sinus hell

Is there never an end to this, 8 months of chronic sinusitis - it's the smelly variety, where all I can smell is what I'd describe as dead rat in my nostrils! Had steroid nasal sprays. antibiotics, inhalers, nothing's moving it. Been to hospital for an investigation of nose but my nasal passages are too narrow to get the tube through. So, back to the GP again, if I can get an appointment. It doesn't hurt but is a very miserable condition to live with (the headache never seems to go away) and I convince myself that the nostril smell is so strong, surely others can smell it, which friends re-assure me they can't. Will now try a Neti-pot

I meant to say 'steroid nasal spray'.

Some years ago, my left sinus was badly blocked. I couldn't breathe through that nostril and nothing seemed to shift it - not even six weeks of antibiotics. ENT consultant had a scan done and said I would get an urgent appointment for surgery. Eventually, they drained it and the cystology report revealed that it was a 'fungal ball' caused by aspergillus fungus. I now use a sinus spray to prevent any recurrence. I think it would be advisable for you to raise the question of fungal sinusitis with your GP and ENT consultant. It's not uncommon.

I suffered for years and had various treatments until someone said to drink 2 litres of water a day, I used to drink more than 2 litres of tea and coffee a day and being such a simple solution doubted if it would make a difference, however it really worked for me, I have been fine since then with it only flaring up when I drink less water.

It’s worth a try, easy and free.

Neti pots or sinu rinses do work quite well for post nasal drip, & sinusitis, but the downside for me is that an hour (or 3) afterwards when I'm going about my business, I suddenly get a gush of water down my nose - quite noticeable & too quick to grab a tissue - very embarrasing! So I don't often risk them. Don't know if it's just me?

I imagine that your sinuses are small and trapping infection in them :
Two members of my family had / have this long term problem but it can be resolved:
Buy a Neti pot .
Boots sell them or you get one from Amazon .
Boil water for at least ten minutes . I boil mine for far longer.
Allow the water to cool to a pleasant temperature .
Never use it hot - you don't want to burn your skin especially inside your nose !
Pour it into your Neti pot with a little sea salt and allow to dissolve and wash out those sinuses as many times as is tolerable .
One side at a time !

Don't allow anyone else to use your Neti pot and sterilise it carefully after use with Milton .

Using the Neti pot would replicate sea bathing as described by Salti .
A nice holiday in the sun with plenty of swimming would be far more enjoyable !
Please try it , but do be careful as regards temperature and hygiene .
Good luck and get well soon .

I had sinusitis on and off for years, from my teens into my thirties. I had numerous courses of antibiotics and it used to be so excruciatingly painful that I couldn't move my head.

In my thirties, on holiday in the Spain I had a go at snorkelling in the sea. The first time I got out of the water, stood up, and took off my mask, after snorkelling for a good half hour, it was as if someone had opened a tap in my head. Water, a lot, poured out of my nose.

That was about thirty years ago and I've never had sinusitis since although I have taken every opportunity to snorkel in the sea.