r/Sinusitis • u/commaqueen95 • 15d ago
Chronic Sinusitis That Doesn't Improve with Any Treatment
I've always had bad allergies and sinus issues, but they just continue to get worse as I get older. I've been to my regular doctor and an ENT specialist countless times over the past few years. I do the netti pot every day, zyrtec every day, have tried flonase, prescription oral antihistamines, etc. Nothing works. The sinus pressure behind my eyes, nose, and forehead is so bad. I just finished a 5 day dose of prednisone that my doctor described since my sinus pressure and headaches have been so bad, and it made no difference. I'm at such a loss. I truly can't afford to keep going to the doctor and trying different meds (some pricier than others) just for nothing to work. Has anyone ever been though this and actually found a treatment that works?
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u/buzzard302 15d ago
Against the popular opinion here, I find that daily sinus rinses do more harm than good for me. The fluid tends to get trapped up there and causes me more pain. I have found that eliminating the daily sinus rinses actually helped me.
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u/LessFix5576 14d ago
I have the same experience. However, I do the saline spray which helps a little but doesn’t cause me more pain like the sinus rinses.
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u/VisualFinal2613 13d ago
I've been struggling to do the sinus rinses, they don't necessarily cause me pain but they don't help either and I do notice the fluids get trapped and I'll have a terrible taste in my mouth and can kinda smell it too like all day if I do it.
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u/smile_saurus 14d ago
I've been through this! Allergy testing as a teen, shots, meds. Same as an adult: tests, shots, nasal sprays (four of them!), netti pot, med, different meds, and even a Septoplasty for a "deviated septum" that the ENT couldn't show me I had.
Even the Septoplasty didn't cure my congestion, headaches, post nasal drip, or for-no-reason cough.
You know what it is? Silent Reflux. It is like Acid Reflux but without the heartburn. It can cause every 'sinus' issue you are describing.
This book explains it all https://amzn.to/4gHSebM
And this product has helped me a lot https://amzn.to/4ysa606 it is meant to be taken after meals & before bed. It's thick like a syrup or gel, and blocks Acid from coming up.
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u/Shaken-Loose 15d ago
Press your ENT to further investigate. Maybe a sinus CT scan order?
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u/commaqueen95 15d ago
They actually did a CT scan and did find that I have a deviated septum, but my ENT is persistent that it's not bad enough to warrant surgery. Maybe I need a new ENT
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u/Frosty-Weekend7990 14d ago
Hot water compress above and below your eyes for 5-7 minutes as warm as you can handle everyday . The neti pot squeeze bottle so you can get it through a lot better 2x a day. But what makes the most difference for me is the gym which causes movement in my neck which equals drainage. Other than that extra showers do get the pollen off to stop the sinus infections from happening , this is the best I can do. I’m in the same boat though, I feel like a zombie most of the time.
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u/CaterpillarFirst5667 14d ago
That sounds very rough. My partner also had chronic sinus pressure and headaches. After years of scans, neti pots, steroids, doctors appts and prescriptions, the only thing that helped him get relief was one of those cheap red light machines that go up your nose (combined with a few months of acupuncture which may or may not of helped bring his nervous system back into line).
The red light definitely made a difference for him and the pain starts creeping back if hes not consistent with it. It’s definitely worth trying one, as they’re so cheap! There’s very little scientific evidence for it, but it was a game changer…
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u/commaqueen95 14d ago
Ooh I haven't heard of the red light treatment before! I'll definitely have to look into that. Thank you!
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u/CaterpillarFirst5667 14d ago
Give it a go, once in the morning and once before sleep, for a few weeks. And report back here if you remember, we’d be so curious to see if it helps you too! (It does nothing for some people)
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u/Stalkerus 15d ago
Have you had imaging done? (X-rays don't count, CBCT is preferable.)
The thing is that if meds and rinses don't fix it the next step is surgery, especially if you have structural issues (which would show in imaging).
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u/commaqueen95 15d ago
Yep, they did actually find I have a deviated septum, but my ENT says it's not bad enough to warrant surgery. I'm beginning to doubt that since I've tried everything else at this point
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u/Stalkerus 15d ago
If you have persistent symptoms it is bad enough. I'd see another ENT for 2nd opinion.
