Fixing It
February 14th, 2008I am currently waiting to have a CT scan of my sinus area. I’m only nervous about this because my dad died from a brain tumor. My doctor assured me that brain tumors are not hereditary, but I’m still worried.
I think I am also going to see an allergist and get tested. Our house was home to a cat with the previous owners and maybe that is contributing to all of the illness.
If I can get digital copies of the CT scan, I might post some images.
Happy Valentines Day, internet. o
UPDATE: Enlarged Middle turbinate. Treatment will be Nasonex, but I’ve been using it wrong… for years. ENT also suggested that ear pressure is from my jaw popping. Heat and mouth exercises as well as anti-inflammatories. We shall see.
Tags: ct scan, sinus, trying not to freak
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February 14th, 2008 at 10:17 am
Praying for the best.
February 14th, 2008 at 10:26 am
keeping my fingers crossed.
February 14th, 2008 at 10:27 am
Hoping you get good answers today!
February 14th, 2008 at 10:35 am
If you do get a digital copy and it is in DICOM format, you should download OsiriX (http://www.osirix-viewer.com), which is a free, Mac-based medical imaging program. You can do some neato 3-D and 4-D reconstructions, and some really artistic stuff with it!
February 14th, 2008 at 10:36 am
You’ll feel better knowing what is going on up there. My sis had one for the very same reason and it ended up being an issue from when her wisdom teeth were removed. She’s a-ok.
February 14th, 2008 at 10:37 am
best wishes!!
February 14th, 2008 at 10:51 am
I hope you get some answers that mean you will feel better soon!!
February 14th, 2008 at 10:52 am
Thinking of you, Jon.
February 14th, 2008 at 10:54 am
Glad you went to see someone! It stinks walking around in a fog all the time (although you really don’t know it until you finally get to feeling better)! Good Luck with the CT…when i had mine done my doctor walked in, took one look and said, “woahhhhh, you’re in badd shape!” No kidding, dude.
February 14th, 2008 at 11:06 am
When I got a CT scan and MRI of my head for an ear problem a couple years ago, they gave me them both on a CD! It was uber cool!!!
What was diagnosed for me was TMJ, which is a lovely, basically untreatable condition. I don’t grind my teeth, which is the most common cause/symptom. I clench my jaw, mostly when I am awake and I don’t think about it or notice I am doing it. Well, now I have constant ringing in my right ear and this feeling of fullness, like a stuffy ear, also constant. It’s fun (NOT). I am going to see a different ENT this year and try to get a second opinion. There HAS to be something I can do about this.
The other ENT (who is apparently well-respected and in high demand) instructed me that when it “flares up”, to eat soft foods and take Aleve for 10 days. This didn’t work the first time I tried it, so I gave that up.
Not sure why I went into all this here. I just meant to tell you that you will likely get a CD with your scan on it, or you can probably ask for one. It is fascinating to look at slices of your head in slow or fast motion!
Best of luck! You will be okay!
February 14th, 2008 at 11:11 am
Hope all goes well..Have had severe problems with sinuses and tried a “neti pot” when all else was doing nothing…can’t believe the relief I found. Have had no colds or any other sinus problems since I started using it every day..This might help you..
February 14th, 2008 at 11:14 am
You will likely get a CD with the images. It’ll be cool.
Fingers crossed in the meantime.
February 14th, 2008 at 11:35 am
My thoughts are with you and yours, Jon. Good luck.
February 14th, 2008 at 11:43 am
i hope everything goes all right and that you are okay. in the meantime sending good healing vibes and thinking of you & the fam.
and ali has a good point, if everything is ok, have fun with those scans!!
February 14th, 2008 at 11:44 am
Yikes. I wish you my best.
Doctors are so scary with all of their procedures.
February 14th, 2008 at 11:49 am
Wishing you good news and an explanation for your sinus problems.
February 14th, 2008 at 11:52 am
Good luck.
February 14th, 2008 at 11:54 am
Hope the tests go smoothly.
February 14th, 2008 at 11:54 am
Hope you get some -good- answers.
