Has chronic sinusitis affected treatment or outcome?

[banrambo]

In addition to the enlarged nodes with SLL/CLL B-cell my cat scan shows chronic sinusitis. ENT said no hurry, but I read yesterday that it's a major infection to be concerned with. Now what?

[MsLockYourPosts Passed Volunteer]

I had sinus issues all of my life, mostly allergy related, but as the CLL was getting worse, and before my doctors diagnosed it, my sinus infections were constant. I had had sinus surgery once in the past, but my sinuses would block and it took several rounds of antibiotics to get them to just drain. The last infection went on for a full year and no medication helped. I ended up with a bad case of double vision driving home one day, which landed me with a neurologist. My MRI showed no issues with the brain, but that my sinuses were completely full. I believe the double vision probably had something to do with the pressure building up.

So....Queen of IVIG here (private joke that is spreading) here. It turned out that my IgG level was in the 200s. I was started on IVIG and have been on it ever since - 10+ years. It has changed my life. I would recommend having your IgA, IgG, and IgM levels checked (simple blood test). Living with your body constantly fighting infections is not good, nor is living on antibiotics. One worry with sinus infections is that they can drain, causing a chest infection, and those can develop into pneumonia.

You and your doctor will have to determine whether a low IgG level is playing into your infections. It might be that sinus surgery to open things up or the newer balloon procedure would be enough to allow your sinuses to drain, helping to prevent future issues. I did have a second surgery once the sinuses were clear again. While no one wants to go into an unnecessary surgery, the two I had for my sinuses were the best thing I ever did for myself. Between that and the IVIG, I have only had a handful of sinus infections in the last ten years, and they drain, so I don't live with the 2 x 4 slamming you in the face feeling all of the time or the resulting ear, chest and throat infections.

So, Chris, does that make me the Queen of sinus surgery as well? I will expect a jewel studded crown if you lay another title on me! LOL!