Sinusitis FAQ

surgery–to have or not to have?

Question:

I would like to hear some more comments concerning success of surgery. Evidently there are many different kinds.  I agree that the ents usually just go by the CAT scan and probably do some  unnecessary surgersy, but at the same time they refuse to do surgery for minimal signs, even if the pateint has severe symptoms.  After 4 years of suffering, I finally got a diagnosis of chronic sinusitis.  I am considering 2 options:  1) minimal endoscopic surgery aimed at the osteomeatal complex (sinus openings) because one is partially blocked and narrow.  2) intravenous antibiotics because the only way I can be semifunctional now is to take antibiotics (which I refused to do for over a year and got in the mess I’m in now.)  I’ve taken so many oral ones that it keeps my digestive system torn up. I’ve recently found a good article in addition to Dr. Tichenor’s web site. I’ve read hundreds and it’s one of the best.  It is found on Medscape in the Respiratory Care section.  It is called "Medical and Surgical Therapy for Sinusitis–a Head and Neck Surgeon’s Perspective."  The address is too long to type in, so just go to Medscape.  I think you have to get a password, but it’s free. I’ve also contacted SinuCare about the intravenous antibiotics  Their address is www.sinucare.com.  I’m going to mention both of these options to my internist in two weeks.  Any comments? ———–== Posted via Deja News, The Discussion Network ==———- http://www.dejanews.com/       Search, Read, Discuss, or Start Your Own    

Response:

I would definitely recommend surgery.  I had a FESS done and, while I still get sinusitis I don’t get the unbearable pain anymore.  I find that steam inhalation (about 5x daily) and Strepsils and catarrh pastilles help to keep my airways clear.  Find out if you have any allergies, or, like me are sensitive to particles such as cigarette smoke. Good luck! In article <70sehg$s9…@nnrp1.dejanews.com>, – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -  will…@my-dejanews.com wrote: > I would like to hear some more comments concerning success of surgery. > Evidently there are many different kinds.  I agree that the ents usually just > go by the CAT scan and probably do some  unnecessary surgersy, but at the > same time they refuse to do surgery for minimal signs, even if the pateint > has severe symptoms.  After 4 years of suffering, I finally got a diagnosis > of chronic sinusitis.  I am considering 2 options:  1) minimal endoscopic > surgery aimed at the osteomeatal complex (sinus openings) because one is > partially blocked and narrow.  2) intravenous antibiotics because the only > way I can be semifunctional now is to take antibiotics (which I refused to do > for over a year and got in the mess I’m in now.)  I’ve taken so many oral > ones that it keeps my digestive system torn up. > I’ve recently found a good article in addition to Dr. Tichenor’s web site. > I’ve read hundreds and it’s one of the best.  It is found on Medscape in the > Respiratory Care section.  It is called "Medical and Surgical Therapy for > Sinusitis–a Head and Neck Surgeon’s Perspective."  The address is too long > to type in, so just go to Medscape.  I think you have to get a password, but > it’s free. > I’ve also contacted SinuCare about the intravenous antibiotics     Their address > is www.sinucare.com.  I’m going to mention both of these options to my > internist in two weeks.  Any comments? > ———–== Posted via Deja News, The Discussion Network ==———- > http://www.dejanews.com/       Search, Read, Discuss, or Start Your Own

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Response:

What are strepsils and catarrh pastilles?  What do they do?  Where do you get them? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -  nb…@my-dejanews.com wrote: > I would definitely recommend surgery.  I had a FESS done and, while I still > get sinusitis I don’t get the unbearable pain anymore.     I find that steam > inhalation (about 5x daily) and Strepsils and catarrh pastilles help to keep > my airways clear.  Find out if you have any allergies, or, like me are > sensitive to particles such as cigarette smoke. > Good luck! > In article <70sehg$s9…@nnrp1.dejanews.com>, >   will…@my-dejanews.com wrote: > > I would like to hear some more comments concerning success of surgery. > > Evidently there are many different kinds.  I agree that the ents usually just > > go by the CAT scan and probably do some  unnecessary surgersy, but at the > > same time they refuse to do surgery for minimal signs, even if the pateint > > has severe symptoms.  After 4 years of suffering, I finally got a diagnosis > > of chronic sinusitis.  I am considering 2 options:  1) minimal endoscopic > > surgery aimed at the osteomeatal complex (sinus openings) because one is > > partially blocked and narrow.  2) intravenous antibiotics because the only > > way I can be semifunctional now is to take antibiotics (which I refused to do > > for over a year and got in the mess I’m in now.)  I’ve taken so many oral > > ones that it keeps my digestive system torn up. > > I’ve recently found a good article in addition to Dr. Tichenor’s web site. > > I’ve read hundreds and it’s one of the best.  It is found on Medscape in the > > Respiratory Care section.  It is called "Medical and Surgical Therapy for > > Sinusitis–a Head and Neck Surgeon’s Perspective."  The address is too long > > to type in, so just go to Medscape.  I think you have to get a password, but > > it’s free. > > I’ve also contacted SinuCare about the intravenous antibiotics        Their > address > > is www.sinucare.com.  I’m going to mention both of these options to my > > internist in two weeks.  Any comments? > > ———–== Posted via Deja News, The Discussion Network ==———- > > http://www.dejanews.com/       Search, Read, Discuss, or Start Your Own > —–== Posted via Deja News, The Leader in Internet Discussion ==—– > http://www.dejanews.com/rg_mkgrp.xp   Create Your Own Free Member Forum

