I've been suffering from chronic sinusitis for the past 3 years. It is literally the bane of my existence. I get head pressure, ear popping, loss of smell, and sometimes fleeting tinnitus. Alcohol, sugary foods, pasta, and increases in atmospheric pressure exacerbate my symptoms. I've tried pretty much everything: neti pots, herbal supplements, nasal steroids, ear poppers, sinus sprays, etc.

Has anyone had endoscopic sinus surgery? And if so, were you impressed by the results?

Quote: (06-15-2015 08:09 PM)numanist Wrote:  

I've been suffering from chronic sinusitis for the past 3 years. It is literally the bane of my existence. I get head pressure, ear popping, loss of smell, and sometimes fleeting tinnitus. Alcohol, sugary foods, pasta, and increases in atmospheric pressure exacerbate my symptoms. I've tried pretty much everything: neti pots, herbal supplements, nasal steroids, ear poppers, sinus sprays, etc.

Has anyone had endoscopic sinus surgery? And if so, were you impressed by the results?

Have you tried going to the doctor? Cleaning out any air conditioning filters, vents etc? There's usually something in your environment that's causing this. I had this for 6 months once until I got the bright idea to actually clean out my air conditioning filter! The amount of dirt caked up there was ridiculous. Try cleaning up EVERYTHING, also go to the doctor and get antibiotics.

As CJ_W said above it's most likely the environment you're living it. Mold can cause this along with countless other issues, it can literally destroy your health.

Are your sinus problems allergy-related? You might want to get allergy tested.

For years I denied this was the root of my problems. Then I went for allergy testing, where the doctor injects a bit of allergen in your forearms. If the injection gets red, you know you have allergies.

My injections for tree pollen and grass not only got red, they spread into blotches, then ran up my arm and onto my chest. The doctor made me stay in his office in case I went into anaphylactic shock.

That was the problem on the left. The problem on the right was that years of allergies had messed up my nose structurally.

I solved the allergies with a decade of intense allergy shots. The structural problem in my nose was helped temporarily by prescription nasal inhalers, including Nasasort and Patanese. For a while I was OK.

But I would recommend NOT using these nasal inhalers more than a few years. I used them for 15 years. Mistake. The first wiped away most of my sense of taste. The second perforated my nasal septum.

Beyond that, you can use Benadryl to relieve allergic symptoms and Allegra and Claratin as decongestants. But I don't recommend these because they have side effects.

***

As other commenters mentioned, where you live matters. I live in the Baltimore-Washington region. The soupy, thick air created this problem. When I lived on the north shore of Long Island -- near the water where the air was clear and "thin" -- my sinuses were much better. If it wasn't for the Guidos* and the sky-high housing prices, I'd move back to the island.

When I took a trip to Utah a few years ago I felt great. I returned to BWI airport and remember walking outside. I couldn't believe the difference in air quality and wondered how people breathed this air every day without getting sick. The fact is -- they do get sick and my perforated nasal septum is evidence of that.

* I'm Italian-American myself, so I can say this.

I've had two major sinus surgeries both were dramatic improvements. The downside is you miss a week of work and they are expensive even after insurance.

Basically imagine taking 3 shots of Afrin in each nostril. After surgery that's what is like. Then it improves more after the sinus heals.

Depending on how nice your Dr is try these two things first. First try staying away from milk, anything tomato related, and anything with citric acid. GERD can cause nasty drainage n ear probs. This is the easiest n cheapest thing to try.

Second, get an prescription eye drop called Bepreve. It's expensive but you can find samples at eye docs. I think it retails for around $180USD and it's not a generic but it's literally been a blessing for me. My allergys are manageable when I use it. After insurance I pay 30 per month. Can't recommend this enough. If you can't do this right away try the Clear Eyes 7 Symptom drops. They help me quite a bit if I run out of Bepreve.

If after a week it's still bad using the drops and cutting milk tomatoes citric acid you may need to try a stomach acid reducer. I use tums ultra with peppermint. If that don't help goto Dr to try a perscription stomach acid reducer.

If you do decide to go the route of surgery make sure to have protein shakes, benadryl, afrin, and milk of magnesia ready. The shakes are good to avoid solid food for a day till everything wakes up firm the anastesia. Afrin in case you bleed badly. Benadryl to potentiate the pain meds if they aren't working good enough on the first few days. The benadryl dose is 25mgs/12 hours to potentiate. The reason this is important is because drs can't up pain meds overnight and you can take to much asprin if you are trying to calm things down. There are better potentiaters than Benadryl but you need scripts for them. And milk of magnesia if you don't have a bowel movement in 12 hours.

