What on earth is going on with my sinuses

[itwasnevermine]

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???

Nothing in my environment has changed 😩 unless I'm just allergic to winter and autumn in general 🥲

If you are in the uk, it is very damp right now so molds will be around. Is your house damp? Check the allergen report in your area to see what is around? I am in the US but the local weather reports on allergens and air quality too.

I'm in the UK - the weather is okay today, I've just taken an antihistamine so if that kicks in then hopefully it narrows it down to some sort of allergic response- but I am going out in half an hour so I guess that doesn't really help too much

I had similar issues for many years. Went back and forth to the gp and always got told to use over the counter cold and flu remedies. Eventually I saw a practice nurse who, for the first time, actually looked up my nose. It was clear to see there was a blockage and I was referred to a consultant. After more investigations it was found that a bone (don't know the name of it!) that should run vertically down the nose was fractured and sitting horizontally causing an obstruction. Surgeon took it out and all was well.

I have never knowingly broken my nose so I've no idea how it happened. Your issue might be similar. It doesn't help with your wait time but make sure someone actually looks up your nose! Hope you get it sorted soon.

I feel your pain. Totally understand what you're going through. It's definitely worth going private and considering sinus surgery - look up FESS. It pretty much saved my sanity back in 2017. Obviously there may be other causes but do ask about FESS.

Unfortunately I'm not sure they offer it on the NHS any more.

My son is eleven and I can already see him turning into me as any time he gets a cold it goes on his sinuses bless him.

Actually I just looked it up and I think it's still available on the NHS.

Back in 2017 the surgeon said there was an issue with funding in our area, and I got allowed the operation due to personal circumstances.

The antihistamines have helped slightly but not amazingly! Going to have to wait and see what they say if I get to speak to ENT aren't I 🥲

Stick to the antihistamines everyday to see if it continues to improve. Hope you feel better soon.

I do take my antihistamines (and steroid nasal spray) year round and I think it helps a bit. They don't have any side effects so I think why not?

It does not help if it is a proper infection though. Then I need prompt antibiotics and the sinus washes do help at that point.

I know some people do daily sinus washes but I just find it too unpleasant to do that.

Thanks for the ideas everyone, not sure if it was the antihistamines that kicked in or what but Im feeling rubbish again 🥲

I do a nightly saline rinse and have done for a couple of years. I use a steroid spray every evening after the rinse and I take two types of antihistamines before bed.

I have chronic rhinitis. It's not the dog, it's not hayfever though it could be dust related but there is no pattern to mine, it flares all year round. I have hard floors throughout the house, and the furniture is all raised so the robot hoovers can get under it all, including the bed.

Bedding is changed weekly, the rooms are all aired daily, and the bedroom window is open all the time. The hoovers go round every afternoon and are emptied daily.

I had a vein in my nose cauterised last year and the camera found nothing else going on in there. I'm also banned from the Sudafed sprays!

Tbh, I think you need to try a very regular routine of medication and treatment (like the rinses) and don't keep changing it or stopping things - some of it is preventative as much as curative.

I'm very surprised you're not on a regular antihistamine tbh. I buy mine in bulk (see https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/family/cheap-hayfever-remedies/ for ideas on where to buy them!).

I've never been told to go on a regular antihistamine, I'm going to see when this ENT referral comes in and just see from there

Just take the antihistamine off your own back, surely? I certainly did for years before any diagnosis! It's pennies per month and can't possibly make anything worse.

@ThePure

I thought if you pay for a private consultation and they say you need a procedure that you then can choose to pay private for the procedure or join the NHS list for the procedure?

I know there will be a queue but you are effectively jumping the queue for the consultant?

You haven't mentioned taking Sudafed/Pseodophredrine. If the antibiotics result in green gunk coming out, then adding those in, together with the rinsing and cold compresses could help the inflammation in your sinuses to shrink enough for everything to properly come out.

Have you tried a nebuliser? I was plagued by sinus problems and bought one out of desperation. I used it every day with just saline and was down to every few days within a month. Now I don't need it at all unless I have a cold.

Something like this:
www.boots.com/omron-c28p-compressor-nebulizer-10296699p?srsltid=AfmBOopoUJdfeJPhtE2ejbMWbTgydD7rmJuvgxuZp7Qzii4dIY0MLhzU

Yeah I will now, the issue is I never connected my sinuses to taking one before 😭 I'm gonna get back on my healthy diet/vitamins/gym routine and hopefully that makes a difference too, as I've just been stagnating for the last month because of family issues

Hi @itwasnevermine
How are doing now?I was doing a search and your thread came up. I’m in sooo much pain/pressure from my sinuses ugh. And I’ve had 3 Fess surgeries. I know mine is related to allergies to mold as its always in fall when the leaves change and it sucks. Ive been on antibiotics since Oct 24 🥹 now on prednisone, only day 1 but I feel worse. Saline rinses dont seem to do much and not much comes out. Although this morning I did get a big glob out (gross). it literally is pressure that is so intense my face almost feels numb, its so uncomfortable. Hate this time of year! I’m hoping you’re feeling much better!

Google Plantago drops by A Vogel - you can buy them on Amazon. They are excellent, take 15 drops in water three times a day.

I'd been having severe sinus issues for over a year which turned into semi-regular nosebleeds. I was prescribed antihistamines, Beconase and some cream, none of which made the slightest difference. I did get to see the ENT fairly quickly, which may be down to my area or may be because there was bleeding - or because I made a fuss and kept calling 111 as I thought I was dying!

A horrible probe revealed nothing at all, and I was told to just carry on with rinses and medication; drinking made it a lot worse so I was also told to stop alcohol, which did help but I still bled occasionally. After a particularly annoying bleed (I was waking at 4am with blood coursing down the back of my throat!) I got to the end of my tether and demanded a different GP who told me to stop the cold pills (I'd been on at least a couple a day most days for over a year) and prescribed me different meds. I'm now on Dymista and Bactobran and the bleeding's stopped. I've also stopped any kind of decongestant. The bleed's have stopped completely, though when I did a test and cut out the Dymista I had slightly bloody mucus - restarted Dymista and no problem, even with drinking. So my advice would be get a new GP and ask to try new medication; limit or cut out alcohol; and if you're taking decongestants (inc. cold/flu pills), stop - you'll have an unpleasantly snotty day but will hopefully be fine thereafter.

I've developed a sinus reaction to gluten. Looking online it seems to be a well known connection - could be worth cutting out to see if it helps?

Hi @itwasnevermine just found your post and I’m in a similar place. Do you have an update on your situation? I’d really, really appreciate it!

I have sinus trouble, but I find the dripping clear fluid mentioned by the OP is caused by silent reflux in my case.

I do a nasal rinse every day. I also wet some cotton wool after and use that to sort of clear around the inside of the nostril.

If its still making them too dry then there's a nasal gel that adds moisture.

I've just had flu so my sinuses are a bit gross at the moment. I am using a nasal rinse spray then splash some water around my face and basically try and lean over the sink and snot my nose as hard as I can, pressing down on each nostril. Every morning I'm shocked by what comes out.

I then produce large amounts if clear phlegm all day, I don't know why they are so sensitive at the moment.

But I think it's the build up of clear phlegm not being cleared out that can cause infections.

I can also recommend an air purifier.

I'm on immune suppressants so this is one area I have to be careful with. Daily nasal rinses are your friend basically- I buy the NeilMed one and also the Sterimar one.