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.

[sickkid]

This is my first post.  My 3 1/2 year old daughter has had chronic sinusitis since birth.  She aspirated on meconium (inhale a bowel movement that was in the amniotic fluid) and has had chronic congestion since.  She was in the NICU for her first 3 weeks and has always had a weird cough.  We have been to 3 ENT's, had allergy testing, went to an immunologist, did nasal irrigation (try doing that to a 2 year old, luckily she still loves me), was told she had asthma (did breathing treatments for 6 months 4 times a day), tried rhinocort nasal spray, prednisone, claritin, singulair, etc.  She had a PH-probe to rule out reflux and now they want to do sinus surgery.  I am very reluctant since she did have an adenoidectomy and this did not help.  She really has been through everything.  She has a constant green nose and cough.  I am so sick of people looking at me in the stores like I have a sick kid that should not be out in public.  I have heard everything from people.  Oh, and she was also tested for cystic fibrosis.  She had pneumonia 2 times and had Rosefin shots once for three days for the pneumonia.  That was the only time that she actually sounded good.  I wonder how cruddy she feels sometimes.  She runs a high grade fever about once every 6 weeks.  I used to take her to the doctor and get antibiotics, but it never helped.  Either way, the fever goes away after 3 days.  She is not in daycare and my parents watch her sometimes.  We are all germ conscious and wash our hands etc.  (just so you don't think it is always a cold).  I have been told that she has a virus a million times by the doctors that I actually eat her food so I know if I get sick that she is sick.  My poor girl, I can't even tell when she has a cold, because she always sounds like heck.  I really feel for everyone here.  I had a really bad sinus infection once.  I thought I had the flu or I was dying.  I hope you all feel better soon.  Any input on sinus surgery or cultures would be greatly appreciated!!

[Susie Belle]

First time on this website but in desperation I was looking for help for my dizziness and eye problems.  After reading various comments, it sounds like many people are experiecing the same types of problems.  Mine started with dizziness and light headedness.  Like many of you, I am worse when I go into a mall or grocery store.  Thought maybe it was flourescent lighting or something.  I was supposed to take a balance test, but have been putting it off because every time I take a test, they always come back "normal" and I am starting to feel like a hypochondriac.  Just had an MRI and an MRA done for eye pain and vision problems and as always, everything appeared "normal".  Not that I want anything to show up, but after many years of putting up with these weird symptoms and no medications help, I really would like to have some type of answer. Doctors just look at me like I'm crazy because the symptoms I have are so bizarre and nothing ever shows up. I live in Ohio and have seriously thought about moving out of this area because I do have numerous allergies, but I'm not convinced that any other area of the US would be any better.  Every since August, I have had pain, pressure, and discharge from my left eye.  Also pain in my temple and teeth.  Further, I have problems with my neck from auto accidents that I ahve been in.  MRI of brain and orbit of eye showed nothing.  I did have a vitrous detachment at that time but they say that shouldn't be causing the pain.  So between the vitrous floating inside my eyeball and the film on the outside of my eyeball, it's driving me completely nuts!  Work on computer all day long and strain to see daily.  I have sympathy for all of you because the dizziness, sinus congestion, and eye pain are to the point that all I want to do is stay home and keep my eyes closed. Don't trust myself to drive anymore because of the eye problems and dizziness.  It's completely insane that so many people are going around with the same symptoms and nobody can get an answer.

[LMND]

I think we're not getting help because the Dr.'s don't know what to do for us.  Many, many days this summer I did not drive because of dizziness/balance, besides just feeling too bad to get up or go outside.  Malls are horrible - no air, dry air.  I, too, work on a computer most of the time, and the eye strain is unbearable. It's depressing! I have a man putting tile in my kitchen - he isn't smoking in my house (I wouldn't allow it) but he smells of cigarettes horribly!  I smelled it yesterday...today...and will have to tomorrow.  I'm think that's what gave me the facial pressure last night, and I feel it coming on today.  Smells really bother me!  Can't wait till he's done.  Do smells bother any of you -- like car fumes, hair sprays, perfumes?  I'm just wondering.

[drf]

I haven't read everyone's posting so forgive me if this sounds repetitive.

I am a 34 year old male and for about 2 years have had chronic dizziness and a feeling of foggy brain along with a lot of pressure in the front part of my head. It is there 24/7 and is always worse when I either sleep on my right side and/or when I'm tired- or when Im driving, walking, or moving my head around.  

I have been to several Dr's including an EMT, neurologist, Family Dr. and ear specialist. Nobody has found a thing. I have also had an EKG, MRI, and bloodwork many times. Still nothing.

Any suggestions or ideas?

Sincerely

Bumping into walls

[LMND]

I'm not a Dr., but you can get stuff over the counter for dizziness.  Used to be prescription.  I think it's Antivert.  Has Meclazine in it.  Ask your pharmacist.  It MAY help.  Also, my mom used to have dizziness EXTREMELY bad - used Comtrex, (which is allergy stuff) because the Dr.'s had given her EVERYTHING!  I'm using saline rinse, NasalCrom, over the counter, and Dr. put me on Singulair, which is a prescription.  I'm getting better.  Don't know if any of that is doing it or just time, since this has been going on since July.  Have tried LOTS of other meds and had CT of sinus, head and neck x-rays, been to ENT, chiropractor.  I just stay away from smells if at all possible, try to keep my humidity in my house about 49, and put a very hot water bottle on my face when it's hurting bad.  Got an air cleaner and keep it on full blast in my bedroom with the door shut when I'm not in there, then open the door at night and keep it on low.  Did the allergy testing and severely allergic to dust, mites, certain grasses, ragweed, and moderately allergic to molds, trees, which I live in a rural area and that's all there is!  They told me to give these meds a month and decide if I want to take the allergy shots.  I'm in WV, female, just turned 50.  So...I've talked to a lot of others on this forum, men and women, different states, because I was even trying to link it to an area or something.  Seems it's everywhere.

[wvtoal]

Just can upon this site by accident...but glad I did!

I was looking to see how much scented candles can bother an allergic person...I am definately one...allergy shots that started at age 12.  I am now 54 and quit them at age 36.  I got extremely dizzy Sat night.  I lite some candles about 30 minutes before having company and had to take some allergy med to get rid of the dizziness.

I know where you are all coming from.  I have had all the tests, CT's, MRI's, etc...about 20 years ago.
They were all clear the Drs also thought I was crazy. I had trouble with Malls, heights,stores, etc.  I was dizzy, off balance, and had facial and tooth pain, distorted vision and would not drive.  I also tried various antibiotics.

I lived in the upper panhandle of WV then,but have moved to the Birmingham, AL area.  When I cane here..same thing. But I also found a new Family Phy.  He listened....He put me on CEFTIN... a different antibiotic for me...it really helped!

I have also learned what I need to help myself.  I know when I get dizzy to use Afrin and take 1/2 of an Actifed...more just puts me to sleep or makes me feel nasty.

I still drive very little...I am always afraid of getting dizzy or my eye sight getting screwy.  I had a terrible dizzy spell on a huge bridge and didn't drive over the bridge for 15 years.  The day I drove for the first time after the spell was because I had to take my husband to the hospital...he was having a heart attack!!!!!!!!!!  I made it!  And he is fine!

I also think that places like Walmart, Lowes and H Depot have either wacky lights or it's my allergies...always hazy cloudy air...I hate it!!!!!!

Hopefully, my experiences will help one of you...This makes life misserable when you feel so crappy!