Sinus infections.....

I have had a bad sinus infection since last year and am about to go on antibiotics AGAIN to try to clear it up.  Basically, I was told that I'll probably need surgery.  Does anyone know if it will be simple to have surgery there?  I'm leaving in two months, so if I need to have surgery here, I'll have to do it soon...I don't want to get it if I don't have to though

I doubt it will be simple or quick for surgery.  It depends on what area you're in and if your UK GP will refer you to a specialist.  You're probably in for a long wait.  I have a friend who needs a hearing aid and at age 33, he's looking at 8 months before they'll schedule an APPOINTMENT for one to be fitted.  The NHS is notoriously slow.  If you can have surgery in the US, I'd do it before moving.  Your US doctor knows your history and if you have insurance, why wait?

I have heard of that surgery - it's the one where they go in and for all intensive purposes vacuum out our sinuses and then do something to stop them from getting clogged again.  Yes, technical I know....But I don't think it's anything major.  Probably outpatient stuff.  As for not wanting to get it, you have had a sinus infection for a year...anything has got to be better than that

If you have insurance and a Dr you like in the US, definitely get it done there. 

I have heard of that surgery - it's the one where they go in and for all intensive purposes vacuum out our sinuses and then do something to stop them from getting clogged again.  Yes, technical I know....But I don't think it's anything major.  Probably outpatient stuff.  As for not wanting to get it, you have had a sinus infection for a year...anything has got to be better than that

If you have insurance and a Dr you like in the US, definitely get it done there. 

i agree 100%.

My husband had that surgery 1.5 years ago. He was constantly going to the doctor with sinus infections, but he hasn't had one since. Well, he thinks he might have one right now, but its the first time since the surgery. He didn't really want to have it either, but once we decided to move to London, he went ahead and did it in the US. We had really good insurance, plus we had heard about the wait at the NHS. I say do it before you come...... just in case.

I agree, get it (and whatever else you can!) done in the US before you come over....

I'd say it depends on how good your US insurance is!

It is true.. the best thing I ever did was the sinus surgery, other than marrying Sunnyflower 

You go in the morning, out by lunch time.  I even ate lunch after.  It does hurt, but nothing some Vicodin can't take care of!

Get it done in the US if you can. Over here you will have to go to the GP, get referred, get an appointment (weekd down the line) go to the specialist, get another appointment and etc, who knows how long it might take. At least that's the state of play in Norn Iron - the waiting lists are terrible even for minor stuff.

Get it done in the US if you can. Over here you will have to go to the GP, get referred, get an appointment (weekd down the line) go to the specialist, get another appointment and etc, who knows how long it might take. At least that's the state of play in Norn Iron - the waiting lists are terrible even for minor stuff.

Yeah, and then the specialist can fob you off completely and not treat you at all.

I had to reply to your post straight away !  I moved here with my son (now 11) 2.5 yrs ago.  He was due to have Endoscopic sinus surgery in the states but the doctor stalled and kept trying last ditch efforts with antibiotics.  In the end surgery was scheduled for a date conflicting with our U.K move and surgery wasn't done.

I arrived in the U.K with 5 C.T's showing his sinus abnormality.  ALL medical records and a letter clearly stating which surgery was needed and why it should be done quickly. 

It took 6 months after referral to be seen by an ENT

A further 6 months of Allergy testing (already documented from U.S doctors) and cystic fibrosis testing

Visits to specialist childrens hospital 1 hour drive away, every 3 months under the care of a consultant however we see a different 'registrar'  (trainee) every time. 

Finally last month after 2 1/2 years my son was scheduled for FESS (functional endoscopic surgery) Along with washout and aeration of the bones.  He bled horribly due to a lack of pre-surgery meds and the surgery was halted.  He wasn't given antibiotics afterwards even though the infection was still present and then he had complications.

Please, if you have the option, stay in the U.S to have any surgery before you fly.  The medical notes seemed to tick off the doctors in the UK, and certainly didn't help.  There is little follow through and you rarely see the same specialist / consultant each time.   

We have also found that there are very few ENT's willing to offer such detailed surgery on the private level even if you're willing to pay.

I realise it might be different for an adult compared to a child, but my experience is that a G.P is great for treating standard sinus infections that require antibiotics.  Anything more complicated for sinus - stay in the US.

Yes, and what if they don't KNOW it's something more severe.  That happened to someone's daughter here - she's 3 - and she wound up with blood pouring out of her ear.  All due to misdiagnosis...  So sad.....

I'm just wondering if antibiotics has ever helped anyone with a sinus infection. I spent 3 years on and off antibiotics including 2 stints of 3 weeks straight of amoxicillan and they did absolutely nothing for me except for messing up my flora and leaving me with the loveliest of all side effects.

I think it depends what kind of sinus infection you have.  Antibiotics help with bacterial infections, but not with fungal infections.
I'm beginning to feel a lot better by going to the chiropractor, taking antibiotics and a nasal spray and a LOT of herbal medicine.  I'm also going to try acupuncture next week.

I think it depends what kind of sinus infection you have.  Antibiotics help with bacterial infections, but not with fungal infections.
I'm beginning to feel a lot better by going to the chiropractor, taking antibiotics and a nasal spray and a LOT of herbal medicine.  I'm also going to try acupuncture next week.

That is interesting, because I was reading about the fungal sinus-infections and it would appear that antibiotics can actually contribute to this problem. So, while you may clear up the bacterial infection with the antibiotics you can actually creating a fungal one at the same time. I think that may be my situation. Problem is that I haven't found a doctor to treat it and the homeopathic solutions seem very complex.