Symptoms or going mad!
Posted , 4 users are following.
I'm slowly piecing together the symptoms i've had over many years and each time I Google what I have its pointing more towards Sinusitis.
I've suffered with headaches and migraines for about 20 years. I've also suffered face & dental pain (around my forehead, cheeks and upper teeth) post nasal drip, right ear pain, slight hearing loss and discharge, breathlessness and dizzy spells. Approx 10 years ago my Optician noticed my right pupil was larger than the other and referred me to the Opthamologist at my local hospital. They done some tests and found nothing. I've not really thought about it since, but today while I was putting on my mascara I noticed it, so Googled it to see if it could be connected to Sinusitis, and I found it can be. The breathlessness, dizziness and mild pain is always there, but I have flare ups of the mucus, post nasal drip, ear problems and more severe pain. I suffered a lot last year with Uterine Fibroids, Menoraghia, Anemia etc so my GP put the dizzy spells down to that. However, I had surgery for those things in December and my symptoms went through the roof. I developed anxiety, became scared to drive or even leave the house at one point as I was so off balance. Simple things like cooking became difficult because moving from one side of the kitchen to the other made me feel drunk. I felt like I was going mad, went to see my GP and broke down. She put me on Propranolol for Anxiety, but that made my symptoms worse. I took them for 3 weeks just in case I had to get used to them but still no joy so went back and she put me on Anti Psychotics for Vertigo. I took one later that day and almost passed out. My heart raced, I was dripping with sweat and shaking (probably a panic attack) and never took them again. I went and saw a different GP the following week and asked if it could be anything to do with my sinuses or ear. He had a quick look in my right ear and up my nostrils, said he couldn't see anything, but prescribed me a nasal spray and said to try it. 2 days later I was blowing out green mucus. I bought myself a Neilmed Sinus rinse kit and that helped clear it all out. Things were a bit better for a while, but now its back again. I don't have the mucus, yet, but the pain and dizziness is back. Although I still get anxious because of how dizzy and breathless I am, I force myself out and try to live as normal life as possible, but these symptoms are driving me nuts! Its so frustrating to constantly feel like i've been hit in the face with a shovel lol. I've lost faith in my GP surgery but wanted to see if anyone had experienced anything similar before I go back. I really think I should get referred to ENT so they can see if I have a sinus problem with an XRay or something. I should also add, I suffered a lot as a kid with glue ear, had Grommets about 4 times and had my tonsils and adenoids removed. Was discharged for all that though at approx age 10 (i'm now 35) please help!
0 likes, 8 replies
cynthia89958 kh123
Posted
Sorry for all your trouble, sinus is a horrible thing. I've always had post nasal drip and catarrh since a kid and just thought of it as normal eventually. I had a bad fall on my face last year and smashed my nose and front teeth among other things. Ever since I've had headaches, pain bending forward, eye and ear probs, neck pain, bouts os dizziness etc. My nose really hurts by the end of the day. But the drs just suggest nasal sprays, rinses and pain killers. The GP did not refer me and said I would have to live with it as there is surgery but it is unlikely to be successful. I have had other illnesses this year and having other surgery eventually so this has got pushed back somewhat as I do intend to push for a referral as it has gone on so long and I am so very tired and life is such an effort now with it all. I have tried different diets (limited as I have digestive illness), acupuncture, chiro (for neck), herbal, homoeopathics. I guess we may also have allergies and sensitivities to something if we have had this long term.
Currently I have a nasal spray with euclayptus and mint in and that is quite pleasant giving some relief and taking oregano oil caps for both the digestion and supposed to help sinus. I'm low in vit D so take this and a general supplement. There is the regime with baby shampoo etc for washing out sinus you can look up online should you not have tried that, it has not done much for me.
There is a school of thought that probiotics for the sinus may help to restore proper balance of bacteria. I have not found any reviewed evidence and I wonder which bacteria are the right ones as you would not want the wrong ones in your sinus where they could be doing more harm than good. I take probiotics for my digestive illness anyway.
