I feel sorry for my self recurrent sinusitis

UhOhSpagettiOh · 2024-10-09T07:03:15+00:00

For the last few years I get a sinus infection at least 4 times a year and in-between that I have allergy symptoms and sinus pain. I had a normal cold last week and now it feels like a sinus infection but with the added pain of excruciating throbbing pain in my temples...I've never experienced that before. I've been referred to ENT almost a year ago. I'm going to have to cancel some work this week as can't work as much. I'm self employed. I'm on hold to GP now. I just wanted to moan about it. And if anyone has got any tips to deal with sinus pain let me know.

fourelementary · 09/10/2024 08:05

Do you have a sinus rinse bottle? It’s maybe not a good idea to try if you have an active infection but once it settles try daily sinus rinses with a saline wash…

soupfiend · 09/10/2024 08:07

Im the same, but sorry to say this, dont get caught up in what ENT will achieve. I have had all the process, appointments, an operation on my sinuses to scrape them down, still got the problems, its a condition you manage rather than fix or cure. Im on the highest steroids for life now, still feel pain quite a lot of the time, constant problems, walking down stairs I feel every step in my teeth!!

Wtfdude · 09/10/2024 08:09

I had this and what massively helped was keeping allergy symptoms at bay. The second something started, I took allergy pill and continued for few days. Had to go through quite a few before finding out which work for me as they have different main active ingredients. Plus vit D which I have low. Haven't had it for a while now! Was miserable before.

Wtfdude · 09/10/2024 08:11

Oh and wool pillows. Even hypoallergenic ones had me swollen in a morning.

Mybusyday · 09/10/2024 08:11

No advice sorry but I feel your pain, I have to take a daily prescribed nasal spray which helps

MoonRiverDancing · 09/10/2024 08:14

Wtfdude · 09/10/2024 08:09

I had this and what massively helped was keeping allergy symptoms at bay. The second something started, I took allergy pill and continued for few days. Had to go through quite a few before finding out which work for me as they have different main active ingredients. Plus vit D which I have low. Haven't had it for a while now! Was miserable before.

I second the allergy treatment. I have very little symptoms now after being in awful, constant pain.

GP was great. I’m now on steroids in nasal spray and eye drops and GP recommended I went through all the different antihistamines. Took trying a few but suddenly tried one that took 95% of pain etc away. So now just take them every day. Changed my life! I did try the nasal rinse too but didn’t find much benefit so stopped those.

MoonRiverDancing · 09/10/2024 08:18

I’m also actively trying to lose weight as everyone I know who also has rhinosinisitus like me is overweight. I thought it might be possible that reduces everything draining as it should for some people which won’t help.

Original poster

UhOhSpagettiOh · 09/10/2024 10:41

I do use a nasal rinse. I use dymista daily. I take a prescribed antihistamine daily. I've been on steroids in the last but only a week at a time. I've cut out milk from my diet. I don't let me cat in my bedroom anymore. I'm only about half a stone over weight.

Ugh...I feel like I've done everything with very minimal difference. Anything that I try I'm too scared to stop as I'm worried it will make it worse.

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Wtfdude · 09/10/2024 11:08

Which antihistamines are you taking?
I took me to go through 4 or 5 to find out Desloratadine is my jam

FinnJuhl · 09/10/2024 11:23

Have you ever tried manual lymphatic drainage? I paid for two sessions from a trained practioner, which were super effective at clearing out the stubborn old, infected gunk (sorry tmi, but it was sooo satisfying). Now whenever I feel blocked, I can do the massage myself and it gets things moving again before an infection takes hold.

soupfiend · 09/10/2024 18:15

UhOhSpagettiOh · 09/10/2024 10:41

I do use a nasal rinse. I use dymista daily. I take a prescribed antihistamine daily. I've been on steroids in the last but only a week at a time. I've cut out milk from my diet. I don't let me cat in my bedroom anymore. I'm only about half a stone over weight.

Ugh...I feel like I've done everything with very minimal difference. Anything that I try I'm too scared to stop as I'm worried it will make it worse.

Edited

Are you allergic to the cat and milk?

Mine is 'non allergic chronic rhinitis'

I dont even have anything I can cut out

Original poster

UhOhSpagettiOh · 09/10/2024 21:04

@FinnJuhl I'm going to try it! Thank you.

@soupfiend no idea tbh but now that I've cut them out I'm too scared to reintroduce them. Well I don't think in allergic to milk I've just read that it can worsen sinus issues. How did you find out yours was non allergic chronic rhinitis?

OP posts:

FFSWherearemyglasses · 13/10/2024 08:08

soupfiend · 09/10/2024 08:07

Im the same, but sorry to say this, dont get caught up in what ENT will achieve. I have had all the process, appointments, an operation on my sinuses to scrape them down, still got the problems, its a condition you manage rather than fix or cure. Im on the highest steroids for life now, still feel pain quite a lot of the time, constant problems, walking down stairs I feel every step in my teeth!!

