I know this is gross.....but I need an opinion...

[Melissa778]

So I had my GK in Oct. '08 following my translab I had in May of '08....about two months ago I had a nasty bout with my trigeminal nerve causing me severe pain and doc diagnosed me with a nasty sinus infection also.  After two rounds of antibiotics to kill off this sinus infection I am back at square one.....

I know this is gross but when I blow my nose it smells so nasty I can't even describe it!  I've got the yucky green goop and it has not been touched by antibiotics.....Keep in mind that i have NEVER had sinus issues until my surgery/GK......are these sinus issues common after surgery/GK???  My docs are pretty unconcerned.....but it's driving me nuts that my nose and such smell like death....it's HORRIBLE, no exaggeration here......I assume the lovely smell is to be associated with "infection", but could anything else cause this?

Sorry to air my yucky story out there....

Melissa

[Sam Rush]

Needs to be investiged. Could be an abscess w/  a resistant bacteria. Are you having a lot of facial pain.?? Don't want to give a lot of medical advice, but don't let the Dr's give you the brush off. Ask about a CT of sinuses.

[Melissa778]

Thanks Sam,

LOTS of facial, trigeminal, and tooth pain all on the AN side.  My head has been killing me for days.  Just tired of taking the antibitotics if they aren't helping.  And it would be nice to know why it just doesnt' seem to clear up.  My AN doc seems to think it's no issue, but I may see my PCP just to see what she thinks.....it actually HURTS deep inside my sinuses/nasal passages when I blow my nose.....I know it's so gross.  And it's just a sinus issue, but the smell (and taste in my mouth) is horrid!  I jsut can't see a thrid round of antibiotics doign much more than the first two did.....

Melissa

[GM]

Green goop does sound like a sinus infection...usually accompanied by that ol' rusty taste in the mouth.  I agree go for a follow up with the doc and keep on this.

GM

[wendysig]

Hi Melissa,
That does sound like one heck of a sinus infection.  If two rounds of antibiotics haven't touched it, it's obviously time for something stronger/more drastic.  I agre with Sam, don't let your doctors put you off.

Best wishes and let us know how things are going.

Wendy

[TP]

After my surgery I had some things in my head that scared me when I blew my nose. I told my neurosurgeon when I had my Dr visits and he seemed to not understand what I was saying as well as not too concerned. I finally came to my own conclusion that all of that "stuff" came from the surgery. It lasted several months and eventually got better. However, now that it has been several years I have a new problem, since I have facial paralysis I don't have moisture on my left side and have dry eye issues as well as a very dry sinus cavity on my left side. That brings its own problems. I think I really need to invest in a humidifier.

[leapyrtwins]

Melissa -

I'm no doctor, but Sam is - so I say go with his advice.

This green goop just doesn't sound right. 

Good luck; let us know the end result.

Jan

[Tumbleweed]

Melissa, my two cents:

A smell like you're describing is not normal and might be a worsening infection or tissue dying for some other reason. Please get this taken care of ASAP. If your current doctor and prescription aren't working, see someone else. Don't be passive on this one. Take the wheel!

Best wishes,
Tumbleweed

[Kathleen_Mc]

I'd be sure to push it with the doc's.....nasty infection it sounds like it to me and one thing that comes to mind that hasn't been mentioned.....gause left in? (you had surgery right?) I'd want something done to determine the cause of all of this

[Melissa778]

Thanks all for all of your advice.  Does anyone know if this is a common occurance after GK?  I've never had a sinus infection until I had the GK in October, and I've now had one ever since. 

I have an appt. this morning with a PCP, unfort. it's not my regular doc as she is on vaca....   So I'll be seeing a doc I've never seen before.....it'll be a long appt I'm sure as I'll have to go over EVERYTHING.  I just hope not to be "dismissed" again because he is unfamiliar with my case and is just going to give me more antibiotics.

When the initial onset of this began I was prescribed Tegretol to help my facial pain/trigeminal nerve pain.  I had stopped taking it because the pain had mostly subsided and it's been about a month since I've taken it, I had to break down and pull out the script last night because the pain in my face is back full force.  I just hope it's something that can be cleared up soon, tired of dealing with "stinky" snot

Thanks all for your advice

Melissa

Also, I have noticed over the last week that my tinnitus has gotten noticeably worse.....could be just coincidence.... 

[Debbi]

Melissa-

I'm very interested to hear what the PCP says - your symptoms defintiely don't sound good.  I've always understood that "green goop" from the nose is the sign of some sort of infection, so good that you are taking a pro-active approach.

Debbi

[Tamara]

If you don't find the answer with your primary care doctor, try to see an allergist.  I work for one, and he's also a good friend.  The allergist should be able to find the cause of this, and could order a CT of the sinuses if warranted (Of course, so could any other doctor).

Best wishes,
Tamara

[Tumbleweed]

Melissa:

One other thing you might try is a neti pot. Basically, you irrigate your nasal passages with salt water, cleaning them out and disinfecting and soothing the mucous membranes. I always do this when I catch a cold, and it always makes me feel instantly better and shortens the length of the cold. You should be able to find a neti pot at a well-stocked natural-foods store.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nasal_irrigation#Jala_neti

Best wishes,
Tumbleweed

[leapyrtwins]

Melissa -

just checking in.  What did the doc say?

Jan

[Melissa778]

Well, they think I have a bacterial infection and have put me on some pretty powerful antibiotics.  I have about 3 days left on them and if they dont' kill it off they'll do a CT to check further on what may be going on.  Not so sure the antibiotics are working....thigns still seem the same.  And my trigeminal nerve pain is back with a vengance, and it tends to flare up with each sinus infection.  So I'm back on Tegretol for that and we'll see how it goes in a few days.  Thanks for checking in on me   And I hope to have good news that it's gone soon!

Melissa