What to do about persistent nasal discharge and fatigue after sinus surgery for aspergillus infection? - #29110
In Jan 2025 when I was 32 i had surgery in Mexico for stage 4 obstructive nasal polyps and for a mass of aspergillus fumigatus that was in my frontal, ethmoidal, sphenoidal sinuses.The fungus was 1/2 millimeter away from my brain and was pushing my brain inwards.It had begun to inflamed the duramater of my brain. It was 1/2 cm or less away from my optic nerves. The fungus was described to me after surgery to be about the size of a fist when clumped together. After my surgery I felt better than I had felt in 20 years. Since I was 13 I had vague yet severe chronic health problems including severe fatigue, low fevers, night sweats, rotating aches and pains. After surgery i felt exceedingly well except for fatigue, night sweats, and some continuing nasal “allergies” or nasal discharge. Then in September 2025 i began feeling worse: Severe headaches, sinus congestion, and more fatigue. My neurosurgeon who is in Mexico talked to me on the phone and advised me to take an antibiotic just in case I was having bacterial infection. I took it, but felt no real improvement. He then advised me to take itraconazole just to be precautious because he was anxious that I could get aspergillus fumigatus in my brain because my brain is now exposed (with a endoscope you can see the duramater when my polyps are smaller) after sinus surgery. In January 2026 I was able to travel to Mx. There I was told my my ENT that i had grown stage 2 nasal polyps, that I had a bacterial infection, and that I had high levels of aspergillus fumigatus in my blood. High igg, igm, and ige. Was given oral steroids, steroid spray, antibiotics by my ENT. My neurosurgeon gave me 2 months of itraconazole because of the high levels of aspergillus. Both doctors told me that my house is likely having aspergillus fumigatus and an unhealthy environment for me. I initially felt much better. I spent about 1 month in Mexico.i never stopped having bright yellow snot and fatigue, but I felt pretty well. When I came home soon I started feeling worse. Very fatigued! Now I have brown cheese-like grainy balls coming out of my nose besides bright yellow snot and fairly often blood. Sometimes I wake up to swallowing and choking on balls of mucus or whatever. Sometimes I snort and grainy textured mucus runs into my throat. I’m almost 100% sure it’s fungus. But I can’t move from my house cause I live with my parents and they can’t afford their ideal house, and I don’t think the itraconazole is helping. Or do I have to keep using it ALL the time? I can’t afford to go to a doctor right now.
When did you first notice the brown, grainy mucus?:
- It has been present for a whileHow would you describe the severity of your fatigue?:
- Moderate — it affects my daily routineHave you experienced any other symptoms besides nasal discharge and fatigue?:
- No other symptomsHow often do you experience headaches?:
- OccasionallyHave you noticed any specific triggers for your symptoms?:
- Dust or moldHow would you rate the effectiveness of itraconazole for your symptoms?:
- Not effective — no changeHave you made any changes to your environment since returning home?:
- Yes, I cleaned thoroughly100% Anonymously
No sign-up needed.

100% Anonymously
Get expert answers anytime, completely confidential. No sign-up needed.
About our doctors
Only qualified doctors who have confirmed the availability of medical education and other certificates of medical practice consult on our service. You can check the qualification confirmation in the doctor's profile.