I've been battling what my doctor diagnosed as chronic sinusitis for over three months now, with persistent facial pressure, congestion, and headaches that antibiotics and nasal sprays haven't cleared. I'm scheduled for a CT scan next week to check for structural issues or polyps. I'm feeling frustrated and exhausted from the constant discomfort and am looking for advice from others who have moved beyond basic treatments. What has been effective for you—was it a longer course of a different medication, allergy management, or ultimately a surgical procedure like endoscopic sinus surgery?
For the next steps, consider asking your ENT about: what the CT findings imply; whether nasal endoscopy is planned; a plan for max medical therapy before surgery; and a post-op care plan if ESS is recommended. Also set a clear timeline to reassess so you're not left waiting.
I went through something similar last year. After antibiotics and nasal sprays failed to clear things, my ENT added regular saline irrigation and a daily nasal steroid, plus an emphasis on addressing allergies. Symptoms gradually improved over a few months, and I avoided surgery so far. But everyone's different.
Want me to tailor a short list of questions to bring to your appointment? If you share what the CT shows or symptoms (polyp presence, asthma, etc.), I can help you think through potential scenarios and common outcomes.
CT next week should help pin down whether you have polyps or a blocked drainage pathway. In many cases, people find relief with daily saline irrigations, intranasal corticosteroids, and addressing allergies. If the scan shows polyps, endoscopic sinus surgery is a common next step for persistent symptoms, with varying degrees of relief.
Ask about culture-guided antibiotics for persistent bacterial symptoms and evaluate allergies; immunotherapy might help if there are identifiable triggers. Your clinician may also consider a short course of targeted antibiotics if indicated by culture results.
I know the process is frustrating. A stepwise approach—saltwater rinses, nasal steroids, allergy management, and then reassessing for surgery—helps many patients feel more in control.