My mum has been "unwell" for about 15 years. She was fully investigated at the time by ENT specialists and various Dentists both privately and at the hospital. The last appointment that I attended with her she was advised that there was nothing wrong with her medically and that she was depressed.

She describes headaches, can't get up in the morning, tinnitus, swollen gum, has become very withdrawn and dwells on her own health. She is a heavy smoker. She stopped working at the time and is very lethargic.

She has had lots of extensive dental work including root canal treatment.

The investigations carried out at the time included a sinus endoscope, various scans and xrays. Initially she was told it was a perforated sinus but the ENT/Dental team felt that the shadows on the xray were fatty tissue.

Just recently things have taken her back to the gp. She has had blood tests, eye tests, BP etc and a dental referral by the gp. Everything is ok but the dentist has done an xray and told her again that there is a shadow on the xray and it is possible she has a perforated sinus.

On reading what I can from the internet I would have thought that a perferated sinus would have healed by 15years! Why hasn't there been any infections? Her blood count was fine. Is it possible that it's some kind of fistula that's healed this way? If that's the case would she still have these symptoms.

My gut feeling is that she is depressed and a hypochondriac and I am trying to support her. Whilst I can imagine that some of you feel that I am wicked for saying such things it has been very hard living with her as she is always complaining about something to do with her health. I feel this recent episode is because my dad has become ill and was getting lots of attention. On the other hand of course if it sounds like her problems are genuine I want her to get well.