Tom, 37, who lives in Great Yarmouth with his wife and stepdaughter, has lived with a condition called chronic rhinosinusitis (sinusitis) for as long as he can remember. The condition causes difficulties with nasal breathing.
Sinusitis involves the spaces inside the nose and head, called sinuses, becoming inflamed and swollen. Symptoms include a blocked and runny nose, loss of smell, tiredness and worsening of breathing problems.
Tom said: “If I got a cold, it would have such a long-term effect. It would lead to a heavy buildup of mucus and feeling out of breath simply by talking or doing a physical activity.”
Tom works in a specialist provision school. He teaches maths and is the designated teacher for children in care.
The ability to communicate with his students is extremely important for Tom and his voice is one of his most essential tools as a teacher. But sinusitis made using his voice a constant struggle.
He was also diagnosed with sleep apnoea, and his loud snoring meant that his family suffered from restless nights too.
Tom never considered that his specific chronic condition would be the subject of major clinical research. “I associated research with big illnesses, like cancer or other major organ issues,” he said.
However, after a referral from his GP to a consultant Tom was offered a research opportunity that would change his life.
Tom was invited to take part in a trial comparing sinus surgery to long-term use of antibiotics and a placebo (a pill with no effect), aiming to find the most effective treatment for sinusitis.
“I thought why not be part of something that can benefit people who are in a similar situation?”
- Tom
Tom was randomly assigned to the surgical treatment, which was an operation under general anaesthetic to clean out his sinuses and remove nasal polyps (soft growths) and leave them open for medical treatment after surgery. After the surgery, he used nasal douches (rinsing his nose with a sterile solution) every day.
For Tom, the outcome of the trial has been transformative; the constant congestion is gone, and colds no longer last for weeks or cause stubborn chest symptoms. He is also not snoring as much, which means he and his family are getting more restful sleep.
“The operation was like someone had popped a balloon and now I’ve got space within my nose to be able to breathe. It’s given me a new lease of life.”
The treatment has even opened up activities and experiences that were once a struggle.
"I can now breathe through my nose while swimming, which is something I’d never been able to do before.
"I'm a happier person to be around because I feel better. Taking part in research changed my life, and I’m sure it could do the same for others.”
Watch Tom's story
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