Sphenoid Sinusitis

[nursegirl6572]

Rather than re-wiriting my entire story about my symptoms, I will post the link to my post in the Neuro forum:

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/678857

I went to the PCP today who just today told me that when I had a CT scan  in the spring...when I was suffering from the exact same symptoms...that it was noted I had some disease in the sphenoid sinus.  Therefore, all of my symptoms could now make a lot of sense.  Any input for those of you who have had problems with your sphenoid sinus?  Symptoms match?

My doc also dx-ed me today with a "rip roaring" right ear infection.  I have already made an appt for Wed with an ENT, as it seems that this Sphenoid sinusitis is nothing to mess around with.  I have NEVER had headaches last this long...with NO relief from anything.  Ear infection common with this...or could this be a complication?

I just started on Augmentin 875mg twice daily for 10 days...any other ideas...any OTC meds I can take that could reduce the pressure?  Geez, instead of the docs telling me that my CT in the Spring was "normal"...I wish they would have actually told me the whole story.....as it seems to all be making much more sense now.

Any input would be much appreciated!

[friggy]

Antibiotics don't work well in the sphenoids, because the drugs need tissue with blood circulation.  Sinuses aren't tissue, they are holes.

The Sinus Flush will open up closed passages to the sphenoids, and use gravity to get the saline where normal saline irrigations won't reach, flush out the infected mucus, leading not to a treatment, but rather a cure.

http://www.medhelp.org/user_journals/show/2322

The Flip-Turn Sinus Flush is mildly risky, because you have to bend over to do it, preferably in a shower, but you can also do it outside on soft ground, or you can kneel down and lean over a bathtub with the shower running.

[Yecart1982]

Hi there are you still suffering with your sphenoid sinuses?  The symptoms you had very much match mine, I originally thought I had a carotid tear in my neck which I still could possibily have suffered but I think my sphenoid sinus has been the main problem.  I am in the UK and doctors are very unwilling to get to the bottom of my symptoms, I am female age 30 and feel my life is slipping away with the symptoms I'm expierencing.  

[mcderma]

Did you every get rid of your unrelenting headache?  I have the same thing and my ENT never diagnosed it.  I just happened to email an ENT who wrote a book called the Migraine Connection and he stated headache on top of head could be sphenoid sinusitis or inflammation.  It fits me to a tee but my own ENT is basically in denial.  I think I had unneccesary septoplasty-this has been going on for the past six months and the headache has never left me.  I feel alone and depressed and have alienated my family and I'm just plain tired of talking about it and feeling so bad.  Luckily it's more chronic and not acute which I guess is the one that can spread to your brain.  My neurologist doesn't seemed to concerned and put me on Dexamethason and six weeks of antibiotics did nothing.  Tried sinusbuster-basically have tried it all.  Just need to talk to someone who is going through the same thing so I don't feel so hopeless.  Let me know if you can.  Thanks

[AshleyLynn]

I can only imagine!

I have chronic sinusitis of my maxillary, ethmoid, and frontal sinuses and it is pure torture, so I can just picture what you're going through. I can definitely empathize with you! I just had tubes put in my ears after a year long struggle with pressures that were so unbelievably uneven it was ridiculous. One ear would be -126 and the other would be +37! It was crazy.

Definitely keep in touch and let me know how you're doing! I feel bad for all of us sinus sufferers! Especially the chronic ones!

Ashley

[lagnaf]

Check your inbox and email me if you would. Thanks!

[nursegirl6572]

Thanks a bunch ashley!  I just feel soooo awful, I hope to have an answer soon.  My legs are so weak and jello-ish, it's horrible.  My ear is driving me batty too!

Thanks so much for your concern.....I'll post after my appt tomorrow!

[AshleyLynn]

I'm so sorry to hear of your concern.

For once I'm at a loss. My sphenoid sinuses are the only sinuses I have NOT had problems with...I've had 6 surgeries on the others in the past 16 months!

But you're right about one thing, it is definitely a more rare concern. Let us know what your ENT has to say once you see him ok? I'm really curious to see how this turns out for you! I hope you feel better!

Good luck!

Ashley

[nursegirl6572]

The more I read about diseases of the sphenoid sinuses, the more I'm convinvced this is truly the very odd and virtually undiagnosed illness I had in the Spring, and again currently.

I have had an unrelenting headache that responds to NO medication, narcotic or otherwise.  I have an enormous pressure feeling in my head, and both times, about a week after the onset of the headache, ear involvment, with almost complete hearing loss in the affected ear.  My PCP Dx'ed me yesterday as having a bad ear infection on the right.....and just only told me then of the findings of my CT I had in May (indicating sphenoid sinus disease of some sort).  I also have noticed some odd twitching of my eyelids, particularly on the left (both times).  

Also, coincidentally, when I had this in the Spring, I had several dental issues that led to extractions of a few back teeth (both sides).  Now, granted, those teeth DID require some work, but the onset of the dental issues was VERY rapid.  Actually, I had initially attributed my headache and feeling of being unwell in the Spring to the dental problems.

Both times, my BP was peridically elevated, which is VERY uncommon for me.  All of these things put together have me quite concerned, as I can see from researching that complications resulting from this type of sinus disease can be quite serious.  I have an appt with an ENT tomorrow, I seriously hope to have more answers then.  I have been beside myself thinking there would be no answer for what has been ailing me.  Overall, I tend to be quite healthy, with the exception of peridodic resp infections/colds.  I can say that I'm kind of upset...I cannot imagine why this wouldn't have been investigated further in the Spring.  Partly because my PCP started the whole "depression/anxiety" position.  While I've had a history of both...I clearly knew there was something physically wrong with me.  I feel weak as a kitten...my legs feel as though they want to buckle at any given time....and the headache is just so agggravating.  I have always been very in tuned to my anxiety/depression issues....and always strongly felt this was totally unrelated.

I was started yesterday on Augmentin 875 mg twice daily for 10 days....I would love any input anyone has.  Either someone who has been through issues with their Sphenoid Sinuses....or someone well versed on the topic.  I am wondering if something like Nasonex would be helpful in the interim as well?  I was Rx'ed that in the Spring.

Thanks in advance...especially for the opportunity to whine/vent.  ;0)  Wishing you all a great day.