Trusting the Doc

Not to get into too much detail, I've been trying to get clear of what's become a chronic sinus infection for almost four months, and I've been on severely reduced activities for most of that time just not feeling good. While the ENT was reviewing the CT results about a week ago, muttering quietly about things not making sense he announced, "We need to go in and open up and clean out your right side ethmoids!" My reaction was, "Whatever it takes to get rid of this #@%^*#@ infection!"

Going in Tuesday the 12th for him to work his magic, running the CT image in parallel with his endoscope images to get everything cleaned out while staying clear of the orbit of the eye and the floor of the skull supporting the brain. I think that's why they didn't get into this area back in '95 when I did the sinus surgery routine that's kept me pretty much OK for 20 years. The whole process is supposed to be less than an hour of roto-rooter work. Hoping that's the case, and that the recovery process yields no more infection that's been there for far, far too long!

I hope everything goes well, its been the year of sinus infections for some reason, seen more than a few around the hospital this past winter for some reason as well, had one myself that had a hard time letting go! Take care of yourself and do as they say!

Good luck Roger. I can sympathize I had a sinus infection literally for years that between misdiagnosis and half measures never really went away....it ended up just becoming my new normal.

I was unexpectedly and finally cured last December. When they put me in the hospital for 4 days with pneumonia they had me on a heavy duty regiment of antibiotics a side effect was that after years they finally got rid of the sinus infection. After all this time it is such a great feeling not to be going thru that crap.

I had a CT scan a couple of weeks ago, and just got the results back which in part said "there is evidence of irritation of the sinuses, but no active inflammation". I just thought to myself great, they can find it after it's cured but didn't have a clue when I was complaining about it :rolleyes:


.

Yeah Mike, I lost count of the number of times I've heard, "This is really abnormal!" from my ENT. I guess that's why it still the "practice of medicine", and not a defined science with firm steps for every situation. I really ticked off one doc years back when I told him that he was nothing more than a systems engineer for the most complex system known. He was offended! And that's when we parted company....

Hoping for the best of outcomes, Roger; I'll be thinking about you. Got sinus problems too.

.

Hoping all the best for you my friend!

You've just GOT to get better this time!
You've got an important date coming up in just a few weeks; and you've got to be in good condition for that.

We'll be thinking of you and wishing you all the best (our) next Wednesday.
Good luck mate.

Roger, you just needed to find an Md with a nose for sinus problems. Good luck. I hope it works.

Hoping that solves the issues bud. As we've talked, I'm pretty fed up with the current system of non-critical treatment, but you might be finally getting what you need.

Hope they get you cleared up this time.
I had the sinus irritation deal fo rmonths also. Finally found an old horse doctor who was willing to prescribe an antibiotic that cleared it up.

The other docs were talking about drilling holes in the skull right below the eyebrows and scratching around to cause scar tissue. They said the scar tissue wouldn't allow the nerves to be exposed! I'd still be prone to infections... I just wouldn't feel it! What a bunch of quacks!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 34_40

...Finally found an old horse doctor who was willing to prescribe an antibiotic that cleared it up.

---

You were fortunate. I've run the gambit on antibiotics since New Years, now on the fifth round, this one thirty days which goes into post op, with four different strains of antibiotic and a two week run of prednisone in the middle for good measure. Pills just aren't getting to the infection. Call Roto-Rooter, that's the name and away go troubles down the drain!!

Good luck my friend, I'll be thinking of you tomorrow, god speed..

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by rspears

You were fortunate. I've run the gambit on antibiotics since New Years, now on the fifth round, this one thirty days which goes into post op, with four different strains of antibiotic and a two week run of prednisone in the middle for good measure. Pills just aren't getting to the infection. Call Roto-Rooter, that's the name and away go troubles down the drain!!

---

Fortunate.. I guess. It was weeks of crippling headaches, I couldn't open me eyes during the day. Emergency room begging for help.. Lucky to find a doc who said let's be un-conventional.

I'll be saying a prayer for you my friend. I wish there were more!

Roger, any updates, was everything OK?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 36 sedan

Roger, any updates, was everything OK?

---

The surgery seems to have gone fine. I did not talk to the doc post op as I was still snoozing, but he told son Kevin that he had accomplished what he'd planned, and there were no problems. I'll go back in a week and will learn more details then, but for now we're ~ five hours post surgery and no problems. My wife's picking up a pain med prescription on her way home from her critical path babysitting day with grandson Olin, but at this point I've not needed more than a couple of Tylenol tablets. My biggest complaint is a soreness in my throat, along with a "lump" that's hard to clear, all caused by the air tube they inserted/removed during the surgery to introduce oxygen with no mask. All in all seems to be good, and time will be the telling factor long term.

