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Sinus infection, already deal with bad seasonal allergies
Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) | Last Active: 2 days ago | Replies (15)Comment receiving replies
@sueinmn it was definitely triggered by seasonal allergies. We are number two in the country right now with the highest pollen count. My ENT wants me to do surgery.
Replies to "@sueinmn it was definitely triggered by seasonal allergies. We are number two in the country right..."
@zubedude For a while, we were number 1 in the highest pollen numbers in the US. I am in Prescott AZ. But it rained so pollen has decreased. I had sinus surgery and it has helped me a lot. But the recovery is very very long. I was congested for 4 months. Then I had thick brownish/black glue like stuff coming from my head. Now at least I can breathe all night long. I didn't realize I was so compromised previously. No wonder I was always tired. Yes, allergies definitely do matter. An ENT can be very helpful.
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@zubedude I sympathize, but if you truly have an infection, only a course (probably 14-21 days) is the only way to reach a bacterial infection in the sinuses. Surgery instead sounds like a drastic measure to me, unless imaging shows a serious issue with how your sinuses are functioning.
I have suffered from allergies and sinus infections since childhood, more than 60 years. 30 years ago I had a sinuplasty to fix my badly healed nose, broken as a teen, and hopefully open the path to cut down on sinus infections. It worked - sort of.
I still had the allergies, post-nasal drip, congestion (especially at night) and at least one infection a year.
Now, with modern day targeted allergy treatments, I am doing much better. What has worked for me is a long list, but effective:
Mucinex extended release (guaifenesin only, no decongestant)
Flonase nasal spray
Azelastine (brand name Astepro) antihistamine nasal spray
Oral antihistamine "as needed"
Treating my sleep apnea (with an oral appliance, not CPAP)
Keeping my asthma under control.
Nasal wash ONLY when having issues, with sterile saline and keeping the equipment sanitized daily.
I am not recommending that you "jump into" my regimen, only that with multiple issues, there may be many things you need to do to get control. As you might guess, it took us quite a while, with my pulmonologists, ENT and primary each contributing. But I now have 95% control, no sinus infection in over 5 years, and pretty good sleep (for someone who seldom slept all night in over 60 years.)
Why is the ENT offering surgery?