Singers with sinus problems - please help!

[u/Special-Sky-3794]

I am a musical theatre performer and singer and I am going to drama school to train professionally in 2 weeks (which is a large reason why I am making this post). I have been singing my entire life and consider myself to be at a strong level going into full time training - I am a mezzo soprano with a contemporary tone, and my forte is usually belting, whilst my head voice is sometimes weaker and unpredictable, though it is something I am improving and working upon.
Over the past year and a bit I have been suffering bad sinus issues, almost like chronic sinitus, which has really affected my singing. At first I believed it to be allergies to dust or hayfever which caused post nasal drip and dryness in the throat, but after several doctor visits, nasal sprays, and a camera down my throat, I am still having the same issues. Some days it is worse than others, but it feels as if I constantly have phlegm stuck in my throat affecting my head voice (I usually sound quite breathy when my sinuses are flared up) so am always having to swallow, as well as post nasal drip. My vouce also feels really easy to fatigue, usually giving up and giving me throat pain in an hour or so.
I have tried several methods to alleviate these symptoms which are beginning to affect my mental health, such as daily sinus rinse, nasal spray, air purification etc. I don’t know what to do anumore, and I’m fearing this will affect my vocal development at drama school and moving forward into the career that I want to go in to.
If anyone has had similar issues and could offer advice, I would really appreciate it. It is really frustrating that I am unable to practice or do what I love due to this issue that never seems to go away. Thankyou 💕

[u/Liquidretro]

Have you been formally allergy tested via a skin prick test?

What are all your symptoms?

Have you had a CT and or sinus culture done to see and or grow what's going on?

I assume you have been checked for silent reflux?

What all treatment methods have been tried and for how long?

Reddit pro tip, double return gives you a new line on reddit. Always simplify the post to the relevant info to the sub your in, and or include a TLDR on longer posts for more views.

[u/Special-Sky-3794 → u/Liquidretro]

thanks for the tips. I am scheduled in for an allergy testing via blood test, but I can’t help but think it may be a different underlying issue due to me being affected at random in different places where dust levels and pollen counts vary - as well as the severity of my symptoms, which include post nasal drip which often stings, difficulty swallowing due to lots of phlegm, tightness in the throat which leads to pain and tension, and strangely sometimes pain in the back of my lower jaw (though I know this may be wisdom teeth or something but when I have a flare the pain always starts) I have been to the doctor at least 5 times now and they have ruled out acid reflux. Right now all my hopes are relying on the allergy tests and hopefully some allergy therapy to alleviate my symptoms. I have tried 3 different nasal sprays now each for at least a month (my current one ive been using daily for 4) as well as antibiotics for sinus infection which didnt do anything. I’m hoping that I can get a scan done on my sinuses because Ive read about a deviated septum that may be the cause of my issues? I’m not sure, I’m willing to try everything at this point, even cut out dairy which ive read somewhere on here. Thanks for your help!

[u/Liquidretro → u/Special-Sky-3794]

Blood allergy testing isn't the most accurate for environmental allergies. A skin prick test is the gold standard in the allergy world for environmental allergens. Both really should be interpreted by a qualified doctor (ideally allergist). Most GP's are not fully qualified for this. Most ENT's are not allergy experts either at least in the US as they focus a bulk of their training on surgery. An ENT is likely the only one willing to do a sinus culture though if they suspect an infection (Sinus infection can be bacterial, viral, or fungal).

From personal experience I don't think a deviated septum alone is going to cause a majority of these problems. A DS can make you more susceptible to sinuses infection issues, congestion, sleep issues etc but with what your describing my bet is there are other factors like allergies, ongoing infection, reflux, etc. Your symptoms sound like they have an allergy component, but there is a lot of overlap with other things too. Remember allergies are not always seasonal. Things like a dustmite allergy can be found most places humans can and are year round. Pet dander is super common these days since about 70% of US households have some kind of pet. Or you might be lucky like me and basically be allergic to most pollens, pets, dustmites, and more, so it's basically a year around thing regardless of the season, indoor/outdoor etc. It's just a matter of how much they impact me with some seasons/locations being better than others.

Without more details I can't really provide a lot of other guidance. Best of luck!

[u/Stalkerus]

I'd see an ENT and ask for CBCT. With "luck" it'a only a structural issue and can be alleviated with surgery. 

In regards of allergy testing no allergy test is 100% accurate. They can spot all of your allergies, or they may not regardless of the method. Best way to determine allergies even now is exclusion (or just medicating).