sinus infections after sinus surgery (making life miserable)

Amy_B
Amy_B Posts: 2,317 Member
edited November 10 in Health and Weight Loss
I wasn't really sure what to post this, but I was hoping to get some info.

I had chronic sinusitis for almost 3 years straight. I then had a CT scan, which showed I need sinus surgery, which I had this past July. Before having surgery, I had troubles maintaining a good exercise program because of being sick so much. I thought having the surgery would make everything better and that I could finally get to my goal weight (exercising regularly). However, that is not the case. I didn't get a sinus infection again until this November. I haven't really gotten over it yet. I've been on two different antibiotics in the last few months, and I still have the crap.

Has anyone had sinus surgery and it not really work?

I just really want to live a normal life again. I want to workout regularly and not feel like crap. I don't want to have surgery again, partially because it wasn't a pleasant recovery and partially because I am still paying on my part of it.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

Replies

  • MzBug
    MzBug Posts: 2,173 Member
    Get an opinion from another ENT doctor and another scan. You may have either some re-growth or some scar tissue. It could also be a seasonal allergy...I get "snotty" in the winter months (nov-mar) and the only way to keep my sinus clear is to use the rinse bottle 3-4 times a day and take an antihistamine before bed. Even after sinus surgery in 2009 I still "fill up" on one side overnight when I am horizontal in the winter months.
  • MeganKF
    MeganKF Posts: 2
    Definitely do what MzBug said, always ask a doctor. I had sinus surgery several ago, and it cut my sinus infections down from every other week to 1-2 times a year. I don't bother with antibiotics anymore because they over-used them on me before the surgery and they just don't work. A lot of doctors think antibiotics are a miracle treatment, but our bodies do adjust to them making them useless. When I get a sinus infection now I usually just use Mucinex to flush everything out before it gets too bad.

    You might want to also check your house for anything that might be bothering you, like mold. I was sick with sinus infections and bronchitis for a few months and didn't realize there was water leaking under my floorboards causing mold. Once that got cleared up and fixed I was fine again.
  • Amy_B
    Amy_B Posts: 2,317 Member
    MZ--I did get an allergy shot the last time I went to the doc (2-3 weeks ago). I've been using a Neti Pot every day or two.

    Megan--I think they overused antibiotics with me too. I was on them almost straight those three years. I should get some Mucinex. Others have suggested us getting check for mold. If no one else is sick in my house, could it still be mold? Also, who do you call to get that checked?

    Thanks!
  • ishallnotwant
    ishallnotwant Posts: 1,210 Member
    My mom has a chronic sinusitis condition and she has had to have 3 surgeries so far. :( She feels great after the surgery for a while and then she gets stuff that builds back up and has to have it removed again. I've seen how painful it is for her, i'm sorry to hear that you are going through it. I hope they can do something to help you. :flowerforyou:
  • Amy_B
    Amy_B Posts: 2,317 Member
    My mom has a chronic sinusitis condition and she has had to have 3 surgeries so far. :( She feels great after the surgery for a while and then she gets stuff that builds back up and has to have it removed again. I've seen how painful it is for her, i'm sorry to hear that you are going through it. I hope they can do something to help you. :flowerforyou:
    Thank you! Sorry about your mom.
  • hwjssc
    hwjssc Posts: 194 Member
    I am sorry I know your feeling all too well. I lived many many years with chronic sinus infections....I went to 3 different Drs. before one would even do surgery on me....I finally found one who would do the surgery and I have been blessed to finally get relief.... Maybe you need to get a second or even a third opinion... Good Luck:)
  • MzBug
    MzBug Posts: 2,173 Member
    MZ--I did get an allergy shot the last time I went to the doc (2-3 weeks ago). I've been using a Neti Pot every day or two.

