As a kid growing up I remember always being sick. I had ear infections all the time, and it was a normal routine for me to have “bubble gum medicine”, AKA amoxicillin, for desert after dinner. I have tubes in my ears twice as well as my tonsils and adenoids removed at age 7. As I grew older the ear infections stopped but I got colds very easily that would almost always turn in to a sinus infection that needed to be treated with more antibiotics.
At age 18 I moved from Michigan to Arizona to attend college. I thought that the dry, warmer weather would help prevent me from getting sick so often. Wrong! I had at least one sinus infection every semester of school. At the beginning of my sixth semester of school, in January of 2010, I came down with another sinus infection after a ski trip, or so I thought. I had never established a primary care physician since moving to Arizona and just went to the nearest urgent care center when I was sick to seek treatment. That was a mistake. They dignosed me with a sinus infection, gave me an antibiotic and sent me home. I complete the regimen as directed, rested, waited and still did not feel any better. I repeated this three times with no results.
After FIVE MISIERABLE MONTHS of misdiagnosis I finally decided to see a specialist. I made an appointment with an ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat specialist) and after a series of tests I was told that I needed to have an FESS, or Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery. My sinuses were full of fluids and nasal polyps which form over a long period of time and cannot be treated simply by taking antibiotics. After the surgery I had a week of bed rest and a few months of taking it easy (couldn’t travel to places with elevation, couldn’t eat spicy food, etc.) I was feeling great. It was amazing to be able to smell and taste properly, not talk in a nasally sounding voice and not need tissues everywhere I went. I was able to sleep better and finally get off all of the strong meds.
Please learn from my story and question your doctor if you feel that your sinus problems have gotten out of hand. I know how miserable something as simple as being permanently “stuffed up” can be.
All user-generated information on this site is the opinion of its author only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions. Members and guests are responsible for their own posts and the potential consequences of those posts detailed in our Terms of Service.
Add a Comment4 Comments
I had an experience similar to yours in that I regularly experienced sinus infections. After four infections in six months with several rounds of antibiotics, I knew I needed to do something different. I realized that I had allergies, but didn't make the connection that they could be associated with the infections. With the allergies, I suffered ongoing fatigue and woke up most days feeling like I had a head cold. After mentioning it to my PCP, he suggested I see an immunologist. Initially, I wasn't 'AT ALL' excited about the thought of regular injections (at the time I experienced vasovagal syncope), but sucked it up and like you, went in twice a week for shots. After about a year, the fatigue lifted almost completely and I was able to ditch my nasal spray. Still take daily over-the-counter allergy pills and acupuncture (Yeah, got over my fear of blood and needles in the process) seems to offer some temporary relief if the symptoms kick up.
The best part? Not a single sinus infection in three years! You're great to share your experience. If this is happening to us, it's definitely happening to others.
June 13, 2012 - 4:22pmThis Comment
The allergies are what "topped off" my problem. I already had a poor immune system and sinus problems before that. I've been receiving weekly injections as well but for the past 25 months! How long ago did you complete your regime? I'm glad to hear they worked but I'm ready to be done with this process and want to start getting off some of these meds if possible.
June 14, 2012 - 10:21amThis Comment
Wow, something I did not know! Thanks for sharing. In my case, it was also a CT scan that revealed the problem. I have severe allergies and receive two allergy shots on a weekly basis as well as using a neti pot twice a day to flush our my sinuses, a cortizone nasal spray, Flonase, twice and day and take Singulair once a day since my surgery 25 months ago.
June 12, 2012 - 10:10amThis Comment
Hello blove,
Thank you for posting your experience and raising our awareness.
I suffered with allergy and sinusitis symptoms for about 5 years. I tried just about every available allergy medication. Symptoms would decrease slightly but never resolved. With a CT scan of the skull, the diagnosis of esthesioneuroblastoma was made. This rare type of brain cancer presents with nasal congestion and teary eyes.
Maryann
June 11, 2012 - 4:44pmThis Comment