February 14th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
Hope everything turns out to be ok.
From one nerd to another, hope you get a copy of the scans. Those sorts of photos are always fun to have around. I have a 180 of my jaw and am still trying to convince me doc to copy the MRI of my brain. I’d kill for a copy of that!
February 14th, 2008 at 12:11 pm
I must say “Good Luck” and “It’s about time!” I hope you finally find the answer!
February 14th, 2008 at 12:13 pm
Hang in there. I’ll add you to my prayer list. Please keep us posted.
February 14th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
I had a CAT scan of my sinuses and they found Haller Cells everywhere - basically nooks and crannies everywhere like English Muffins. We’ve discussed sinus surgery but I am scared to rip my face off. NeilMed Sinus Rinse is now my BFF, even though I still do get raging sinus infections all the time. In fact, I am pretty sure I have one this minute.
Anyway, this is about you, now me.
I hope all goes well, and I am really refraining from quoting Arnold regarding the brain tumor thing right now.
February 14th, 2008 at 12:22 pm
Best of luck to you. I’ll be keeping you in my thoughts. Hope you get some answers. I am strongly of the opinion that it is better to know something than nothing when it comes to medical issues.
It really is fascinating to look at the “pictures” the docs get at these scans. I have film of my MRIs and, even though I have no clue how to interpret them, they are still fun to look at.
February 14th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
I found out i had a polyp in my sinuses…got it taken out, not cancer, never felt better. its a simple proceedure too…. most likely if they are scanning your sinuses, they are not going to find a brain tumor…
still i get the fear. sorry about the pops going. good luck with it.
oh yeah,
Netti Pots. Heard of them? If you read the direction for one, it might freak you out, or just sound disgusting…but its not. Not even close, more disgusting to blow your nose into a tissue and looking at it then using a netti pot. I was really resistant to using one, was all judgmental of my friends who did use one…then I tried it and never went back. I no longer have sinus infections yearly.
~GoGo
February 14th, 2008 at 1:06 pm
Sending best wishes your way.
My father deals with chronic sinusistis and they recently found he just has some abnormal growth up there. Nothing cancerous, but they believe that once they surgically take it out, he won’t have issues anymore.
As for a netti pot, I use one and love it. Yes, it sounds gross. And it’s a bit uncomfortable to get used to. But it works.
February 14th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
My husband suffered for years for sinus infection & ear infections. He also had a large cyst (non-cancerous) removed and his sinuses roto-rootered (I know it sounds horrible) and it’s like living with a new person.
Oprah & Dr. Oz had the Netti Pots on a few weeks ago, might be worth looking into.
GOOD LUCK!
February 14th, 2008 at 1:09 pm
I used be a CT tech at a small hospital — unless your doctor ordered a CT of both your brain and sinuses, they will most likely not take any images of your brain. And, like others have said, most places can give you copies of your study on a CD-ROM — depending on their policy.
Other than that, the only thing I can tell you is that the study itself will most likely take all of 5 to 10 minutes, you will probably have to lie in a pretty uncomfortable position, and it won’t hurt.
Best of luck, hope you get some answers from it.
February 14th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
Hoping your visit will bring you relief. Sending good vibes your way.
February 14th, 2008 at 1:31 pm
I had to have a head CD and contrast MRI for left-side facial numbness and different-sized pupils. The diagnosis? Migraine. Here’s hoping for a similarly treatable and unscary result. Be well.
February 14th, 2008 at 1:40 pm
i am going for an MRI soon because of some excessive headaches, unexplained weight loss & fatigue. i’m a little nervous too….but probably because i’m a little addicted to webmd and have convinced myself that i have malaria, Lou Gehrig’s and club foot.
good luck & happy vday
February 14th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
GoGo, NeilMed is wayyyyyyy easier than the Neti. No yoga necessary.
February 14th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
Hey John!