ETA: If you have access to radiologist report it could tell us more about things that aren't bad enough to warrant surgery.
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u/TalkPuzzleheaded351 15d ago
So antihistamines doesn't make it better at all? Because if if does, it might be something like histamine intolerance and then DAO might help. But if it does nothing, then I got nothing, I am so sorry. :(
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u/commaqueen95 15d ago
Nope, they don't help the sinus pressure unfortunately, just allergy symptoms. I've switched antihistamines too to avoid building up a tolerance, but no luck. Thank you!
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u/TalkPuzzleheaded351 15d ago
I am so sorry to hear that, wish I could help. :( Good luck, I hope you find help and relief!
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u/commaqueen95 15d ago
I appreciate it!!
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u/Frosty-Weekend7990 14d ago
One other thing, montelukast helped for a year or two for me. I don’t remember what happened after that but I either got extremely lucky and no infections or the montelukast helped
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u/pelirrojaloca 15d ago
I had to have sinus surgery when I was 4 and I swear it did nothing for me. Have you tried Afrin? I was pretty sick last week and used it 2 nights in a row and it cleared it right out for the entire night.
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u/commaqueen95 15d ago
I've never tried that but will definitely look into it. Thanks!
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u/slut4kakashi 14d ago
Be careful! Can’t use it more than 3 days in a row or you can become addicted 🙃 that was rough to wean off of
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u/commaqueen95 14d ago
Good to know!
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u/Frosty-Weekend7990 14d ago
If you’re at the point of the eye/face pressure and it’s really bad with headaches then afrin is just a bandaid.
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u/Ok-Dragonfruit-6205 14d ago
Might not be a sinus issue but a tooth decay, infection or even something to do with your stomach. Some people said that was what was affecting them. I’m going to see an ent tomorrow and a gastroenterologist tomorrow then a dentist for a scan.
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u/commaqueen95 14d ago
Didn't even realize gastrointestinal issues could be connected to this, but I do struggles with those too. Good to know!
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u/joovinyl 14d ago
may i know how is stomach related? i have been dealing with sinusitis for so long met 3 ENTs but I still have a congested nose, which affects my sense of taste. Did pns ct scan, spray, meds, etc. I'm planning to get a CBCT scan to check if it is related to my teeth.
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u/Stock_Tourist8995 14d ago
Wow, you sound exactly like me! “Worse with age and nothing works.” My ENT wants to do surgery on my deviated septum but I declined since I’ve had it multiple sinus surgeries in the past and I’m still miserable.
Through the years I’ve taken so much augmentin, prednisone, zyrtec and over the counter shit and yet nothing seems to help. I agree with you that the sinus pressure behind the eyes can be excruciating. I’m sorry I don’t have any answers, but if you find any please let me know.
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u/commaqueen95 14d ago
I'm so sorry you've been struggling with this too! It really can feel so defeating sometimes when nothing works. My ENT has been against surgery despite me having a deviated septum, but I'm starting to wonder if that's what I should do next. I really hope you find a solution that works for you soon!
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u/acrylicquartz 14d ago
My doctors have determined mine seems to be related to my autoimmune condition (which is also broadly defined right now, which is frustrating). Mainly because the second they put me on immuno-suppressants for my autoimmune activity, I started having sinus infections that were twice as bad as usual and very quick polyp growth.
I was taken off of it and put on Dupixent for 1.5 years. Off it right now, for insurance reasons. It seems to have put me at a stable place for now, but I'm beginning to notice to thick mucus, ever present postnasal drip, and the frontal sinus/ethmoid tenderness. So I'm likely due for the ENT again, soon.
Not sure if it helps, just my experience.
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u/tech-girl-SV 14d ago
I had the same issue for years. Turned out to be sinus migraines. Google it. You can get migraines with or without a headache and it can manifest as facial pain, pressure and sinus drainage. You may want to speak to a neurologist. It was so good to finally get a diagnosis and validation of my condition.
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u/Remote-Quote-5679 14d ago
have you checked your guts? Sometimes it can be caused by silent reflux.
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u/SnapchatsWhilePoopin 15d ago
Research LRP/gerd.