue the sprays in order to see ENT

OP posts:
underused · 28/09/2024 12:48

I also meant to add...when I'd had sinusitis symptoms last year, and been on antibiotics for a week that were doing nothing, I pressed down on one nostril and blew hard out of the other one, and a jelly like lump of grey gunk the size of a fat bumble bee flew out. It was disgusting but it solved the problem. Might be worth a try!

Original poster
itwasnevermine · 28/09/2024 12:50

underused · 28/09/2024 12:48

I also meant to add...when I'd had sinusitis symptoms last year, and been on antibiotics for a week that were doing nothing, I pressed down on one nostril and blew hard out of the other one, and a jelly like lump of grey gunk the size of a fat bumble bee flew out. It was disgusting but it solved the problem. Might be worth a try!

I have this!!! After 2/3 infections this thing comes out, you've just reminded me. Sometimes they're full of blood, sometimes not, and the practice nurse I said it to just said "that's normal, gunk builds up when things aren't moving properly", and usually when one of these comes out I know the infection is ending, but it's hard to predict when that'll happen if that makes sense?

Like I can't just do a sinus rinse and it'll come out, it'll just come out randomly.

OP posts:
ThePure · 28/09/2024 12:50

No solution that you haven't already thought of but I have sympathy. I have intermittent sinus issues too and had a terrible sinus infection a few months ago with fever and chills. The GP made me do the 10 days of nasal spray too which did nothing and would not give me the antibiotics until I had the fever and shaking. It seems like it's a blanket policy whereas I tried to explain to him that I have been here before and I need antibiotics.

I did think the sinus rinses helped (although it's disgusting) I had never done it before but one of my friends had chronic sinus issues and she swears by a daily rinse. I also take a daily antihistamine all year round as I think that helps because mine is contributed to by allergies.

It might be that you have nasal polps that could be removed I think I recall that can lead to chronic sinusitis but you need ENT for that.

Terfified · 28/09/2024 12:52

It sounds absolutely miserable OP. Honestly I'd be saving up for a private consultation if possible. Probably cost just under £200.

Original poster
itwasnevermine · 28/09/2024 12:53

Terfified · 28/09/2024 12:52

It sounds absolutely miserable OP. Honestly I'd be saving up for a private consultation if possible. Probably cost just under £200.

I'm starting to consider it, I guessed I'd naively hoped that I might be seen by ENT by now as it says 24 weeks but I'm obviously low down on the list

It's just such a nightmare

OP posts:
ThePure · 28/09/2024 12:57

I think the trouble is that if the answer is that a surgical procedure eg polyp removal or even just a look see with a nasal endoscopy is needed that will be a lot of money and you can't be referred back to the NHS list from a private consultation

Original poster
itwasnevermine · 28/09/2024 12:59

ThePure · 28/09/2024 12:57

I think the trouble is that if the answer is that a surgical procedure eg polyp removal or even just a look see with a nasal endoscopy is needed that will be a lot of money and you can't be referred back to the NHS list from a private consultation

If it came to that my parents would help me out no questions asked (I could probably ask them to pay for me to go private in the first place but I don't want to ask that of them).

It's just such a nightmare as apparently I'm likely to just have a phone call and some advice unless there's a pressing need for me to be seen

OP posts:
ThePure · 28/09/2024 13:17

I guess you just have to make it pressing! The telephone is a first screening to get rid of people who don't need seeing. Point out that you have done all the self care things. Maybe suggest that you wonder if you have polyps and you would like a nasal endoscopy to check. Don't ask you don't get

Or pay privately if you think you/ family could afford to fund any procedures they recommend. If you can't then a one off consultation might not get you much further forward.

Spybot · 28/09/2024 13:22

Do you have any obvious allergens in your house? Birds, cats? I had about a year of terrible sinus issues and was caught in the cycle of sinus rinses, antibiotics, antihistamines. I was then recommended to a local acupuncturist who solved it in one visit. She told me I was allergic to feathers and at the time I was keeping finches. I gave the finches away and my sinuses cleared up. I've not had problems since.

Original poster
itwasnevermine · 28/09/2024 13:23

ThePure · 28/09/2024 13:17

I guess you just have to make it pressing! The telephone is a first screening to get rid of people who don't need seeing. Point out that you have done all the self care things. Maybe suggest that you wonder if you have polyps and you would like a nasal endoscopy to check. Don't ask you don't get

Or pay privately if you think you/ family could afford to fund any procedures they recommend. If you can't then a one off consultation might not get you much further forward.

If I ever get a telephone consult I'll definitely push!!! It's just so frustrating because it happens every year like clockwork

OP posts:
imeanwhy · 28/09/2024 13:23

You've probably tried this, I had to read the thread quite quickly, apologies if so, bur have you ever tried nasal rinses? They help me with similar issues. Just make sure you use the right fluid (not water from the tap). They sell sachets in pharmacies but you can make your own salt and soda mix at home too. Your GP should be able to help with the mixture ingredients and proportions

Original poster
itwasnevermine · 28/09/2024 13:23

Spybot · 28/09/2024 13:22

Do you have any obvious allergens in your house? Birds, cats? I had about a year of terrible sinus issues and was caught in the cycle of sinus rinses, antibiotics, antihistamines. I was then recommended to a local acupuncturist who solved it in one visit. She told me I was allergic to feathers and at the time I was keeping finches. I gave the finches away and my sinuses cleared up. I've not had problems since.

We've got a cat but we've had her since I was 2/3 and the issue only cropped up when I was 18, plus it's not year round

OP posts:
Original poster
itwasnevermine · 28/09/2024 13:24

imeanwhy · 28/09/2024 13:23

You've probably tried this, I had to read the thread quite quickly, apologies if so, bur have you ever tried nasal rinses? They help me with similar issues. Just make sure you use the right fluid (not water from the tap). They sell sachets in pharmacies but you can make your own salt and soda mix at home too. Your GP should be able to help with the mixture ingredients and proportions

When I've got infections they do tend to help but doing them regularly just seems to irritate my nose further

OP posts:
Spybot · 28/09/2024 13:45

If it is not year round, it is something in your environment that is setting you off. Leaf molds, molds from outside somewhere. Have you put a thicker duvet on your bed that has feathers in it? Have you tried different antihistamines, taken on a daily basis? Chronic rhinitis is often an allergic response. I also get it when I eat shellfish and need a course of steroids to break the ongoing reaction. Hope you get to the bottom of it, it is a misery.