Repeated sinus infections and equivalence to chronic. First results only after big fuss.

My problems have some differences to most of what you can read on here. I have sinuses infection but in plural, post nasal discharge, incredible pain but not really fever or a typical acute infection, symptoms just restart every two or three month slowly no showing any relief with time. But at the same time antibiotics do solve the problem, for the short term only, to see the problem getting back the next cold, no more than three month later. I have been on these problem for more than ten years.

Finally this never-ending cycle was finished by a nurse in May 2013, I moved to Aberdeen in Scotland and it seemed I enrolled in a substandard GP. They sent me to a nurse in the middle of an episode of more than two weeks, she tried to talk me down for abusing of antibiotics, we nearly fought at her surgery but I backed off as you never win against the nhs, but backing off did not mean I allowed it. I came of and ran to my old practice where it was still my register and got the antibiotics and found relief (like usual), dropped that practice immediately before even meeting my doctor. When y knew my new GP I showed the tough face when he offered to provide me antibiotics if needed, He sent me to an ENT after I insisted.

I tried  to complaint  what happened to be useful in other way, the mentioned GP's manager tried to shut me up with a copy of the acute sinus guideline on this web page, I knew since the first glance that the guideline did not fit my case, I could not even bear its patronising style designed to reduce visits to the doctor and not to provide you with answers, although my symptoms matched more with the chronic sinusitis guideline on here, yet again is plenty of information but hardly suggests solutions. Tried more british guidelines, but after checking NICE web page I read that own resolution takes month (meaning do nothing and wait) and I gave up. American and specially Canadian guidelines were much help, to start they consider repeated sinus infections as serious as chronic cases, between all the possible reasons suggested my experience and symptoms pointed that allergies might be the main source or maybe a problem with the shape of my turbinates. 

Then I met my first ENT who I can only refer like total rubbish, tried to get rid of me and said there was no problem, recommending only a Nety pot. Fortunately he ordered an allergy test only because I asked. This came out positive for dust mites, this was extremely important as I made aware my GP that I diagnosed myself on google what really helped me to be taken seriously by my new surgery. Then, I found an  allergy specialist in Dublin that offered me posting to me the allergy vaccines (this treatment is common where I am from). I started a sublingual immunotherapy abroad and Dymista which was new a year ago, the Dymista certainly offer me a slight improvement but again a cold=sinus infection, hence antibiotics. Immunotherapy for dust mites is tricky, results are evaluated up to two years after starting it, hence I don't want to ensure any results from it yet.

 A new ENT was required an ordered a Scan CT. He seemed competent but  had to cancel second appointment, so I just went back 6 month later. By that time I had had three additional acute infection and courses of antibiotics. In the appointment in June there was another young doctor. He started again saying that the scan was pretty clear and trying to dismiss again my case and I literally busted, I used every single piece of information I gathered on Internet for month, said I was not happy, I did not even know was a normal cold is and requested his opinion of the why and the "solution". He checked again my sinuses and realised they were still swelling, he ensured the allergic rhynitis and the tissue swelling made prone to catch colds (viruses) and Sinuses (bacterial) and prescribed Ipratropium (rinatec),  which is very strong,three times a day.

I did not get his prescription like answer enough, I confronted him because of the nurse incident and I made clear such a thing cannot be repeated. I asked why  the lack of information in british guidelines as regard repeated sinuses, he said people like me was the 5% of population with the sickness and I was right in my opinion, it is not properly explained in NHS guidelines, that was enough I said a very personal, how do you think I feel? I asked for a report to avoid any possibility of argument with minor staff for antibiotics.  I told him that I did not believe the NHS opinion on the ct scan and asked for a copy with the statement. Soon after I got the report from my GP,  it does said there was an infection but the radiologist states that all the rest of turbinates and septum were normal.  Right now, it seems no ENT has ever checked the scan, only a radiologist. This only reinforce my idea that the NHS is the problem and not the solution, I requested again a copy of the image to the NHS Information Governance in the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary hospital, it costs only £ 10 and it is sent in a DVD rom back to your home. I am still waiting to see results after sending a copy to South America (where I am from) to be checked, I also have and appointment at BMI. 

In despite my poor opinion on the NHS, I am being provided with Dymista and Rinatec by them, these together with the sublingual immunotherapy that I paid myself are providing me relief for first time since the last year. In the gym I can finally run and I so far I only feel a mild blockage under my left cheek just after working out hard, I do not know wether are the sprays alone or those topping the immunotherapy but I wanted to share these first results with you all. I have learned a lot on internet but I hardly see anyone coming back to say if they have finally improved and how.

If anyone think I might be arrogant please try yourself to read NICE guidelines and check yourself that for the NHS we are not relevant. 

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