Sinus Infection - Agggh!

[zoebartlett]

I'm glad you like your new doctor, LV! How weird the first office called you, ready to schedule surgery. I hope you begin feeling better soon!

Thanks, Zoe. I've felt a little crazed about the whole thing lately, which is probably why I keep posting about it here! I hope you don't have any issues this winter. I'm sure it must be hard not to get sick working with the little ones like you do. What grade do you teach again?

I'm sure it's been hard not to feel well for so long, especially with a little one at home to take care of. (By the way, I lurk in the mommies threads and I really love reading your posts and seeing pics of S. She's adorable!)

I teach second grade. Schools can be full of germs, but so far, so good this year. Knock on wood, right?

 

[Starzin]

The new doctor sounds just the ticket! OTOH your other doctor sounds as though things are definitely getting lost in translation. So pleased you found a doctor who sounds as though she will take the time and trouble to diagnose correctly in the first place.

 

[Loves Vintage]

I'm glad you like your new doctor, LV! How weird the first office called you, ready to schedule surgery. I hope you begin feeling better soon!

Thanks, Zoe. I've felt a little crazed about the whole thing lately, which is probably why I keep posting about it here! I hope you don't have any issues this winter. I'm sure it must be hard not to get sick working with the little ones like you do. What grade do you teach again?

I'm sure it's been hard not to feel well for so long, especially with a little one at home to take care of. (By the way, I lurk in the mommies threads and I really love reading your posts and seeing pics of S. She's adorable!)

I teach second grade. Schools can be full of germs, but so far, so good this year. Knock on wood, right?

Eeeeeee, thank you about S. She actually came to my dr's apptmt with me today. She was so good! Even the dr remarked how well-behaved she was. And, if you read my posts, you know that has nothing to do with me! She just came that way -- totally lucked out!

Yes, knock on wood! I bet you're a great teacher. Aww, second graders!! So cute, but I bet they're a handful too!

 

[Loves Vintage]

The new doctor sounds just the ticket! OTOH your other doctor sounds as though things are definitely getting lost in translation. So pleased you found a doctor who sounds as though she will take the time and trouble to diagnose correctly in the first place.

Yes!! I like how you put that "just the ticket!" And, yessss, to the lost in translation!! Thanks for your support. This thread has been so helpful to me. Even just getting to write stuff out has helped me to process it a little bit. Yay!

 

[zoebartlett]

Thanks, LV! I love my class. I say that every year, I think. They're really cute though.

Aw, I don't believe for a second it's not because of you. You're a great mom and your posts are always very sweet.

 

[Loves Vintage]

Aww, thanks Zoe!!! I just mean because I'm such a push-over with her. I really worry it's going to catch up with me one day. HER second grade teacher will be calling me one day to tell me S wants everything to be her way! Actually, now is probably about when rules need to start, so I better get to work on that!!

 

[purplesparklies]

Glad the new Dr. is a good match! Hoping answers and wellness are fast approaching!

 

[texaskj]

LV, isn't it nice to find a doctor who takes the time to listen to you? And I can't believe the other one; calling to schedule surgery. From what you said, I wouldn't let the guy near me.
Here's to better breathing

 

[Loves Vintage]

I have an update if anyone is interested.

I've been feeling great. Steroids really seemed to open things up. No real physical complaints at this point. Went for a follow-up today. New Dr said everything looks great, probably just allergies. She had asked me to bring cd of my CT-scan that first dr never looked at. We looked at it together. She was really stunned at how bad things looked just two weeks ago. One side was completely blocked, then she noticed what she thinks is a "fungal ball", which is basically a fungal infection. Haven't really researched yet. Sounds so gross, I know.

Anyway, it will need to be removed surgically. Sooo, I get the "special CT scan" next week that she will use during the surgery. I guess there's some gps-type component to this type of 3D scan. That's what the nurse said. I think they hook it up to the computer somehow during surgery. They did send a sample out last time I was there to test for fungal, but it takes 4 weeks. She really seemed surprised that I feel fine, despite this thing which has taken up residence in my sinus cavity, but I guess it's all relative, right?

And, major props to JustGinger for apparently diagnosing me a few weeks ago from one internet post!

 

[Skippy123]

oh wow, I am sorry. I hope the procedure is quick and doesn't hurt! I have heard that the majority of sinus infections are fungal. I wonder how that happens? hugs

 

[Loves Vintage]

Thanks, Skippy. I guess mold spores are in the air, and we inhale them all the time. With a compromised immune system, they can take up residence and grow, grow, grow. I'm thinking this probably started when I had strep throat last Fed, took the z-pak and developed thrush, went to er, etc. It's been a sickly year for me, lol.

