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"Funny Face" <myfunnyfaces@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:a9a7f2ef.0304251723.779ce155@posting.google.com...
> Recently, my boyfriend was advised by the ENT that he had Samter's
> Syndrome, and that he was actually DYING from it.  The surgery is
> scheduled in the next two weeks.  I have looked and looked all over
> the internet, and have found only limited information regarding this
> illness/syndrome.

I think he is a bit confused. Samter' syndrome or Samter's triad; also known
as Widal-Abrami-Lermoyez triad (after the guys who originally described it),
Widal-Lermoyez syndrome, and Widal's syndrome; is just the triad of allergic
(or vasomotor) rhinitis, nasal polyps, and aspirin sensitive asthma. It is
common and not particularly fatal. It is treated by treating the asthma as
normal, treating the polyps (frequently with surgery and nasal steroids),
and avoiding aspirin.

It is possible, although rare, for a sinus infection to spread into the bone
or even into the cranial cavity or eye sockets and present a potentially
lethal infection. In these cases he would be extremely ill (like in an ICU)
and be scheduled for emergency surgery to drain the puss, not outpatient
removal of polyps.

I think you need to have another talk with the ENT to find out exactly what
is going on.

http://www.doctorhoffman.com/xsamter.htm   (for the short story)

http://www.bcm.tmc.edu/oto/grand/090398.html   (for a detailed discussion of
polyps - makes a brief mention of Samter's Syndrome)

--
CBI, MD

Although any infection, left untreated, will develop into something serious,
Sampter itself would not be fatal.
Mine was not treated early, and when I got my first scan the surgeon said
that my head was "a mess", he had "not seen worse", with polyps at the very
top of my head and all the cavities blocked and infected.  Two ops later "to
remove diseased linings" and I am as good as for many many years.  So don't
worry.
Your boyfriend will have to start looking after himself though.
Dangers are;
Reaction if he accidentally ingests asprin.
Surgeon working near the eyes to remove infection.
Surgeon working near brain ditto.
Make sure the surgeon has performed many such ops., as there is a steep
learning curve.
Regards
               David.
"Funny Face" <myfunnyfaces@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:a9a7f2ef.0304251723.779ce155@posting.google.com...
> Recently, my boyfriend was advised by the ENT that he had Samter's
> Syndrome, and that he was actually DYING from it.  The surgery is
> scheduled in the next two weeks.  I have looked and looked all over
> the internet, and have found only limited information regarding this
> illness/syndrome.
> I found one article which indicated that in a very *very* rare case,
> where sinusitus was left untreated, it could infect the bones of the
> skull, causing death.  However, when I search for  fatality or
> survivability ratios, the information is sparse, and does not even
> address quality of life, or fatality.
> It might be worth noting that my boyfriend also has Krohn's Disease,
> which can give him a bit of trouble.  The Samter's Syndrome is
> classic, for him: Allergy to aspirin, mild asthma, polyps,...  The
> poor thing sounds just awful when he gets stuffed up and now his face
> is swollen!
> He lost his breath, and sounded like he was drowning, this morning...
> We called the Doctor who told him to start taking the pre-operative
> medication (he had been taking Augmenten for a few days, but was told
> to discontinue).  He is on Nasonex, which seems to help, as well.
> Now, my major questions are:
> Is Samter's Syndrome something which can be fatal?
> Is Samter's Syndrome mainly a detriment to  quality of life? (and not
> seen as a fatal disease?)
> I understand that the polyps may be reoccuring... can the polyps cause
> blindness?  (Something about pressure on the occular nerve or cord??)
> My BF was told there is an infection that is all over his sinus cavity
> and can lead to blindness or death, and that there is infection near
> the lining of his brain from this???
> Oh- he is a painter, by trade, for 22 years- and has not always used
> proper safety eq.  I believe this may have contributed to the
> destruction of his lungs (asthma) and add to that, he smokes over two
> packs a day.  I'm sure these factors are very harmful in the treatment
> of the triad.
> He is not very good at explaining things, and I have set an
> appointment with the DR (and him) so that I can get more information,
> but in the meantime, I wouold be extremely grateful for any feedback
> provided.
> THANKING all serious responses, Kindly, in advance.

There is a Group for that. You should stop by.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/samters/

Presently, they are comparing research studies and are compiling a list of
their common symptoms.


"Funny Face" <myfunnyfaces@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:a9a7f2ef.0304251723.779ce155@posting.google.com...
> Recently, my boyfriend was advised by the ENT that he had Samter's
> Syndrome, and that he was actually DYING from it.  The surgery is
> scheduled in the next two weeks.  I have looked and looked all over
> the internet, and have found only limited information regarding this
> illness/syndrome.
> I found one article which indicated that in a very *very* rare case,
> where sinusitus was left untreated, it could infect the bones of the
> skull, causing death.  However, when I search for  fatality or
> survivability ratios, the information is sparse, and does not even
> address quality of life, or fatality.
> It might be worth noting that my boyfriend also has Krohn's Disease,
> which can give him a bit of trouble.  The Samter's Syndrome is
> classic, for him: Allergy to aspirin, mild asthma, polyps,...  The
> poor thing sounds just awful when he gets stuffed up and now his face
> is swollen!
> He lost his breath, and sounded like he was drowning, this morning...
> We called the Doctor who told him to start taking the pre-operative
> medication (he had been taking Augmenten for a few days, but was told
> to discontinue).  He is on Nasonex, which seems to help, as well.
> Now, my major questions are:
> Is Samter's Syndrome something which can be fatal?
> Is Samter's Syndrome mainly a detriment to  quality of life? (and not
> seen as a fatal disease?)
> I understand that the polyps may be reoccuring... can the polyps cause
> blindness?  (Something about pressure on the occular nerve or cord??)
> My BF was told there is an infection that is all over his sinus cavity
> and can lead to blindness or death, and that there is infection near
> the lining of his brain from this???
> Oh- he is a painter, by trade, for 22 years- and has not always used
> proper safety eq.  I believe this may have contributed to the
> destruction of his lungs (asthma) and add to that, he smokes over two
> packs a day.  I'm sure these factors are very harmful in the treatment
> of the triad.
> He is not very good at explaining things, and I have set an
> appointment with the DR (and him) so that I can get more information,
> but in the meantime, I wouold be extremely grateful for any feedback
> provided.
> THANKING all serious responses, Kindly, in advance.
>