I just wanted to let you know I got a CT scan of my sinuses after 15 months straight of sinus/ear infections and it turned out I had polyps in my sinus cavities. They were easily removed with out patient surgery. I was off my feet for all of two days, but I also had a deviated septum fixed at the same time. It sounds like you have similar problems with the constant ear/sinus issues. I wouldn’t worry too much. After my surgery I felt great! I could breath and smell and my ears were no longer in pain. Most of all I haven’t had a sinus/ear infection in over 3 years! HURRAH! Good luck with all that.
February 14th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
Freak not! I too had to go to the doctor for some tests and as always, left feeling faintly ridiculous at the amount of stress I had put my body under worrying about the possible outcomes.
Watch some Flight of the Conchords for some light relief.
February 14th, 2008 at 2:53 pm
Best of luck to you, Jon. I hope all goes well and that you are soon feeling much better.
And Dude… you are in the vast majority who hate doctors and most of all tests… I’m there with ya!
February 14th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
oh sure… blame it on cats. pffft!
Meow!
February 14th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
Best wishes Jon. It could be so many other non-tumor related things, so it’s best to take it all in stride and get some answers.
You know, the cool thing with those CT scan images is that you can send them into a modeling agency labeled “head shots”. I was tempted to do that with the shots of my brain, but alas, I chickened out.
February 14th, 2008 at 3:06 pm
Happy Valentine’s Day to you too!
February 14th, 2008 at 3:19 pm
Good Luck and Happy Valentine’s Day Armstrong family.
February 14th, 2008 at 3:32 pm
Good luck with your sinuses, Jon. We’ll all keep the positive thought waves going for you.
Of course, all I can think of right now is Arnold Schwarzenegger in Kindergarten Cop: “It’s notta tumah!” I see that a previous commenter (Aimee) somehow resisted the urge, but I’m NOT that strong.
I had a benign tumor taken out of my neck about a year and a half ago, and I used the CT scan image for one hell of a rockin’ invitation to a Bon Voyage party for my tumor, which I had named Aloyisus. You can see it here:
http://greatdayinmaine.blogspot.com/2007/10/anniversary-of-my-aloysius-less-ness.html
Best wishes to you, Heather, Leta, Chuck, Coco, and Lou
February 14th, 2008 at 3:57 pm
Good luck!
February 14th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
Dude, if you have forced air HVAC, you need to get the furnace completely cleaned out, especially if you’re allergic to cats and there used to be one living there. A friend of mine is an HVAC guy and he tells stories about the crap hiding in the ducts that are especially harmful to those with allergies (tells about his own house that looked really clean but then when he cleaned out his ducts it was like pulling out a whole litter of cats). Being the clean freak family you are, you probably already cleaned it, but if not, give it a go. Good luck with the CT. Looking forward to seeing sections of your head.
February 14th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
Interesting….I was going with some sort of infection. When this happened to me and I had to finally have a CT scan the left side of my face was filled with infection that wasn’t going anywhere no matter how many antibiotics they filled me with. Ended up having sinus surgery, having all the infection sucked out, my sinus passage widened and back to 100%.
Hope the new treatment gets you back to 100% soon!
February 14th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
What are the right and wrong ways to use Nasonex? (Besides the obvious, like sticking it in an orifice other than your nostril…)
February 14th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
“The turbinates are bony projections covered with thick mucosal tissues (harboring tremendous erectable capabilities, very much like the genitals)…”
so basically you have a boner in your nose.
February 14th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
@merkley???, exactly.
@Renee, instead of tilting your head way back and trying to get the spray as far back as possible, you tilt your head down like you are looking at the floor and point the spay toward your cheek while it’s up in the nostril and you spray it towards the wall of the nostril. Then you keep your head down for 30 seconds while your nose pulls the medicine through the tissue in your nose that needs the spray. The ENT doc showed me how. If you spray it and inhale it hard, most of the medicine goes down your throat and doesn’t get absorbed.
February 14th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
How do you use Nasonex wrong? Or should I ask what is the right way to use Nasonex? I have nasal passage and sinus issues and am curious if I am using it wrong too…
February 14th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
I love that I asked the question you just answered! I didn’t notice there were two pages of comments - oh well.