    Bad news is that one allergy shot isn't going to cut it. An antihistamine will "dry up" and inhibit the mucous from forming for 4-12 hours depending on what you use. Some of the longer acting ones (Claritin, Allegra & Zyrtec) take a couple hours to have any real impact. The old standby Benadryl takes about half an hour to take effect, but it leaves you drowsy and wears off in 4 hours. Mucinex is a CHEST decongestant....that is what you use when the post nasal drip causes chest congestion. Mucinex will help break that gunk up so you can cough it up before you get an upper respiratory infection. Sudafed (the real stuff) is a nasal decongestant that makes the goop in your sinuses runny so it drains, but it will raise your blood pressure and may make you jittery.

    I found that the Neti Pot didn't work well for me once I had gotten "snotty". With the NeilMed squeeze bottle I can put a little more "oomph" into the rinse and wash the goop out easier. I also found that when I made the solution double strength (saltier) I had to use the rinse less often because the salt helped to keep me dried out. I use the 8oz bottle once in the morning every day, and once at night before bed. During the winter I use it more, when ever I feel like I am getting "snotty". I have had no sinus infections and only 2 nasty colds since my surgery 02/2009.

    I got the sinus issues from my Mom. She had the chronic issues all her life. Due to the heavy use of over the counter and prescription medications for so many years it caused complications when they had to treat her for serious (heart and kidney) issues. Please get another opinion from an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist. Good Luck!
  • agnescolonna
    agnescolonna Posts: 1
    Unfortunatly I also had sinussurgery and loved it had it done in may 23 2012 and felt like never before now it has been 6 months and I have had 2 so far the removed my toncils ( had infections all the time ) and I feel my neck bumpy looks like sinuses are draining to left side I am beyond myself not sure what to do either I pray to get this over one day but looks like I will be a suffer of sinuses for a long time wish to know more from others too :(
  • turalhuseynov12
    turalhuseynov12 Posts: 1
    Had a surgery 2days back.feeling ****ty, and yesterday realised that I got a sinus infection as having white and yellowish discharge.
    Spoke with my doctor and he told me not to use antibiotics and to visit him after a week time to see if it gets better or not.
    Was waiting for this surgery so long time and after doing it got disappointed. Will keep you updated in case if something changes
  • katem75
    katem75 Posts: 1
    Hi

    I had sinus surgery May 14, 2013 and have developed 4 infections since then. I'm being treated with antibiotics (4th course). I've had only a 2-3 week window without the infection since surgery. Please help.
  • conniedj
    conniedj Posts: 470 Member
    If you want to try something that the Dr will never prescribe:

    Probiotic--a good one!--at least once a day
    Organic raw apple cider vinegar 2 tbls in a cup of hot water, with a tbls of honey--drink like tea at least once a day
    netti pot/sinus rinse at least 2-3 times a day...daily when not sick. You can put the probiotic into your rinse as well!
    A supplement or homeopathic remedy for yeast....as some sinus infections are yeast or fungal in nature and treating them with antibiotics will just make it worse. HTH!
  • bluntlysally
    bluntlysally Posts: 150 Member
    there are all different kinds of sinus surgeries - so hard to comment on that. be sure you get a good allergist that is also immunology. an ent will most likely be a surgeon and want to cut (bc that is what they do). treat your allergies consistently so that your sinuses have a fighting chance when a virus comes along.

    also ask your dr about vaccines. if your immune system is that compromised (can find out via blood test), then you fall into the medically necessary category (along with children and elderly).

    i don't really do antibiotics for sinus infections anymore (or even go to the dr), after so many times on them they just don't work very well. alka seltzer cold is the only thing that gives me relief from the sinus pressure when it is that bad. prescription allergy nose sprays help too. you should know the signs, treat it early!!
  • bluntlysally
    bluntlysally Posts: 150 Member
    i second the probiotics!! great for your immune system in general. esp since antibiotics can kill the good germs that are supposed to live in your body.

    netipots are good too... never got to using them everyday, but great to clear things out - esp after being outside with lots of pollen or cleaning with lots of dust.
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