Sinus Surgery in Fibromyalgia (FMS) and Chronic Fatigue
The first study (1) used Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (ESS—simpler surgery through a tube) for those with chronic sinusitis, and measured overall symptom improvement directly related to the sinusitis. Those with fibromyalgia improved, but not more than those without fibromyalgia.
A second study report showed marked improvement in chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia after sinus surgery.
The study looked at 272 people who had sinus surgery. Those with very severe fatigue (8.8 on a 0-10 fatigue scale) had fatigue drop to an average of 4.2 after surgery.
These suggest that if you have nasal/sinus congestion associated with your CFS/FMS, it is worth doing an intensive therapy program as discussed in the "Addressing Chronic Sinusitis" article. In the small percent who have persistent sinusitis despite this therapy, it is worth considering Endoscopic Sinus Surgery.
References
1Fibromyalgia and chronic rhinosinusitis: Outcomes after endoscopic sinus surgery. ZM Soler, J Mace, and TL Smith. Am J Rhinol, July 1, 2008; 22(4): 427-32.
2The effects of endoscopic sinus surgery on level of fatigue in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis. NB Sautter, J Mace, AC Chester, and TL Smith. Am J Rhinol, July 1, 2008; 22(4): 420-6.
Jacob Teitelbaum, M.D. is one of the world's leading integrative medical authorities on fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue. He is the lead author of eight research studies on their effective treatments, and has published numerous health & wellness books, including the bestseller on fibromyalgia From Fatigued to Fantastic! and The Fatigue and Fibromyalgia Solution. His newest book (June 10, 2024) is You Can Heal From Long COVID. Dr. Teitelbaum is one of the most frequently quoted fibromyalgia experts in the world and appears often as a guest on news and talk shows nationwide including Good Morning America, The Dr. Oz Show, Oprah & Friends, CNN, and Fox News Health.
