Sarah*H
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,984 
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Post by Sarah*H on Nov 10, 2017 1:41:34 GMT
I'm trying to figure out if I'm worrying for no reason or if this is odd.
I can give the whole background if anyone thinks it's necessary but the short version is that because of chronic post nasal drip and ongoing sore throat, I took my 16 yo son to an ENT who ordered a CT scan. The office called today and said we need to schedule surgery right away because one of his sinuses is completely blocked. This doctor has excellent reviews and ratings; I loved him in our initial consultation but the nurse I spoke with today didn't explain what caused this blockage, why surgery is the only option, what the risks are, etc. She just told me to call the office next Tuesday to get it scheduled.
He's never had any long term treatment for nasal/sinus congestion. He has some OTC allergy medication that doesn't help much. He's always refused to use nasal sprays so that has never happened. No lengthy treatment with antibiotics or decongestants. The issues are chronic but it's always just something he's lived with. My online research seems to say that surgery is a great option after all of this other stuff has been tried and failed. Does it seem weird that the doctor wants to jump straight to surgery without trying medication or does the fact that it's completely blocked change the options?
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Post by crazy4scraps on Nov 10, 2017 1:51:29 GMT
Maybe they could tell from the CT scan that it’s structurally blocked vs. just typical bad congestion? Other than that thought, I’ve got nothin’. I hope regardless of what you do that he gets some relief. I have chronic nonallergic rhinitis and it’s miserable at times.
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Post by rst on Nov 10, 2017 2:01:37 GMT
You have good questions, and it's fair to expect to have the surgeon answer them before going for surgery. That said, I have congenitally small and blocked sinuses. I lived with them for 30 years, and I wish someone had told me that surgery was an option long before that. My oldest son had similar sinus issues, and we got him sinus surgery when he was in his teens (same surgeon -- he told my son, I've only seen sinues like yours one other time -and that was your mom).
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scrapngranny
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Only slightly senile
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Post by scrapngranny on Nov 10, 2017 2:08:08 GMT
I had surgery many years ago for blocked sinus after 3 years of treatment to relieve painful and infected sinuses. I also had a deviated septum. I sure the surgery itself has changed a lot since then with lasers and such. It was painful, but I think the septum was the cause of most of the pain. They cleaned out and widened the sinus passages. It did give me the relief I was hoping for.
Best of luck to your son. Sinus pain is not fun.
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Post by dewryce on Nov 10, 2017 2:14:55 GMT
I agree, great questions you should have the opportunity to ask. In my case, there was no opening between two of my sinus cavities and my nasal passage so I had an infection that never went away regardless of treatment. They knocked a couple of holes and I was a changed woman. I was dizzy for quite a while just from the release of pressure.
eta: they could see this on the imaging and nothing but surgery would fix it because there was literally no where for them to drain.
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Post by mcscrapper on Nov 10, 2017 2:20:16 GMT
I've had two sinusectomies. The first one was unsuccessful and I was back to my old Afrin habits and experiencing horrible congestions ALL of the time. I went to a second doc who did a slightly different surgery and put splints in my sinus cavities for six weeks. It was miserable and I slept in the chair every night almost every night. As soon as the splints came out I could breathe and I have been ever since.
I had structural blockages d/t a deviated septum and no amount of medication was going to help me. The recovery was hell but I'd do it again if I ever had another issue.
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melissa
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,912
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Post by melissa on Nov 10, 2017 2:55:56 GMT
Sinus surgery was the best thing I ever did, but that was after years of issues.
Do you have another appointment scheduled? If not, request one. At that time, they can explain what was seen, possibly even show you the films and walk you through the entire thing from the reason why surgery is or is not indicated, what will be done and what to expect.
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Post by Basket1lady on Nov 10, 2017 4:52:24 GMT
I haven't had surgery, but almost did. I had a 90% blockage in my sphenoid sinuses and it's considered brain surgery to get that far into the brain. And they asked me if I had to lose sight in my right eye or my hearing in that ear, which would I choose. I had so many issues from chronic sinus infections that I scheduled the surgery. The ENT put me on antibiotics for 3 weeks and had me use a Neil-Med sinus rinse for that amount of time. I had my landmark CT (to map the brain for surgery) 3 weeks later, and my sinuses were 50% clear. A month later, the CT showed they were 90% clear. Surgery avoided!
I'd get a sinus rinse and make him use it. Even if he has the surgery, you will know that you tried. I never really got a ton of gunk out, but it kept my sinus cavities moist and I could clear out the gunk.
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Post by Marina on Nov 10, 2017 5:26:11 GMT
My friend just had this done but with little success. They are now saying it may be an autoimmune problem so it's not due to the surgery. But before she had it done, they scheduled the surgery but the insurance blocked it and made her jump through lots of hoops of different treatments first.
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Post by nlwilkins on Nov 10, 2017 6:02:48 GMT
I've had sinus surgery several times. The first time it was because of blockage. It was totally awesome to be able to breath like normal folks and I wondered why I had to go all my life to find out what breathing SHOULD be like.
I will say this, it worries me that he won't do the nasal spray bit. You really need to work on this. They can help so much (the sprays). Also, some surgeons will require him to do nasal sprays or neil-med rinse. Oh, and I had my sphenoid operated on because there was a calcified fungus ball in there. It was not considered a big deal. So they must have made great strides in this kind of surgery since the previous poster was able to avoid this.
