Horrible Sinus Pressure, Pain, Dizziness, Vision Problems

[Spoonybard]

Hi Everyone. This is my first post. I started having problems about 5 years ago. It was occasional problems such as mild sinus pain/pressure and headache with mild eye strain. Each year it has gotten worse. Over the course of the past 5 years I have seen multiple doctors across different specialites: Ears, Nose & Throat, Neurologist, Allergist, and my Intern. I have had MRI's and CT scans. This year has been the worst so far. I have already gotten 2 sinus infections. In February of this year I got a CT scan and the ENT doctor said I have a severe deviated septum with chronic sinusitis. I was treated for a sinus infection and that was it. I still felt bad so I went to a neurologist. He wrote it off as a vestibular problem. I did vestibular therapy for 2 months with almost no relief. In May when allergy season started, everything got worse. I have had nonstop sinus pressure/pain, headache, dizziness, major eye strain, my face is sore, my teeth are sore. At the beginning of July I went to an allergist. He said I was allergic to 3 types of trees, 4 grasses, dust, molds and very mild allergy to cats. He put me on Rhinocort. NO results. Then I went back to him after already dumping over $200 in co-pays and medication and he said I have a sinus infection. I just finished the antibiotics and I still feel the same as I did when I first went to him in July. He had me on amoxicillin plus Astelin. I have tried Nasacort, Zyrtec, Claritin, Alavert, etc.... no relief. I am a computer programmer and I can't function like this anymore. Any help would be very appreciated. Thanks.

[PlateletGal]

Did your ENT recommend surgery for the severe deviated septum? I had sinus surgery in 2003 and only have had 2 sinus infections since. You may want to talk to your physician about septoplasty surgery and ask him if that would help. Also, before I had the surgery I used J's Nose Drops (available online) and that got rid of all of my sinus infections. There is also another product called "Bi Yan Pian" that works. It is also available online and very cheap. It is an herbal remedy so please talk to your physician before you use it and if you order it, take a small piece to make sure you aren't allergic to it (just in case). Both of these products got rid of all of my sinus infections before the surgery.

Good Luck !

[Spoonybard]

Thank you very much for your response. I will definitely bring it up to my ENT when I see him. This is definitely a step in the right direction.

[PlateletGal]

You are very welcome... hope your symptoms are relieved. I know how horrible it is... been there and done that !

[wallyinpain]

Was wondering how you are making out i have the same exact symtoms for over 4 years i just had X-rays of my sinus they found systs in my sinus i am goint to see another ent that is a specialist in this field to see what they are going to do.

[Spoonybard]

Update.

I went back to the ENT to talk about the deviated septum. He said that my deviation is actually touching the turbinates on the right side of my nose. He then processed to push the blame on my allergist and then prescribed me Singular. I told him that I was not going to drop another $40 on medication that he was guessing that will help me. He gave me a 24 day supply but said that it might take over a month's worth of the medicine for it to "Kick In". So even with the sample packs, I still would have had to fill the prescription. So, long story short, I did not take the Singular.

I know have an appointment with the head ENT doctor at the hospital in my area, next week. I'll put up another post after I see him. Thanks for all your advice and concerns.

[Andy Ray]