Thanks for asking!

Good news!
Hoping you a speedy recovery my friend, keep us posted please.

Wishing you a speedy recovery. The last time I was in surgery, I died. Five surgeons brought me back.

.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by techinspector1

Wishing you a speedy recovery. The last time I was in surgery, I died. Five surgeons brought me back.

.

---

That's a scary story! But, it does give you some bragging rights...

Let's hope that the prognosis is just as good over the next few days.

Thinkin' of ya.

jb and She

Just saw this Thread, and I'm sending good thoughts/wishes your way-glad to hear it went well (this gettin' old stuff isn't for the faint of heart), and I hope you have a speedy recovery-you have my total sympathy, as my Wife also has some sinus issues, so I understand the frustration-

Hope all goes well-

Thanks for the kind words, everybody. On light duty for the next couple of weeks, and then hoping that the new "normal" is more like the pre-December '16, or even better! Post op with the doc is a week away.

Good to hear that things are looking good Roger. A little light duty for a bit isn't necessarily a bad thing !!!


.

I'm glad to hear things are looking up, hope it continues to get better.

I hope you were nicer to the nursing staff in the recovery room than I was the last time I was "intubated" for throat surgery; when they removed the tube, someone told me to take a deep breath, then when they started to pull the tube, they said ok let it out - no problem. But then something went awry, and my reaction was to sort of come unwound like a spring, and I coldcocked one of the nurses; things got a little excited in there for a few minutes. I tried to make it up to her by sending her some flowers - don't know if it did it though.

:o:o:o

.

That's a piece of good news Roger. Thanks for the update. Chris and I will keep a good thought for you for the next weeks.

Roger, I'm glad to hear it all went well! I wish you a speedy and infection free recovery!

Again, thanks to all for the kind words.

The most recent revelation is that it's not uncommon to feel like you were hit by a truck the day following general anesthesia outpatient surgery (in & out in a few hours). I'm a glaring example! Shortly after getting up Wednesday my muscles started stiffening up, and within an hour or two any significant movement was painful, even swallowing! Somewhat better today, but still more soreness than I'd have doing manual labor. :confused::mad::D Just part of the process, so no worries, but this part was not something I expected. On the good side, I'm not supposed to lift more than 5lbs for a week, and the sore muscles make that rule easier to follow.;)

A disappointment is that we had booked spots with a local tour group doing a two week tour of Ireland, departing April 27th. This surgery, along with the defined and undefined steps to recovery caused us to cancel the trip. It's the right thing, but it's also a hard thing.

Really sorry to hear about your "pain", and the loss of the Trip (we went to Ireland about 5 Years ago and loved it)-oh well, there is always next Year-

Manual labor? I knew his brother, and I avoid them both whenever I can- :)

Times 2.. sorry to hear you had to give up the trip.

Went back for a post-op check yesterday, and told the doc that I'm having mostly the same symptoms as before surgery - spot pressure in the ethmoid area, post nasal drip at night, ear draining at night, etc. The doc said that there's still a pus pocket in the surgery area, and he evacuated that (shop vac). Generally he's pleased with where we are after surgery, and it may take several weeks of healing/recovery to get everything addressed. Hoping he's right....

We'll be keeping you in our thoughts Roger, and hoping for the best.


.

Argh.. several weeks?? I guess theres some encouragement in that he's pleased with the current progress.

I guess we're never satisfied with our healing / recovery speed... are we?

Stay the course, like theres any alternative.. LOL... Take care of yourself my friend!

Thoughts and prayers for a full and speedy recovery.

So...it's not really good news; but it's not really bad news either.
Look after yourself mate, you'll be in our thoughts.

crikey - just read this an a very belated " GET WELL MATE"

Thanks to all, and it's really just more frustrating than anything else with nagging sinus junk that I'd like to be rid of and funky hearing in one ear. Seems to be getting better, but slooooooowly.

I hope it continues to get better and doesn't revert Roger!

You are in my thoughts, Roger. I hope this gets you better; just be patient.

Our former family Doc used to say that they called us "patients" because we had to be patient with them while they "practiced" on us. Loved that guy, may he rest in peace.

.

Wishing you well Roger ! I've had sinus problems all my life so I know a little of what you
have been through. It's hard to realize how much longer it takes to heal at our age. We don't bounce back like we
did in our younger days!

Take care, Rich