Really Ill For 2 Months, Sinusitis Or Something Else??

[adviceplease24]

Hi, just over 2 months ago now i got a flu type illness and the doctor said it was sinusitis. I have tried 4 lots of antibiotics and steroids but nothing clears it. My symptoms are a dry itchy cough, muscle aches all over my body (which at the moment is the biggest problem because i cant live life how i used to), lack of energy (i used to go to the gym 4 times a week and now walking up the stairs is a problem) constant headache and dizziness when laying down. The doctors have said i have chronic sinusitis but i have not got a blocked nose and they have more or less forgotten me, i have had no head scan (they said they sent a letter to e.n.t but its been 2 months since then and still nothing) my blood test came back that i have a vitamin d deficiency but other than that normal. Is there anything else this could be because its ruining my life and the doctors are doing nothing at all. Any ideas please reply, thanks.

[furrypusscat]

Have you asked different doctors at your practice for a second opinion. Keep going back and ask to see what other tests can be carried out. Don't just accept being fobbed off if you really think there may be something more serious. If it is sinusitis, what about sinus washouts, not very pleasant but this should be offered or insist on seeing ENT consultant.
You may get better responses from Abers once Christmas is over.

[pdq1]

As mentioned above about washouts. One method is to douse your nostrils with a salt solution mixed with warm water. Hold your head back and use a soaked tissue to let the liquid up the nose. This should clear the sinus cavity after some attempts.

[furrypusscat]

Have you tried using steam inhalations inserting 2 or 3 menthol crystals, or olbas oil in hot water in a bowl and inhaling with your head over the bowl under a towel. Sure makes your eyes run. Do this quite frequently. It should help if it is sinusitis.

[adviceplease24]

Hi, I am doing the steam inhilations and also washing out sinus with salt water and i also have some nasal sprays. I have seen 2 different doctors at the same doctor surgery but currently am not due to see any docs and am no longer on tablets. I am no better now than i was when i was ill on day one.

[pdq1]

The official way of using a salt solution
http://allergies.about.com/od/noseandsinusallergies/a/nasalsalineirr.htm

[Sqad]

This doesn't sound like sinus disease....sorry to disagree with the professionals.

Are you on any medication and have you any underlying medical condition?

Your Vitamin D deficiency.....may be a contributory, but until i have further information I would not be definite.

What other blood tests did you have?

[furrypusscat]

Sounds like you are doing everything that you need to do. Go back to GP, if you don't, they will think that you are feeling better and it is obvious that you are not.

[furrypusscat]

I agree with Sqad. If it was sinus, I would have thought you should be feeling better by now.

[adviceplease24]

I have no underlying illnesses, it came like a sudden flu but never left and my legs are feeling heavier an heavier. I don't believe its sinus problems either but if my doctor will not send me for further tests what can i do? Am i supposed to live in pain forever because of a lazy doctor? Ive looked up private head scans because the headache is constantly there and before the illness ive never suffered with heachaches at all, or sinus or muscle ache problems, but its just too expensive for me to go private. So i have no idea what i'm sposed to do.

[bednobs]

surely you should wait for the out patient appointment with ENT to come through, and if a head scan is appropriate, they will send you for one? I thought all referrrals were done via chose and book nowadays, rather than writing letters?

[hc4361]

Chase up the ENT appointment. Phone your GP in the first week of January, and weekly after that until you get your appointment. You shouldn't have to wait this long for the first appointment.

You can always book an appointment for your GP's 'off day' and see the locum or other GP in the practice.

[Sqad]

Thank you for your reply.........but without knowing the results and nature of the tests i can be of little help except to advice that you take Ibuprofen for the headaches...400mgms at a time....and "sweet talk" your GP into expediting your referral.

One thing that does come to mind is an under active thyroid, but that may have been eliminated in your routine tests.........if it was ordered.

I look forward to some feedback.

[Sqad]

I have been "musing" whilst watching TV about your predicament and perhaps "Post Viral Syndrome" is a possibility....Google it.

I must impress upon you that ALL investigations must be NORMAL before this diagnosis can be entertained.

[vrach]

I don,t know your age and medical background.I feel the sinusitis is not the root of your problem but a trigger.Go endocrine- get supraadrenals (eg Addison's disease),hypothyroidism,SLE checked.That,s all I can advise with the very little info available.
Good luck.

[boxtops]

Go back, ask the GP practice to chase up your appointment. Eight weeks is a long time not to have heard (your appointment may be far ahead but you should have heard by now). If they can't tell you anything, ask for a second opinion - you are entitled to ask for that.

[pdq1]

If booking an appointment with your GP is anything like ours you will have a long wait. As for getting a scan in a hospital you could be dead by then just waiting.

As for GPs I cannot feel they want to do away with the appointments system and as in the days gone past for everyone to come at sit in the surgery waiting room spreading all their diseases about.

If you've got the money go private. I booked in for a scan 2 weeks ago and was seen within a week and the test results are being sent to me in the next 3 working days.

[vrach]

Think Myasthenia Gravis also.Go to your GP with the list I'm suggesting and demand that he/she proves you don't those illnesses.Then move on.

[Sqad]

Don't go and DEMAND anything....that will just p1ss the medics off and in that situation there will be only one loser.

vrach.......that is exactly what the Drs are doing......they have the same websites to consult as do you.

[boxtops]

You have the right to see a health professional in 48 hours, still - it doesn't have to be a GP, a nurse practitioner is just as good, and can prescribe and refer.

[Eve]

Some of it does sound a bit like a lingering virus kind of thing - the aches and tiredness and such, especially if you had an illness like a virus, bad cold, flu etc... before this came on. I know it's taken me a while to recover from somethings like viral pnumonia and a virus which made my brain swell up. It can last a while. I remember Em10 I think having a similar sounding problem a while back, though some different symptoms.

Things like fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome type illnesses can also be kicked off by some illnesses.

Could the dry itchy cough be being triggered by something like some kind of allergy or irritation? Similarly the headache - I have had constant headaches caused by things like switching to artificial sweetners and a Dianette contraceptive pill.

I agree that going in demanding to be tested for those kind of illnesses may not go down well! GPs will be looking for general indicators of things which could lead to suggesting, with your symptoms, ideas as to what kind of thing might be wrong and then any referral as appropriate (like the ENT one). I don't think GPs would order a headscan or that kind of thing??

Thinks like Addisons and SLE would, I'd have thought (I know people with both) be initially investigated, diagosed and dealt with by specialists. Thyroid is something you could ask about though if not already done.

Sounds like something a specialist at the hospital would do if they feel it would be useful. ENT referred me for a head MRI once I was referred to them.

Are you on vitamin D therapy and did they say what your level was? Whether it is a proper deficiency or whether your levels are a bit lower than normal? My rhumatologist says deficiency can make you feel quite run down when I've had very low levels.

Do you know what blood tests you have had done and anything above the usual (full blood count etc...) like inflammatory markers or an ANA or thyroid?

Try breaking things down and try and work out what is affecting you the worst and try to tackle things individually as things as a whole can become quite overwhelming.

Unfortunately some things just (referrals, getting better etc...) take time, I hope you feel better soon though.