Sinus Problems
 

Is there such a thing as sinus surgery?

Last year I was diagnosed with "bad" sinuses but damn...How do people live with that problem? I get this pain on the left side of my neck and ear. And, about 4 teeth start to ache like a really bad toothache. It is almost constant but it gets worse at night. I went to a dentist a few times until he finally said it looks like my sinuses.

The doctors act as if I just need to live with this. I just can't believe that's true. :)

Have you tried using a Neti pot?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8sDIbRAXlg

I have kind of the same thing in spray :) Funny how that woman looked. I always feel like I am drowning. :)

Jim, just in case you haven't considered it, most of those symptoms can also be associated with some heart problems. Angina in particular sometimes manifests only as the kind of pains you described.

Sure, it could be sinus problems, but might be worth checking on that if you haven't recently.

When I first went to the doctor for this problem, they did run heart tests. My father had the first of 3 heart attacks at 28. Nothing wrong with my heart, I'm told. I have had 4 different doctors say "bad" sinuses whatever that means.

I had 2 sinus ops in 2006 and still suffer with alot of pain above my right eye.
Mine is related to a head injury i had when i was alot younger, i had a slight fracture above the right eye which damaged the sinuses and i suppose in my old age it's decided to give me grief.
You could have sinus polyps which would give the symptoms you describe.
You need your doc to refer you to an ear nose and throat clinic, what they did with me was give me a CT scan and then do what they call Functional Edoscopic Sinus Surgery.

One thing i've found that works really well is a steroid spray. :)

Well that sounds like that sucks. I get sinus irritations and headaches sometimes, but not that bad.

I know there are sinus surgeries, my mother had some, but I didnpt get the impression they offered complete relief.

Did they suggest antihistiamines or the other sinus affecting drugs?

I've has sinus problems before, but earlier this week I woke up with what I swore to be a major toothache. I was thinking shit not only do I have this sinus shit going on, now I've got a cavity (I have 0 cavities). My old lady tells me, oh its probably just your sinus infection. I had never had or even heard of a sinus infection feeling like a toothache before. So not only do I experience it, but I see Jim that you're having the same experience. It was crazy intense pain, I wanted to get a pair of pliers and rip my tooth out myself it hurt so bad, I'm glad I didnt :)

Jim,
Have you seen an ear, nose and throat specialist? I had surgery on my sinuses to fix a deviated septum and repair a few of my sinus cavities that had grown shut. It made a huge difference. :)

I had turbinate reduction many years ago and haven't had anymore issues since then although it was a truly dreadful surgery to undergo.

Maybe I shouldn't add but all my throat cancer problems started with a week long unbearable toothache... then I lost my voice, etc.

There's nothing like a Neti Pot. I use one at least daily and a spray doesn't even compare. The first few times it was terrible but now it's kind of like brushing my teeth but takes little less time. It's not uncomfortable any more.

I also use a steroid spray which helps during allergy season.

I am going to pick up a neti pot today. I have seen an ear, nose and throat guy and he gave me some spray that didn't help. He also put a scope up my nose and had a look. He seemed to think it might come from a broken nose as a kid.

Last night was the worst it has been. That and Vickie getting up every few minutes made for a wonderful night. :) I am going to try the neti pot, vaporizer and anything else that claims will help. :)

Some people say Anti inflamatory pain killers help, i can't take em myself as they make me ill but might be worth a try.

Antibiotics would be worth trying too if you haven't already as most sinus pain is apparently down to infections.

Tried both of those Bob :) I bought myself a neti pot yesterday and it seemed to work. It did give me the feeling of coming down with a cold but with the pain gone, it is worth it.

I had an operation 7 years ago. It was a quick day surgery thing where they said it would help me breath better and would solve the sinus issues. I have had sinus problems for over 10 years. All I did was keep taking sinus pills, over and over again, day after day. The surgery didnt work.

After so many visits to clinics and hospitals I finally had one doctor open my file in front of me and ask me questions. Its as if she was actually trying to solve the problem not just write me up a prescription and send me away.

Well she sent me for an allergy test where they found I was allergic to dust/dust mites, cats and dogs. I have to take Nasonex every morning, but the allergist also told me to get an air purifier, one that will clean the things I am allergic to. After getting the best one and running it for 2 days straight, I had no more sinus pain. I run this thing all the time because I have lots of dust in my house, as well as a dog and two cats... still no sinus pain.

Good luck.

I'd never heard of Neti pots before and just looked them up, i use a 5ml syringe my doc gave me for the same idea used with pure rock salt.

Mine i think is more neuralgic pain caused by the same things as Terry mentioned like dust and mites.

Vitamin C works well too as it's proven Anti viral and works against the infections caused by the swelling.

Whatever works though is a plus. :)

I didn't know what a neti pot was either until Cleo posted the link to the video. I was just sitting here with my head plugged. I took a couple sinus pills, sprayed a little Astelin and stayed plugged. I just did the neti pot thing and I am no longer plugged up. :) Tomorrow I am going to try it without the medication.

I think my problem may be dust related as well. We do have 6 dogs, 2 cats, 3 birds and fish. :) And, I hate to admit it but my office really, really needs to be cleaned. I had a rope of dust fly off the ceiling fan a couple of days ago. :)

Jim,

I don't want to scare you but I am convinced that sinus and allergy problems are related to the on set on heart disease. My father had allergies and he had both his heart attacks in September, the worst allergy month of the year. I don't have heart disease but I do have allergies and I can tell you my gums and sinuses are sore as hell during September too.

I am sure that a proper diet and exercise are a way to reduce heart attack and stroke but I am convinced that sinus and allergies are part of the trigger for these things to happen.

I am glad the neti pot has helped. This is a really interesting non-porn thread!

Art

Sinus problems are as common as a cold, probably modern living and polution that brings it on and tooth pain comes hand in hand as the sinuses sit right on top of the gum line.

My doc told me that some people have had teeth pulled only to find they had a sinus infection.
Other people that have suffered for years suddenly grow out of it and never get problems again.

I went about 45 years without any problems at all.

I woke up this morning without any pain at all. The first time in many months. :)

For those like me (and I thought it may only be me), I just tried out a new kind of powered neti pot. :) I found it yesterday on amazon and the difference is like night and day. I think it is the pulse that pounds the crap away.

Kind of pricey I guess but really nice. I read about 50 reviews yesterday and the only complaint was it breaks or stops working after a year or so.

http://www.amazon.com/Grossan-Pulse%...0496327&sr=8-7

Looks almost like my waterpick.

This one is a touch more expensive but i'd bet you'd never suffer with blocked sinuses again. lol

http://www.amazon.com/Coleman-Powerm...0576657&sr=8-6

It is almost exactly a waterpick. All you have to do if you have a waterpick is buy the nozzle. :)