2 sinus surgeries in 6 weeks, staph then Pseudomonas. Worse than befor

Did the ENT ever give you a reason for your initial sinusitis? Asking because after several thoughts by my ENT on what was causing my R sided sinusitis (deviated septum, allergies, sinus migraine...) I finally discovered it was caused from a non painful abscessed tooth. It was only discovered after I developed a fistula (sinus tract) to the roof of my mouth. After many unsuccessful treatments I'm now in the hands of an Infectious Disease Specialist. I understand how it is to feel awful. Some days I rest more (disease fighting healing time) and other times I push myself to accomplish something or to spend time with family/friends. It may be exhausting but makes me feel human again and takes my mind off being sick. Very much hoping you feel better soon.

Yes, I have been where you are. I had pseudomonas before the first surgery, complications with my septum post surgery, and then 3 rounds of levoquin (each 14 days) before the pseudomonas finally went away. In the mean while, new bacteria popped up on my sinus swabs and headaches and exhaustion continued. I saw and infectious disease doctor, rheumatologist and an allergy/immunologist. Several tests for illnesses like late onset cystic fibrosis and alpha 1 tryptsse deficiency, and all came back negative. The one thing that is very uncommon in the sinuses, is non TB mycobacterium. It is a bacteria that is detected on a specific culture called an acid fast bacillus test (often shortened to AFB test). It takes a while to get the results. Low and behold, I was positive for mycobaterium. There are very specific IV antibiotics to treat this infection. I'm currently on 3 IV antibiotics that a very strong. Combined they are supposed to do the trick but it's a 3-6 month treatment with oral antibiotics after, lasting for up to a year. My doctor did not want to run the test that my ID doctor recommended because he said it's extremely rare. My ID doctor spoke with him and then my ENT ran the test. However, you may need to be tested 2-3 times before it shows. I also read that if your doctor sprays your sinuses before the mucus/tissue collection, it can give a false negative, so say no to the sprays. I recommend you be persistent about requesting this specific test. The worst thing that can happen is you get negative results and annoy the doctor. I say this is important to do now because the more types of antibiotics you are given, the harder it will be to treat this bacteria.

In addition to my last post, I will pray that your infection goes away and that you find the answers you need. I pray that you do not have any undiagnosed infections (including mycobacterium). If you do, I hope that treatment brings relief. This issue can really affect your psyche. Allow yourself the time to rest. Focus on getting answers and fight for more answers.

@margiel17 Thank you for this very important reminder. When an infection does not respond to "the usual treatment" or gets a little better then returns, it is time to get proactive and push for a positive identification of the culprit(s.)

I hope your treatment goes well. Do you by any chance have lung issues as well? This can be where mycobacteria infections often establish first.

Hi...so sorry for your current issues. I had one FESS a few years ago, which did not resolve my issues. My ENT mentioned the revision FESS. I'm undecided. Meanwhile, I asked for a culture (yes, I had to ask), which revealed pseudomonas. I've been on a compounded cipro nasal rinse 2x day. The yellow mucus is now clear, but I'm still congested, achy, and not really well. Our condition is so hard to treat! Ask your doc about the rinse route. Depending on the strain and what it's resistant to, maybe it will help get through that nasty biofilm.

@clogged, I had sinus surgery in 1994 due to chronic sinus infections/chronic allergies. I did the allergy shots, different nasal sprays, etc., The doctor (he has passed away since then) was very conservative. He told me I had chronic allergies & diseased sinuses and that's a hard combination.

After my surgery, I developed a sinus infection for 3 months that would not got away. I worked in a company health clinic and I caught everything that came through the door. I begged him to culture my sinuses and see what was growing. I had 3 types of bacteria in my sinus. He gave me Clindamycin and it knocked out the sinus infection. You have to be careful with this antibiotic and drink lots of water or it can ulcerate your esophagus if it doesn't go down. This is a strong one. Levaquin caused joint/tendon issues and so I could not take it.

I didn't see where you mentioned nasal sprays such as Flonase/Nasonex/Nasacort, etc., and Azestaline Spray as a decongestant. Rinse your mouth after using steroid nasal sprays or you can get thrush from it.

The doctor told me (I cannot take Decongestants) to use Afrin for 2-3 days and come off. It's a spray decongestant over the counter and it can cause rebound congestion.

Some days, if I have a lot of allergy congestion, I use the NeilMed Sinus rinse with saline solution and this helps clean out my sinus of thick clear mucus due to allergies. I also run Hepa Filters in the house as Dust & Dust Mites are my worst allergens.

Sorry for the length. I hope some of this helps. Chronic Sinus issues are no fun and I have headaches with an infection that goes into migraines.

Praying for you and wishing you answers and the best.

I do find with the new ENT doctor, he prescribes a compounded capsule that has antibotic/steroid in it that I put in a saline distilled water solution. At the first sign of a sinus infection, I start irrigating my sinus and it usually will nip the sinus infection in the bud quickly. Ask you ENT doctor about these things I mentioned.

Also, not sure if they still do this, but, Neosporin solution from a compounding pharmacy worked great for sinus infections. You irrigate your sinus with it and it cleared mine up beautifully back in the day.

I have a history of periodic sinus infections and one thing my ENT urged was to do sinus rinses every day, not to wait for symptoms to occur. I stick to that routine, often twice a day, and it really makes me feel better. He suggested I gently warm the saline by heating the distilled water I use for 16 or 17 seconds in the microwave before mixing it with the saline powder. The warmer water feels much better than room temperature.

@arbez thank you very much for your feedback. it was discovered that one of my back tooth just under the sinus had a root canal, and it looks like there is an infection as well. i am seeing a dentist next week and have it investigated. i am on day 9 of intravenous ceftazidime, one more day to go. i saw the ent today, she said it all looks good. i am having more blood tests and a nasal swap done next week as well. my head/sinuses feel better, i dont need any pain medication currently, however, they are not perfect yet. i can still feel some pressure behind my frontal sinuses, and its now 14 days post surgery. the issue i have now mainly is my fatigue and weakness. i hope i will be better and my formal self very soon. it has been a very rough ride.. i hope you do get better soon as well !!!

@margiel17 thanks for that, seems like you been on quite a ride yourself. i am just finishing cefatzidime IV antibiotices tomorrow, i feel much better, but still not perfect. very weak and fatigued. i am just praying that i will gradually get better now, and that all infections have disappeared. if anything else is coming up, i will ask my ID doctor to run these tests as you have suggested... thanks

@sueinmn no, i dont have any lung issues, as far as i know. i am going to work on positivity and visualization, i start my qi gong practice again, juicing and all the other things that i know are good for me. in the next few days i will get a rife machine as well...