Feels like a Sinus issue, Dr says not.

Hi,

I'd really like to get a second opinion on some symptoms please, these are:

- constant (varying degree) face feeling blocked, but main nasal passages mostly clear

- constant but v small amount of mucus at back of throat

- constant tinnitus

- constant (varying degree) facial 'glow' (maybe tingling is better word, but glow feels more accurate) this isn't painful and sometimes is in conjunction with the blocked feeling or sometimes on its own. The glow at minimum is in cheeks but can spread all across face into shoulders, arms, particularly elbow area, hands, shins and feet (I've never had it in my main body). If I've been working all day in front of a screen the glow will build to a pressure particularly under my eyes

- various headaches in different places, temples, rear of head near neck at ear level are two regulars

- occasional throbbing to parts of face, sometimes in nostrils, right at the front of nose, other times in teeth

- occasional aching jaw

- occasional aching cheeks (this may be the blocked feeling getting worse)

- bad taste in mouth / salivating

Basically I have sinus like congestion issues (but not loads of mucus or blocked main nasal passages) and I feel like I'm living through a fog, this glow, which can make it hard to concentrate.

I'm also quite stressed due to work (I run a small software business). I'd be the first to admit if the stress was too much but I don't think it is currently. I'd certainly say I was under stress and having this illness means it's worse as i sometimes have to work a 12 hr day to get the same amount of work done as I used to get done in an 8hr day. I'm currently working to relieve the pressure and I hope to get things to a more manageable level soon. I could really do with taking some time off without having to constantly be aware of work!

I'd say I am not depressed, though now and again I've been quite despondent, I'm still motivated and am trying to be positive.

Sinus issues have been ruled out by NHS ENT specialist, I had a thing stuck up my nose (no polyps apparently) and a small CT scan. The Doc - who I was very unimpressed with, he didn't want to read the diary I'd been keeping a few weeks before - said I had 'Atypical facial pain'

As I didn't want to wait a further 2 months I went private to see a Neurosurgeon, my Mrs was convinced I had a condition where spinal fluid was leaking into my sinuses (the symptoms sort of match). I had a full head and neck MRI scan and the surgeon ruled out the specific issue and couldn't see anything particularly wrong (though he didn't focus on sinuses). He's now referred me back to my GP and has recommended I see a neurologist.

A few final observations:

- could alcohol make a difference? In the past I definitely drank too much, 30 units a week, but spread out, 3 tins of 5% lager a night (but every night). Since being ill I've dropped down to maybe 2-3 beers a week.

- I gave up smoking before Christmas - smoking for a year, after a 5 year complete break - I was using the vaporising things up to about 2 months ago but have been clean since.

Does this sound like sinusitis? Even though Doc says it isn't?

Thanks

Some further background info follows:

18 months ago I was knocked out flat with a bug eventually I has some antibiotics and it went after about a month. We assumed it was Sinusitis.

The next year every 8 weeks I'd be back to the Dr and would have more antibiotics (don't know what type) and I'd get mostly better, certainly able to work again, but for the past 4 months it's been like the above. None of the general lurgy feeling that eventually - seemingly - turned into sinus infection, just the issues above. I've had one course of the same antibiotics and there was no change and since the Dr ruled out sinuses I've stopped using nasal irrigation and taking decongestants (which I had almost been eating like sweets)

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