Horrible 24-7 Sinus Pressure / Congestion but no classic allergy symptoms

[24-7SinusPressure]

I'm a 26 year old male and since October 2006 have been experiencing 24-7 sinus pressure in the upper corners of my nose (always one side at a time), but NO allergy symptoms (i.e. no running nose, sneezing, coughing, itchy nose/eyes/throat, etc).

The pressure is so bad that it presses back onto my brain, causing terrible lightheadedness, forgetfullness, and general mental impairment.  I must emphasize that this pressure is ALWAYS there--I am becoming severly depressed and feel like I have run out of options.

CT scan came back perfectly normal.  I have tried Rhinocort, Nasarel and Flonase for many weeks with no improvement, and have tried Astelin nasal spray and Allegra with no effect.

I doubt this is allergies, as I have never in my life had allergies, and also because this sinus pressure is CONSTANTLY there regardless of whether I am possibly in the presence of allergens.

The only things that help are Afrin spray (works for about 20 hours, but has awful rebound congestion) and heavy exercise (the pressure clears up almost completely while my heart is beating fast).

I am going back to my third ENT in a couple weeks.

Anyone else out there have similar symptoms?

[24-7SinusPressure]

CONTINUED:

My history:

During October 2006, the day after attending a loud music concert, I developed ringing / tinnitus in my left ear and a strange feeling of pressure in the upper left corner of my nose.  The pressure was constantly on the left side for the first six weeks.  It was an annoyance, but it was relatively mild and there was little congestion.  It felt like there was something inside my nose pressing outward.  The left side of my face also felt numb and tense. There was also pressure behind my left eye, which made the eye feel numb as well.  

About 8 weeks after the pressure started, it began to switch to the right side as well.  I have no idea why it would start only on the left side for 6 weeks, then suddenly decide to switch to both sides.  Also at this time I started having terrible congestion accompanying the pressure.

As of today, the pressure/congestion are always in one of three positions: completely on the left side, completely on the right, or completely in the back of the sinuses, where mucous drains into the throat.  It is there 60% of the time on the left side, 30% on the right side, and 10% in the back sinuses.  When it is in the back I have to constantly suck the mucous down into my throat, as it does not drain by itself and feels like there is a lump if I do not suck it down.

[tmv]

Have you ever tried sudaphedrine 30 mg? It helps me with my sinuses, but I don't have the severe problems that you do. Might be worth a try.  Be persistant with the dr's. I can't remember if you've had a mri or any type of sinus films but I'd recommend them. Best of luck to you.

[24-7SinusPressure]

Thanks for the advice tmv--Pseudophedrine HCL help a bit, about 20%, but not nearly enough to make the symptoms non-incapacitating.  I've had a CT, but I'll persist like you suggest and ask for another one, and maybe an MRI too. Best of luck to you.

[gemini1975]

So glad to know I'm not alone. I have terrible fatigue on top of the symptoms mentioned here. I have also begun to get floaters (I'm nearsighted anyway, and with glasses I can see fine, but the floaters are adding to the dizziness). Quality of life is horrible. I had an emergency Cranial CT Scan last week because I was sure I was having a seizure or a stroke. The scan was normal. The pressure behind my right eye and basically down the right side of my face (including teeth and gums) is miserable. I'm a non-smoker, 32 years of age, and female, and my biggest fear has been that this is neurological, but seriously, I know it's my sinuses. I've always had minor problems with them, but never, ever this bad.

I've seen a dentist, an opthalmologist, an optometrist, had four blood tests taken (one in Jan., one in Feb., one in March to test for Lupus, and the last one last week in the ER). Bromfenex seemed to help a little, but it's extended release, so it puts me into a zombie state. Astelin made me feel bad, and Nasonex works for two seconds. My humidifier stuffed me up even more. I'm looking into trying a Z-Pack, and will be drinking just lukewarm water and hot teas until summertime. I wish you both and everyone else SO much luck with this.

[ripyourmindout]

I'm a 30 year old male and I have such a mix of symptoms, but I am convinced they are sinus related as well. For the past couple of years, I was dealing with what my ENT said Eustachian Tube Dysfunction. My ear always felt blocked and I was slightly off balance (not really  fully dizzy). Those issues cleared up somewhat, but off and on, I have continual issues with the right side of my face/head. I have a slightly deviated septum which totally cuts off my breathing through that side. It leads to very mild headaches and pressure over/under eye and behind my eye. Claritin used to help clear my nose, but it's been inconsistent of late. Afrin/Nasalcrom seem to help clear me and some of the other issues like the eye/head pressure subside.

I have another ENT appointment scheduled for 6/5, my first visit in over a year. I have zero nausea or any visual problems although my eye gets blurry when I rub it, which is normal. It itches from time to time. I don't have green discharge which would make me think classic sinus infection symptoms, but I definitely have post nasal drip because I constantly have to clear my throat. I use Sinucleanse and it makes me feel better for a while, but it's getting really annoying. I'm tired of always wondering if it's neurological, but I just don't think it is. I also have major neck muscle issues and with the ridiculous amount of time I have spent researching things on the internet, I think that might have something to do with some of my issues as well.

Part of me is scared to do the whole CT scan/MRI thing, but I think I might just for piece of mind. To be honest, this is nearly 3 years since I've been feeling like this, maybe even longer so I think I probably would have dropped dead by now if it was something really bad.

I hope we all figure this **** out eventually. I feel GREAT aside from this on and off head pressure and what feels like inflamed nasal passages!

[D921]

Hi,

I am having a simialr probelm, i got imense pressure in my face and head, i didnt had any flu or cold

dont kknow if it is sinus pressure but cant handle it anymore.

owuld u please tell how yours was cured.

pLeaseeeeeeeeeeeeee

[sysygy]

Has anyone found an answer?  I, too, am suffering the same challenges.  I have been to Allergy Experts, ENT Experts, Eye Experts, and nobody seems to have an answer.  My CT Scan(s) are clear, I have no allergies, and have tried all of the steroid and pill solutions.  The only minor relief that I get is from a nasal irrigator.  If someone has found an answer, please post it for the rest of us.

Thank you,

[appell7]

I have the same nonstop nasal congestion- I hope it isnt from something called candidiasis which seems to be the only thing that makes sense; but that is a nightmare scenario; doctors dont know what is causing it. Did you ever get the right diagnosis?