Chronic sinusitis- help

[LDX]

I’m currently 24 weeks pregnant and at 14 weeks pregnant I developed a sinus infection. GP gave me a steroid nasal spray which took it away for 1 week and then it returned. Had the spray again- the infection went but the congestion and cough stayed.
Fast forward to 2 weeks ago it had come back and was prescribed antibiotics. I’ve had some relief but still cannot breathe out of my nose, now have an inhaler to help with my breathing due to post-nasal drip.

I am so miserable with this. Looking for advice / hope/ a voice who understands and has been through this! Is there an end?! I have done steam inhalation, saline irrigation, use a humidifier.. I have done everything!!

I’ve never suffered with my sinuses like this before. It seems to have lasted a long time for it to just purely be pregnancy induced.

Thank you :)

Can't really offer much advice but just wanted to pop on and say I completely feel for you! I had a persistent cough/blocked nose for around 16 weeks from November-March. It was awful. Honestly nothing I tried or the doctors gave me really helped long term, only had short term effects, and I tried every trick in the book.

The good news is that it just eventually went away on its own, but at one point I genuinely thought I would never feel normal again!! Hang in there, it will clear up eventually. Keep up with the saline rinses, try and sleep ever so slightly inclined to reduce the nasal drip at night.

Word of warning - try to avoid the Sudafed nose spray if you can help it or any spray with Xylometazoline as the active ingredient. It was by far the most effective thing for me in clearing up my blocked nose and allowing me to breathe, but I ended up pretty much reliant on using it, and I had to wean myself off using it which was awful!

OP I'm really sorry. I have been in the same boat for the best part of this year. I have had three courses of antibiotics within 6 weeks, two nasal sprays, vicks inhaler, Netty pot, humidifier and steam. Everything. I have also just been feeling ill like I have a fever. It's been a rollercoaster. I have a review with my GP in two weeks and will ask for ENT referral. At one point I thought I will never improve unless I get surgery. I have been better for three days now but I don't trust it. I'll probably get fever like symptoms at the weekend again.

OP, I have thought about buying Sudafed tablets. I remember taking them years ago and remember being able to breathe wonderfully. They made my ENT really dry but I'll be willing to take that.

I feel for you. Having suffered with awful 'colds' and 'hay-fever' for years the final straw was completely losing my sense of smell and having a permanent blocked nose which started when pg with DC2. After a few years of suffering and GP appointments, I went to a (private) ENT consultant and was diagnosed with AERD or Samter's Triad (also called chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps and asthma). It was a revelation once someone confirmed my symptoms were real and treatable.

I was given a short but powerful dose of steroids and antibiotics together, then advised to do a sinus rinse twice daily, to flush out whatever it is that my body is reacting to.

Sometimes it's hormones, and in your case it might go away after your baby is born. But if it doesn't I would recommend seeing an ENT specialist who can confirm if you have polyps (they can be removed with surgery).

Good luck!

I should add that it was a cough that wouldn't go away that made the pieces fall into place for the consultant. I didn't think it was related but the disorder affects Ears, nose, sinuses, lungs and sometimes other things like skin (eczema etc).

Sounds nas6y. I had a sinus infection that wouldnt shift, so paid for a couple of sessions of Manual Lymphatic Drainage. It worked surprisingly well, cleared everything out and now I can do it to myself whenever I feel a blocked nose coming on. I wasn't pregnant then so haven't researched whether it is advisable during pregnancy, although I can't imagine why not.

I have suffered really badly with my sinuses for about 18 months. On and off with sinusitis. Antibiotics etc.
I have now come to the point where I had an emergency appointment with ENT last week as I cannot have anymore antibiotics.
I have steroid tablets, steroid sprays and antibiotics and as well as drops. I am awaiting a scan and then an operation.

I was advised by the consultant to avoid Sudafed at all costs - it makes the return of sinus problems worse and also have you tried a sinus rinse kit? They aren't pleasant but if done regularly they work really well.

@LDX are you using Sudafed ????