Chronic Sinusitis - Suffering!!

Indy, LPN, LVN · Nov 5, 2004

You've probably already tried my only suggestion: I call it the nose washer. Heath food stores sometimes sell them; it's a little teapot looking thing that you use to pour water into your sinuses. I can't stand doing this by the way, but I have had sinus problems since I can remember and it does help.

You're supposed to use table salt and water, but I can't get the right amount to save my neck so I just use warm normal saline- that keeps part of the irritation factor down. The other part being, that it makes me gag. There's a technique to doing this, so that you tilt your head a certain way and the saline goes farther up your sinuses, and comes out the other nostril instead of going down the throat. I get it right about half the time. If my snot's yellow, this nips it in the bud every time. Of course my daughter and my fiance think I'm nutty.

-Indy

Jolie, BSN · Nov 5, 2004

My doctor is a big proponent of the technique described above. A bulb syringe works well if you can't find the "nose washer" gizmo, or in a pinch, just use a spray bottle of plain normal saline nose drops. This helped my daughters and myself tremendously. But that's just the first step.

Camp out in your primary doctor's office until s/he gives you the referral you obviously are in desperate need of. If s/he continues to refuse, change primary doctors. If that doesn't work, call your insurance company and ask to speak with a case manager or supervisor. List out all the doctor's visits, prescriptions, studies, etc. that you've had done and the insurance has paid for, to no avail. Add in the lost work time, the continued use of antibiotics and OTC meds (with their potential side effects), and make it clear that NOT treating this condition properly is costing them (and you) BIG TIME.

As a last resort, contact the state medical board and ask them to render an opinion as to whether you have been properly treated by your primary physician. I can't imagine going more than a day or two with the pain you describe, nor can I begin to imagine the havoc such long-term use of antibiotics and pain meds must be causing to your body. Talk about being out of whack!

Good luck to you. Hope you feel better soon!

veggiegarden · Nov 5, 2004

I also recommend the nasal irrigation mentioned above, if you haven't already tried that. I would also look into alternative therapies as an adjunct to antibiotics. So sorry you are going through this pain. I hope you feel better soon.

ratchit · Nov 5, 2004

I have chronic sinusitis, too- not as bad as you, though. My gosh that sounds awful. With me it's sudafed or afrin spray around the clock for 3-4 days at the first sign of congestion, then zithromax if still showing symptoms. If I spike a temp, I need 10 days of zith, not 5. I've dealt with this for 10+ years, I know how to manage it. A doc that won't listen to me is not my doctor for long. I will listen to suggestions, but I have a long long list of antibiotics that have been tried several times without results- and no I will not try them again. I refuse to get sicker and be in pain so I can try something that has already failed.

By the way, sinus problems may not show up on an XRay, but they should show up on a CT. XRays can't show fluid levels or soft tissue inflammation, CTs do. Would your doc be willing to order a CT as a step before a referral? The CT costs more than a referral but if the doc is watching their referral statistics instead of the dollars, they might go for it.

I agree with the others- demand a referral from your doc. If they won't give you one, call your insurance co and ask for an exception to the referral requirement. I only suggest this because getting a new-patient appointment with a new primary care doc could take a long, long time.

Then get a new doc. Obviously, you don't feel like this one is treating you appropriately- do you feel comfortable with them as your health care gatekeeper? I wouldn't want someone who was willing to leave me that uncomfortable and vulnerable to resistant bacteria as my doc.

I have heard wonderful things about those saline nasal irrigations- I don't think I could do it myself. Ick.

Good luck!!

sharann, BSN, RN · Nov 5, 2004

I just want to sympathize and say you are definetely in need of someone to take you seriously. Find another do or "camp out" at your doc's as Jolie suggests. You may even need surgery to clear a path so to speak. Good luck!

ethelbsnrn · Nov 5, 2004

I went directly to ENT doctor, had CT of my sinuses that same day. Found out it was not congested. She sugested the nasal irrigation which is: 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp baking soda in 240 oz distilled water. I use a bulb syringe since pharmacy doesn't have the sinu-cleanse she prescribed. I also had nasal swab done - was on Levaquin for 10 days. It helped me. No more yellow, brown secretions from the back of my throat. But...I noticed It started again a couple of days ago. Have to do the irrigation again...

Nurse Ratched, RN · Nov 5, 2004

Definitely CT versus xray - xrays just aren't as sensitive to this sort of thing.

It boggles my mind that he won't refer you to an ENT. Even if he thinks you're full of crap (we don't) it would "get rid of you" - surely you both have to be tired of looking at each other after a year of failed treatment.

SusanJean · Nov 5, 2004

For almost a year, I have been suffering with chronic sinusitis, seen numerous docs, been on numerous antibiotics. I can't deal with this anymore. If anything, the worst part about it is the chronic pain. It is not only in my sinuses but radiates into my jaw so bad - I can barely sleep at night. It hurts to lay my head on my pillow. I have been taking up to 8 extra strength tylenol and 6 extra strength advil per day - now that does not even touch the pain. I have taken that much pain meds for over a year. My doc refused to refer me to ENT - saying x-ray is normal. But how can that be??!! I have green/yellow slime coming out, pain and pressure, I cannot bend over forwards, dripping down my throat, body aches, etc. I have tries Biaxin for 30 days, now on amo/clav for 30 days - it's just not working. Tried steroid nasal sprays, saline nasal sprays - all with no results. Went to ER last week because the pain was soooo bad. Finally gave me oxycodone and different antibiotics but it has now been 7 days and those are not working!! I am so frustrated. tired of living in chronic pain, and don't want to take any more pills. Anyone heard or suffered with this? What can help me?? Thanks - any advice would be soooo much appreciated - I am at my wits end:crying2:

I agree w/ the other posters -- you need a CT scan.

I had chronic sinusitis - your hx sounds like mine -- and last fall I finally agreed to a CT scan and ET referral. CT showed deviated septum and deformed turbinates. I had surgery 1 yr ago and no infections since!!

(4 of my 9 siblings have had same dx w/ CT scan, and have had surgery to correct.)

If a doctor refuses to right a referral or test that seems appropriate:

Tell them to document in your chart that you requested it and it was denied. Tell them you want it written down and signed and a copy before you leave the office.

I think you will leave w/ what you need.

Darn shame medicine has come to this:angryfire

SJ

Repat · Nov 5, 2004

Absolutely get to the ENT!!! I have suffered almost all my life - couldn't fly if there was even a hint of an infection, couldn't hear or speak on the telephone, etc., etc. Finally went to an ENT, had surgery (3 times), and I haven't had an infection since (about 6 years now). I had polyps, which were removed, and I have been taking Singulair, which is reported to prevent the formation of polyps, since. I cannot believe how much better I feel - it affects your whole system. You need to do something soon. Also, after surgery I used the washes, too, which helped, but I don't need to any more!!!

RNKITTY04 · Nov 5, 2004

I have also been having problems with my sinus and jaw area, sometimes when its really bad my ear also throbs. All this really freaks me out as my sister had the same problem and was found to have a malignacy in her lower mandible which they had to remove and replace with part of her hip.

I agree with the previous posters DEMAND to be treated.

I would also recomend going to the dentist, they can do panoramic xrays and see what is going on in the jaw.

Good luck to you and all us fellow suffers.

uk_nurse · Nov 5, 2004

my mom suffers really bad with her sinuses. she too has ABX and pain killers. there is an operation that can help but is very painful. my mom was told that it is not guarenteed to clear it up so she wont have it done. my mom also suffers with migraine and if she gets both together well she is in agony. There is just nothing that really works. she said menthol crystals help a bit.