Facial Pain - Empty Nose Syndrome

Posted by Bellatrac @bellatrac, Nov 9, 2011

Looking to discuss coping mechanisms/treatment options for atypical facial pain/empty nose syndrome - mine is a result of sinus surgery

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) Support Group.

It was supposed to fix a deviated septum and remove excess tissue. However the doctor removed most of the turbinates on one side and part of the other side. This was confirmed by another ENT doctor. I now suffer with dry nose, thick nasal discharge down the throat, fatigue, feel like I'm not getting enough oxygen in my lungs, and among other things, and overall BADASS ATTITUDE! Sorry 'bout that , but there should be some sort of restitution.

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@drumline7860

It was supposed to fix a deviated septum and remove excess tissue. However the doctor removed most of the turbinates on one side and part of the other side. This was confirmed by another ENT doctor. I now suffer with dry nose, thick nasal discharge down the throat, fatigue, feel like I'm not getting enough oxygen in my lungs, and among other things, and overall BADASS ATTITUDE! Sorry 'bout that , but there should be some sort of restitution.

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@drumline7860 Thank you for explaining. Mine was septum/ left middle turbinate resection, apparently changed and moved just to gain access to sinus area.
Do you experience airflow dynamic issues, causing head pressure and dizziness? Have you experienced different muscular tightness, over compensating for inhalation and exhalation?

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The dizziness has pretty much gone away along with some of the other issues i.e. headache etc. The breathing problems are still there but practicing the breathing exercises have definitely helped with that. My suggestion to you: Check out the two sites that I sent earlier and google "breathing exercises for empty nose syndrome". I wish I had the silver bullet for this, but I'm still struggling with it myself. P.S. A submucosal resection of the turbinate is removal of bone from the lower turbinates and in some cases can cause complications like what you are experiencing. Just hang in there.

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@drumline7860-thank you for your help. Due to my inferior turbinates not being touched, I believe some of the ENTs aren’t understanding some of what I am describing as they so narrowly understand how disruption of any kind to the nasal/sinus cavity can cause all kinds of symptoms of distress regardless of what their text books taught them.
I never cared to have an exact diagnosis, i just knew something was not right immediately after. Weather or not officially “ENS”or not, there is dysfunction. I will look up the links you suggested. And I appreciate your honest support/reply.

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I didn't know that mine were cut either until I had a follow up CT scan.

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@drumline7860

I didn't know that mine were cut either until I had a follow up CT scan.

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@drumline7860 -I’ve had multiple post surgical CTs.
You can clearly see my Middle Turbinate resection, deviated septal change and sinus changes. Inferior turbinates actually appear to look bigger now, assuming overcompensating for increased airflow.
Constant wind tunnel sound, dryness, headaches, total disruption of smooth airflow sensation. Didn’t know what ENS was. Kept explaining all these symptoms. I do believe “ENS” or whatever name they want to coin it, is so much more than just disrupting the inferior turbinates. Airflow disruption can happen anywhere in the nasal cavity. Too much airflow, too fast also equals dryness, even in a healthy nasal cavity. I know my responses are long. I’ve just done so much research. ENTs don’t even know how the nose works.

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Good day everyone I really hope to find a solution here.Two years ago while sleeping I had a violent sneeze and when I woke up the following morning I noticed my breathing had changed.i observed My left Nostril Was taking In too much air And it seems I have a perforations/opening somewhere inside my throat(leftside) Which I feel was due to the force of the sneeze.Now I always feel like I have excess air inside of me and it causes me to feel like am choking and my chest is filled with trapped air(so uncomfortable).I can’t speak for 60seconds without gasping for breath and this has affected my life terribly I am no longer happy and sometimes I honestly feel like ending things.The condition is getting worse as I can no longer eat properly,my throat Just doesn’t open well enough.i have had the following scan and nothing was found:
.Ct scan of nose and paranasal sinuses
.barium swallow
.nasal endoscopy
For two years I have been on Antibiotics,omeprazole and sometimes sedatives to help me sleep.I really hope to find a solution here so I can get on with my life again.God bless

