Chronic Sinusitis & Allergies--Next Steps

[greyhoundrescuer]

I was born with a cleft lip with some palate damage as well as some damage to my nose.  As a result, one of my sinus cavities was crushed.  I have had numerous surgeries since infancy, but nothing has ever been done to repair the damaged sinus cavity.  As a young child, I had constant ear infections.  As an adult, I have 4-5, sometimes more, sinus infections each year and usually 1 episode of cold, flu, or bronchitis every other month.  Antibiotics are usually not immediately successful and I often need to revisit the doctor for a second course of them.  I am deathly allergic to benadryl, and have been put on every other un-related allergy medicine.  Allegra-D and Claritin-D have been the most consistently affective, though wihen on allergy meds, I still get the sinus infections and colds and flus with significant congestion.  I have seen an allergist to no avail and have also tried nasal levage (sp?).  Is there anything I haven't tried yet that might be worth trying?  I have had scans done of my sinuses that showed blockage--is it possible to permanently remove the blockage?  Or, would it just come right back?  

[Anamika869]

Hi there,

You may want to try this nasal spray called Sinofresh. I have had chronic recurring sinusitis for the past 20 years. After countless rounds of antibiotics and 3 CT scans, I was told I needed sinus surgery. After having 2 sinus infections within a month, I found this product. I have been using it for 7 weeks now, and so far, so good. It really helps with drainage and does not have an unpleasant after-taste. I am recommending it to everyone I know. You can check out the website for more info: www.sinofresh.com.

This has worked better for me than Claritin and Flonase. Maybe it will work for you too.

[greyhoundrescuer]

Thanks so much!  I have wondered for years if I had some sort of immune deficiency as I am ill so frequently (I have had 2 respiratory infections in the last month!).  I will certainly be speaking with my doctor.

[National Jewish Health]

Recurrent sinus infections are often associated with, if not caused by, impairment of sinus drainage so that surgical correction of the "blockage" might be an effective approach, with the potential to provide improved drainage for a long time.  If the recurrent infection is most localized to the frontal sinuses, frontal sinus obliteration might also be considered.  If this should prove to be a viable option, you would want to consult with a surgeon, experienced with this technique and be sure to ask about his/her experience, about the benefits you could reasonably expect and the complications of the procedure.

Another thing to consider, however, is that your predisposition to recurrent sinus infections might not be simply mechanical but rather on the basis of an immunodeficiency state, the most common association being with IgA deficiency.  However, some people deficient in IgA are also prone to develop a more severe immunodeficiency, acquired common variable immunodeficiency.  You might want to speak to your doctor regarding a comprehensive evaluation of your immune status.

Good luck.

[greyhoundrescuer]

Additional information that may be helpful:
-I have never been a smoker, though I grew up in a household with one
-I have a dog and have always had one--I've been tested for an allergy to animal dander and it was negative
-I have hardwood floors and clean frequently
-I am at a healthy weight
-I have no known food allergies and the only environmental one I am certain of is to onion grass