Anyway, sounds like the surgery is super-minimally invasive. I'm hoping to get this taken care of ASAP.

By the way, suuuuuuuuuuuuuuuper ADORABLE new avi, my friend!

 

[zoebartlett]

LV, just checking in to see how you're feeling and how your visit to the new doctor went. I read your update from earlier this month, but I was curious about additional follow-ups you may have had regarding surgery (if you feel comfortable sharing).

 

[Loves Vintage]

Hi Zoe, I don't mind sharing at all. Thanks for asking! I had the special CT Scan. Things now look really clear on my right side, from the steroid treatment. There is now some clearing in my left side, which explains why I can now breathe on that side, but the left frontal sinus (in my forehead), which I previously didn't realize existed (!) is still blocked almost completely, and what she suspected was a fungal ball is still there. So, I scheduled the surgery for next month. I would have done it sooner, but that was the earliest in her schedule. She thinks that after the surgery, I may not have future sinus issues at all, since the fungal issue may be the sole cause of my issues. She did mention there is a slight deviated septum to the left, which she may need to deal with in order to get to the frontal sinus. I think that is what she said. I will report back after the surgery.

 

[Skippy123]

Thanks, Skippy. I guess mold spores are in the air, and we inhale them all the time. With a compromised immune system, they can take up residence and grow, grow, grow. I'm thinking this probably started when I had strep throat last Fed, took the z-pak and developed thrush, went to er, etc. It's been a sickly year for me, lol.

Anyway, sounds like the surgery is super-minimally invasive. I'm hoping to get this taken care of ASAP.

By the way, suuuuuuuuuuuuuuuper ADORABLE new avi, my friend!

sorry I missed this; you poor sweetheart!!! I read your post to Zoe I will keep you in my thoughts for a speedy recovery!!! hugs and thanks about my avi sweet friend!

 

[Loves Vintage]

Find another doctor!!! I interviewed three before I found one I felt comfortable with. He was going to be messing around less than an inch from my brain - I wanted to make sure I felt comfortable with whoever I was paying $$big bucks$$ to be in there.

Erica - If you're around, when you said you interviewed three doctors, what kinds of questions did you ask? Like how many times they've performed the surgery before? Also, was your surgery endoscopic?

Just started googling and am getting nervous. Typical for me. Sigh.

 

[Loves Vintage]

Thanks, Skippy. I guess mold spores are in the air, and we inhale them all the time. With a compromised immune system, they can take up residence and grow, grow, grow. I'm thinking this probably started when I had strep throat last Fed, took the z-pak and developed thrush, went to er, etc. It's been a sickly year for me, lol.

Anyway, sounds like the surgery is super-minimally invasive. I'm hoping to get this taken care of ASAP.

By the way, suuuuuuuuuuuuuuuper ADORABLE new avi, my friend!

sorry I missed this; you poor sweetheart!!! I read your post to Zoe I will keep you in my thoughts for a speedy recovery!!! hugs and thanks about my avi sweet friend!

Thanks, Skippy,

 

[EricaR]

Find another doctor!!! I interviewed three before I found one I felt comfortable with. He was going to be messing around less than an inch from my brain - I wanted to make sure I felt comfortable with whoever I was paying $$big bucks$$ to be in there.

Erica - If you're around, when you said you interviewed three doctors, what kinds of questions did you ask? Like how many times they've performed the surgery before? Also, was your surgery endoscopic?

Just started googling and am getting nervous. Typical for me. Sigh.

Skippy gave me a heads up about your post - she's the sweetest!

This was more than a year ago so it is a bit fuzzy. A lot of it was going with gut instinct. One doctor took a glance at my CT Scan, did a two second look up my nose, and declared I needed a particular type of surgery. When I started asking questions (because I had done my research), he got annoyed. Sorry dude, if you are going to be digging around in my skull I won't let you blow off my questions!!!

I mostly asked questions about their surgical outcomes, what exactly they wanted to do (the doctor mentioned above just kind of summarized what he wanted to do but it was very generic). I wanted to know what they saw as the goal of the surgery. One doctor said "Oh, this will fix your asthma!" (yeah, right!). The doctor I chose said that the goals of this kind of surgery are 1. improved drainage which decreases the number of infections, 2. opened up airways to increase airflow and 3. opened up airways to improve delivery of medications.

