My story-am I not accepting the diagnosis?

[kellysmum]

Here's my story.  I'm hoping for some advice.

In June, I came down with a sinus infection that included a cough and a sore in my right nostril.  I was put on an antibiotic, doxycycline, and it went away in two weeks.  In early August, the pain in my right nostril, on the septum, came back.  It hurt even to chew.  I went to both my family doctor and my ENT.  The ENT put me on Bactroban ointment to use in my nostril for two weeks.  I kept on using it beyond the two weeks because my nose was still sore.

Then I woke up one morning in late August and the inside of my right nostril was all red and inflamed and very sore.  By the end of the day it had a white head on it.  I opened it twice and only got out a little pus.  My family doctor thought it was a staph infection and put me on a stronger two week course of doxycycline and turned the whole mess over to my ENT.  So I suffered through two weeks of the worst side effects I've ever had from a drug (I'm allergic to most other antibiotics-doxy is about all I can take) and my nose felt better.  The ENT, yesterday, pronounced me cured, even though the inside of my nose still looks red and inflamed (not as red and inflamed as it was before, though.) He said to keep the area moist, keep using the Bactroban, and I should be fine.

Thing is, I don't believe him.  I don't feel fine.  I am convinced I still have a staph infection.  I've had a headache and sore neck and back for the past two days.  I'm convinced I have spinal meningitis.  Or cancer.  I'm tired all the time.  I don't trust either of my doctors and I feel as if they had no idea what I had or do have.  I'm trying to resist the temptation to make an appointment with another ENT specialist at the Cleveland Clinic.  I'm worried every night that when I wake up the next morning my nose will be worse like it was before.

Can anybody please help?

[sixpack]

I know that anxiety can make you question all kinds of things.  It can also make any sensation worse.  Worse in that we think it into being worse.

Cleveland Clinic is an excellent hospital (my bro in law and his wife both work there--he is a shrink and she an oncology nurse).  Anyway do you think a doc at Cleveland Clinic will reassure you to the point that you will be able to put this behind you?  If so, then go.  If not, then see a therapist instead.

BTW--I have a friend who had meningitis.  You CERTAINLY are not having anything that happened to her.  She contracted it.  Was in school all day with a massive headache.  She got home and sat down and then passed out.  Her fever was freakishly high.  From there her family took her to the hospital.  Meningitis doesn't poke along over weeks.  We are talking about 1 day and you are in tough shape.  I don't understand the fear of cancer in this case.  You've had two docs, one an ENT, who looks up noses and down throats all day.  He/She has seen cancer, staph infections, sinus infections etc, etc.  He is going to know the difference.  Your nose is going to be reddish for a while.  New skin is always red/pink/tender.  Just think about any cuts you've had in your life

[marc]

I agree with sixpack.

[Forrest70]

meningitis. if it was that you FOR sure wouldnt be typing and sitting here!You would be very very very sick.And having i.v's being pumped into you for days.But its your choice for a second ent but thats the problem with people that suffer from h.a they end up being the Doctors butcher tool..Being retested over and over can be more danger then illness it self.

[emma09]

if you think about it, Youve been through alot of worry & stress about your nose, your neck / head / shoulders are gonna hurt from being tense all the time, your gonna feel tired from all the worrying, your nose is still gona be a little sore and inflamed for awhile. You've been told your fine so celebrate that, put your feet up with a cuppa and get on with things, distraction is a big key to forgeting your worries.