PBC and sinus problems?🤷🏻‍♀️

[HealthyChik]

I think this may be a bit unrelated, but has anyone had success (or not) with sinus surgery? I have suffered, on and off, for the last 30 years with allergies and sinus infections. I have a deviated septum and some obstruction, but I have always just dealt with it and have been reluctant to have the surgery. However, since being diagnosed with PBC, I just feel like it's a source of inflammation that I don't need. Any input appreciated🙂

[mjk98]

I haven't had any surgery but I suffer from it every day it's so bad 😭 do your sinuses bleed at all

[HealthyChik in reply to mjk98]

Hi mjk98,

Yes, they do sometimes. I have tried every nose spray known to man and I use a sinus rinse on a regular basis. My seasonal allergies REALLY make mine worse and antihistamines seem to just make me more congested. Steroids help me the most but I hate taking them. Also tired of the extended rounds of antibiotics. I feel like the surgery may help since my CT scan showed obvious obstruction, but I hear so many stories that the relief doesn't last that long. I'd just like to breathe normally and hopefully get a more restful sleep.🙂

[ninjagirlwebb in reply to HealthyChik]

Did you try getting an air purifier for when you sleep? Might help with the air quality.

[HealthyChik in reply to ninjagirlwebb]

Yes. We have one for the bedroom and a larger one for the rest of the house. I can tell that it makes a difference in my sleep😴I've had them for about 6 months. But I still snore and often sleep with my mouth open. I am a recreational runner and I've noticed that I don't feel like I'm getting enough air in. I guess I'll probably have the surgery. I just hate the thought of anesthesia. Our systems are so sensitive and the older I get, the harder it is to bounce back, but I feel like now may be the best time to do it.

[ninjagirlwebb in reply to HealthyChik]

If this is impacting your quality of life & your day to day activities, follow your doctors’ advice & just get it over with.

They probably use a light anesthesia like when they do a colonoscopy. Think that is less of an impact on you. You wake up the minute they stop the feed from the IV. But definitely discuss this with your doctor if you have any concerns.

Good luck.

Haley

[claygi]

Yes, I’ve had chronic sinus infections as well. Also, I read a study that says there is a co-morbidly with PBC and sinusitis.

[HealthyChik in reply to claygi]

Hi claygi,

Have any of your doctor's said you were a candidate for surgery? Interesting how many of us suffer with it, but not many have chimed in about the dreaded surgery.

Thanks🙂

[claygi in reply to HealthyChik]

Yes, my ENT has offered me surgery, and I declined.

[Sachin1234]

True due to dryness

[Elanie]

Wow I have never made a connection. I suffer from constant sniffing due to feeling irritation and dry nasal passages, I have a deviated septum and get little relief from nasal sprays. My constant sniff drives my family crazy , I had no idea it could be linked to my PBC

[Beatris03]

I do have sinus problems too. I can't believe that it could be related to PBC. I've had this for years. Blocked nose for months, especially in the winter. I haven't had any problems this winter, I have changed my diet so I wonder if that could be the reason. The diary, the sugar and the gluten are out. I hope this helps.

[HealthyChik in reply to Beatris03]

Sorry you are dealing with sinus issues as well. I'm not gluten or sugar free but eat very little of it. However, I love low fat dairy products. It's funny how this condition goes in cycles for me. As a child I had tonsillitis frequently, but never sinus issues and I lived in an area where it was common. When I hit my early 20s and into my mid 30s it was HORRIBLE. It calmed down for 10 years. 40s were great and I did nothing different that I can note. So far the 50s are not good. Really considering the surgery to fix my septum and clean out some anomalies before I get any older. So glad you've been symptom free for a bit🙂

[Hidden]

I haven't had surgery but long term sinus problems that a variety of treatments didn't relieve for more than a week and weren't suitable to take long term (IMO!). I'm finding fresh grated horseraddish (chew a pinch of it) a great, and instant head clearer. It's not for everyone with all conditions but worth checking if it could be something you'd like to try.

[HealthyChik in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for the tip! I have noticed that wasabi will sometimes do the trick as well😉. Inflammation is my biggest problem I think. Plus..I'm very cold-natured so I blast the heat in my car..I have a fairly long commute..so that doesn't help. I also try to use saline sprays. It's interesting how many of us suffer with sinusitis. It can really make you feel drained.. something we don't need on top of PBC☹️

[Hidden in reply to HealthyChik]

Could you possibly wear something light, loose and warm in the car (friend takes hot water bottle) then leave the fan heater off? It is a big cause of nasal congestion? I liked saline nasal sprays but they dried nose lining too much and bled easily. When this became sore my gp said "put vaseline up your nose". (I'd have been doing it for nearly 40 years if I took his advice, that's if I could stand up after he told me to "keep an eye" on my piles! Happy Days!

[HealthyChik in reply to Hidden]

😂....I keep my home fairly cool (or what most people think is a normal temp..70ish) as a compromise with my hubby. He is just the opposite of me so when I'm by myself in the car, I love to crank up the heat. Just a bad habit I need to break. I use something called NozAid that is a moisturizing nasal spray that helps if I get really dry

[Hidden in reply to HealthyChik]

We have to make choices don't we? My sinuses would be better if I gave up coffee but that would cause problems. I have't seen NozAid. I love the name. If you go for the surgery, does it prevent further sinus infection?

[HealthyChik in reply to Hidden]

Of course there are no guarantees, but it is suppose to lessen the infections. I've heard stories of how it didn't help for the long term, but everyone's case is different. I've seen my CT scan and it's really a mess in there. I've gotten a 2nd opinion and both said the same thing. Both assured me that I will at least breathe better once I get the structural issues fixed and hopefully things will drain better as well. Of course my allergies make it worse, but not much else I can do about those..other than live in a bubble. Like you say..we have to make choices...ugh🤔

[Hidden]

I'm going to see if I'd benefit from the surgery. Choronic Blocked sinus is a really big drag in a few ways, and as you say, a source of inflammation you don't need. I used to think it was probably this constant low level of infection that triggered my PBC and it could have been. I saw ENT specialist years ago who insisted I had no detectable problem at a time when I could barely get air up or down one nostril. I mouth-breathe, then and now and he said it was the cause but I was sure it was the consequence. I gave up because I didnt have energy to persue it. Thank you for raising the topic.

[HealthyChik in reply to Hidden]

Good luck to you and hope you get some relief. I'll keep you updated on what I decide

[Hidden in reply to HealthyChik]

Have you decided yet re surgery? I have appointment for ct scan to see if surgery will help. I'll keep you informed.

[HealthyChik in reply to Hidden]

Hi,

I decided not to have the surgery at this time, although I do feel like I would probably benefit from it. Fortunately, I've had a few good months with no infections. I'm sure when it flares again, I'll reconsider. I hope you get some answers from your CT scan. Please keep me updated.

[Ballymahon2]

I had a sinus operation 9 years ago and was successful

[HealthyChik in reply to Ballymahon2]

That's great news! If you don't mind me asking, was it to clear or scrape out and/or more repair of structural issues such as a deviated septum? I actually need both

[Hidden in reply to Ballymahon2]

Ballymahon, can you remember, did you have day-surgery?

[HealthyChik in reply to Hidden]

If it helps, mine would have been day or outpatient surgery. I feel like most are unless you have other risks or health conditions that would warrant longer monitoring. The ENT told me I'd be in and out in a few hours. Surgery time was very short

[Hidden in reply to HealthyChik]

Thanks for this, it helps.