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Facial Pain - Empty Nose Syndrome
Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) | Last Active: Sep 4, 2023 | Replies (93)Comment receiving replies
Hello. I stumbled upon this page while searching the web for help with chronic sinus pain. I have the symptoms of ENS but I have never had surgery on sinuses or Turbinates. I am writing here to ask if it's possible to have ENS without ever having surgery? I have had symptoms like the ones I've read about on this group for thirty years and they are getting worse. I've also tried all the treatments I see talked about: a humidifier at night and saline nasal sprays throughout the day and night. I stuff moistened wads of toilet paper inside my right nostril to stop air flow because the pain caused by air going through is more than I can take. The right side of my face around the eye, nose and lips feel tingling and numb most of the time - it feels like when Novocain is wearing off from a dental procedure. (I had Bell's Palsy about 7 years ago on that side of my face - so this could be residual effects of that.) But the biggest issue is that breathing through my right nostril is excruciating and the accompanying headache is debilitating. When it's severe I cannot drive or leave the house. The pain is accompanied by nausea, intestinal distress and occasional dry heaves as well. Recently I've experience night sweats and then chills. (At first, I thought I might have the humidifier set too high but it's on the lowest setting.) Still I wake up with pain in my sinus area and a headache every day. I've taken so much OTC pain medication that my stomach is upset and painful too. If I can't find some way to eliminated or even manage the pain I'm afraid I'll lose my job. Not to mention that I can't live a normal life or make any plans to do anything for fear I'll be incapacitated with pain on any given day.
I saw a Youtube video of Megan Kelly on the Today show (2018) talking about ENS. A Dr. Subinoy Das was on the show and talked about regenerative tissue therapy for this condition. Has anyone had experience with that? If anyone has any information on a permanent solution for this, I would be so grateful if for any suggestions to offer me some hope.
Replies to "Hello. I stumbled upon this page while searching the web for help with chronic sinus pain...."
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@denisec526-Hi. I’m very sorry to hear you are/have been experiencing this feeling for so long.
-Has it been a slow progression over time of the 30 years?
-Do not lose hope. In fact to provide you with hope and to calm your anxiety, know that you would not have “ENS” if you have never had surgery. However when we are under distress it is easy to google symptoms and read the worst case scenario.
To put your mind at ease, you could schedule a 30 min phone consult with Dr. Das. He is kind and spends time explaining/answering questions.
The nasal cavity is so complex and gets its communication from the parasympathetic nervous system. The nervous system plays a key role in hyper responsiveness in the nasal cavity, sometimes causing what normally wouldn’t be a painful stimuli to be perceived as painful.
Have you seen someone to look into your nasal cavity and health of your nasal mucosa? To see if this could be an airflow issue causing the burning feeling?
Dry nasal mucosa can cause a lot of irritation to the nerves. I know you said you’ve tried all the recommendations and have found no relief. Are you a smoker or around anyone who smokes? What is your daily environmental climate like? Do you stay hydrated? Those are all questions an ENT would ask.
You also mentioned Bells Palsey, I’m not sure what the cause of it was. I’m assuming you now have an understanding of cranial nerves. Those same cranial
nerves also innervate the nasal cavity and can easily be activated. Have you talked to the Neurologist about the burning pain you are having in the nose?
A good Neuro can explain how all of the nerves get overly activated.
In the mean time while you are trying to find relief, I recommend anything that can reduce nerve inflammation. Healthy diet, hydration, sleep, and stress reduction activities.