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.