Sinus Issues

[Imalpn]

Does anybody have chronic sinus issues? For most of my adult life including the present I have large amounts of mucus going down my throat and it gets hung up in that I can’t cough it up and expectorate it so I end up swallowing it then I’m coughing and clearing my throat constantly but at night that thick sticky mucus causes frequent inflammation coughing which I’m afraid will mess up surgery I had for reflux. At night the right side of my nose blocks up. 2 years ago a sinus CT scan showed the right maxillary sinus is a little thicker than the left. There is an in office procedure that’s suppose to stop the over production of mucus. It’s called Clarifix check it out. Problem is I’m Afraid to go because Covid is so widespread here in the U.S. ( I’m in Florida where Covid cases are through the roof😕

[LeoPa]

I've had a much milder version of what you describe for nearly 40 years. On and off. Nobody ever figured out what's causing it. Suspicion is it is some kind of allergy to something. Not inflammation since my inflammation markers are really low. It's not nearly bad enough for me to consider surgery. Good luck with yours if you decide to do it. By the way I've read that some blood pressure medications can cause irritable constant cough. Or to worsen one if there already was one.

[Stampie]

Have you considered your indoor air quality especially in the bedroom? Try a hepa air purifier- anti dust mite bedding and hepa vacuum cleaner with sealed bag eg Miele. Vacuum the curtains and fabric headboard as they may harbour dust mites and you will be inhaling their faeces which are a major inhaled allergen.

[SofiaDeo in reply to Stampie]

I too clean everything periodically, instead of coating with icky chemicals like Febreze. I dry the bed linens in the dryer on Air Only for 20-30 minutes weekly. Yearly cleaning of pillows, bedspreads, drapes. You might be amazed at the amount of lint/pollen/dust that comes out of the bed linens like I was when I first started doing this.

Florida has lots of molds too, so check your indoor humidity. Ideally between 40-50%, any higher and you may have some mold/mildew issues. And FWIW, cleaning mold or mildew with bleach doesn't destroy it, it just bleaches it. Clean any icky areas with vinegar first to kill it, then bleach if needed to remove any stain.

[blowinginthewind]

I get a lot of nasal and sinus mucus, always have, but worse now with CLL - thicker and more of it. I now use Sterimar when it gets bad - it is an aerosol containing sterile salt water. A spray up each nostril. I also avoid too much dairy intake particular cheese - I try and only have cheese once or twice a week even though I love cheese. My dad and his older sister had the same issues with sinuses, but not CLL, I have learned the ways to deal with from them.

[John_EDN]

My symptoms are periodic and not as severe as you describe, and generally seem to end up causing a mild but annoying inner ear infection and fatigue. Like you I (and perhaps most of us) also have a somewhat asymmetric nose!

I was taught a very basic alternative to the nasal spray some years ago which I find effective. It's a form of Jala Neti, which is taught in yoga, but this version just involves inhaling a mild salt solution up one nostril at a time from the palm of your hand. I call it nose gargling! Some people seem to find this uncomfortable - I don't, but it does takes getting used to. My wife refuses to even try this, but then again her sinuses are fine!

The technique involves inhaling a palmful of the solution deeply up one nostril and then blowing out from the other, then the reverse. Some of the fluid naturally also ends up in the back of the mouth to be spat out, not swallowed so keep the throat closed.

There are variations around this to be found on numerous yoga websites, with special jugs, recipes etc. This version is slightly different, simpler for me and requires no kit, which may be helpful in your situation.

Needless to say everything (beaker, hands, water etc) should be clean, water warm and not too hot, not as much salt as a mouth-wash. You blow your nose before and after and you need to keep a tissue handy for the next hour or so.

If I feel pretty much any ENT symptom I'll do this once or twice a day for a few days and I think it really helps. Some folks do this every morning!

It is said that people who regularly swim in the (clean) sea claim to suffer less from these sorts of symptoms. (Seawater is about 35gm salt per litre of water which is roughly what I use.)

PS: Warning: people who don't do this (like my wife) think it's a bit weird - people who do it regularly swear by it!

[lsutigers2018]

I have two or three a year since I was five. Two Zpacs usually do it. I am told I need to have my sinuses scrapedas it hides in the cartilage. I am claustrophobic so I have avoided having my nose closed off.

[Hidden]

I’ve had similar issues...cause unknown...try taking 2,5 ml liquid Zyrtec every night...it works for me.

[Java51]

Since I have been diagnosed with CLL (2016) I have had frequent sinus infections. I get relief by using clonase, a nasal spray and sometimes by taking an antibiotic (Amoxicillin.). It seems to me that as time progresses the infections get harder to treat.

[Bribin]

" For most of my adult life including the present I have large amounts of mucus going down my throat and it gets hung up in that I can’t cough it up and expectorate it so I end up swallowing it then I’m coughing and clearing my throat constantly but at night that thick sticky mucus causes frequent inflammation coughing. At night, the right side of my nose blocks up. " I can't believe that i didn't write this myself, every symptom = ditto.

My GP says it is 'Nasal Reflux' and suggested I use Avamys -

Avamys nasal spray is used to treat symptoms of allergic rhinitis including stuffy, runny or itchy nose, sneezing and watery, itchy or red eyes, in adults and children aged 6 years and over.

I was cautioned to use it only occasionally.

A short time after use, the mucus is released from the nooks and crannies that so infuriatingly trapped it! Perhaps it could provide you with some relief; at times when your frustration peaks, but please do seek your Doctor's advice!

Florida hasn’t got exclusive right to this affliction, so ha! 😇John Northern Ireland

[Imalpn in reply to Bribin]

I’m Irish! My paternal grandparents came from County Cork🙂