I had an appointment with my ENT last week. The visit went ok. It was one of those visits that seemed to be going really well during the actual appointment, but then afterwards, I start second guessing everything that happened. I think it went something like this:
First we talked about my status. During the past 3 to 4 weeks my sinuses have been feeling really good. Probably the best I have felt in a long time. For three months I had been mixing Bactroban in my nasal rinses twice a day up until the end of December. Even during the time where I was not using antibiotics, my sinuses did rather well. Now, that is not to say that my sinuses have been perfect. I still get pressure and pain, but it is mild...at least compared to how bad things felt earlier this year. This is good news.
Reporting this good news to the ENT, I think he took that to mean "problem solved." Not that he said that out loud, but it just didn't seem like the usual ENT visit. For example, he did not use the scope to look at my sinuses. While I was excited at the time because I hate the scope, but really it is the best tool the doctor has to see what is going on. And I find it hard to believe he didn't think he needed to look up there. Looking back, I should of asked why he wasn't going to perform the exam.
I also talked to the doctor about pain control. Basically, I don't use any pain relief when I do have a flare-up because I feel like I need to gauge how bad the situation gets. Which makes it really hard to function and get through a normal day. He told me to stop doing that. And that I should contact him as soon as the symptoms starting getting bad so he can implement a plan right away. He said he has a "few tricks up his sleeve" and that I should not be suffering through a flare-up. This was nice to hear. I think I needed to hear that from him to know how to handle a flare-up better.
Another missing piece of this visit was we did not go over my medications. I should of ask to do that, just to see if we needed to chance things up or keep going on the same path. Maybe not a big deal, but it just seems like a gap. Also, he didn't tell me when he wanted to see me again. I followed up with him on this one. If my symptoms stay mild, follow up in 6 months. If I have a flare-up e-mail him and he will decide the right course of action.
Did you just do the bactroban with the rinses on your own or did your ENT recommend that. I'm going to ask mine about doing that...anything that would help...mine have not been great lately, bad sinus headaches. I'm living on OTC stuff right now.
ReplyDeleteMy doctor says the same thing to me about pain control. While I partially agree, I tell my doc that if I had to come in every time I was in pain, I would be in every week. I go in when I feel like the situation needs to be addressed because I know my body best. I think we are on the same page.
ReplyDeleteHopefully you sinus issues will stay in good shape for the rest of the winter so they can prepare for the onslaught that is spring and summer allergies.
Miss you, buddy!
Sounds like a pretty good ENT visit. I've reminded them of things they've overlooked at times. I'll say "Aren't you going to check..."
ReplyDeleteI'm supposed to start on inhaled Tobi this week - the one you inhale into your sinuses. I guess that's called "inhaled Tobi".