My husband had endoscopic surgery in May '06. He had a deviated septum that was corrected. He has had CAT scans and MRI's and they come up clear. He STILL is have intense pain in his frontal left cavity. He's had constant sinus infections, and any congestion seems to trigger head pain. We've read about procedure that uses external drains, but looks 'major'!!! (tubes hanging out of his forehead!) We're just not sure what to do. One of his doctors (there's 4 in the office) said that the pain is 'in his head' and he need to learn to relax. This is SO not the case! When he has a 'major' pain attack, the left cavity is actually swollen and can be seen when looking at his profile (face). Just want to know if anyone else has had this.
2006-12-30 14:52:59 · 8 answers · asked by kellicam 2 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Other - Diseases
Thanks everyone that's commented! We've talked about seeing a neurologist but he thinks it's more "getting the fluid out & keeping it out". He thinks there's bad/dead tissue in there that accumulates because the fluid can be yellow-green-bloody and clear (normal)
He’s a walking pharmacy! He started at the beginning on a low dose of antibiotics for months. Then went to an ENT because of the pain. The ENT was not happy that he was on meds so long because he was just building a resistance. The ENT put him on a HUGE med to fight the sinus infections. We learned he had a deviated septum and large sinus cavities. (side note- my husband has VERY deep-set eyes with large frontal bone/eyebrow) He had the surgery and doc said he had a lot of bleeding. There was a lot to 'clean' out, but all went good. Then had a 2nd surg. to re-open the passages bc they were shrinking.
It's all VERY frustating!
2006-12-30 16:10:53 · update #1
The meds he's on- Claritin D (to 'clear' up) Has helped but his reg. dr said that it can distroy his liver if taken daily.
Mucinex D- This he take to get out the 'stuff'. Does help him- at times.
Tylenol- pain
He has stopped with antibiotics because we thinks he's built a resistance to them. (2 years of this! Yup!)
He also does the salt water rinse at least twice a day. He actually has a bottle that he squirts up one side and comes out the other. This too helps, but only temp.
O- and another thing he's been taking is something called Sinus Busters. It's capcasin (sp?) pepper nasal spray. It's said to kill fugal infections because antibiotics will not kill anything fugal, just bactirial. The spray also helps, but not with the pain. It just breaks up the pressure a bit.
side note- he also suffers from RLS (restless leg syndrom). I just feel SO bad for him! :o( He's only 33 and all these 'issues' with hardly any answers. Just alot of "maybes" from high prices docs.
2006-12-30 16:20:24 · update #2
I personally don't suffer from this problem, but I have another possibility to suggest as something to be considered. Facial feeling is handled by cranial nerves, and pain due to a problem with one or them or with one of their branches is often restricted to only one side of the face. One of them has three branches which control movement of the face- one for the eye/upper cheek, one for the cheek and nose, and one for the side of the face and mouth. If the nerve were damaged or irritated from the surgery, it could well cause the problems you describe. And being nerve related, there wouldn't be anything that would show up on an MRI or CAT scan. I think a neurologist is the person you need to see, to be honest. They have tests and exams which can either confirm or eliminate that as a possibility. My mother has an inherited nerve disorder, called Trigeminal Neuralgia, and she suffers from excruciating facial pain on the left side of her face when it is triggered. For many years she was told she had a severe sinus problem, until an attack caused facial paralyisis and a neurologist diagnosed the problem. The pain is truly in his head, but not from his imagination more than likely. Although the ENT specialists are good for sinus problems, they aren't the experts on facial nerves. For that you need a neurologist, and thats who I'd visit next.
2006-12-30 15:09:54 · answer #1 · answered by The mom 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Take 1qt. of warm water and 1and 1/4 tsp of salt. He needs to do a nasal lavage 2x day. I do mine in the shower in the am. Pour mixture in the right hand and close the left nostril with the left hand. Inhale the mixture; it needs to go to the back of the throat, then spit it out. Then do the other side. Do this am and pm. This will keep those sinus cavities flushed and greatly diminish sinus infections. I have a partial deviated septum from an auto accident 25 yrs ago, and yes, you can see my sinus area swell too. I also take Claritin D when necessary to help with pressure. The lavage takes a little practice, but it has been a life saver for me. Tell him I know exactly how he feels. Good luck>>
2006-12-30 15:12:17 · answer #2 · answered by summersailing 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This Site Might Help You.
RE:
Severe Sinus Frontal Cavity Pain...anyone???
My husband had endoscopic surgery in May '06. He had a deviated septum that was corrected. He has had CAT scans and MRI's and they come up clear. He STILL is have intense pain in his frontal left cavity. He's had constant sinus infections, and any congestion seems to trigger head...
2015-08-26 17:50:18 · answer #3 · answered by Deck 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would get a second opinion, the sinus infections that are re occurring don't sound normal. However there are several things that can contribute to sinus infections, and allergies is one of them which can also lead to bronchitis. I would try some Clariton which you can buy over the counter for allergies and see if that helps, if not look for another doctor.....as you doctor if allergies could be causing the problem.
2006-12-30 15:11:59 · answer #4 · answered by judy_derr38565 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
oh bless his heart, to be in such misery and the docs don't seem to know what to do. No I've never had this but have severe headaches. Have they ever cultured the sinus drainage to see what the actual germ of infection it is? This would be the key to get the proper antibiotic. I would get an appointment at the Mayo Clinic or the University of Alabama Hospital in Birmingham to see an EENT specialist. Best wishes.
Oh and for restless legs the new prescription for it didn't work for me, but taking a Darvocet at bedtime seems to knock it out.
2006-12-30 16:30:44 · answer #5 · answered by winkcat 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2017-02-24 09:28:05 · answer #6 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
See another group of doctors. Doesn't sound normal. I know that another surgery is not what either of you want, but he cannot function like that.
2006-12-30 14:57:32 · answer #7 · answered by garden_anne 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yeah go see another doctor, in a different location, his sinuses have blocked that much and is full. if it hurts that much go to the er and they will do what they can. they will get the "snot" out.gl HNY
2006-12-30 15:04:04 · answer #8 · answered by luckydo6 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