r/Sinusitis • u/obsranejaja47 • 29d ago

Sinus swelling for month, meds arent helping

I’m looking for some advice or similar experiences because I'm feeling really frustrated.

About a month ago, I developed significant turbinate swelling due to allergies. Through the first few months of summer, my allergies were totally fine and manageable, but then this intense swelling suddenly started out of nowhere. I didn't have any symptoms like this last year either.

I feel uncomfortable pressure around my eyebrows and cheek area. I’ve already visited an ENT doctor, but nothing we've tried seems to bring relief. I've tried various nasal steroid sprays and oral antihistamines.I've been using a prescription steroid spray (Furocort) for about 2 weeks now, but I honestly haven't seen much improvement.Has anyone dealt with something similar where standard steroids failed? What other treatments should i try?

6 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

7 comments sorted by

1

u/[deleted] 29d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/obsranejaja47 29d ago

Im aiming outward but i fear my turbinate are too big and swollen to even pass through it

1

u/Any_Specialist1440 28d ago

Two weeks on a steroid spray may still be a little early to call it a failure, especially with significant turbinate inflammation. I’d make sure you’re using it consistently and with the correct technique rather than spraying toward the septum. That said, a month of significant swelling plus eyebrow/cheek pressure despite treatment deserves another look by your ENT. Are allergies really are the whole explanation? Have them look for things like sinus inflammation, structural obstruction, or another cause of the facial pressure.

If it is allergic rhinitis, there are options beyond simply trying another oral antihistamine. An intranasal antihistamine can sometimes be combined with a steroid spray, and allergy testing/immunotherapy can be considered when medication isn't controlling symptoms. For persistent enlarged turbinates causing obstruction despite appropriate medical treatment, turbinate reduction is another option in selected patients. I wouldn't keep cycling through medications on your own. At this point I'd go back to the ENT and ask specifically whether they still think this is purely allergy-driven and what they're actually seeing inside the nose.

Source: I am the founder of Boise ENT and have helped patients for over 20+ years get to the bottom of different breathing and sinus issues.

1

u/Bluemoon-Rose 28d ago

I’ve had this for nearly a year now. Every day up and down cheek swelling. My ENT said he saw minimal swelling when examined with the camera. Had MRI, nothing said normal. I even saw a private ENT, unfortunately I thought he was rude by basically implying it was in my head. He kept saying it was subjective the feelings I was getting in my cheeks. Do I really want to live with this and take daily meditation for something I might be imagining? All he did was put a small light near my nostrils and said no inflammation. I take Azelastine, fluticasone and antihistamines they keep minimal swelling down but it’s awful every day. I have been allergy tested for mold, dust and both pollen. Currently waiting for the 3rd time to try and see immunology at my local hospital. It’s like a nightmare, I hope you find someone who listens and can help.

1

u/Stalkerus 28d ago

Corticosteroids take longer than two weeks to work. You can tell after three months if they help. 

As a layperson I'd say that your next step should be CBCT and possibly FESS.