Ack - 3 doctors with conflicting answers

**catnapper** · 04-27-2010, 12:06 PM

I am so completely and utterly frustrated with the medical community right now.

Many know of my sinus pain issues. I've been feeling great for 3 weeks now (a minor miracle to be feeling good for more than one hour) since the last round of antibiotics was finished. I started feeling like the sinus infection was back a couple days ago.

Doctor #1 (Ear Nose Throat) says I need sinus surgery in two weeks to fix a badly deviated septum. He also said if I have ANY cold or infection I would have to cancel the surgery and reschedule. He said that I also HAD to get allergy shots or the surgery would be useless. Apparently, without allergy shots, my nose would go back to its current state within 5 years. With the shots, I have a strong chance of the surgery being permanent. Ok, so to the allergist I went

Doctor #2 (Allergist) says ENT is full of hoopla and my headaches have nothing to do with the nose. He also said I don't have a sinus infection. I know my body.... I know my sinus infection is back in full force. Between yesterday's Allergist appointment and this morning, I went from feeling sinusy to feeling like my head has been run over by a truck (or maybe a train?)

So that prompts me to call Doctor #3 (family physician) this morning. She agreed with me: I have another sinus infection and said I need to stay home for two days to get healthy for my upcoming surgery (which she completely agrees with). So now I have spent over $100 in two days for conflicting medical care, and I have an annoyed boss. I have the sinus migraine from hades AND A cranky grandson who won't let me take a nap.

Calgon... take me away? Or someone? Anyone? Please?

**Cataholic** · 04-27-2010, 02:21 PM

Have you tried RX Flonase for 30 days?

**catnapper** · 04-27-2010, 02:26 PM

Originally Posted by Cataholic

Have you tried RX Flonase for 30 days?

How about for 3 months? Its doing nothing. I have a drawer full of nasal sprays.... Flonase, Veramyst, Nasonex. I could open my own drug store for sinus issues at this point. One doctor says to use its twice a day. Another says thats too much and is causing irritation and to use it once a day for 5 days and give my nose two days off. I tried every day, every other day, and twice a day - all to no effect.

**Karen** · 04-27-2010, 02:39 PM

My sympathies. This time of year I need to pile Sudafed on top of all the other allergy stuff I do year 'round, or I end up with sinus infections. I do 2 nasal sprays twice a day (one a steroid) and various other stuff, and most of the year I am okay, but this spring has been pollenarific!

Would a box of crayons and a stack of newspapers occupy Cam enough?

**RedHedd** · 04-27-2010, 04:12 PM

Have you tried a Neti pot? Best thing ever! I had sinus surgery last year which helped a lot, but continue using the Neti Pot daily. It makes a HUGE difference.

**catnapper** · 04-27-2010, 04:32 PM

Originally Posted by RedHedd

Have you tried a Neti pot? Best thing ever! I had sinus surgery last year which helped a lot, but continue using the Neti Pot daily. It makes a HUGE difference.

Thats actually the one thing all 3 doctors agree is a waste of time for me. I tried it to no effect and asked if I was doing something wrong and they all agreed its useless in my case