My great news is that I’ve apparently been using Nasonex wrong for years too. Awesome!
February 14th, 2008 at 5:01 pm
Wow, that article on enlarged turbinates was actually pretty darn entertaining. I had no idea that I had those flap things in my nose. Let alone that they get erect like a male part of anatomy (I bet you and Heather will get some giggles out of that!). What a thrill for us girls to know that. Yet another errogenous zone. Then the part about the importance of cilia and how the air we breathe in has to be humidified and warm and then the importance of being able to breath in and OUT properly. I liked the picture of the doctor widening the nose for an exam and the drawing where they color the area blue coming out of the nose. I will no longer take that obviously very important area of my body for granted.
Thanks….aren’t you glad you went to the doc?
February 14th, 2008 at 5:50 pm
Sorry about the sinus issues, they suck.
But I actually came to tell you: You and Your Honda 928 (or whatever the hell it is) SUCK!
What are the signs of a heart attack? Numbness in the left arm? Or is that just from lifting shovel after shovel of wonderfully wet Utah snow. . .
February 14th, 2008 at 6:16 pm
At least you didn’t have to get a sinus puncture!
February 14th, 2008 at 6:55 pm
My jaw popping was a tied to my teeth grinding. My dentist prescribed a glass of wine before I went to bed, and while that may not be causing your problem - you should still try it.
And forgive me b/c I don’t know what the Heating/Cooling systems are in UT or your house but if you have central heating/air through ducts - you might try getting the ducts cleaned professionally by a reputable company. This made a huge difference for me. Good Luck!
February 14th, 2008 at 7:04 pm
All the more proof that we are not native to this planet.
Glad all is relatively well.
February 14th, 2008 at 7:31 pm
Good to hear it’s not extremely serious, but it still doesn’t sound like fun. Feel better, I say!
February 14th, 2008 at 7:38 pm
I know you must be mostly relieved, and I hope the treatments work. Also, Middle Turbinate would be a great name for a band.
February 14th, 2008 at 7:56 pm
Another vote for the Neti Pot.
Also, I’ve had good results from acupuncture. I don’t know why it works, but it does.
Hope you feel better soon.
February 14th, 2008 at 8:09 pm
I’m glad that the only thing they found in there was an enlarged turb! The good news is that if the nasonex doesn’t get the job done, having your turbs removed is a minor procedure, it’s outpatient and in a week, you’ll be feeling pretty good.
February 14th, 2008 at 10:07 pm
How do you use Nasonex wrong? Because it NEVER works for me and perhaps I’m using it wrong too!
February 14th, 2008 at 10:09 pm
oops, just saw your answer - did not enlarge comments pages…
February 15th, 2008 at 3:04 am
Oh wow, sinus related problems are the worst! You feel like you’ve been not right for ages! I hope you get better soon and can’t wait to see potential CT pictures…sweet!
February 15th, 2008 at 3:22 am
I am interested to know in what way you’ve been using the stuff incorrectly, as I been taking it for a few weeks now and I don’t feel it working to this point. I’m wondering if my technique is suffering. Given that there were initial thoughts I was dealing with a brain tumor and have had many scans (CT, MRI, EEG) it would be great to have ti come down to learning how to correctly utilize the drug that may help my symptoms to relinquish their control over my life~
February 15th, 2008 at 3:28 am
Thank goodness it is not anything too serious.
I heartily second the Netti pot.
I have terrible sinuses, the Netti pot is my savior.
February 15th, 2008 at 4:42 am
So glad you got a non-tragic diagnosis, BUT… I’m still wondering how one can possibly use Nasonex “wrong.”
(Were you shooting it into your ears, maybe?)
February 15th, 2008 at 4:47 am
Oops. Didn’t click on “show all” for the comments. Apologies for the wisenheimer-osity.
And still glad it’s “not a toomah.”
