Chronic Sinus Infections & Sinus Surgery

Have you tried any alternative methods here? I love acupuncture. It would be worth the first appointment to see what they can do for you. I have gone to my acupuncturist for sinus infections, muscle aches and pains, smoking cessation, migraines, depression, stomach problems and anything else that comes up. I feel good knowing I am med free! He knows how to read my body and tell me what is really going on in there and what I need to do to fix it. He is always spot on. He is associated with a hospital here, so its not like he is a quack! You might check into it before you go for surgery, it might not be necessary.

Hi F.,
Your situation sounds a lot like my experience. After chronic sinus infections for years (5 or so/year), I finally saw an ENT (Otolarynologist and head & neck surgeon) who discovered my deviated sceptum. I had the surgery performed, and it has made a big difference. The recovery from the surgery was not the easiest I could have imagined, but after a few weeks of kind of a constant headache, it started to lift and I finally felt like I could breathe well for the first time. Even after the surgery my doc said my sinus passageways are still very narrow. When you have a blockage, it just makes it so easy for a little bit of something to get caught in there and start to fester. So, like the other person who responded, I use a sinus rinse - it is called Sinus Rinse by NeilMed. This makes big difference. It's no picnic to rinse out your sinuses every day but in the long run it really helps. Also, it's important to keep your sinuses moist throughout the day (this is especially important in the winter) by using a saline spray (no chemicals/drugs) - I use something called Simply Saline. Both things are available at drug stores, usually CVS carries them for sure. A last resort is a prescription sinus spray like Rhinocort which helps to shrink swelling in the tissue and promote a more open passageway. Yes, it's job in itself but not being on antibiotics 5x/year is worth it! Let me know if you would like a referral to the surgeon I saw. He is very good and highly experienced.

I also had a very similar situation. I did have the surgery and it made only a mild difference. What I found out later (that made all of the difference in the world!) was that I had food allergies. Once I eliminated what I was allergic to, the sinus infections stopped. When I eat what I am not supposed to, I get congested and then can get another sinus infection. I would recommend being checked for a food allergy before you go under the knife. I would ask for more comprehensive testing than the basic testing (milk, egg, etc) the primary care docs usually order. Also, get a netti pot (I am not sure how it is spelled). I got one many years ago and it was absolutely life saving for me. You can get one at Walgreen's under the name Sinucleanse. You use it to wash out your sinuses and it will stop a sinus infection in the very beginning. I don't remember the last time I needed to take antibiotics for my sinus infections. As soon as I feel one coming on, I start using my sinus pot and clear out my head. I keep doing it until it goes away. Life changing for those of us with chronic sinus problems! It's all natural and inexpensive. It was actually introduced on Oprah by Dr. Oz last year so they are really easy to find at Walgreen's, CVS or Osco. Good luck to you!

I had sinus surgery last october. Deviated septum and draining my sinuses and opening up the passages. While I still have Maintenance things to do, I have only had ONE sinus since learning how to manage them even after surgery. (I had THREE post surgery, which was NOT what I wanted to hear!). I have to take Nasonex EVERY DAY to keep them at bay, after a few days of not taking it, I can feel my sinuses swelling up and it's not good! Sinus rinsing also helps. I do SLEEP better, I do BREATHE better and I surely FEEL better... so in that respect it was worth it. It definitely wasn't the "cure all" which would make me a normal sinus person, but it's manageable! Which is nice and I am not on Antibiotics all the time anymore!

Try Chiropractic care. I have a friend that works at one in Crystal Lake and she said they have many people with similar issues that respond well to this natural care. It's called Premier Wellness Chiropractic.

I so dislike sinus infections. I actually stopped going to the doctor because I was fed up with going and taking antibiotics as I don't want my body to get used to them. So I bought a Neti Pot (whole foods has them) and the salt that you put into it with water to cleanse your sinus'. When I have a cold I start using it twice a day. It doesn't necessarily always prevent an infection but it does clean it out and you clear out all the goo. My sinus infections will last anywhere from 5-10 days. Then they go away. If they last longer than two weeks I would go and get it checked out, but honestly if you can tolerate the tiredness and the pain by taking tylenol. As a matter of fact since I've stopped taking all the meds it seems the infections have decreased.