I read your story with interest. As a child I suffered from chronic ear infections and underwent 4 surgeries. As an adult, I've suffered from chronic sinusitis for several years. In 2004 I had my right maxillary sinus cleaned out only after I insisted. I am an RN and yes my x-rays were "fine" but my symptoms were not. I had severe pain and pressure into my teeth along with mild dizzyness, and severe post-nasal drip. After that surgery, the pain in my right maxillary was eliminated...But lo and behold, I realized that between my eyes was still extremely blocked and gave me great pain in that area. (luckily I was born with undeveloped frontal sinuses so I never have headaches above my eyes). I was also continuing to get terrible sinus infections---at leat 8-10 (no joke) and treated with every antibiotic under the sun. I also went through allergy testing etc....but it didn't address any of my issues. I wanted a sinus culture but was told it wasn't necessary....Unfortunately my big mouth failed me at that time. I then went to a more progressive ENT in 2005 who did an ethmoidectomy (removed the sinuses from between my eyes)and I really thought my problems were over. My pain and pressure were completely gone and I felt great. Until.....the beginning of the year I started having sinus infection problems with dizzyness and feeling totally lousey. A week and a half ago I was on my 3rd sinus infection when I finally went to a friend who is a Nurse Practitioner and had her culture my sinuses. I was either crazy and nothing would grow, or I would be vindicated. I just got my results Monday and guess what? I have a bacteria called Serratia growing in my sinuses. It is a type of bacteria normally not supposed to be in the sinuses and is what is termed a nosocomial infection, meaning hospital acquired. It is very resistant to all the conventional antibiotics that are generally ordered for sinusitis. No wonder I've never gotten better despite surgery. I am on cipro right now which is definitely not an antibiotic prescribed for sinusitis, and dealing with some wicked dizzyness. I am hopeful that this will work and you can be assured that I will get a repeat culture after the completion of my course of antibiotics. If the infection is not completely gone, I might need IV antibiotics....I also read that Serratia-caused meningitis is 80% fatal in most cases. Can you imagine if for some reason my infection spread to my brain? Believe me this happens as I've treated a couple patients in ICU with meningitis caused by chronic sinus infections. Anyone interested in this bacteria can look it up and learn a great deal about it. I guess the reason why I am writing this is to try a sinus culture if you haven't already, to see if there is something growing there that is not treatable by standard means. You might have to be forceful about it especially with ENT's b/c they certaintly don't want to find out that a patient has an infection that they most likely got during surgery. I also am waiting on a fungal culture which takes 28 days so hopefully I don't have any fungus growing in there. I am definitely going to make sure that both ENT's are notified of the results so they can be a little more proactive in dealing with pt's with chronic sinusitis not responsive to traditional treatment. Please let me know if this pans out for you...It has certainly given me hope that I can finally have some peace from my chronic sinus infections.....

[LMND]

I have read your comments - if anyone gets relief please post. I have been going through this for 3 months.  I cannot function either.  I am a court reporter.  3 rounds of antibiotics, Alavert, sinus saline irrigation, sent to an ENT, Rhinocort, Astelin, no relief.  Total fatigue and feel soooo bad, pressure in face, balance problems, dizzy, head feels lopsided with pressure.  I've run into doors.  CT scan was clear, no inflammation or infection.  Diagnosis - non allergic rhinitis.  I am now on Prednisone for a week, and 2nd day felt better, but this is a 6 day thing and I'm scared I'll go backwards instead of forward.  Scheduled for allergy testing the end of the month, only because I'm desparate.  I've heard of soooo many people lately having this.  I'm wondering if it's not something going around.  If so, it's taking it's good old time going away.  I have had my furnace/ac checked and cleaned, purchased an air cleaner for my bedroom, cleaned everything I could, started taking vitamins.

[jjkee]

just read posts above and can relate.  I am desperate too.  Have had 3 sinus infections. Anti-biotics do not cure. Last infection was kept on anti-biotics 20 days.  Then was sent to ENT- had a CT and he claims my septum is deviated and putting pressure on my turbinate (left side).  I cannot function, I have severe dizziness, drainage 24-7. Was also put on Prednisone 6 days and this was the only meds that helped. Once I completed the round, the blurred vision, and head pressure came back.. I have been using Alavert D12 and Flonase for past week.  Just recently, have had vision issues again and dizziness.  I cannot even ride in the car, I get like- car sick, too much motion.  Then I feel panicky, because my head is not clear and the ENT office states that dizziness is normal.  I am now starting to feel pressure on left ear, and I just do not want to have surgery. I have never felt this bad from sinus problems.  I am afraid something else is going on, even though I have had blood glucose levels checked, had eye exam and so on.  I have severe reactions to medicines ever since I had my twins- so I am afraid to take new meds and if there is a rare side-effect, well, I get it.  Please, if anyone out there has experienced what I have -post a note... I can relate. and am frustrated.

