30 year old male, 5’11”, 230 pounds. Non-smoker.
Hello,
Long story that I will try to keep short. Back in early October of 2025, I came down with a mild cold. Since that cold, I’ve consistently had sinus pressure around my eyebrows and cheeks, post-nasal drip that leads to a bad cough every morning with pale yellow phlegm, constant congestion, and ears feeling the need to “pop” constantly. Best way I can describe it is I feel like I’m underwater 24/7, with phlegm and congestion.
I traveled to Vietnam from the US for two weeks in mid-October, over which symptoms persisted and worsened. In November when I returned to the US, I went to urgent care as I thought I may have a sinus infection. They agreed, and treated me with a 1 week of supply of amoxicillin.
No dice.
In December, I saw my primary care physician, who wanted to treat with a stronger antibiotic. 1 week of doxycycline.
No dice.
Primary care referred me to an ENT, who I couldn’t get in to see until late January. ENT did a CT scan, told me my sinus’ were shut and unable to drain, with my cheek and forehead sinus cavities completely full of mucus. They recommended a balloon sinuplasty, and provided another round of antibiotics ahead of time, along with an oral steroid, to help with post-op infection risk.
Balloon sinuplasty performed on 2/6. Went through normal post-procedure healing and routine, did saline rinses 4x per day, then 2x per day.
Fast forward 6 weeks later (the long-end of when they expected me to be feeling better) I felt exactly the same as before the procedure. They prescribed me a steroid nasal rinse (I put it into my neti squeeze bottle) 2x per day to help with inflammation.
I also saw an allergist, who told me I’m allergic to a bunch of pollen, cats, mold, etc. said really nothing they can do beyond allergy shots. Suggested I take Flonase daily, which I plan to do once my steroid rinse runs out.
Saw a second ENT, who told me my sinus’ look fine (they just did a scope, not a CT scan.) They referred me to a surgeon for a deviated septum, but confirmed I would only be clogged on one side, not both, if that were the cause of this.
Went back to original ENT, one month after steroid saline rinses today. They did a follow up CT scan and said while my sinus’ are better than before, they still see significant mucus in my left forehead sinus cavity as well as both cheek sinus cavities. Their recommendation is a follow-up “touch up” to clear out the mucus. When I pressed, the touch up is just another balloon sinuplasty. I also asked for them to perform a nasal swab to rule out other possible bacteria, fungus, etc.
I’ve of course tried all the OTC remedies during this time (allergy medicine, saline rinses, Flonase, Zyrtec, etc.)
Anything else I should be pressing my ENT on? Any other ideas? Doing a second sinus procedure is not something I’d like to do unless absolutely necessary. It also seems to me that is only treating the sinus’ themselves, not the underlying issue that is leading to severe congestion, mucus build-up, and inflammation.
No prior issues prior to October beyond maybe 1 sinus infection in the past. I’ve always had allergies, but that is typically sneezing and runny eyes, with clear mucus for me. This is a much thicker mucus that leads to a bad cough. Feels like the end of a cold but constant.
Thanks in advance. At my whites end. Feel like I’m running on 60-70% constantly which is taking a toll.