If you want a referral pm me and I'll get you in touch with my Dr maybe he knows someone in your area.

Try orthomolecular doses of vitamins and minerals. Especially higher doses of pure l-ascorbic acid will work wonders.

You can do it with guidance of an orthomolecular MD or do it alone, since it's safe to do adhering to simple guidelines.

Get yourself a High Potency Multi, D3 at doses of 5000IU and pure Vitamin C powder and try 5000 mg +. Go up with the dose to titration level as explained here:

http://www.doctoryourself.com/titration.html

Your environment and allergies may play a role, but you can counter that. I have some pollen allergies, but only take higher doses of 10.000-15.000mg vitamin C during allergy season. And I have noticed that my allergies have subsided and may disappear ever since I started taking good daily supplements and treating most of my small diseases with high dosage nutrients and diet change.

I had pretty band sinusitis for a 12 month period, entirely related to the office I was working in at the time. It was one of those modern American style windowless offices in a multistory building, with no fresh air getting in at all. I used to be in bits every day sneezing, blocked nose, getting sinus headaches etc - it was really awful. Tried decongestants, anti-histamines, antibiotics, changing my diet around etc and nothing worked.

Eventually I just started leaving my desk for 5 minutes every hour (I set an alarm to remind myself) to go outside and get some fresh air on a balcony I found I could open. This reduced my symptoms by about 50%. It only 100% remedied itself when I left that office, though. I've never had any problems before, or after, this 12 month period.

Did you start spending a lot of time in a certain environment (either home or office) 3 years ago by any chance? This may be a big factor.

Hey friend,

I had a nasty bout of sinititis this year that correlated with spring time hay fever. I normally get a nasty sinus infection twice a year in spring and fall. This year was very different.

OP, check out Flonase. The stuff takes at least 4 days to become effective. In the meantime use Afrin to clear your nose so you can sleep at night. Don't go overboard with this stuff as it will cause rebound congestion.

Also consider getting a neti pot with the appropriate salt.

If it isn't allergies but an actual sinus infection, take some decongestent like sudafed and some mucinex. Make sure to get the sudafed they use to make meth (behind the counter).

Next, take a small amount of hydrogen peroxide into a saline rinse inside the neti pot.

Flush your sinuses! It will burn, but it will kill anything in the sinus cavity.

Good luck!

glostic sense

I get it whenever I take ecstasy, I get really ill though as in can hardly get out of bed for tree days. It's not the comedown because it usually comes after the comedown.

Have you tried melaleuca oil? I never had similar issues but i've heard about this oil at work (half the girls have sinus issues there)

Don't just change your AC/furnacefilter. Buy a high efficiency one. Not the cheap onesthat sell for abuckor two, but the expensive ones that sell for $20-25 at stores like Lowe's or Home Depot. Change it every 2-3 months. Cabin air filter in your car should be changed too. Nothing you can do about workplace/ public places though.

Thanks for the advice everybody. I actually went to an ENT specialist yesterday and found out that I more than likely have mixed rhinitis (A combination of Allergic Rhinitis + Nonallergic Rhinitis). I did allergy tests a year and a half ago, and I discovered that I'm allergic to ragweed as well as other grasses. My nonallergic rhinitis comes mostly from environmental triggers (dusts, molds, car exhausts, alcohol, etc.) In addition to my consultation with an ENT specialist, I had a CT scan. The CT scan didn't raise any red flags. I have a slight deviation in my septum but that is normal for about 80% of people. Other than that, the ENTs pretty much told to do Neilmed sinus and Nascort. For the most part, I plan on sticking to my regiment of capsaicin nasal spray, sinus rinses, as well as a ginger root supplement.

I've had bouts of nose pain (scabbing inside my nose...constant urge to pick....sore nose to touch).
It's been coming and going over the last 2 years.
No idea why.
I had a CT scan recently that did show a slightly deviated septum.
When I first got it I was misprescribed some cream to put it my nose. The first morning I woke up it felt like I had been punched in the face. I went back for some very strong anti bionics and it cleared up in 2 weeks.
But it has come back.
I started trying natural stuff - coconut oil was useless but oil of oregano, while it stung, seemed to help a bit.

