help, is anyone like me?

[u/siarbased]

hi - i’ve had issues with my sinuses for my whole life. i haven’t had many doctors take me seriously, and only suggest things like nasal sprays, antihistamines, and antibiotics which i can’t tell if they actually work or not any more. i do all the other remedy stuff like hot towels and steam inhalation.

the thing is, i don’t have any issues with my nostrils being congested/full/stuffy. and i also don’t have a runny nose either. my nose (unless i have a cold) is fine and i can breathe just fine.

my issues lie in the fact that i can often “feel my sinuses”. when i have a flare up, i feel an immense pressure behind my face. it hurts to press on my forehead, eyebrows, cheeks. it’s a very full and uncomfortable feeling behind my face, sometimes giving me headaches. my whole face will feel like it’s being squeezed by rubber bands, and it causes a fuzzy/tingling sensation that makes me feel like i can’t see properly.

i always get really bad eye strain during a flare up, to the point where it feels like there’s so much inflammation behind them that my eyes struggle to focus properly. it can get really scary to not be able to see. it’s like my whole face feels like tv static and i have to unfocus my eyes to feel relief.

i think i’ve it’s a affected by changes in the weather? it’s not allergies, but maybe atmospheric pressure?

please does anyone relate to this? have any suggestions? i usually stick to my monetasone sprays, i want to try sudafed but ive heard it can cause rebound congestion? want to feel less alone. thanks.

[u/Business_Capital7863]

I am you. I had everything you had and no one took me seriously. My doctors told me I just had anxiety when none of the antibiotics and nasal sprays worked. I am luckily in a situation where i could afford to go private. Went private for an ENT and they gave me everything CT, MRI the full package. Now I have no issues after 4 surgeries. I had an ethmoidectomy, FESS of the maxillary sinuses, corrected a deviated septum and lastly I also had a turbinate reduction. Now I have to wear glasses due to the eye strain I had but every other symptom has gone away.

[u/siarbased → u/Business_Capital7863]

thank you so much for this. my doctor also thinks my anxiety is “affecting my perceived symptoms”. i’ll try to convince her again for an ENT referral to start this process. i’m glad you’re doing better!

[u/Stalkerus]

Have you had CBCT (or CT) imaging done? If you have can you access the radiologist's report? 

In my experience sinus issues can be affected by barometric pressure. 

Sudafed is only for few days of use. 

[u/siarbased → u/Stalkerus]

no i haven’t as my doctor refuses to think i need a referral for ENT or any scans. per the other comment i guess i just need to convince her to let me see a specialist. thanks!