Hello~I say do what is best for YOU, not anyone else, you know your body, you know what works, what may have side effects for some may not have for you. I, too, get tired of hearing all this "stuff" your body knows what it needs, go by it when possible.
I hope you feel better soon.
Pain management medications are definitely under fire. And that probably won't stop. I understand your concerns. So, assuming that won't get better, what about thinking of this in a different way? How open are you to different ways of treating your issue with your sinuses? What exactly is the issue with your sinuses causing chronic sinus problems? My husband suffers also and has had one surgery but is not a candidate for any others due to an issue of a missing piece of bone in his forehead. It would be too dangerous to operate with brain tissue right on the other side. So, he has learned to manage. He never went down the road of narcotics when offered. He has had extreme and unrelenting pain for a period of six months in the past. But was too afraid of addiction to do that. So, he found relief in other ways. Taking an antihistamine may help you since that is part of your regimen currently mixed with the narcotic. Corticosteriods to reduce immflamation. Ibuprofen. And daily nasal lavage. These things greatly helped my husband. I'm sure you do not want to be on scheduled substances your entire life so try to wean and look for relief elsewhere. good luck