…. oh God, this is disappointing to read. I have had sinus issues for as long as I can remember but it has started to get more frequent and more painful- mine is maxillary sinus pain and affects my top and bottom teeth 🥺
I’ve made an appointment to see a specialist for treatment as a last resort because I’ve tried everything and current episode is so painful
Has it honestly made no difference? 😩

soupfiend · 13/10/2024 08:11

UhOhSpagettiOh · 09/10/2024 21:04

@FinnJuhl I'm going to try it! Thank you.

@soupfiend no idea tbh but now that I've cut them out I'm too scared to reintroduce them. Well I don't think in allergic to milk I've just read that it can worsen sinus issues. How did you find out yours was non allergic chronic rhinitis?

Well thats what my diagnosis is. I only had a few blood tests, no skin scratch tests or anything and the ENT consultant said there was no allergy causing it all.

soupfiend · 13/10/2024 08:14

FFSWherearemyglasses · 13/10/2024 08:08

…. oh God, this is disappointing to read. I have had sinus issues for as long as I can remember but it has started to get more frequent and more painful- mine is maxillary sinus pain and affects my top and bottom teeth 🥺
I’ve made an appointment to see a specialist for treatment as a last resort because I’ve tried everything and current episode is so painful
Has it honestly made no difference? 😩

Show quote history

Well it is also all tied up for me in silent reflux too, so those two things complicate the matter.

I can go for weeks without being able to smell and taste and its really depressing

Konfuzzled · 13/10/2024 08:25

I have this too and currently waiting for ENT referral. I take dymista daily. My main issue is that I have absolutely no nasal mucus at all- all the membranes are completely dry and my nose just feels painful all the time. I tried stopping dymista for 6 weeks in case that was making it dry up but it made no difference. The GP has no idea what might be causing it. I've wondered about autoimmune issues like Sjogrens but I don't have a dry mouth which is the main symptom of that. I do also have dry eyes though.

newtb · 13/10/2024 08:27

Nacetyl cystéine is a mucolytic that thins thé gunk so that it can drain. I suffer when thé weather is changeable. I Take 2x 600mg capsules every morning when thé weather's mixed. Thé stéroïds help,too. With those two things I've kept antibiotic free for 3 years. Otherwise i'd bé on them every couple of months.

TheDogsMother · 13/10/2024 09:06

I lost my sense of smell and taste and had a constant post nasal drip. A blast of strong steroids would shift it but these can't be taken constantly. I was referred to ENT and had the FESS surgery which sadly didn't work. I now keep things at bay taking Fexofenadine as an anti histamine and daily Vistamethasone nose drops. The GP tried to stop the steroid nose drops but the misery of sinus infections and the depression that I feel when I can't taste and smell was my argument in terms of quality of life.

soupfiend · 13/10/2024 09:10

Yes, same pattern for me as above. The loss can last for 6 weeks at a time, it just disappears and reappears at will.

I got a bit sick of people in covid going on like it was something no one had ever heard of and suddenly people took it really seriously, but Ive been suffering with this for years and years.

FFSWherearemyglasses · 13/10/2024 11:47

Konfuzzled · 13/10/2024 08:25

I have this too and currently waiting for ENT referral. I take dymista daily. My main issue is that I have absolutely no nasal mucus at all- all the membranes are completely dry and my nose just feels painful all the time. I tried stopping dymista for 6 weeks in case that was making it dry up but it made no difference. The GP has no idea what might be causing it. I've wondered about autoimmune issues like Sjogrens but I don't have a dry mouth which is the main symptom of that. I do also have dry eyes though.

I have had infections when it has been hideous green and smelly mucus (sorry tmi 🤢) but on this occasion, no mucus just facial pressure and tooth pain sensitive to pressure.
I did have a dental appointment booked but can’t face the thought of my teeth being prodded and poked while I have so much pain from the sinus.
Sat trying umpteen facial massage methods off YouTube yesterday - morning works to get the pressure release I need 🥺
I’d thought surgical intervention would cure it but if it’s not guaranteed I’m not so sure now 😏

Original poster

UhOhSpagettiOh · 13/10/2024 15:04

Normally I don't have any mucus just sinus pain. But every time I have a cold I get a sinus infection after it which is includes green mucus.

Whenever I speak to my GP about it, he asks about my symptoms but they change a lot...some days it's like allergy symptoms plus sinus pressure on teeth. Some days it's sinus pain under my left cheek and no allergy symptoms. Sometimes it's pain on both sides at the top of my nose.

The only thing that really helped was steroids but GP only allowed me that once.

I hate the thought of this being a life long thing. I would love ENT to do an allergy test.

OP posts:

FFSWherearemyglasses · 13/10/2024 16:21

What steroids did you have that helped? x

Original poster

UhOhSpagettiOh · 13/10/2024 16:28

Prednisolone actually I've had them 3 times a few months apart. The last time was over a year ago so I might ask for them again...if I can get an app. I've been put down for a phone call app twice in the last 2 weeks and then didn't get a call. 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️

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