Can't get a diagnosis - Sinusitis / Wheezing

[rowmacks]

I have had nasal congestion for the past 6 months, usually I can breathe out of one nostril at a time and it switches throughout the day. After dealing with it for a few weeks I was seen by my primary care physician and they said it was a sinus infection. I was given antibiotics and a nasal spray. I took those but continued to be congested (by the way whichever nostril is clogged up I would get a constant clear drainage) and started to develop a dry cough from time to time and wheezing. I would also get sneezing 'attacks' usually in the morning it seems because my nose felt so dry inside or whenever the congestion would switch over. I saw my primary care again and they prescribed flovent and albuterol for the coughing/wheezing. I took those for the next couple of months and that cured the coughing/wheezing for the most part. Since then i've been to an allergist (did the ***** test and no significant allergy was found) had lung x-rays, asthma tests, you name it and they keep telling me that my lungs look and sound fine. They still don't feel fine, now I usually only notice wheezing when I wake up or late at night before bed. I've also experienced wheezing/coughing after laughing hard. I would really like to know what is causing this wheezing and if this is just normal or if it is directly related to my sinus condition. I just recently saw an ear nose and throat doctor and he said that I have a deviated septum and should look into getting a septoplasty. I'm trying to get a sinus ct scan to see if there is anything else going on. I really want to be sure that this wheezing isn't asthma, long story short I served 4 years of active duty in the Marine Corps and I am being called back to active duty in 5 months and need to make absolute sure that I am in top physical shape. This is very troubling to me because I have always been a very healthy active individual with no breathing problems or issues ever before. Oh I also purchased a peak flow meter and usually get readings from 650 - 750 (I am 26 years old and 66" tall). Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[PennyGic]

Thank you for your service!!  I have had pretty much the same issues. I will start with the sinus congestion then it goes to coughing and wheezing. I’m a non smoker .
I’ve had like 4 different rounds of antibiotics and the last time my Internist saw me I was given Atrovent Inhaler and Prednisone (again) but this time Prednisone was 60 mg x 3 days 40 mg x 3 days and 20 mg x 3 days (instead of usual pack.
I just finished the Prednisone and now am back to lots of sinus congestion plus the wheezing minimal, at this point, but noticeable when laying down.
I had a friend with continuing lung problems. Come to find out she’s aspirating into her lungs and that’s what caused all her lung problems! That was discovered by a lung doc after testing, etc. Now she takes something to control the acid in her stomach and her lungs are clearing up!
Best of luck finding out what this is, I’m your case.  Im still searching for answers as-well
Take Care and God Bless!.

[specialmom]

Hi there. This sounds like a mega pain!  I think the standard is that to be a chronic issue, it has to be for 3 straight months. Has this been going on that long?  I am thinking along the lines of excess mucus production being part of your issue.  Hypersecretion they call it.  Allergies are well known for causing that, asthma, COPD (it can happen with non smokers), etc.  Do you use a humidifier at night when you sleep?  Here's some info about chronic cough https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15048-chronic-cough-overview.  And here is some information on copd in non smokers.  https://www.healthline.com/health/copd/non-smoker  

Have you been to an Ear Nose and Throat Doctor? Might be worth it if the congestion starts in your sinus and if that doesn't net results for you, I'd see a pulmonologist.

[tdenni09]

I have a deviated septum and my doctor wants to do surgery . I'm very scared and would like to know if there's anyone out there that had a sinus surgery done? What was it like? Do you regret it? Any complications ?

[Eelyn]

im suffering too, but according to the chest physician and ENT, im alrite. my lungs are clear.. i tried exercising and wil immediately be down with feverish, chills.. i dont exactly know what it is and have told the ENT about it neither is he able to diagnose me with anything. The difficulty is breathing is bothering me alot too.. I find it difficult to breathe everyday, though it is still bearable but sometimes it might attack me seriously, especially after coffee once, and gym once too.. also another time was after prednisolone.. really cant figure out any solution and im still suffering with these symptoms; which makes me fall sick almost everyday..

[Bella861]

So, if I am understanding you correctly, my sinuses dripping back into
my throat is causing my lung congestion.  Suffering too.

[ChangoTX]

First of all thank you for your service. Your description of symptoms is almost exactly a match to what I've experienced for the past 6 months. Except of course for your peak flows for which I am extremely jealous. Please do not post anything above 600 on this site, I think that's showing off..Just kidding of course!!

Get your CT done. The deviated septum would not of itself produce this wheezing, but you may have pansinusitis, unresponsive to antibiotics, could be fungal in nature, old lingering infection, etc...

Long story short, I'm three weeks post sinus surgery, (completely impacted sinuses, deviated, bla bla..) And for the fisrt time in 6 mo, I'm turning the corner. Only two drugs remain, symbicort inhaler and zyrtec for allergies. Thousands of dollars, multiple ER hospitalisations for SOB, drugs, steroids, inhalers bla bla...

So, you may have bronchiectasis entrained by pansinusitis. I can finally breathe again, my lungs are clearing out now that the ENT pulled all that garbage out of my head. Now, I must add that I work in some pretty caustic environments for oil and gas customers, but no doctor ever was able to pin point the connection to or the cause of my condition.

You may well have an asthma mimmicking illness that will play with you and you drs until who laid the rail, but not the real thing thank goodness.

Good health to you, be safe, Semper Fi.

[rowmacks]

Forgot to add, I can usually breathe somewhat normal out of both of my nostrils when doing something physical (hiking, working).