Chronic Sinusitis/Headaches

Hi Chad, thanks for responding! My diet is pretty good, I cut out the majority of sweets, I drink pretty much water or seltzer only (however coffee in the mornings), very minimal fruits and vegetables though but otherwise normal meals (no fast food whatsoever). I workout 3 times a week and am active. As far as what else I&#39ve done, if you mean for headaches, I use a air purifier when I sleep, netti pot occasionally, etc.

I actually purchased the Te Xiao Bi Min Gan Wan myself and began taking it for a few days when my acupuncturist gave me the Bi Yan Pian so I switched. Based on what you are saying I am going to go back and try the Te Xiao Bi Min Gan Wan for a week or two as I initially was going to do and see what happens, perhaps I will have better luck.

After looking at your links for liver stagnation or spleen yang deficiency, I do not think that the description fits my patterns. However, the link for liver fire is spot on. In my research, I completed a questionaire in Hadady&#39s "Asian Health Secrets" and scored pretty high in Earth and Wind Heat (which I believe the Wood supports the liver fire pattern). Is there a better herb for this you would recommend to take along with the Te Xiao Bi Min Gan Wan?

I will DEFINITELY be ordering the aru balm from you this week as well as another bottle of Te Xiao Bi Min Gan Wan. It&#39s getting frustrating feeling like the herbs are working and then feeling like they are not, hopefully this will help more. The more I read and learn about Chinese herbs the more I feel this is the better approach as opposed to living on claritan or zyrtek my whole life.

Thanks for your time on this, I really appreciate it. There are not many sites like this, or doctors willing to help people out.

As you point out - for allergies, and many other things, Chinese Medicine generally offers a better road towards resolution of your issues instead of managing them - but it can take time. If the liver fire symptoms seem more appropriate you could either do Jia Wei Xiao Yao Wan which is an enhanced version of xiao yao wan which clears more heat or a more specific formula for liver fire like long dan xie gan wan.

That said some of these formulas start to get a little strong so it really would be best if your current practitioner either agrees with your assumptions or you see another one who takes a different approach. It&#39s no judgement to your current practitioner at all... sometimes people just need a different approach.

For your diet that is good that you are leaving out the sweets. The other main things are to limit dairy, particularly drinking milk. Limit raw and cold foods, particularly salads. And try to avoid eating in a rush or too late at night. An article that I wrote awhile back about allergies has some other advice.

I am not a herbal prescriber so, cannot comment on what you are taking. However, I have treated quite a few people with long history of sinus problems, with great success. Also, I do have to echo what has been said - it can take a long time to properly &#39fix&#39.

There are a number of factors in your case that need to be taken into considration.

1) You have had this for what you say is pretty much your entire life. Generally speaking, the longer someone has experienced a problem the longer it takes to treat (although there are exceptions).

2) You have had lots of antibiotics. In Chinese Medicine, this creates a whole set of problems of their own, and that needs to be treated, too.

3) Again, any surgery can create its own specific problems that need treating. Quite how it affects people has to be assessed individually, and treated accordingly.

4) Often, the results are seasonal, in that it can take a full run through the seasons before sinusitis leaves the system. Most of my sinus patients have been of the Wood constitution (corresponding to Spring), which often meant they needed to have treatment in Winter before their seasonal type finds its full power.

It is complex, and, as with many conditions, cannot always be diagnosed from a distance. It sounds as if your practitioner is trying various combinations to see what works for you. Stick with it. It&#39s hard when you get early good results then a relapse of sorts but, it will come right eventually. It&#39s got to be better than what you have had to suffer, after all.

Good luck!

Yes, I really like that formula and clinically have seen it work wonders on a very consistent basis. It&#39s a really well balanced formula that can be taken for quite awhile without any issues. That said, over time your need for it should be minimized. Keep in mind that even though many of the herbal formulas are used for the same symptomatic relief as their western counterparts, they are, over time, working to truly resolve the underlying issues. Usually with chronic issues we might do something like the following: Start with 5 pills 2-3/x day, then when symptoms have been minimized for a couple weeks go to 5 pills 2x/day - then go to just per needed usage... Glad you are feeling better!