Sinusitis/Labyrinthitis ???
Hi,
I wonder if anyone can offer any ideas as to what I am suffering from and how long it could take to clear up!?
I was diagnosed with Sinusitis (Chronic) about a month ago (although the problem has been going on for 2 months now) after symptoms of light headedness/balance problems and inflamed maxillary and frontal sinuses. I had not suffered from a cold or anything prior to this. I was put on 2 courses of antibiotics and they haven't seemed to do any good.
My frontal sinus is not as swollen now and I don't feel nearly as congested, I still have a considerable post nasal drip according to the doctor. My main problem is that I am still more or less constantly "spacy" (it isn't really dizziness) unless I'm lying down in bed. I have been spending most of the last month in bed due to this.
After a recent visit to the doctor over concern at a swollen temple he has taken a blood sample for an ESR test. He says I have a swollen temporal artery and it could be temporal arteritis (bear in mind I am only 26!) I am experiencing mild infrequent headaches on both temples seperately. Could this just be an effect of the sinusitis? Another doctor said he could feel a good pulse in both sides, I myself cannot find a pulse in either side but I'm not good at feeling a pulse anywhere! Could the infection have moved in to the Ethmoid or Sphenoid sinus or somewhere else? I get a puffy area around the temple depending on what side I am lying on, like there is fluid in my face that moves about dependend on my head position. After quite a hot shower yesterday the areas just above my eyebrows and around my temples puffed up quite considerably along with what looked like a heat rash (the rash I usually get after a hot shower) and then went away after about 5mins.
I am obviously quite concerned at this as I am most certainly not in a state to fly but am also worried about what implications it could have on obtaining a Class 1 medical in the future.
I am not entirely satisfied at the doctors diagnosis and am going to see an ENT surgeon on Monday who will hopefully recommend an MRI or similar so a proper diagnosis can be made.
If anyone feels like making comment or suggestion it would be very much appreciated as I said earlier I am getting rather worried about it (I'm a bit of a hypochondriac also!!)
Thanks,
Jimmydacraw
Edit : I forgot to mention that I hold a Class 2 medical at the moment. What are the implications for that? Should I be telling the CAA or anything?