Severe Recurrent Sinus Infections

I seriously can not live this way any longer. The pain that they cause if horrible. Went to many dr.'s and they decided that it is all allergy related, its not something that they can procedurally fix. Allergist suggested allergy shots, my question is, has anyone done these? What was the experience like? Did you see any improvement?

TIA!

Re: Severe Recurrent Sinus Infections

Have you done allergy testing? Do you know what you are allergic too?

Re: Severe Recurrent Sinus Infections

my mom used to get allergy shots once a month.... now she gets acupuncture as needed and she says its BETTER than shots!!!

Re: Severe Recurrent Sinus Infections

I have constant sinus infections due to excessive nasal polyps. They completely block my nasal passages so nothing, (including air) comes in or out of my nose. This means that my whole sinus 'system' gets backed up and since it's always lingering there instead of coming out it gets infected. (It also gives me earaches, due to all the extra pressure, and I have zero taste and sense of smell. It's lovely.)

ENT diagnosed the polyps, gave me steroids which temporarily cleared up the polyps and therefore cleared up my sinus infection. I felt great, until day 2 after my steroids ran out they came right back.

ENT said surgery is necessary, but before surgery I need to see an allergist as allergies are *possibly* the cause of my nasal polyps. After the surgery there is a HIGH chance of recurrance and they say that allergy issues are a contributing factor so he wants me to get that taken care of.

So I've been visiting an allergist for a couple of weeks now, he gave me tests and I am allergic to cat , tree, grass, mold and weeds. (I like to say what am I NOT allergic to..) He put me on some allergy meds to help my symptoms but the drugs with the nasal polyps made me worse - but for the long term solution I am also getting the injections. Allergist said most people that have the polyp surgery end up getting the maintenance shots 'forever' because they dont want to increase their chance of reoccurance.

I have appt with the ENT next Weds, I am going to push him to schedule the surgery, and my quality of life is miserable (even without the cold I'm battling now.)

The shots arent bad, I picked a dr near my office so I can get them on the way to work but they have 5 or 6 other offices on the island so I assume I could always get a shot at another location and they would just call to get my info. The main location I visit is open 7 days a week, from 8AM to usually 7:30 during the week so it's pretty convenient. Well, as convenient as getting shots could be. It takes about 30 minutes - 5 minutes to sign in, pay the copay ; 5 minutes to get the shots then they ask you to stay for 20 to make sure you dont have a reaction to it.

Anyway I rambled on too much - let me know if you have questions...

ETA: I have only been getting the shots for 2 weeks now so I can't say as to how they work or not - they say it takes about a year's worth of shots to 'feel' the difference. I'm going 2x a week at least so I'm hoping to get there in 6 months instead.

Message edited 1/16/2009 10:48:49 AM.

Re: Severe Recurrent Sinus Infections

Posted by Blazesyth

I have constant sinus infections due to excessive nasal polyps. They completely block my nasal passages so nothing, (including air) comes in or out of my nose. This means that my whole sinus 'system' gets backed up and since it's always lingering there instead of coming out it gets infected. (It also gives me earaches, due to all the extra pressure, and I have zero taste and sense of smell. It's lovely.)

ENT diagnosed the polyps, gave me steroids which temporarily cleared up the polyps and therefore cleared up my sinus infection. I felt great, until day 2 after my steroids ran out they came right back.

ENT said surgery is necessary, but before surgery I need to see an allergist as allergies are *possibly* the cause of my nasal polyps. After the surgery there is a HIGH chance of recurrance and they say that allergy issues are a contributing factor so he wants me to get that taken care of.

So I've been visiting an allergist for a couple of weeks now, he gave me tests and I am allergic to cat , tree, grass, mold and weeds. (I like to say what am I NOT allergic to..) He put me on some allergy meds to help my symptoms but the drugs with the nasal polyps made me worse - but for the long term solution I am also getting the injections. Allergist said most people that have the polyp surgery end up getting the maintenance shots 'forever' because they dont want to increase their chance of reoccurance.

I have appt with the ENT next Weds, I am going to push him to schedule the surgery, and my quality of life is miserable (even without the cold I'm battling now.)

The shots arent bad, I picked a dr near my office so I can get them on the way to work but they have 5 or 6 other offices on the island so I assume I could always get a shot at another location and they would just call to get my info. The main location I visit is open 7 days a week, from 8AM to usually 7:30 during the week so it's pretty convenient. Well, as convenient as getting shots could be. It takes about 30 minutes - 5 minutes to sign in, pay the copay ; 5 minutes to get the shots then they ask you to stay for 20 to make sure you dont have a reaction to it.

Anyway I rambled on too much - let me know if you have questions...

ETA: I have only been getting the shots for 2 weeks now so I can't say as to how they work or not - they say it takes about a year's worth of shots to 'feel' the difference. I'm going 2x a week at least so I'm hoping to get there in 6 months instead.

Re: Severe Recurrent Sinus Infections

Re: Severe Recurrent Sinus Infections

My dh had this and it was horrible. He was put on Flonase(nasal spray) and Claritin. He also has nasal polyp but it is not a problem when he takes his meds. He get maybe 1 sinus infection a year now, he can breath through his nose for the first time in his life and no longer snores . He has to take both everyday or his symptoms start to resurface.

Re: Severe Recurrent Sinus Infections

Re: Severe Recurrent Sinus Infections

He get maybe 1 sinus infection a year now, he can breath through his nose for the first time in his life

To me this sounds like heaven. I get them at least 2x a month throughout the whole year!

And I dont know what it is like to breathe normally..... *sigh*

And MEESH : does accupuncture hurt? haha

Re: Severe Recurrent Sinus Infections

i've done allergy shots, they do help but you have to be patient it's a long process

good luck!@

Re: Severe Recurrent Sinus Infections

Did they check if you have a deviated septum?

i have that as well as narrow nasal pasages which makes getting air up there all the much harder. Im always stuffed.

i get sinus infections every few months and they are awful.

Have you tried a neti pot or a sinus rinse kit? you can find them in the pharmacy...i find they get so much gunk out and helps alleviate the pressure and sooth the inside of the nose.