I have allergies to mold, dust, and pollen. This year is the worst I have ever had to deal with them.
For the past 2 months I’ve had constant sinus pressure… at times almost unbearable pressure. At first my ENT had me do a saline sinus rinse, and then he added a nasal spray (Naserel) to my daily routine, but they haven’t been helping all that much. He has recommended that I get my turbinates cauterized so that they won’t swell like they have been.
I have a date set for the procedure. Apparently it is done in ENT’s office. It doesn’t take all that long, and is relatively painless (They numb me up pretty good).
I am aprehensive, though. This would be my 2nd procedure on my sinuses. Two years ago I was having chronic sinus infections. After a head CT it was discovered that I had a deviated septum and an infected cyst. I had them both surgically corrected.
Now I am getting ready to basically have another surgery and I can’t help but wonder if there isn’t some other way to deal with this… especially since I got some OTC Claratin to help with the sinus pressure until the surgery date and it has cleared me up really well. I’m talking absolutely no pressure in my sinuses whatsoever.
So I am asking if anyone else with allergies symptoms has ever had their turbinates cauterized. What was it like? Were your allergy symptoms reduced or gone after your recovery? Has anyone just treated this with long term Claratin use? Would that be good enough? Are there any other options?