I also had the highly detailed CT scan that was used during the surgery. My doctor described it as a map of my sinuses. Everyone's sinuses are slightly different, and plugging the scan into the computer helps to guide their probes. There aren't a ton of places that have this technology, so I think it is a great sign your doctor has one!

One comment. My first few days of recovery were tough. They had to break my nose in several places in order to get up into the frontal sinuses and remove the (rather large!) polyps. Days 1-4 were pretty bad, then I had another REALLY bad day when they removed the splints. I didn't think that would be a bad doctor's visit, but I wish I had taken pain killers and had someone drive me to that appointment. Just an FYI.

Overall, I am so so happy I had it done. Really and truly.

 

[Loves Vintage]

Thanks so much, EricaR!!! I really appreciate hearing from someone who had similar surgery. It sounds like you had packing (what you referred to as splints)? Not sure if it's the same thing. Not sure I will definitely have to have that, but will make sure I have a ride that day too. My surgery is on a Friday, so that's good for my recovery time, I think, to have the weekend. Not sure if I should arrange childcare for day 4, but maybe I should, just to take it easy? I'll ask the dr what she thinks re: recovery time.

As far as that CT scan technology, it's at the hospital, so I think all the drs here use it. In other words, she doesn't have a surgical center at her office. From my stellar google research last night, I noticed some drs have their own surgical suites attached to their offices. That would make it all seem less dramatic than going to the hospital.

The doctor did say that due to the nature of my problem, after she removes the fungal ball, she thinks I may be all set, i.e. no on-going sinus issues since this seems to be the cause. I did not think to ask her at the time how frequently she does these surgeries, but she seemed very confident in a reassuring kind dr sort-of-way, not in an annoying overly confident sort-of-way. The only thing that occurred to me yesterday, after reading about the different drs at her practice is that there's another dr there that is touted as an expert is sinus surgeries. I don't know if I should even ask about it. Does it really matter? Do I HAVE to over-think everything?? I guess I will just ask her how frequently she has done this type of surgery. If it seems like a low number, then maybe I will ask about this other dr.

Thanks again so much! And, thanks to Skippy for calling you over!! I agree, she's the sweetest!!

 

[EricaR]

My doctor didn't use traditional packing (like you think about with dental surgeries, cotton, etc). I had these hard plastic pieces, four in each side of different shapes and sizes, that were used to hold the nose in place and support everything as it healed. The benefit of those was that I was able to use the sinuses rinse starting the day after surgery and after three or four days I could actually breathe through them!

This is going to be about yucky, but I have to say it! When they pulled the splits out it was painful as can be. I actually passed out, but as I said I didn't take pain meds before going. That was followed by the doctor vacuuming out my sinuses. This wasn't painful but I almost passed out again. When the doctor finished he leaned back and said "ok, take a deep breath". I can't even put into words how amazing that first, deep breath was. It felt so good I was covered in goosebumps from head to toe!

 

[EricaR]

As far as sinus surgeries go, this one is fairly straight forward and simple. It doesn't require the top top surgeon! I did choose a top doctor because my nose was being broken and re-built, and it was important to me that my nose was reassembled to look like it did originally.

One comment! Do NOT do what I did! My surgery was in January, and for the first 18 or so months after your nose is weaker. What did I do a few weeks ago? I walked into a solid wood door. Nose first. In a single step I managed to do "maximum damage", to the point where my ENT was laughing hysterically. (I should say that I had a very good sense of humor about it and I was cracking up when I went into see him! Otherwise he wouldn't have been laughing!) he even sent a not to my pulmonary doc (they are buddies - I introduced them and now they work together all the time) that just said "Call Erica and as what she did."

Anyway! A single hit and I managed to fracture my nose, re-deviate my septum (to a small degree), and chip some cartilage. Unfortunately, it is healing with a bump and the septum seems to be shifting. Looks like I'm facing a second surgery. I don't mind seeing my ENT more - he is rather yummy!!!

 

[zoebartlett]

Erica, oh no! At least you have a sense of humor about it. Reading your post almost made me pass out! I'm looking into surgery, too (deviated septum and several sinus infections per year), and it really, really scares me. Well, getting the packing or splints out, that is. The rest of it doesn't sound fun but it's the aftermath that I'm worried about. I know some places use dissolving stitches but I think with what I need to have done, that won't be an option.