And in the last 5 years I moved from a warm dry climate to a cold climate. I've gotten sick 25 times in the last 5 years - maybe only 3 times in the previous 5 before that.
Maybe it's just age.

Hey numanist,

Posted this on the ACV thread awhile back.
http://www.rooshvforum.network/thread-7518-page-25.html
Summary below:

Think it may be of benefit to you.

Well worth a try before considering surgery/prescription drugs/steroid sprays etc. I found all these actually made condition worse!

Use raw,organic ACV with the "Mother" with a good quality bi-carbonate.

Quote: (01-08-2015 02:22 PM)Salty Wrote:  

Basically "Teds-ACV Alkalising Remedies" consists of mixing ACV(with the mother) & bicarbonate soda(UK)/baking soda(US).
Two tsp(small spoon/5ml) ACV, Half tsp(5ml) bicarbonate/baking soda, add these to 200 ml of fresh bottled water in a glass.
:IMPORTANT:-Then sip the mixture slowly (use straw if reqd) taking maybe two mins to consume.Don't gulp!
Do this twice a day morning/night for 5 days then have 2days off. Rinse & repeat.
Try to drink 2Ltrs of fresh bottled water daily which is needed to wash out all the toxins.
Possible downside for some is during this regime you should refrain from sugars, yeast & most processed foods to get the best results.
Yeh, I know,no beer, burgers, micro-meals, fruit juices, candy, soda etc. Try it for a cpl weeks, it's New Year!!
During first week you may develop man flu symptoms/other symptoms/flare ups etc, believe it or not these are good signs called Hrexheimer Effect which is toxin die-off.YEH!!Depending how much shit your bunged up with determines how bad & how long. Refrain from the above & you should see difference in first week or deffo 2nd
Where did I get Ted from Bangkok ACV Remedies from, well ROOSH tried to point y'all in the right direction on the first page of this thread.

(10-24-2011 12:59 AM) Roosh [226]
ACV got rid of some eczema that I had. More info: http://www.earthclinic.com/Remedies/acvinegar.html
Search site for Ted's ACV Remedies, he also explains chemistry/science behind it. ^^^^^^^ The whole site is one of best on the net for Alt Meds/Bro-Science

Molds are usually the prime culprits in Fungal infections. The Fungus can then grow/strengthen with the steroid sprays(just like bodybuilders). They then have you craving sugary/yeasty substances to feed them!! Crazy shit!

Damp environments combined with warmth and lack of proper ventilation create a humid toxic atmosphere not conductive to good health in humans. Mold/Fungus!

Would also suggest to get a Thermo-hygrometer to monitor the enviroment around you. Stand alone one or even one of the health apps for smart fones have them. If you have high humidity, get a humidifier.

Hope this helps.

^

I've found that alkaline foods are good for my symptoms. I've noticed that when I eat lots of greens and other alkaline foods my symptoms decrease significantly. One theory that I have about my symptoms is that they are IgE mediated. "IgE" stands for immunoglobulin E, it is immune response that produces antibodies to specific allergens. IgE is also responsible for inflammation which can cause ETD (eustachian tube disorder). High IgE levels are usually associated with having a overactive immune system. Patients with allergic rhinitis tend to have higher IgE levels. Ironically, it's been said that people with allergic rhinitis live longer than the rest of the general population. However, the condition also comes with diminished quality of life. Incidentally, IgE levels decrease with age, which means a lot of people outgrow their allergies over time.

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/821205

Another theory I have for my symptoms is that they are fungus related. Chronic sinusitis is said to be linked to nasal fungus caused by biofilms which are buildup of plaques. As you were saying in your posts, sugar, yeast, and alcohol can trigger the growth of fungus. Coincidentally, those triggers exacerbate my symptoms.

http://www.mayoclinic.org/departments-ce...-sinusitis

Related but important:

If any of you sinus sufferers have stomach issues, it might not be your stomach that's the problem. It might be coming from your sinuses. Be aware of this.

What happened to me was my stomach started bothering me a few months after I had to stop using a nasal inhaler I'd been on for 15 years (see above for details). I was getting indigestion -- something I've never had, ever.

Doctors were USELESS in getting to the bottom of why all of a sudden this was happening after an entire life of feeling great, eating right, and staying in shape. Healthy people don't suddenly start getting unbearable indigestion out of the blue for no reason. But I had to make the sinus-stomach connection myself.

