Sinus Surgery

[supremeslang]

I have been seeing a specialist about a chronic cough I have had for about two years. He prescribed me medicine for post nasel drip but it has not been working and it's too expensive to keep buying every two weeks. My only other option is surgery and I really don't wanna go that route. Have any of you guys had sinus surgery? I would like to know some experiences before I decide to get the surgery done. Thanks.

[PhantomPain]

Re: Sinus Surgery

I have been seeing a specialist about a chronic cough I have had for about two years. He prescribed me medicine for post nasel drip but it has not been working and it's too expensive to keep buying every two weeks. My only other option is surgery and I really don't wanna go that route. Have any of you guys had sinus surgery? I would like to know some experiences before I decide to get the surgery done. Thanks.

I had sinus surgery a year ago. In my case, though, I had all kinds of problems. I had a deviated septum and horrible sinus infections all the time. I also had no sense of smell for about 8 years leading up the surgery (with the exception of 30 second lapses 2-3 times a month...I know, weird!). Anyway I had heard the worst part about the surgery was the unpacking of the nose (fill you up with tissue to stop the bleeding), but my doctor said he doesn't normally use the packing...and he didn't. Really it wasn't so bad. I went in, they knocked me out, I woke up and felt fine (loads of drugs in me). When they started to wear off, I took Vicodin. I have to tell you though, I was taking 2 pills, 4 times a day to keep the pain away. One week later, I felt like I shouldn't be taking it any longer so I quit. One of the worst days/nights ever. I had the shakes, cold sweats, nightmares. I apparently became addicted to the Vicodin that week. So I took one more just to chill out and feel a bit better, then the next day I fought through everything and was fine after that. Other than that, it was a GREAT success. I can smell now after an 8 year layoff, I can breathe easier, my wife says I don't snore like I used to. I even sound a lot different to people on the phone (good thing or bad thing I guess).

I would say that if you can avoid surgery, then that is your best option. Have you had a second opinion? Are there no other alternatives? If the surgery is the only option for you, from my experience, it was not so bad. If they use the packing stuff, then that might suck as I am told it feels like they are pulling your brains out. But still that is only a few minutes of misery in your life. Try to take as little pain killer as you can, but definitely take something as there is no need to be in pain, and everything should work out fine for you.

Good luck.

[supremeslang]

Re: Sinus Surgery

I had sinus surgery a year ago. In my case, though, I had all kinds of problems. I had a deviated septum and horrible sinus infections all the time. I also had no sense of smell for about 8 years leading up the surgery (with the exception of 30 second lapses 2-3 times a month...I know, weird!). Anyway I had heard the worst part about the surgery was the unpacking of the nose (fill you up with tissue to stop the bleeding), but my doctor said he doesn't normally use the packing...and he didn't. Really it wasn't so bad. I went in, they knocked me out, I woke up and felt fine (loads of drugs in me). When they started to wear off, I took Vicodin. I have to tell you though, I was taking 2 pills, 4 times a day to keep the pain away. One week later, I felt like I shouldn't be taking it any longer so I quit. One of the worst days/nights ever. I had the shakes, cold sweats, nightmares. I apparently became addicted to the Vicodin that week. So I took one more just to chill out and feel a bit better, then the next day I fought through everything and was fine after that. Other than that, it was a GREAT success. I can smell now after an 8 year layoff, I can breathe easier, my wife says I don't snore like I used to. I even sound a lot different to people on the phone (good thing or bad thing I guess).

I would say that if you can avoid surgery, then that is your best option. Have you had a second opinion? Are there no other alternatives? If the surgery is the only option for you, from my experience, it was not so bad. If they use the packing stuff, then that might suck as I am told it feels like they are pulling your brains out. But still that is only a few minutes of misery in your life. Try to take as little pain killer as you can, but definitely take something as there is no need to be in pain, and everything should work out fine for you.

Good luck.

Thanks, I probably should have a second opinion. I don't have all the problems you had though. That sounds really tough. My main concern is the cough, I can deal with the congested feeling in my nose. It just annoying to go to the movies or a wedding and have to cough all loud and distract everyone.