February 15th, 2008 at 6:03 am
Jon .. thank God you don’t have bigger problems .. that is a relief. How long did you have to wait to see your ENT? I need to make an appt since I suffer from similar problems to what you describe. I hope you start feeling way better soon and I hope you keep us up on your progress. Does he think it will go away 100%? Let us know about your allergies too. I was tested about 10 years ago and nothing, but I do wonder if I have developed them. Just hope it’s not to my dog - since he won’t be going anywhere.
February 15th, 2008 at 6:32 am
I am glad its nothing too serious and you have a diagnosis! Also good that you have a doc interested enough to find out and explain that you have been using your treatment wrongly.
But.. anyway… apologies for crudeness* but… I clicked the link and sort of read what was wrong… i.e mostly looked at the pictures.
Since doing this I have an alternate diagnosis based on Fig 6: LEFT SIDED INFERIOR & MIDDLE TURBINATES
You have a penis and set of balls up your nostril.
Oh dear Oh dear.
:0)
* I think you can appreciate the humour in it!! ;0)
February 15th, 2008 at 6:42 am
I second GOGO…..neti pots are great and can be picked up easily at any health food store and most pharmacy’s.
BUT most people do not know that a lot of sinus issues can be caused by poor digestion…..you might want to try a hydrochloric acid suppliment or a digestive enzyme if you have trouble with the hcl. If the hcl bothers your stomach you should get checked for an unce or begin using an oregano suppliment to heal the stomach.
the other thing you should never be with out is a silver hydrosol product….(different from coloidal silver that has been in the news lately). You can drop it into the ears, eyes or use with the neti pot for sinuses, as well as consume oraly in place of an anti-biotic which is the main cause for most digestion issues in the first place(the anti-biotic that is.)
I work with a Bio-Energetic Practitioner and have been able to easily correct my 8 year olds digestion issues and in trun clear up his sinus and ear infections.
OK so I sound a little “preachy” but I hope you find some of this helpful and are not just turned off by it. Love reading your blog as well as Heathers. Hope all is well.
February 15th, 2008 at 7:11 am
Ha. We are all know it alls, aren’t we? Thanks for backing me, peeps! Came back to see the update. And its fun to read these comments.
They said the same thing to me, your not using the spray right. Used the spray right, they said you need to add a pill. Added the pill, side effects, headaches. on and on.
I just use the netti now. no pills, no nasonex…which gave me nose bleeds, another side effect. Oye.
I bet you just want to feel better now! I hope to never go back to that kind of pain and constant colds.
Whatever happens, good luck with the boner in your nose.
~gg
February 15th, 2008 at 8:18 am
Hmm…so are you going to have cosmetic surgery now and blame it on a deviated septum and suddenly start posting pics of a Jon we no longer recognize?
Take care, Jon. Hope this gets cleared up for you, finally. I get bad sinus headaches so I know you feel miserable much of the time.
February 15th, 2008 at 8:31 am
My sister had this for years, starting right after she moved into her newly built condo. Did the Nasonex thing, exercises,warm water nasal flushed….that was fun, then eventually had surgery, but nothing helped. She then moved to an older home, built in the 70’s and everything went away! Doctors are now saying that it was the building materials used. She now “Gases out” any furniture or rugs that she buys before bringing them into her home, and she is finally better. Maybe there is something, somewhere that is setting this off….just a thought!
Hope you are all feeling better soon!
February 15th, 2008 at 8:54 am
btw I appreciate you bringing this up. After two years of suffering - most acutely though since boxing day, I have made an appt to see an ENT February 29 .. I am excited beyond believe at possibly being able to breath properly again
February 15th, 2008 at 9:36 am
Dude, seriously, in search of a cure for my headaches, I beseech you: Please explain how to use Nasonex properly. You say that they said that you were using it wrong. I would love to hear how it should be done. I also use Simply Saline, but it only helps with clearing phlegm, not headache pain. Maybe it’s simply a technique issue.
Please and Thank You.
February 15th, 2008 at 10:13 am
You should be sure to install hypoallergenic filters in your heater and if you have carpeting, have it professionally cleaned. Cat dander can remain in a house for years.