After about eight months, I noticed my stomach felt great after I took decongestants and/or antihistamines like Allegra. My stomach problem, I realized, is due entirely to post-nasal drip (gross, I know, but it's the truth). The nasal inhalers had held my post-nasal drip at bay. Without them, the problem got so bad that my digestive system was affected.

So... if I take a decongestant, I can eat things like multiple calzones and feel great. But if I avoid decongestants for two weeks, a mere piece of bread will make me sick to my stomach.

Doctors wanted to put me permanently on a big-deal prescription drug for my stomach -- one that can affect the heart. Turned out I don't need it. All I need is to take a decongestant once a week -- sometimes twice if it's a bad week. I should have been doing this anyway, but I hate taking pills.

What the hell happened to doctors? They used to be like "House" and attempt to uncover what problems caused your symptoms. Now they just throw prescriptions at you.

Quote: (06-22-2015 10:49 PM)numanist Wrote:  

^

I've found that alkaline foods are good for my symptoms. I've noticed that when I eat lots of greens and other alkaline foods my symptoms decrease significantly. One theory that I have about my symptoms is that they are IgE mediated. "IgE" stands for immunoglobulin E, it is immune response that produces antibodies to specific allergens. IgE is also responsible for inflammation which can cause ETD (eustachian tube disorder). High IgE levels are usually associated with having a overactive immune system. Patients with allergic rhinitis tend to have higher IgE levels. Ironically, it's been said that people with allergic rhinitis live longer than the rest of the general population. However, the condition also comes with diminished quality of life. Incidentally, IgE levels decrease with age, which means a lot of people outgrow their allergies over time.

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/821205

Another theory I have for my symptoms is that they are fungus related. Chronic sinusitis is said to be linked to nasal fungus caused by biofilms which are buildup of plaques. As you were saying in your posts, sugar, yeast, and alcohol can trigger the growth of fungus. Coincidentally, those triggers exacerbate my symptoms.

http://www.mayoclinic.org/departments-ce...-sinusitis

Hear what your saying numanist, wish I had found this out before I had the nasal surgery, prolonged usage of the steroid sprays etc. Really the nasal/sinusitis problems were the beginning of the rest of my problems, eventually snowballing through to severe health issues!

Your theory is correct & it ain't coincidence. Trust me, go a couple weeks on the ACV/Bi-carb regime eating a good diet of organic meat, organic root vegetables, salads etc & you won't believe the results. Thank me later..

Quote: (06-23-2015 02:26 PM)Days of Broken Arrows Wrote:  

Related but important:

If any of you sinus sufferers have stomach issues, it might not be your stomach that's the problem. It might be coming from your sinuses. Be aware of this.

What happened to me was my stomach started bothering me a few months after I had to stop using a nasal inhaler I'd been on for 15 years (see above for details). I was getting indigestion -- something I've never had, ever.

Doctors were USELESS in getting to the bottom of why all of a sudden this was happening after an entire life of feeling great, eating right, and staying in shape. Healthy people don't suddenly start getting unbearable indigestion out of the blue for no reason. But I had to make the sinus-stomach connection myself.

After about eight months, I noticed my stomach felt great after I took decongestants and/or antihistamines like Allegra. My stomach problem, I realized, is due entirely to post-nasal drip (gross, I know, but it's the truth). The nasal inhalers had held my post-nasal drip at bay. Without them, the problem got so bad that my digestive system was affected.

So... if I take a decongestant, I can eat things like multiple calzones and feel great. But if I avoid decongestants for two weeks, a mere piece of bread will make me sick to my stomach.

Doctors wanted to put me permanently on a big-deal prescription drug for my stomach -- one that can affect the heart. Turned out I don't need it. All I need is to take a decongestant once a week -- sometimes twice if it's a bad week. I should have been doing this anyway, but I hate taking pills.

What the hell happened to doctors? They used to be like "House" and attempt to uncover what problems caused your symptoms. Now they just throw prescriptions at you.

Hear you too DoBA

Couldn't agree more with your opinions on nasal sprays! Vastly over prescribed without the medical profession knowing the serious damage they can cause, your just a guinea pig to them really!

Unexplained indigestion is usually a symptom of the body producing acid to return the blood to the proper PH levels. Unfortunately after prolonged use of certain medications the natural stores of the bi-carbonates in the body have been suppressed, causing the acid to keep producing, which all to commonly starts the vicious circle of people constantly taking anti-acid meds for relief!! The ACV alkalising remedies simplicity helps by feeding your body the perfect PH level therefore returning your blood to a healthy PH level where parasites, fungus's etc find it hard to survive.