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Post by dewryce on Nov 10, 2017 6:15:40 GMT
I've had sinus surgery several times. The first time it was because of blockage. It was totally awesome to be able to breath like normal folks and I wondered why I had to go all my life to find out what breathing SHOULD be like. I will say this, it worries me that he won't do the nasal spray bit. You really need to work on this. They can help so much (the sprays). Also, some surgeons will require him to do nasal sprays or neil-med rinse. Oh, and I had my sphenoid operated on because there was a calcified fungus ball in there. It was not considered a big deal. So they must have made great strides in this kind of surgery since the previous poster was able to avoid this. I would ask the questions, but wouldn't be worried necessarily. With the way my sinus cavities were formed, it wasn't possible for the spray or rinse to access the sinus cavities above my eyes. May just be a plumbing issue. |
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Post by gryroagain on Nov 10, 2017 13:38:18 GMT
My daughter had balloon sinoplasty at age 14, and it was the best thing ever. Stopped the chronic sinus infections- she had been on antibiotics for literally years. She is 19 now and had one sinus infection since the surgery, compared to a constant one from ages 7-14. Recovery was a breeze.
My mom has had several si us surgeries, and her recovery was more complicated. They also were not permanent fixes, BUT she says if she has to do it every 4-5 years to avoid the chronic si us issues it is very worth it.
My daughters life and health totally changed with surgery- I wish they would have done it sooner!
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Post by Patter on Nov 10, 2017 14:38:20 GMT
My daughter had sinus surgery at age 16 but she had been through all of the other treatments for quite some time before doing the surgery. She has not had a sinus infection since (now 7 years later) BUT she does have chronic nasal drip and ear leakage since the surgery when she eats. It’s horribly annoying for her. So really we exchanged one problem for another.  Hope you can find what’s best for your son. |
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Sarah*H
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,984
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Post by Sarah*H on Nov 10, 2017 15:09:33 GMT
This concerns me. Most of you have responded seem to have had chronic sinus pressure/pain or infections. He has chronic rhinitis which is probably allergy related although we're still working on that part of it because he has conflicting allergy test results. So he already has chronic post nasal drip which has resulted in a chronic sore throat and cough. He's a singer and wants to pursue it in college so it's becoming a larger issue than just an inconvenience. The things I've read said the surgery can help with the rhinitis but I still remain confused and uncertain.
I called his pediatrician, asked him to pull up the scan and report online and give us his opinion.
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Post by peasapie on Nov 10, 2017 15:17:31 GMT
You have great questions. Make sure you get answers!
My grandson had enlarged adenoids and they were considering surgery because it was somehow affecting his ears and hearing. But for now they are giving him a corticosteroid nasal spray and allergy meds, which are working. So they will wait and see if he outgrows the problems. I guess the key, before surgery, is to know what will be gained and whether an alternate method (medication, steam, etc.) will do as well.
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Post by destined2bmom on Nov 10, 2017 15:19:45 GMT
I don’t blame you for being worried and feeling uneasy. You can google the doctor’s name and see what comes up. If you don’t like it; find another ENT, who you are comfortable taking your son to for his medical issues.
I have had 2 sinus surgeries. Each done by different ENTs. First one they had to pull me out quickly, because some medication they use during surgery got into my bloodstream and caused my heart to beat to fast. So surgery was never completed. Several years more of problems (infections, unable to breathe through nose, medication and sprays never working) and the second surgery was done by a different ENT and was a complete success. It was life changing.
But if I were you I would make a second appointment for the ENT to show you the scan and explain in detail the problem and the surgery in detail on how to fix the problem. You can also ask him how many surgeries he has done and his success rate. Also ask him how many patients had issues after surgery. Then if you like what he says, you can walk out and make the appointment at the desk.
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Post by crazy4scraps on Nov 10, 2017 15:51:02 GMT
I've had sinus surgery several times. The first time it was because of blockage. It was totally awesome to be able to breath like normal folks and I wondered why I had to go all my life to find out what breathing SHOULD be like. I will say this, it worries me that he won't do the nasal spray bit. You really need to work on this. They can help so much (the sprays). Also, some surgeons will require him to do nasal sprays or neil-med rinse. Oh, and I had my sphenoid operated on because there was a calcified fungus ball in there. It was not considered a big deal. So they must have made great strides in this kind of surgery since the previous poster was able to avoid this. I would ask the questions, but wouldn't be worried necessarily. With the way my sinus cavities were formed, it wasn't possible for the spray or rinse to access the sinus cavities above my eyes. May just be a plumbing issue.This is what I think my problem is too, because I can get the saline up in there with a neti pot or spray bottle but it doesn’t come back OUT again unless I physically blow it out. It doesn’t ever just drain right out the other side for me like you see on YouTube. Maybe this is the problem for the OP’s son too. If the sprays don’t ever get all the way up in they won’t work very well so why bother? |
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Post by tamaraann on Nov 11, 2017 4:19:06 GMT
I've had 2 sinus surgeries and I agree that you have good questions that need real answers. If you dont get them from that ENT, please get a second opinion. Sinus surgery is no fun, but if needed, it can make a world of difference. Good luck to your son!
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Post by tamaraann on Nov 11, 2017 4:20:30 GMT
Oh, and I do agree, he really really NEEDS to learn to use the nasal sprays and sinus rinses. Good luck!
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dald222
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,602
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Post by dald222 on Nov 13, 2017 6:20:55 GMT
I had very bad sinuses all my life..the dr would have to pack them. I did have lots of pain too. my dr had me have sinus surgery. he said it would change my life but I didn't know what he meant. ever since I had the surgery 8 yrs ago.....I have never gotten a stuffed nose even if I get sick. I used to sit in my chair to sleep when it was bad but after the surgery I can lay down. it did change my life  |
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Hope you can find what’s best for your son.
