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fungus sinus infection
by ras20, Nov 05, 2009 11:03PM
Hi, I am new to your group and I wonder if you all can help. I am 62 years old, and have been healthy. Last April I had an infected wisdom tooth removed. Weeks before and after I had terrible sinus issues (NEVER had a sinus infection before) Dentist discovered a tiny fistula, a hole to my sinus. Told me not to blow my nose for 3 weeks. When I went back, he said it was closed (and in fact, foul tasting drainage had stopped) but x ray showed my sinus was still infected, my sinus was still clogged. I was on assorted antibiotics for 6 months. (I rarely take antibiotics)
My sinus (it's only left side, site of tooth) are much improved. I probably did have a bacterial infection as well. But, I have expelled several fungal balls over the past few months (either through my nose, or mouth), I have a putrid smell all the time. The mucus is yellow (some days more than others), and I sleep with those nasal strips. I netti pot 3 times a day and have tried all kinds of home remedies (tea tree oil, etc.) My problem is I do not have health insurance (only catastrophic... $10,000 deductible) and won't get medicare for 3 more years. How do I know if this is really dangerous, without doctor run-around? What are symptoms? Help please. I am not myself, and haven't been for 10 months (that's when wisdom tooth made it's appearance ... and this all began)
It's all pretty frightening.
I know for sure they are fungus balls. The first one kind of shocked me...this gray, clay-like ball in the shape of my sinus, came out as I was swallowing. There have been several more. However, I am seeing a change...last one was softer and more yellow than gray. That was 2 weeks ago.
I have spent a great deal of time on line trying to find answers. I'm sure also that this is a result of that fistula after my tooth was extracted. I have never had allergies before. Although my doctor and dentist both have prescribed all kinds of antibiotics, steroid nasal spray, etc.- even though I keep telling then it's fungus.
I have little trouble with total congestion (did this spring)...drinking lots of fluids to keep discharge moving, which is now a pale yellow (not green, as before.)
Everything I've read about surgery is that it oftentimes doesn't work.
...and then there's the cost.
But, I just don't feel like "me" anymore. I just want this to go away. any suggestions?
My sinus (it's only left side, site of tooth) are much improved. I probably did have a bacterial infection as well. But, I have expelled several fungal balls over the past few months (either through my nose, or mouth), I have a putrid smell all the time. The mucus is yellow (some days more than others), and I sleep with those nasal strips. I netti pot 3 times a day and have tried all kinds of home remedies (tea tree oil, etc.) My problem is I do not have health insurance (only catastrophic... $10,000 deductible) and won't get medicare for 3 more years. How do I know if this is really dangerous, without doctor run-around? What are symptoms? Help please. I am not myself, and haven't been for 10 months (that's when wisdom tooth made it's appearance ... and this all began)
It's all pretty frightening.
I know for sure they are fungus balls. The first one kind of shocked me...this gray, clay-like ball in the shape of my sinus, came out as I was swallowing. There have been several more. However, I am seeing a change...last one was softer and more yellow than gray. That was 2 weeks ago.
I have spent a great deal of time on line trying to find answers. I'm sure also that this is a result of that fistula after my tooth was extracted. I have never had allergies before. Although my doctor and dentist both have prescribed all kinds of antibiotics, steroid nasal spray, etc.- even though I keep telling then it's fungus.
I have little trouble with total congestion (did this spring)...drinking lots of fluids to keep discharge moving, which is now a pale yellow (not green, as before.)
Everything I've read about surgery is that it oftentimes doesn't work.
...and then there's the cost.
But, I just don't feel like "me" anymore. I just want this to go away. any suggestions?
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You can't.
"I know for sure they are fungus balls."
It very well might be, but I would disagree that you can know this for sure with a culture or microscopic analysis.
"Everything I've read about surgery is that it oftentimes doesn't work.
...and then there's the cost."
There are no gaurantees in medicine or surgery. The words "often times" are an exaggeration. In the well-selected candidate, the surgeries are very successful. Either way, I don't know that you have any good options here. If there were a cheap, painless, easily available solution to your problem, it would be well-known!
Judging by what you have been through and the length of time you have been suffering from this, I think the only thing you can do is see an ENT doc. I am sorry about the insurance/cost thing. It's a sad situation.