Chronic Sinusitis

I also suffered from sinusitis for years. Luckily I found a naturopath who brought my suffering to an an end. I started taking herbs and I stay healthy. Initially I took liver detox, and that started me on the road to recovery. I’m so very thankful!

Gosh Suzanne. It sounds like you really have seen many different specialists to try and figure this all out. I can’t imagine your frustration and fatigue you probably have.
The reason why I asked so many questions is because, I had what was supposed to be a minor sinus surgery for ear issues. I never had sinus infections or anatomical breathing issues prior to surgery. Since my surgery I have had many issues.
I have had to get many opinions and educate myself on what exactly causes infections/inflammation and what exactly surgery will and will not do for the issues. Do you mind if I ask the name of your ENT or if you don’t feel comfortable naming, at least the location? It sounds like your body had a struggle adjusting to the new external irritants in a new country. And with all the work to fight off infection and surgeries it has now thrown other systems off in your body.
There is always a place for Western Medicine, but have you tried working with functional medicine/natural path doctors to try and get your body back to as close to homeostasis as possible. Some of the more natural regimens require months of being diligent and patient, but it is worth a try. Since you were healthy before your body is fighting to get back to that place. If you have a resistant staph infection, I’m curious how you learned it was staph and how your labs could come back normal?
Your body has now experienced a lot of internal trauma and stress, which will need to be addressed to help in the healing process.

I am in the same boat I take mucinex D and NyQuil at night that is the only thing that helps my nose and my sinuses. I had catscan with chronic sinusitis. Omg head feels full with fluid and my nose is stuffed or leaking 3-4 days a week for almost 2 years. It is miserable. I have been to tons of drs now going to a new ENT and not getting anywhere. I am sick of it and don’t feel good taking these meds either. I can up negative to allergies too.

I’ve been there and suffered for years until I went to a naturopath who suggested herbs. I took a liver detox and it cleaned up my gut, which helped my chronic sinusitis. Now I never get sick, and that’s since 2013! Good luck!

My infections started a few months after moving in Dec 13 and got much worse after the fires from Indonesia in 2015 which blew our way for 2 months. I have had multiple hospital admissions and finally surgery in late 2014. I was hospitalised in 2016 with another bad sinus infection which led to endocarditis, pericarditis and septics arthritis. ENT thought when I moved back home with clean air I would get better but sadly I have had to have 3 more surgeries. I also have a sun allergy and Raynauds along with it. My immune system seems to have gone haywire. As mentioned I did see an immunologist and tests were inconclusive. Re the staph they cultured it after surgery and it is not MRSA.
I am vegan and have been going to a naturopath for many years. She has now said there’s not much else she can do.
I am currently on another course of antibiotics as I presently have another infection.
The worse part was in late 2018 I was complaining about headaches and ENT said all was clear when he did the scope and thought it may be GERD. Put on meds for that but headaches and post nasal drip continued for 6 months. It was only when I had a severe infection he did another CT an it showed severe disease and did another surgery where they also found I had polyps. I asked why didn’t he see the infection under scope and said the infection had walled off so it looked clear.
Even the CT did not show the polyps.
I do not know what else to do and my body is full of antibiotics. I probably have had 40 courses in last 5 years.

@cbs61752 Hi! What herbs do you take for your sinuses?

This is a timeline of sphenoid sinus issues:

Dr. Smith April 2nd sinus infection-coughing/headaches (third sinus treatment since December 2024-Covid in early December)
May 14th Westminster Medical Clinic appointment Xray of chest (clear) antibiotics for sinus infection
ENT appointment June 2nd -found nothing abnormal RX for nasal rinse steroids-made things worse at night but no notable change during the day.
CT scan at Health Images July 8th, 2025
ENT appointment July 16th-review of CT scan-shows froth in my sphenoid sinuses-cannot take antibiotics at this time-suggested a balloon up my nose to enlarge sphenoid sinus so it might drain better…need second opinion.
Have an appointment with a gastroenterologist/endoscopy July 25/26th for possible silent reflux.
No reflux
Primary Care appointment: August 18th-clearance to travel to Idaho (8-25 to 8-30) Tried prednisone again but gave me esophageal issues again-stopped after 3 days.
Had all the same issues during my visit in Idaho…
Symptoms since April:
• Severe coughing from nasal drainage
• sore throat-using too many coughs drops.
• fatigue
• intermittent headaches
• coughing up tons of mucus to the point of almost vomiting-EVERY DAY and ALL NIGHT-clear
• unable to sleep or lay on the right or left side due to drainage, coughing.
• I have not been able to use my CPAP machine due to frequency of coughing-mucus.
• Very discouraged
Treatments Tried:
• Doxycycline- Levofloxacin (had a possible allergic reaction-could not finish)
• Steroid spray and steroid nasal rinse (made it much worse at night)
• Mucinex max strength sinus
• Tylenol
• Cough drops-too many Fishermen’s Friend, burns my throat now.
• Using Ricola-sugar free now.
• Handheld nebulizer (not effective)
• Famotidine-did not help-did not have reflux.
• Albuterol inhaler (helps my chest some)
• Saltwater rinse/gargle (helps temporarily)
Second opinion with different ENT 09/19/25
09/05/2025
The following are my current symptoms, plus continuous coughing and hacking up a lot of clear mucus, especially at night. My sleep is severely impacted by this drainage and coughing up mucus.
**Post-nasal drip: Mucus dripping down the back of the throat.
Bad breath: Due to trapped mucus and bacteria.??
Ear pain: Pain or fullness in the ears-hearing feels off at times
Visual disturbances: Blurred vision, double vision, or sensitivity to light.
Fatigue: Feeling tired or run down.
Sense of Smell: Often very acute.

Any ideas or feedback is appreciated! Judi

Last winter (2024) I began another sinus infection (chronic) and saw a new ENT doc. He prescribed doxycycline. To make a long story short, after 3 consecutive doses of doxycycline with no improvement, I saw another ENT doctor. I hit gold with him! He prescribed prednisone for 5 days, then azelastine nasal spray in the morning which stopped the constant nasal drip and momentasone nasal spray along with Claritin before bed. OMG, that took care of my sinus problem! I did have allergy testing which indicated dust mite allergies. That requires me to be very diligent about washing my bedding in hottest water weekly and I added a special allergen detergent that I got off Amazon.
Vacuuming bedroom weekly as well. I was good all summer without having to use any nasal sprays but now with fall allergies starting, I’ve had to resume them. Azelastine nadal spray for me is the gold standard!

Hi there: I am going to do the balloon on the 23rd, although I have been extremely better sinus- wise since putting the Levolt air cleaner in my bedroom, and letting it run continuously. I close the door at night and breathe in good air. I also have one near the LR which goes continuously too. I don't go outside unless necessary. As an avid gardener, this is not good, but I don't have the headache I used to have all the time.

Guaifenesin 1200mg, lots of water . Azelastine and a nose deviator. Much relief. Massaging sinuses don’t hurt. Humidifier if humidity above 45. Also the new medical sheets and pillow cases.