EFSS Sinus surgery

[Hana98]

Hi All,

I hope this is revelant here.I have been groing through acute sinus infections with headaches, pain in the eyes since 2022.I end up having anti biotics when it gets really bad and use stroid inhalers and do nasal washes. After 2 years managing, I finally had a scan done and I think the doctor saw some infection left deep in one of the sinuses deep behind right eye.

I have no polyps.

He said the operation has its risks ( damage to eye, brain..maybe infection afterwards) but still he recommends going with the operation as the effect of possible spread of infection to brain is even worse than possible rare effect of operation.

He said I can do nothing, I can take more medications but he recommends operation.

So,I am trying to weight things .

I also have asthma and use brown and blue inhalers. My ashthma has been well controled for about 2 years.

Has any one here done the EFSS sinus sugery? I would love to hears some experiences.

I live in Bristol.

[peege]

Crumbs I can only sympathise, say that Bristol have the best hospitals and wish you the best of luck. I had a sinus op in 2007 after years of being treated for migraine headaches. I did have nodules though on investigation5. The headaches were horrendous lasting 10 days. So many sinus cavities in the scull, it was very interesting seeing them full of solid 'matter' on the scan. I do feel for you, good luck. P

[Hana98 in reply to peege]

Thanks Peege,Thanks for explaning. Did your headache go away after the surgery? did you remeber side effect from surgery that I should be prepared?

[peege in reply to Hana98]

Headaches went as soon as the 'matter' came down a few weeks later. I honestly don't know if it was the same op that yours will be, yours sounds more serious. I wasn't warned of any risks and allowed home with an escort at the end of the day and promised someone would be with me for 48 hours after op in case of heavy bleed.

4 cavities were chock a block, two in my cheeks and two in my forehead that I could see on the scan. I haven't been able to smell since 1994 (but had put that down to an emotional trauma around that time. I'd learnt since my 20s that I had to avoid certain food/wine to prevent inflammation in sinuses. The ENT specialist recommended I use Sterimar nasal rinse for life and steroid nasal spray. Good luck 🙏

[Hana98 in reply to peege]

I can still smell,It is only headaches.The operating seem to be sending a little tube in nose to suck some infection out and maybe take a sample.

[Cat33]

Yes I have had it and it all went fine and it's been great They always have to tell you the risks and it's so frightening

Wishing you all the very very best

[Cat33 in reply to Cat33]

PS The operation was fine it didn't even feel like I had had an op and I went home the same day

All I had to do was isolate after in case I got any infections but there was no pain

[Hana98]

Thank you so much Cat33

[Rattle]

I recognise your situation, I also have chronic sinusitis and asthma - and bronchiectasis too.

My sinusitis caused mainly post nasal drop (which irritated my airways a lot) and problems with my eustachian tubes (resulting in blocked ears, infections and hearing problems)

I went to an ENT specialist in 2018 who tried me on several courses of antibiotics, steroid nose drops and put me on a routine of twice daily sinus rinses & a steroid nose spray.

It gave some short lived results but the sinus issues kept coming back and after a scan after about 10 months with not much success he suggested FESS. In addition to my sinus & hearing problems it would most likely improve my bronchiectasis and reduce the infections & irritation on my airways.

I went ahead with the surgery in March 2019. It was under GA, I did it in a private hospital and they kept me in for the night & day after.

It was not painful at all but a bit uncomfortable with the ”stuffing” of cotton they put in your nose. I had to sleep half sitting up for about 5-7 days as I couldn’t really breath through my nose.

The clogging of blood in my nose was a bit of a nasty shock but the nurse I contacted explained it was just normal how blood gets ”congeleed”.

Other than that first week I have had no problems or discomfort and the hearing is good, postnasal drip is gone and my lungs geel better. I can only recommend it!

[Hana98]

Thank you so much. I feel much more reassured.

[Thesunisout]

Hi there

sorry to hear about your problem.

I just wanted to share my experience, if it could be of any help, and say that I had a scan a few years ago that showed blocked sinuses and the ENT specialist told me I needed an op which to be honest I was not happy to do... I tried to look for different things and found Dr Adam Fields online, his youtube site is full of wonderful exercises.

They last about 10-15mins each. I started doing them regularly once or twice a day and the sinuses freed up. All has been good since and I did not need the op any more. Here are the links but if you go onto his YT channel you can see he deals with all sorts of issues.

When I recommend his exercises I always say, what have you got to lose?

youtu.be/9wjlGRRMsGc?si=YG4...(Not working as expected?)

youtu.be/drlG0aBzWXw?si=dJ5...(Not working as expected?)

youtu.be/KSv22azILjc?si=k9e...(Not working as expected?)

I have also had in the past Eustachian Tube Dysfunction. I got totally deaf in the right ear. I was told I had wax but after syringing I still could not hear. Again I did his exercises for ETD once or twice a day for a week or 10 days and all went back to normal. Here are the links.

youtu.be/1-SZ1r1dnho?si=5Xx...(Not working as expected?)

youtu.be/Pw4qzij-ryE?si=fRy...(Not working as expected?)

youtu.be/Gp0toF7n_wA?si=e8l...(Not working as expected?)

Good luck! All the very best to you!

[CrazySausageDogLady in reply to Thesunisout]

Hi there 😊 I hope you're doing well. Would you mind at all if I DM'd you to find out more about what you did to overcome your sinus issues naturally? I have found the youtube channel you mentioned and I am trying the exercises, but not having any drainage. I am trying to do everything I can before I opt for surgery as a last resort as I REALLY don't want it. If you could share any advice I would be so very grateful. Thanks in advance.

[CrazySausageDogLady]

Hi Hana, I have similar concerns to your own. My surgery is booked in for a weeks time and I am really anxious. How did your surgery go? Would you recommend it? I really hope it worked out for you.