[stacia123]

I've had the same symptoms... I think we may have talked in another forum?  After several months of feeling dizziness, my sinuses in my cheekbones started to hurt at the exact same time the dizziness would get bad.  My doctor never thought I had a sinus problem though so I had to talk him into letting me try some antibiotics.  A round and a half of antibiotics later and I felt great.  For about 5 weeks I felt back to normal, even though two weeks ago I had a mild sore throat and some nasal congestion.  At first that seemed to go away, but Friday I started having dizzy spells, and tonight I had a HUGE dizzy spell that's knocked me out all day.  I feel constantly carsick/motion sick and my left maxillary sinuses hurt like you wouldn't believe.  At this point I don't know what to try, since my doctor seems to think I'm making this up or exaggerating... but I did want to mention the antibiotics helped for a little while.

[LMND]

I think we have talked in another forum.  At least we know something is going on and we're not crazy!  So far Prednisone is working.  after the 6 day pack, and another 5 pills in a different dosage, I have 1 pill left and feel normal again.  But I'm scared I'm going to get right back into it like you are saying.  My allergy testing was cancelled because they said I had to be off the Prednisone for 2 weeks, so rescheduled for the end of Nov.  The chiropractor says he can help me...will do accupuncture when I start having the facial pain and pressure, and for now is working on the neck.  One day at a time is all we can do.  Right now this is the best I've felt since the end of July.

[ripyourmindout]

I've been having similar issues. Pain above right eye and funny feeling below it. I have balance issues at times, especially in malls and grocery stores from Eustachian Tube Dysfunction. I have a deviated septum that inhibits the airflow through my right nostril, the same side that I have all of the issues on. I've been to the ENT 3 times, but not since late last year. I was prescribed Allegra-D and a steroid nasal spray that did not help initially. I then started taking claritin-D and Nasalcrom spray and that seemed to help alleviate my blocked ear/balance issues although I can't go more than a day without taking the meds. As soon as the weather started to change in August (same time I got all of my issues last year), the ear got worse and once the colder weather hit a couple of weeks ago here in NJ, my eye started to puff out and the areas above and below my right eye started to feel kinda funky. Sort of painful, but not excruciating. Same thing happened last year. It's extremely frustrating. I'm attributing all of my issues to allergy/sinus/deviated septum. I have not had advanced testing done in terms of CT scans and such because I have had enough anxiety about this. I guess eventually, I might if this non-sense continues. It's semi-comforting to know that other people have experienced this because most people think I am just being an old biddy about my issues and complaints. Haha.

[LMND]

My problems are always on my right side, too. I get the eyeball pain, numb kind of feeling, almost like a nerve.   I was wondering where we all were located.....if there's something in a particular area, but if you're in New Jersey...I'm in West Virginia, but also mine started around end of July, early August.  And..although I've always had sinus, never anything like this!  I guess we are going to have to keep working on this ourselves, because our doctors don't seem to be giving us relief.  I'm certainly going to talk to mine when I go back and tell him about this forum and we've all got the same problems, being treated the same, and no relief.  I, too, have problems walking like in malls and large spaces, with my balance.

[LMND]

I just had one more thought -- are we all women that this is happening to?

[ejh]

Hi. I am not a woman, 30 year old male, new to this thread of posts. I have the same syptoms myself...nice to read that there are others out there. I've been on antibiotics for 4 days now. Sometimes I think its improving, but other times I'm not sure. The pain I have mostly started 3-5 weeks ago as an odd feeling under and behind my right eye. I was just getting back into my contacts and dealing with dry eyes, so I thought that's what the discomfort was. When it got worse and was there I took out contacts, I went to the docs. I have been to an ENT and eye doc. My eyes are ok, desprite the pressure pain and eye strain (trouble focusing sometimes and more feeling like I'm cross eyed).

The ENT had me do a CT two weeks ago, but nothing showed inflamation...just some minor diviations. I got worse in the 2 weeks since the CT and am waiting to go back to see the ENT, maybe I will show on a CT now? My GP put me on antibiotics in the meantime.