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@chris77

Good day everyone I really hope to find a solution here.Two years ago while sleeping I had a violent sneeze and when I woke up the following morning I noticed my breathing had changed.i observed My left Nostril Was taking In too much air And it seems I have a perforations/opening somewhere inside my throat(leftside) Which I feel was due to the force of the sneeze.Now I always feel like I have excess air inside of me and it causes me to feel like am choking and my chest is filled with trapped air(so uncomfortable).I can’t speak for 60seconds without gasping for breath and this has affected my life terribly I am no longer happy and sometimes I honestly feel like ending things.The condition is getting worse as I can no longer eat properly,my throat Just doesn’t open well enough.i have had the following scan and nothing was found:
.Ct scan of nose and paranasal sinuses
.barium swallow
.nasal endoscopy
For two years I have been on Antibiotics,omeprazole and sometimes sedatives to help me sleep.I really hope to find a solution here so I can get on with my life again.God bless

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Hello @chris77 and welcome to Mayo Connect. As you know, Mayo Connect cannot offer medical advice as we are not medical professionals. We are patients, like yourself, who give and receive support and encouragement.

This problem with breathing and choking sounds very uncomfortable, I'm so sorry that you are experiencing this. I have some swallowing issues that can cause a choking sensation and breathing/speech problems so I do understand just a little of the panic that you must feel when this occurs.

Just to help understand this problem a bit better and see if I can connect you with others with a similar situation, could you tell me if you have any swallowing or speech problems? What type of specialists have you seen? Have you ever seen a Gastroenterologist for an EGD?

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@hopeful33250

Hello @chris77 and welcome to Mayo Connect. As you know, Mayo Connect cannot offer medical advice as we are not medical professionals. We are patients, like yourself, who give and receive support and encouragement.

This problem with breathing and choking sounds very uncomfortable, I'm so sorry that you are experiencing this. I have some swallowing issues that can cause a choking sensation and breathing/speech problems so I do understand just a little of the panic that you must feel when this occurs.

Just to help understand this problem a bit better and see if I can connect you with others with a similar situation, could you tell me if you have any swallowing or speech problems? What type of specialists have you seen? Have you ever seen a Gastroenterologist for an EGD?

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I have difficulty swallowing now but initially it was just my breathing,like I could no longer feel the sense of fresh air(inhalation).but over a period of time it got worse.Now I can’t eat Nuts or certain meals unless I chew them to very liquid form and when it does go through It doesn’t digest properly.Most times I can’t tell if it’s the Excess air or food That goes through a wrong channel and gets stucked inbetween my chest and the pressure from it strains my back a lot.
My speech is Still normal in tone but no longer strong.When I try to sing a pitch my voice drops almost immediately and gets shakky.it actually got worse after I was put on a nebulizer and i felt a strong crack which made me wobble for long.i can’t talk for too long else I will feel very tired.
Am currently seeing an Ent doctor but nothing much is changing.over two years now.sory about your swallowing I hope you get better soonest.

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@hopeful33250

Hello @chris77 and welcome to Mayo Connect. As you know, Mayo Connect cannot offer medical advice as we are not medical professionals. We are patients, like yourself, who give and receive support and encouragement.

This problem with breathing and choking sounds very uncomfortable, I'm so sorry that you are experiencing this. I have some swallowing issues that can cause a choking sensation and breathing/speech problems so I do understand just a little of the panic that you must feel when this occurs.

Just to help understand this problem a bit better and see if I can connect you with others with a similar situation, could you tell me if you have any swallowing or speech problems? What type of specialists have you seen? Have you ever seen a Gastroenterologist for an EGD?

Jump to this post

I also met an Ent professor(a Surgeon)but he advised I go for Surgery.He said that way he can physically ascertain what my situation is like Since the scan showed nothing significant

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