I hope we can find some answers !
kh123 cynthia89958
Posted
Its a nightmare isn't it. Apart from my menstrual problems last year, i'm generally fit and healthy. I feel so much better now the Anemia's cured, but my head/face is very debilitating. I push on and try to ignore it, but I feel something really needs to be done now. I will make an appointment with my GP and see if I can get a referral now, but thanks for the advice, I will try anything to clear my head... literally! Lol. I'm a secretary so looking at a computer most of the day doesn't help, and i'm so tired all the time. I'm a busy working mum so it can be so hard at times. I hope you find some answers and relief soon too. I will keep you posted with my progress ??
karen72654 kh123
Posted
Your story sounds similar to mine but I have not been suffering that long. I finally went to an ENT and he took an X-ray. Said my sinuses look fine and no evidence of sinus disease. I was relieved and discouraged at the same time. I still had to resolve what was causing my headaches and nose pressure/ pain. I decided to try accupuncture. I had my fist appointment 2 days ago. It has lessened my headaches considerably. I know it's been two days but the accupuncturist said that was a good sign. I'm scheduling three more appointment over the next week. I also discovered that my neck muscles were very tense. I have cervical osteoarthritis and it could be originating from that. My ENT suggested I have an eye exam as well. It is a process of narrowing down until you find the right diagnosis. Don't give up but you have to take charge of your own health and keep persistent with your doctors until you find a solution. I was taking antibiotics for a sinus infection that I never had and I think it created more problems, i.e., stomach issues. I am getting over that with probiotics. I hear you and keep the faith. I will post in a few months on my progress with accupuncture.
kh123
Posted
Wow thats strange Karen, I had neck and back problems last year, saw a Chiropractor who done Accupuncture on my lower back and manipulation everywhere else. That lasted about 6 weeks then I was fine. I've not noticed any problems in my neck lately though, I just suffer with Sciatica occassionaly but have a shiatsu massage pad for that now which helps. I will definitely look into the neck thing though and see what they say. Hope you manage to get sorted. I've just taken some strong pain killers as i'm in quite a lot of pain now, especially across my upper teeth and forehead ??
karen72654 kh123
Posted
Hope you find out what is up. Try and see an ENT. They can look in your nose with a scope and tell if anything is there.
Deemac7949 kh123
Posted
kh123
Posted
I'm a terrible Googler lol. But will ask my GP for a referral to ENT. Waiting times here are 18 weeks so I best get moving. Thanks for the advice ??
kh123
Posted
A little update, although still none the wiser!
I've been plodding on since I created this post, some days worse than others, always a bit dizzy, suffering headaches etc. Gave in and went back to see my GP 2 weeks ago. (I avoid going there unless absolutely necessary because i'm sure they think i'm a hypocondriac!) he put me on Omeprazole for the breathlessness, they've worked a treat! Turns out I had a bit of silent reflux so thats ok now thankfully. For my headaches/sinus pain/postnasal drip/ear pressure and dizziness he put me on Otrivine nasal drops for 1 week, then Beconase steroid spray for 3 weeks, then told me to go back after that. I'm in week 2, and on Monday (4 days ago) I was dropping my 4 year old to school, had a shooting pain through my head and almost fainted. How I managed to stay up I don't know. My head was literally spinning and everything was so loud. I also felt really sick. I got home and called my GP surgery. Doc called me later that day and diagnosed me with Vertigo over the phone, left me a prescription for Cyclizine 50mg in reception and told me to take 3 a day. Been doing that but I haven't improved, and this morning it was worse. I got so frustrated I cried! And thats rare for me. Lol. I did try gearing myself up for taking my daughter to school, but the dizziness was so bad I had to get a family member to take her for me. I went and saw a different GP this time who examined me, done all the standard neurological tests etc. He's put me on Betahistine 16mg 3 times a day and referred me to I assume ENT (he just said specialist) I have to stay on the other meds too for now and see how I go but call back if no better or any strange symptoms. This really is a horrible thing to have, and i'm so fed up with it. Its been a year soon that this started. My family are trying to be as patient and understanding as they can but I know they're getting fed up too. I hope my referral doesn't take long and hope they can fix me!