The pain is odd at times and since it affects my eyes, worries me a lot. I am really near-sighted as it is, so I don't like other things interferring with my eyes. The pain has evened out now more to the front of my face though.

Also, I have constant post nasal drip, but little or nothing coming out my nose. Are others having this?

I hope the ENT can help me. Good luck to all. -Ed

[LMND]

I have the constant nasal drip with nothing to blow out, too.  Sometimes you feel you really  have to strain your eyes to focus to get where you're going.  All I know is...something's messed up in my head that the CT is not showing.  I get shooting pains in my head, too.  After 12 days of Prednisone I am better....about 90%.  Now I'm scared since I just finished it that I'm going to go back worse.  I think it's pressure in there that makes  your eyes do that...and that's why they gave me Prednisone, to get the swelling out of the tissues in there, because antibiotics didn't help with that.  I hope you get better.  Try to think positive - as I think we all have been trying to do.  I haven't been at this forum long either, just found it when I was desparate for help.

[blocked]

Hi Everyone,
           I am experiencing the same in California. I had septum surgery in 2001, my breathing improved. I quit the sprays. Flonase raced my heart for days, couldn't use it. I used to take antibiotics for my skin for years in my 20's, no one told me the horrible effects of that. I encourage everyone to read "The Yeast Connection" book, as it explains the possible causes for our sinus problems. Makes sense. I broke down and took two rounds of antibiotics for a recent bout of sinus pain and congestion,and sicker since, unable to work, fatigued with head pressure,had swollen nodes in the back of my neck/head that were sore. Never had that in my life. I went to a natural doctor who has put me on a detoxifying shake with many nutrients that clear the system out. Also homeopathic drops to put in water to build my resistence up to allergens. She also mentioned removing any mercury tooth fillings. I only have one left. You may want to remove them also... The unbearable headaches ceased, but still fatigued with ear pressure and a bit of congestion. I have always taken vitamins, eaten healthy, keep everything extremely clean. I would be really upset to learn this was due to increasing pollution, spraying of pesticides we never consent to, etc... seems like this is on the epidemic levels right now. Any thoughts? Thanks for reading, and your previous info posted.

[LMND]

It is comforting to know we're not alone...but depressing to know none of us have gotten relief.  I read this forum a couple of times a day.  It is extremely hard to work and function in life with this.  I am thinking this must be some kind of virus that is not going away, or as you said, some allergic reaction to something out there that we surely will never know about that we would not consent to.  It has certainly put a cramp in all of our lives!

[ripyourmindout]

I am a 30 year old male. I know that a lot of the forums I have read since I've been going through this discomfort the past year or so are mostly comprised of mostly females.

For the ETD, I read something recently about someone using Sinu-Cleanse to help clean out the sinuses. I went ahead and invested in that with the neti-pot and it has helped keep my right side a bit clearer. I have felt a little better, but my ear is still blocked in the morning and I have to take claritin for relief. The balance issues have been slightly better and I'm trying not to use the nasal sprays as much the past several days.

I was at the mall today and while the odd feeling I usually get at the mall (a slight facial pressure and off balance feeling) was not as bad as it has been, it is still there. I'm just going to keep trying to find solutions on my own. I try to think back to several years ago when these symptoms weren't as bad. I've always had some kind of sensitivity when walking through malls and grocery stores. The weird thing is, if I walk with my head down, it's almost non-existent. If I sit down, I'm perfectly fine. If I am upright but not walking, I don't have the problem. Once I start to walk, I get the odd feeling back. As soon as I'm outside the mall in open air, I'm fine again. This is beyond crazy and I think people that do not experience this believe I'm nuts.

[ejh]

Hi- I haven't updated in a while. I finished the antibiotics with only about 40% increase in comfort. I saw another ENT to get a second opinion. The first ENT passed me off to a Nuerologist (still waiting for the appt). He also mentioned my neck as a source of the problem. I blew this off. Oh yeah, I had an MRI too, which was negative.