Hope this helps

DoBa,

If you're indigestion is caused by post nasal drip have you tried taking Mucinex or its generic? That stuff thins mucus making it easier to swallow and digest. You'd probably have luck taking some effervescent drink.

I had a pretty miserable existence prior to taking control of my allergies, sleep apnea, and getting septoplasty (2nd time) all in the last year.

It was absolutely life changing to go from being 90% blocked on both sides of my septum and having a skilled surgeon make it possible to breath again. I would do it 100 times again no matter the cost. Just find the best ENT in your area.

The issue is, unless you've had a CAT scan and seen into your sinuses and your septum alongside a doctor, you don't really know what your solution may be. In my case, my sinus cavities were perfectly healthy, but my septum looked like a side-ways "V". The passages on both sides were the size of pencil graphite, the mechanical kind size.

I had everyone telling me "be careful" and "I've heard it's really painful etc etc". They were 100% wrong. It was uncomfortable but I was back working in less than 4 days, able to breath through my nose for the first time in a decade.

Second, my throat was always clogged with mucous and and my eyes bloodshot, low energy, etc. I had rediculous allergies and knew I had to get it under control. I had allergy testing and they checked off 20+ allergens, basically everything besides mold. I started allergies shots and they put me on a shit load of medicines, which may be overkill but if you're suffering enought it's the shotgun approach. The thing is, outside of the shots, you can get most if not all of the allergy medicines over the counter. I take Allegra every morning, first thing, along with Flonase and use some kind of eye drops. If you have insurance ask about Pazeo or Lastacast eye drops and pick up Opcon-A, it's the only thing that makes my eyes white instead of bloodshot and it's $5 at walmart or wherever.

Also, make sure you are getting rest at night or you will continue to feel rough. See about a home sleep study that uses a watch-like device and oximeter to track your oxygen levels. CPAP is a real bitch and I won't pretend that I use it all the time but my sleep apnea is mind at this point, so I don't feel like the aggrevation is worth the benefits.

Anyways, good luck and maybe check out Alkalol if you haven't tried it before. It's at any CVS and a month supply is $10.

I have had minor to moderate sinus problems, they got milder as I got older and moved from East Coast to West. In California, the temperatures don't change as much to the plants don't batch release pollen in the late summer/fall/whenever because the winter is coming.

Before I left the East steroid nasal spray and the less invasive Nasalcrom ( now OTC) helped a LOT. Antihistamines made me a zombie.

I also got one of the "True HEPA" air filters for about 70-100 and pretty much run it all the time while in California. There's all sort of dust and other stuff in places with carpets and I feel better with the junk out of the air.

Anyone else use HEPA air filters? I vacuum a few times a week to try to keep dirt out of the air.

These air filters seem like a scam though. Any recommendations? It's hard to tell which work and which don't.

I have a hepa with a blueair filter on it. Another bigger blueair unit. And the filtrete 1500 filters on my furnace. It helps. Hepa vacuum helps. I vacuum out my blueair filters to get more life out of them. A good steam clean carpet shampoo every six months. At $150per is not bad at all. I regulate my humidity and temp. Try to keep it at 70 degrees F and 45% humidity or less. I don't think they are scams...just takes a lot to cycle all the air in a house or apartment.

Complications from Antihistamines. I've been taking Claritin (Loratadine) every day for the past ten years at least. I don't have any acute side effects, but I'm concerned about the effects of long term use. Any advice?

Quote: (01-16-2017 04:43 PM)redbeard Wrote:  

Complications from Antihistamines. I've been taking Claritin (Loratadine) every day for the past ten years at least. I don't have any acute side effects, but I'm concerned about the effects of long term use. Any advice?

I have quite bad allergies (pollen, mites, certain grasses). I was in the same boat as you taking Claritin daily for ~10 years. In the middle of high school, I went on a vacation with my then girlfriend and forgot to bring claritin. I had bad sinus congestion every day and it took a toll on the trip. Right when I got back I looked up other allergists and found one offering shots. I've been getting allergy shots for a few years now and I'm at the maintenance dose of a shot every 6 weeks. I haven't taken claritin/singular in years. All I use now is the occasional saline rinse. It's not perfect but in my opinion it's much better than taking a pill every day.