[silverbirch]

I've had this for about a year. It develops from my (perennial) allergic rhinitis or colds and then lingers. And now it won't go away. Antibiotics seem to have stopped working.

My doctor has referred me to the ENT (ear, nose and throat) department at the hospital but I won't be seen for 3 or 4 months. She says they can operate and it's 'not as barbaric as it used to be'. (Yes, she's got a way with words, my doctor.)

The doc says that she's seen this pattern before. She suggests that because I'm probably menopausal, my skin is changing, including the sinuses. Hormones affect rhinitis (eg, many people start hayfever in their teens and many get blocked sinuses in their 50s).

And that people with sinusitis feel 'chronically unwell'. Um, I'd rather not, thanks.

Do you have any ideas about what I can do to improve things before I get to the hospital?

Do you have any ideas about other treatment?

Many thanks in advance. I've spared you the yucky details.

[WaterRat]

Oh, poor Silver! Not fun.

The only thing I have to offer is something called a Netti Pot which one website says "can improve the quality of life for chronic sinusitis sufferers." http://www.sattvahealing.com/netti-pot.shtml Looks kind of gross, but I have tried it (though not with the pot shown here) and it does help. I have a friend who swears by it, uses it all winter. Good luck, and I hope you have some relief soon.

[Mel]

Silver- If it's really bad, have the surgery. My dh had chronic sinus infections for years and was on antibiotics year round. He had it all "cleaned out" about 11 years ago. The surgery and recovery wasn't fun- but neither was chronic sinusitis. He hasn't had a single one since. He's very diligent about squirting Nasonex up his nose every night as the ENT doc prescribed, because without it, there is the possibility that polyps can grow back. I just asked him- he said under the circumstances he'd definitely choose to do it if he had to make the choice again.

Good luck!

Mel

[SuperDocStock]

I have a friend that has had allergies all his life until about 1 1/2 years ago. He always too benadryl, and then many antibiotic and antihistamine medicines for YEARS. His mother told him about a product, called RELIV that had helped her. He had just went through a septoplasty because they said that his nose was malformed and it caused chronic sinusitis, allergies, and contributed to his sleeping problems. But, the operation didn't solve anything.

After having an unsucessful surgery, he was willing to try anything. He decided to try RELIV, which is a liquid vitamin supplement. Within about 2 months (maybe less) he began to feel better and he no longer has allergies. At the two month point he went through burning leaves (a lot here in Indiana) and had absolutely NO breathing problems. He now takes the weight loss products as well.

There are many people who have had chronic conditions improve or disappear with these products.

I was uber-skeptical at first too, but I have SEEN the difference. I would probably give it a shot if you are at the point of surgery!!

If you would like to talk with him, phone or email I can connect you two or if you would like, reliv.com is a good place to start too.

Let me know if I can answer anymore questions, etc.

[August]

I'm not an ENT by any means however, I do have some relevant experience. After only 3 months with an ENT and only antibiotic therapy, surgery is a big leap. My son had chronic sinusitis, the yucky, always green from one nostril kind. I took him to Riley Childrens hospital. AN MRI (have you had one) showed that the bony opening to the sinus on one side was NARROW. The location was closer to his brain than not and drilling that out does have a risk of pierceing the brain. It's rare....but then we're a lucky family (We get everything)
The doctor put him on oral Cleocin for four months (not without it's own risks) and then like clockwork, 4 times a day, the little fellow (about 4 or 5) would stand patiently while I took warm saline, buffered with a precise amt of baking soda, put it in a waterpic, put the jet up each nostril and irrigated each nostril until he got saline in the back of his throat (set on very gentle pulse) we did that four times a day for four months and he never complained once. He did say the Cleocin tasted like "monkey pee". Could never figure out where that reference came from.
I don't know many adults who would tolerate that, I don't think I could do it faithfully.....maybe you could get your MOM to do it...you know how we are about our kids.
This has to be done under instructions of a physician and I guess pediatric ENT's care more about avoiding surgery for thier patients, and ENT's probably find few adult patients comply. You might share this with your ENT. My son is 24 and even with his narrow passage has never had another chronic bout. He used to be at the doctors office every month. He hasnt had an appt for illness in 7 years.

there's no risk in talking it over with your doctor who can prescribe the correct measurments and type of salt and baking soda with instructions, and of course an appropriate antibiotic (have her culture whats growing there first) Hope this brings you some relief.
August

[August]

I forgot to add, you have to use one of the oral steroid nasay sprays after year round (like flonase, there's another one that doesn't smell, Nasonex) to prevent the allergic response that causes the swelling in the first place. It's a preventative measure. Using it with a chronic condition won't get you over the hump.
August.

[silverbirch]

Thank you all very much! You are all such a fount of information - I knew someone (lots of someones) would know.

I'm going to absorb it all now and think about next moves.

Thanks again.