Then I saw the second ENT, who seemed to know right away what it was. He said its facial pain from my neck. Google this term: Sternocleidomastoid Syndrome. He showed me a few things about my muscles, which proved his diagnosis.

I have been going to Physical Therapy for my neck now. I'm not 100% convienced this is it, but I can tell a difference at times. I'm maybe 50% sold on this, but still think I may have some kind of allergy or something else going on.

Most ENTs would not point this out as a source of the problem, but I happened to pick on, who according to my Physio, thinks outside the box.

I will update more after further treatment. Best of luck.

[blocked]

For the person who feels weird at the malls, your'e NOT crazy...they spray fragrances all over the cosmetic depts. at stores, all day! In other departments, they have potpourri, scented candles, etc...plus a variety of music blasting, fountains spraying,weird lights, kids screaming, etc... its enough to make anyone sensitive go off kilter. Which is why you feel better outside. They also do not have windows in malls, just doors. No ventilation,recycled air and lots of dust on tables and displays. Employees are constantly ill with "mystery illness"...Let's just say I know from prior inside knowledge about this...Many perfume bottles have spilled, and once I caught a woman behind the counter "emptying" a bottle of strong floral fragrance by spraying it until it was empty into the air! So, hopefully, now you know the real story of why malls are toxic.I can only be in them for a short time. I feel the same.
Blocked

[LMND]

I feel the same in the mall!  I thought it was me!  Nobody I know has this problem, so of course I'm thinking I'm a nut or something.  I always felt it was the dry air, with no air moving.  It's like I can't breath.  I've had sinus problems for years and have usually been able to cope..but not this time, and it's not going away.  
I want to thank everyone for their input and I will post after my Dr. app.

[LMND]

I have posted on a few other forums to try to give info in case it may help - went to the ENT today and asked questions we've been wondering.  1.  Serratia bacteria - said we'd be in the hospital so bad before they'd look for that, not likely at all.  2.  sternocleidomastoid muscle in neck - no.  3.  fungal, yeast - no.  4.  What's the right humidity level in the house - whatever's comfortable for you, no set number.  5.  How often to use saline irrigation - 1 or 2 times a day.
6.  Thyroid - wouldn't cause this.

My thyroid levels being high means my thyroid is slow - definitely need to follow up and be checked soon though, and Niacin and B-complex vitamins wouldn't affect that level.

Told him Rhinocort and Asteline made me worse.  He wanted to know which one.  I didn't know because I was taking them both, got worse, and quit both.  Told him Prednisone saved me - he said he doesn't like to use that and would only do it once or twice a year at most if absolutely necessary!  Says I can still use my  hot water bottle on my face for pain/pressure.  

I have allergy testing next week.  Wants me to do that.

Still says I have non allergic rhinitis - they don't know a lot about it.  Well!!!!!  Says after the allergy testing wants me on Singulair (prescription) and Nasalcrom (otc).  Says mold can play a big part in this. I don't have any mold that I know of, although may have been exposed to some in August.   Says not to get paranoid about it!!!  Duh!!!  How can you not when you're miserable and can't function half the time????   So do the testing...then will go on the meds...and follow back up in March.

[posterguy]

Hello.  My sinus face and head pressure has me almost debilitated. Now I have constant, loud ear ringing.  I also experience a horrible, whole body weakness.  Sometimes it feels like someone is sitting on my chest.  I've tried every med, spray, on allergy shots for 20 years.  Started saline rinse.  Tried detox.  Going back to allergist next week.  Can someone suggest further work ups?

[LMND]

So sorry to hear you're feeling like the rest of us.  Read the other forums here, too.  We've all tried it all.  Let us know what you find out from the Dr.  It's miserable.  I was totally down for 3 months.  I'm up now, but three to four days a week have terrible facial pressure, and the other days I'll be normal, whereas for the first 3 months every day was bad.  Thought I had lukemia or brain cancer or something.  Got an air cleaner, using saline rinse, and just waiting for it to go away.