LV, thanks for the update! I hope all goes well for you next month!

 

[EricaR]

Zoe - don't be scared off!! I just wanted to post about that because most websites I read glossed over it, didn't mention it, or thought it wasn't painful at all. I am a huge wimp when I comes to dealing with pain, especially when it is unexpected! (My phone tried to change "wimp" into "wino", which I guess is equally true! Haha!)

 

[Skippy123]

Zoe - don't be scared off!! I just wanted to post about that because most websites I read glossed over it, didn't mention it, or thought it wasn't painful at all. I am a huge wimp when I comes to dealing with pain, especially when it is unexpected! (My phone tried to change "wimp" into "wino", which I guess is equally true! Haha!)

lol to crazy iphone changes to wino


ladies, sending healing sinus vibes to all of you Zoe, Erica and LV.

 

[Loves Vintage]

Erica, Thanks for the heads-up! I will be sure to keep an eye out for doors. You poor thing!! That actually does sound like something I would do!

Skippy and Zoe, Thanks again!

 

[justginger]

LV, I am so, so glad that you've found a great physician who is properly communicating with you.

Working in microbiology, I regularly see the lack of respect given to the field of mycology. When I was 18, my mother and I went to Mexico with our two best friends and she got a bit of sand in her eye one day. Came home, and it just kept getting worse. Got pumped full of antibiotics, still got worse. They finally realized WEEKS later that she'd gotten a fungal infection. By that point, it had eaten almost all the way through her cornea. She was days from blindness. As it was, she had to have a corneal transplant, and a revision a few years later. Hence - I have a healthy respect for fungus.

I really hope your surgery goes smoothly and the benefits are immediate.

 

[zoebartlett]

Zoe - don't be scared off!! I just wanted to post about that because most websites I read glossed over it, didn't mention it, or thought it wasn't painful at all. I am a huge wimp when I comes to dealing with pain, especially when it is unexpected! (My phone tried to change "wimp" into "wino", which I guess is equally true! Haha!)

lol to crazy iphone changes to wino


ladies, sending healing sinus vibes to all of you Zoe, Erica and LV.

Hehehe! Thanks Skippy!

 

[Loves Vintage]

Just wanted to post a quick update. I had the surgery on Monday. Recovery has been a breeze, though she did not need to do a septoplasty, which I think would have complicated healing. Having a little bit of a bad reaction to the prednisone, in that, I have not been able to sleep!!! So, dr took me off that for a while. She thinks maybe coming off of the anesthesia plus the prednisone created that problem.

Apparently, the blockage was really bad, and the doctor said it was very good that I had it resolved.

I am going to start taking a probiotic in hopes that helps me along health wise. This has been my worst year with illness - strep throat in Feb, antibiotics caused thrush, then this sinus issue. I wonder if those initial antibiotics really reduced my immune system, and then the thrush made me more susceptible to this fungal infection. Weird, and all stuff I've never dealt with as a relatively healthy person otherwise.

Happy I found this doctor!! Thanks for all of the support in this thread!!

 

[Skippy123]

Just wanted to post a quick update. I had the surgery on Monday. Recovery has been a breeze, though she did not need to do a septoplasty, which I think would have complicated healing. Having a little bit of a bad reaction to the prednisone, in that, I have not been able to sleep!!! So, dr took me off that for a while. She thinks maybe coming off of the anesthesia plus the prednisone created that problem.

Apparently, the blockage was really bad, and the doctor said it was very good that I had it resolved.

I am going to start taking a probiotic in hopes that helps me along health wise. This has been my worst year with illness - strep throat in Feb, antibiotics caused thrush, then this sinus issue. I wonder if those initial antibiotics really reduced my immune system, and then the thrush made me more susceptible to this fungal infection. Weird, and all stuff I've never dealt with as a relatively healthy person otherwise.

Happy I found this doctor!! Thanks for all of the support in this thread!!

sending healing vibes/prayers for a speedy recovery.

 

[texaskj]

Thanks for the update LV. Probiotics are great for all kinds of things. My SO has been taking cheap ones to help with his colitis. And there's no bad side effects and you can't OD. I know what you mean about the prednisone, ug, just ug. I hate that stuff.
Hope you feel better every day.

 

[Skippy123]

how are you feeling?? ditto the probiotics/yogurt. my doctor suggests taking them while on antibiotics and a week after since ab's stay in your system for awhile. sorry that happen; I am glad you are on the mend, hugs!