1. < Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT)

Severe Sinus Congestion

Posted by chic143 @chic143, 1 day ago

Hi, I'm hoping to get some clarification about some severe sinus congestion I've had for years.

28, female, active, healthy, history of dust and pollen allergies for set up.

Symptoms (some):

I'm pretty much in constant pain from sinus pressure. No one area of sinuses is less painful than the other (nose, eyebrow, cheek area), they all hurt. There is a lot of mucus in my throat that, after I eat or drink something, leads to a lot of choking and coughing from the mucus. Even in locations where there aren't allergens around, there is still pressure, so something is stuck somewhere. Frequent sore throats from mucus dripping into throat, etc.

Cause:

Nothing sparked it, like allergies or a sinus infection. Just happened out of nowhere or slowly over time that it was completely unnoticed and unaffected until

I scuba dive and out of nowhere on one dive that I was getting sinus and ear squeezes (very painful lol) and now I can't even put on my mask (goggles) (out of the water) without the light vacuum of the mask causing pain to my sinuses. I haven't dove since that day (two years ago) due to my sinuses. Flying or going up in elevation often causes pain as well (sucks because I live in the mountains and travel often lol...).

Attempted Resolutions:

Unfortunately, I've been to every ENT specialist in my area but I was completely pushed through the line and dismissed by all of them. (This is no hate to doctors, I love them, but literally all of the ENTs in my area drank from the same pot of "idgaf" tea and have been very less than helpful. Wish I was kidding lol.)

Decongestants haven't worked, allergy meds only dry up the inside of my nose so I don't sniffle as much but it still drains into my throat (I've tried every line of allergy meds on the shelves, at the moment xyzal works best to be honest), dehumidifiers, compresses, pain relievers, etc., ...

... the pressure is still there.

I haven't used a neti pot yet, and wanted to get feedback on that before trying.

I just want to try to figure out what the underlying issue is so I can treat it directly instead of just unsuccessfully alleviating the symptoms.

Thanks in advance for any info / assistance

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) Support Group.

jc76 | @jc76 | 15 hours ago

@chic143
I know this will sound redundant but are you going to a major clinic or provider? It can make all the difference.
You posted you have gone to many ENTs. Did they do a scope on your sinuses? If not then you are not getting the care you should be gettinf.

I had severe sinus infections for decades and a ENT did surgery twice. Fixed the sinus infections but now caused tremendous amount of drainage down my throat and out my nose. But better than having sinus infections.

I am under the care now of Mayo Jacksonville ENT and have a scope done on my sinuses every 6 months. I do have polyps but from scope (they show you your sinuses on T.V. screen as scope records it). My polyps are not blocking anything but indicate inflamation (ENT) so they keep checking. I am on Xhance (steriod nasal spray) twice a day. It is a steroid that helps reduce the inflmation that (ENT) says major cause of sinus issues and polyps. I was doing saline rinses using a steriod and saline mixture but was moved to Xhance.

For suggesting something please find a major facility or ENT speciality even if you have to drive.

Consider doing saline solutions rinses. I still do them but with my ENT concurrence as don't want to rinse the steriod treatments out so do saline rinse first then Xhance. The saline rinses help remove mucus, irritants and also cleans the sinuses out. I do these as live in Florida and constant bombardment of pollen and allergens.

I too was a scuba diver for 20 years. Had to stop when I got ICD/Pacemaker. I am sure you did the salva method to put air into your sinuses when diving. Diving puts a lot of pressure on your sinuses and ears. I think, but not a medical person, can lead to injuring them.

You mentioned netti pot. I had trouble using that and was NOT what my ENT suggested to use. She recommended I use Neil Med Sinus Rinse. It comes with a saline packets you mix with distilled water (do not use with tab water as has bacteria). It really helps me breathe and makes my sinuses feel good. I mentioned the distilled water as that is what directions mentioned, and my ENT stressed to do.

I would seek a good and experienced ENT and have a sinus scope done. Then ask questions, talk about steriod sprays, and using saline rinses.

I hope you can find relief. I suffered for decades until I went to Mayo Clinic and now have found relief and excellent care.

REPLY
1 reply
delweb98 | @delweb98 | 12 hours ago
In reply to @jc76 "@chic143 I know this will sound redundant but are you going to a major clinic or..." + (show)
@jc76

@chic143
I know this will sound redundant but are you going to a major clinic or provider? It can make all the difference.
You posted you have gone to many ENTs. Did they do a scope on your sinuses? If not then you are not getting the care you should be gettinf.

I had severe sinus infections for decades and a ENT did surgery twice. Fixed the sinus infections but now caused tremendous amount of drainage down my throat and out my nose. But better than having sinus infections.

I am under the care now of Mayo Jacksonville ENT and have a scope done on my sinuses every 6 months. I do have polyps but from scope (they show you your sinuses on T.V. screen as scope records it). My polyps are not blocking anything but indicate inflamation (ENT) so they keep checking. I am on Xhance (steriod nasal spray) twice a day. It is a steroid that helps reduce the inflmation that (ENT) says major cause of sinus issues and polyps. I was doing saline rinses using a steriod and saline mixture but was moved to Xhance.

For suggesting something please find a major facility or ENT speciality even if you have to drive.

Consider doing saline solutions rinses. I still do them but with my ENT concurrence as don't want to rinse the steriod treatments out so do saline rinse first then Xhance. The saline rinses help remove mucus, irritants and also cleans the sinuses out. I do these as live in Florida and constant bombardment of pollen and allergens.

I too was a scuba diver for 20 years. Had to stop when I got ICD/Pacemaker. I am sure you did the salva method to put air into your sinuses when diving. Diving puts a lot of pressure on your sinuses and ears. I think, but not a medical person, can lead to injuring them.

You mentioned netti pot. I had trouble using that and was NOT what my ENT suggested to use. She recommended I use Neil Med Sinus Rinse. It comes with a saline packets you mix with distilled water (do not use with tab water as has bacteria). It really helps me breathe and makes my sinuses feel good. I mentioned the distilled water as that is what directions mentioned, and my ENT stressed to do.

I would seek a good and experienced ENT and have a sinus scope done. Then ask questions, talk about steriod sprays, and using saline rinses.

I hope you can find relief. I suffered for decades until I went to Mayo Clinic and now have found relief and excellent care.

Jump to this post

Hi ! Has anyone been told they have air in the sphenoid sinus. I don’t seem to have any of the symptoms but the ENT I’m seeing thinks that could be the proble, he called it Pneumosinud Dilitan. Any info will be appropriated

REPLY
1 reply
jc76 | @jc76 | 5 hours ago
In reply to @delweb98 "Hi ! Has anyone been told they have air in the sphenoid sinus. I don’t seem..." + (show)
@delweb98

Hi ! Has anyone been told they have air in the sphenoid sinus. I don’t seem to have any of the symptoms but the ENT I’m seeing thinks that could be the proble, he called it Pneumosinud Dilitan. Any info will be appropriated

Jump to this post

@delweb98
Do you live at a Del Webb? I have lived at one for the last 10 years.

I wish I had information and experience with sphenoid sinus and Pneumosinud Dilitan to comment on. When I had my scope done, she said I had issues with bones, airways, and polyps.

You can use Mayo Clinic information site and others like WEB MD that you can type in the diagnosis, disease or treatment and get information.

I am going to take my own suggestion and use those sites to be more familiar with the above diagnosis and see if that could apply to me also.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.