Chronic Sinusitis

I have similar problems which affect me at night only, at least bad enough I can't sleep. I have used the nasal rinse w/saline and a bit of Alkalol. I have also used a humidifier. Have not tried Mucinex, but that is my next step. ENT said I had a deviated septum that he could fix. I have had that all my life and my problem has only happened recently; Also, I have quit smoking I hope for the last time. This time it was a Christmas present in 2016.

Hi Bob (@bobireland)
Congratulations on your 2016 Christmas present. I guess you can call that one the present that keeps on giving 🙂

I suffer from chronic sinusitus too. Earlier infections were dealt with by using antibiotics, but now I find I can keep flareup at bay by using my neti pot. As soon as I start to sense congestion, I use the neti pot morning and night. Using it at night definitely helps me be able to sleep. Here a video about using the nasal rinse from Mayo Cllinic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UixdsD1lJNY

Are you using a neti pot or squeeze bottle?

Sometimes the rinsing isn't enough and I also have to use a mometasone nasal spray.

Chronic Sinus issues here too. I average three sinus infections per winter/spring. I use a Neilmed bottle rinse (easier than the netipot). I use a generic brand of musinex as needed. It is so frustrating.

Hoping to get some help. I was in excellent health and never had any sinus issues but in 2013 while living in Asia I developed almost monthly sinus infections requiring 3 hospital admissions in 2 years and finally extensive ENT surgery. One year after surgery I became extremely ill and was admitted yet again with sinus infection, endocarditis, pericarditis and septic arthritis. It finally abated and I moved back home and away from the poor air quality hoping things will improve. Since then I have had numerous sinus infections requiring 3 more surgeries and frequent visits to ENT for endoscope and cleaning. I have been saline rinsing the whole time sometimes with a steroid spray or antibiotic ointment in the saline bottle. I have been on so many antibiotics and steroids my doctor is reluctant to put me on anything else unless it’s severe. My symptoms are getting worse with constant post nasal drip, terrible headaches and green hard debris dropping from my sinus to mouth and and it seems like this will never end. The infection is staphylococcus and was originally in the sphenoid sinus but the others have been affected as well. All allergies test have been negative. Any help appreciated.

Hi, @suzanne65 - welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Six years of sinus infections sounds like an awfully long time to be enduring this issue.

I've moved your post here where others have discussed chronic sinus infections. I'm hoping that @kdawn32 @frank005 will return and offer their insights on the continued infections you've been having. @julianned may have some input on the staph infection and @fdixon63 @jenniferhunter @bennb023 @janovr may have some thoughts related to managing your chronic sinusitis.

I'd also encourage you to look at this Mayo Clinic information on chronic sinusitis https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chronic-sinusitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20351661.

Have you gotten a second opinion from another ENT on your situation, suzanne65?

Many thanks for your reply. No I have not got a second opinion as my ENT is considered one of the best in the county and he deals with the most difficult cases. The problem is I have been so I’ll-tired with severe headaches that I haven’t been at my best but just this month I have been considering getting one.

I can't imagine the struggles you have had and are having. I've been having more frequent sinus infections so presently have been doing daily saline sinus rinsing with daily Nasacort nasal spray. It is so rewarding when I rinse and blow out yellow stuff because I know I'm warding off the next potential infection. I also wear a mask if I go out when its a windy day. I'll pray for you to get an answer to this problem very soon. It sounds like you have done everything you can possibly do but there must be an answer... Faye

Hi Suzanne. So sorry to hear what you are going through. To not have answers and to feel like you, or your doctor have tried everything can be extremely frustrating.
Often times surgeons will only want to operate as that is what they are trained to do. Not understanding or mistaking the root cause of the issue. I know you stated your ENT is one of the best in the country. But perhaps it’s time to get a second or third opinion if you haven't done so already. The nasal mucosa has healthy bacteria in it that helps to fight off everyday dust, allergens and viruses. I am not sure what type of sinus surgery you had, you said extensive, so I would be more curious if the surgeries are contributing to your worsening of symptoms. Many people will suffer afterwards from their natural lining/mucosa being disrupted by surgery causing bad bacteria to colonize even more. Hopefully you have had time to restore your gut flora
from all of the antibiotics you have been on and are nourishing your system with foods that will assist in overall immune health.
The whole body is connected, so surgery on the sinuses can affect the whole body. The same lining that lines the nasal mucosa also lines the esophagus all the way down to our gut.
ENTs or surgeons will only talk to you about what’s going on from the neck up. Have you thought about seeing an infectious disease specialists since this did start while in another country. With the other things you mentioned that set in a year after surgery, it sounds like you need a whole body approach on this and to not just be given prescriptions from an ENT.
I would be curious to know how long you lived in Asia before developing symptoms and being healthy prior to. Our bodies can have a hard time adjusting internally/externally to a shift in environment like a move. Temperature, climate, even different water sources and foods can all affect the internal microbiome. When that gets disrupted, that can cause stress on the body which can cause things like infections.
The sinuses also respond to high stress with inflammation, which is not helpful when going through something stressful with your health.
Try to get to the root cause with the right help and I’m positive things will get better for you.

Same boat Mucinex D and NyQuil 3-4 times a week. Had cat scan miserable every week pressure between eyes and in head and ears and drainage 3-4 days a week all day. So annoying allergy test showed nothing. I went to debris, cardiologist, endocrinologist, primary, allergist and Ent. It’s been almost 2 years of this misery and the antibiotics don’t work.

Many thanks for your reply.I moved to Asia and within weeks I began to have URI symptoms. First hospitalised six months later for sinus infection and IV therapy and then my first ENT surgery. In 2015 the fires in Asia which lasted 2 months did not help and I was hospitalised numerous times for IV therapy. I returned home in 2017 and since then I have had 3 additional sinus operations including turbinate and the last one a modified Lothrop. My ENT does not like to do surgery as each time I lose some structure and integrity however the level of infection is severe and the last CT showed the sphenoid completely blocked. I flush twice a day and usually nothing comes out. Since this has all started I have also developed a skin rash requiring a regime of 3 months of histamine blockers, severe rash when I go on a beach vacation, skin abscesses requiring drainage and raynauds. I have seen a rheumatologist, infectious disease specialist, gastroenterologist (to rule out GERD) and an immunologist. Some of my lab tests were abnormal but nothing drastic. I also follow a vegan diet and take probiotics. I was contemplating asking for second ENT opinion but as mentioned my doctor is the one that other ENT refers the severe cases to but perhaps it’s time. It’s a horrible way to live and I try to remain positive buts it’s not easy.