———–== Posted via Deja News, The Discussion Network ==———- http://www.dejanews.com/       Search, Read, Discuss, or Start Your Own    

Response:

Hi, I had two sinus surgeries done. But still have a chronic sinus infection, after many months of pain, evertually found I had low imnogloden levels. THis was not picked up by 3 ENT’s. I can only say make sure who you choose to do the surgery. I have found a surgeon who has a bust practice is not necessary a good one. See ya Phil – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -will…@my-dejanews.com wrote: > I would like to hear some more comments concerning success of surgery. > Evidently there are many different kinds.  I agree that the ents usually just > go by the CAT scan and probably do some  unnecessary surgersy, but at the > same time they refuse to do surgery for minimal signs, even if the pateint > has severe symptoms.  After 4 years of suffering, I finally got a diagnosis > of chronic sinusitis.  I am considering 2 options:  1) minimal endoscopic > surgery aimed at the osteomeatal complex (sinus openings) because one is > partially blocked and narrow.  2) intravenous antibiotics because the only > way I can be semifunctional now is to take antibiotics (which I refused to do > for over a year and got in the mess I’m in now.)  I’ve taken so many oral > ones that it keeps my digestive system torn up. > I’ve recently found a good article in addition to Dr. Tichenor’s web site. > I’ve read hundreds and it’s one of the best.  It is found on Medscape in the > Respiratory Care section.  It is called "Medical and Surgical Therapy for > Sinusitis–a Head and Neck Surgeon’s Perspective."  The address is too long > to type in, so just go to Medscape.  I think you have to get a password, but > it’s free. > I’ve also contacted SinuCare about the intravenous antibiotics  Their address > is www.sinucare.com.  I’m going to mention both of these options to my > internist in two weeks.  Any comments? > ———–== Posted via Deja News, The Discussion Network ==———- > http://www.dejanews.com/       Search, Read, Discuss, or Start Your Own

Response:

I got a septoplasty and got my maxillary sinus openings widened and got a polyp removed that was supposedly blocking the ethmoid (sp?) sinus openings. Hate to say it, but I’m still getting infections (over 1 1/2 years later) and my sense of smell was badly affected by the surgery.
I wish I had solutions.  What helps me the most is staying away from wheat.   (Which is HARD, considering it’s not just in bread!  It’s in everything from pasta to cookies.)  I’m also helped by irrigating my sinuses with salt water plus a pinch of baking soda, about a tablespoon of aloe vera juice (pure juice, not gel with additives), and a couple of drops of grapefruit seed extract (a potent antimicrobial).  By the way, not only do I snort up this mixture (from my cupped hand) but once I have a snoutful, I bend over and let it just %22soak in%22 for a minute or so.  Often it’s that last move that seems to get inside the actual sinuses and expel the most gunk.
The bummer is that I have to do all the above PERFECTLY, it seems, to steer clear of infections.  I have one right now from months of carelessness with my regime, but I’m gonna try harder.
All this said, I’m still considering a minor follow up surgery.  Hope springs eternal, I guess.
Bob G.    -**** Posted from Supernews, Discussions Start Here(tm) ****- http://www.supernews.com/ – Host to the the World’s Discussions & Usenet

Response:

,   b…@fenix2.dol-esa.gov ("Robert A. Gordon") wrote: and a couple of drops of grapefruit seed extract (a > potent antimicrobial).  By the way, not only do I snort up this mixture > (from my cupped hand) but once I have a snoutful, I bend over and let it > just %22soak in%22 for a minute or so.  Often it’s that last move that seems > to get inside the actual sinuses and expel the most gunk.The bummer is > that I have to do all the above PERFECTLY, it seems, to steer clear of > infections.  I have one right now from months of carelessness with my > regime, but I’m gonna try harder.All this said, I’m still considering a > minor follow up surgery.  Hope springs eternal, I guess.Bob G.

Bob!!!  Do NOT go for follow-up surgery without a lot of careful thought. I made the mistake of going for 2 follow-up surgeries – each time thinking that I would finally improve. Each time I was worse off!!  Surgery was not my friend. What helped me was:          1. daily nasal irrigation ( 3-4X)  with water pik & G-tip          2. taking vitamins/ Fenesin daily          3. clean diet (no sugar or dairy- limit alcohol) & good water          4. Stress reduction /adequate rest          5  steaming  1-3 times per week You are doing many good things – continue & accept that you must be diligent for the rest of your life. Stay away from surgery – it just makes more scar tissue and destroys your cillia. The new allergist I am now seeing said to me she is surprised how many of her patients are WORSE OFF after sinus sugery than before, so be careful ! She said you don’t want those ENT’s "whittling away on your sinuses" Ha!!!  How I wish I had known that 5 years ago!!! Shelley ———–== Posted via Deja News, The Discussion Network ==———- http://www.dejanews.com/       Search, Read, Discuss, or Start Your Own    

Response:

Filed under: Chronic sinusitis

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