ANA Discussion Forum
Archive => Archives => Topic started by: LBM on June 12, 2006, 07:25:50 pm
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Hi,
I had my 3 cm left sided AN removed 13 months ago at Cornell Medical Center in NYC- suboccipital approach. I lost all my hearing in my left ear and have tinnitus. For the past 11 months I have had terrible pain on the left side in the back of my head that radiated to my left eye. I was seeing a headach and pain specialist who is a neurologist and told me I have occipital neuralgia. I tried several medciations which didn't seem to help. I thought maybe it was due to the mesh plate in the back of my head which my neurosurgeon was going to take out to see if it would help. The thing is he didn't think it would help the eye pain. That didn't make sense to me and I went for a second opionion at NYU and the neurosurgeon there suggested that I developed sinnusitis based on my MRI accounting for the eye pain. I went to see an ENT doctor who sent me for a CT scan of the sinuses which is a better way to diagnosis sinusitis than on MRI. Now I do have terrible sinus pain in both eyes and the ENT doctor said my sinusitis is severe and said if I wanted to feel better he would perform sinus surgery. O.K.- No way will I have surgery, 22 days post-op at cornell was enough surgery for a lifetime. I am not sure what I am going to do yet but was wondering if this sounds familar to anyone out there or does anyone know of AN surgery causing sinusitis. If you are sufferring from it what are you doing. Any help or feedback would be greatly appreciated.
Take care all
LBM
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LBM,
I didn't have sinus surgery after my AN surgery but instead, prior to my AN surgery. I have always had allergy problems and sinusitis. About 10 years ago I had a deviated septum repaired and about 6 years ago, I had polyps removed from my sinus. The surgery wasn't all that bad, recovery wise. It was like a paper cut as compared to the recovery from the AN surgery and it did make a MAJOR difference for me. The polyps caused my sinus infections to be constant and antibiotics didn't help at all. It's a tough decision to make, but maybe if you saw another ENT and he suggested the same, it might make you rethink it. I know how you feel coming out of AN surgery and not ever wanting to go into surgery again, but if it is for removal of polyps, that really isn't a big deal compared to what you went through the with AN surgery. At least that's just my opinion anyway :-\ Good luck in your choice.
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I developed sinusitis after sugery. I was sent for a ct scan due to a lump on my neck from a new doctor I saw and found out I had it. they just gave me antibiotics. I still wonder as I have a lot of drainage problems still.
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Hi LBM!
 Was wondering how old you are?
 I've read of several with chronic sinusitis and am not sure the relationship to AN, if any.
 But; You could be looking at years of misery and sinus meds with nasal sprays and still have the head aches.
 Maybe in time you will think differently about the surgery recommended but as for most surgeries, I'd get two or three opinions if possible.
 Best wishes for the best decision!
 Russ
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Hi,
thaks for responding. I am currently 31. My surgery was last year right after I turned 30. I think I have two problems going on. I was diagnosed with occipital neuralgia by my neurologist. I have an appt with an ENT on Friday to see how bad he thinks the sinusitis is. I also decided to go see an allergist tomorrow to be tested. I feel like one disaster leads to another and I am sick of feeling sick. Sometimes I just cry reliving my AN experience including 22 in the hospital and I fall apart. I try to pick myself up and work full time but it is so hard.
Lauren LBM
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I know this was written a while ago, i was wondering Static, what did the devited septum op. entail, i have alot of trouble with my sinues, i have had polys removed in the past, i get blocked up all the time on one side it effects my ears and throat my ent (uk) says i have a deviated septum and not much they can do, nose sprays dont help (i think they make it worse) I can be blocked for weeks. anyone got any suggestions x
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Anne ~
FYI: 'Static' has not posted since late 2009 so she may no longer be checking the forums.
Jim