I'm having a terrible time with my sinuses. I think this may be the option I go with since I've tried many other treatments....OTC nasal sprays, prescribed steroid nasal sprays, loratadine, neti pot, antibiotics in case of infectionged....I'm still all clogged up. Balloon Sinulasty seems to be the next step. Has anyone gone through this procedure?
I understand the theory behind the procedure. Get the balloon in the closed sinus, inflate to open the clog. My questions is how does it stay open once the balloon is removed? How does it prevent the sinus from closing back up?
The procedure does not prevent your sinuses from closing back up. I've read studies indicating that the effects last at least 1-2 years. Because it's a new procedure it's not exactly clear how permanent the benefits will be for the average patient. I'm assuming your genetics, allergies, smoking, etc. would all play a role in how quickly problems return. The procedure is much safer than traditional sinus surgery and is supposedly more effective. I'm interested--having suffered sinus problems all of my life.
I've had surgeries and had a couple of sinoplaties, they are very different and for different things. Your ENT will need to do an MRI to tell if just sinuplasty will help you. If you have boney blockage it won't, you have to have the surgery. My last sinuplasty in October was 'in office', and really it was less invasive than a trip to the dentist. It takes a couple of weeks for the full effect but it ended another series of headaches for me. I also added a Grastek grass allergy pill since I work and play in Bermuda grass so, I can't say my success was one or the other.