February 15th, 2008 at 10:49 am
Neti pots are good. there’s also a slightly easier to use sinus irrigation system from Neil Med (http://www.neilmed.com/). Comes w/ pre-mixed saliene packets so just add warm water and shake. I find it a little less messy and more effective than the neti pot (they also sell neti pots for a ‘more gentle’ clense). good luck w/ those sinuses! I feel your pain (I’ve had 2 CT scans and all kinds of structural problems but the rinse is keeping me out of surgery!).
February 15th, 2008 at 11:08 am
I had the same problem… chronic constant sinus infections that would not stop, just subside for a week and come back… ENT did CT scan and discovered GIANT middle and inferior turbinates, a deviated septum, and a polyp in one of my upper sinuses… what was happening was that I could never actually completely drain my sinuses, so the infection persisted. What we eventually did was surgery, but they went in and reduced the size of the turbinates using radio waves! As I understand it, those with good pain tolerances can have that done in-office no problem… needless to say, it was so very worth it in the end. I went almost a whole year following the surgery before I got a cold, and I’ve had no more than one cold a year ever since… and I think only one of them actually made it to the point of infection. Glad to know your seeing a ENT. They really know what they’re doing… and I don’t say that about many doctors, but there’s just something about that specialty…….
Good luck!
February 15th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
Odd as it sounds, I also have an enlarged turbinate. Along with a deviated septum. I’ve tried nasal spray for years and it hasn’t helped me. I’m taking the plunge and having septoplasty and a turbinate reduction in a couple months. If it’s something you’re considering, feel free to email me and I’ll let you know how it all turns out! Although, I do hope the nasal spray works for you! I would give anything not to have to go through a surgery to get fixed!
February 15th, 2008 at 8:08 pm
hello! i am a lurker but i had to post a comment when you mentioned the enlarged turbinate. my husband had his turbinates shaved down in summer 2006. it was not a fun ordeal! i guess it did help, but he was a mess for about a month after the surgery. hopefully, you can avoid this. he also uses a sinus rinse similar to a netti pot and it works very well. good luck with the sinuses.
February 18th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
I have the jaw popping problem, and my doctor never said anything about exercises. Can you describe them? Maybe its time for a new doc.
February 19th, 2008 at 2:42 pm
I know i”m late in commenting but wanted to throw in my two cents…
My dad has suffered from TERRIBLE sinus infections and issues forever.
Last summer he saw a series of ENT’s all telling him something different. The first told him his issues stemmed from a deviated septum and scheduled him for surgery. My mom called “bullshit” and scheduled my dad for another doctor. This one found a tumor in a sinus cavity in the middle of my dad’s head. He was immediately sent to another specialist b/c of the tumor’s tricky location.
Long story short- Tumor was removed, found benign and while he was shooting long gross black boogers and such from his nose for the next month or so, he is feeling remarkably better and can actually finally breathe!
just a reminder to be vigilant if your symptoms don’t improve…
February 19th, 2008 at 10:54 pm
Brain tumors…not very fun. Just got one taken out on Valentine’s Day… Showin some love from Seattle. I hope you get some relief soon, and it doesn’t have to be brain surgery!!! Good Luck, Jon.
February 20th, 2008 at 10:09 pm
I had to have sinus surgery a few years ago … also a problem with the turbinates. The unwound something and straightened it out; I honestly don’t remember all of the terminology. The surgery was a pain, but oh my hell it was so worth it. I was one big sinus infection for years and I haven’t had one since the surgery. I have a constantly drippy nose, but it is so much better to have my sinuses always draining than getting infected. Just wanted to pass it along in case this is an option for you. It was SO worth it.
March 10th, 2008 at 1:02 pm
Does a nettie pt work with a deviated septum? I am having a bad sinus headache for 2 weeks. The right side of my nose is stuffed but when I use the nettie pot it just pours in one nostril and out the other but is not clearing the congestion.
The wierd thing is that I have had this headache and sinus problem since I had a few fillings replaced two weeks ago. I am wondering if they are related.