Nasal passage blocked

I had a deviated septum repaired 27 years ago without issue. I saw another ENT about 15 years ago, and he removed polyps from both nostrils, again without issue. I then had a sleep study done with the blessings of the ENT, and I have been using a Bi-Pap. I sleep, I breathe, and use saline to clear passages. There are quality ENT's in practice, and you may wish to locate one and set your biases to the side until you hear a definitive plan. I am 73 and am pleased to have been well treated.

@zaa I have the same problem. As long as I can remember I have always had problems breathing through my nose. Mostly it's the right side of my nose that is blocked and hard to breathe through. I was diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea a couple of years ago and have had some difficulty with the face masks due to breathing mostly through my mouth.

I have been using a nasal wash every so often in the evenings which is a 50-50 chance of clearing the nose. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't clear up after using the nasal wash. I had been thinking about a septoplasty for a couple of years to correct my deviated septum but I wanted to learn how bad it really is and what my options were. I talked with my primary care doctor who gave me a referral to a Mayo ENT doctor for a consultation. I met with the ENT doctor and PA Monday and discussed the options available to me. After the exam and the little camera they poke in your nose and record a little movie they were able to explain what they thought was causing the blockage and what my options were. He also mentioned I have a longer nose and one of the options to fix the issue is to open the nose and do reconstruction. He mentioned that I have a couple of small bone spurs and enlarged turbinates which could be reduced in size to help as an option. Then he went through the risks and no guarantees talk about what the surgery involves. He also explained that they have had success with more conservative treatments using a special Mayo proprietary nasal spray compounded in their pharmacy.

I opted to try the conservative treatment for 90 days to see if it helps before considering surgery or just living with it. They gave me a Neilmeds sinus rinse starter kit which I already had one at home. I have to use it twice a day, once in the morning and once at night. After rinsing I have to use 2 sprays in each nostril of the Mayo spray which contains Mometasone to reduce inflammation, Ipratropium to reduce nasal drainage and Diphenhydramine which is an antihistamine to help reduce nasal drainage. I started using it Tuesday and was pleasantly surprised with the results. I can breathe through both nostrils freely now and it seems to be helping with my CPAP. At 78 years old I really don't want surgery unless it's a last resort and will help quality of life. I would have never guessed the Mayo proprietary nasal spray would have worked this well as I have tried all of the normal nasal sprays with no help at all. I'll know for sure in a couple more months.

I would definitely have a meeting with an ENT specialist if you have not already seen one.

@elwooodsdad-thank you for sharing your experience.
I’m interested in understanding what the reason was for your septum repair? And by using the word repair, does that mean it was broken or dislocated?

Been curious to ask those that responded to my original question about nasal blockage, additional question about their other issues they may be experiencing. Seems like everything is happening to me lately in my face/neck region and want to compare with you.

Severe loss of hearing and tinnitus about 6 years ago along with start of TMJ. Then this year, sinus/nasal blockage; areas on face, head and neck that were tender to the touch with bumps under skin; CT scan showed arthritis in jaw, and the latest is a rare internal resorption of a front incisor which will be removed this week. Normally a very active person but suffering fatigue and depression. I’ve had depression for many years but the fatigue and pain in muscles have been so severe the last 7 months, making me less interested in getting out and having any fun with friends. I have read that having sinus issues can cause and make depression worse.

Been bad year with all of these complications but thinking that somehow they may be connected. Hoping that once I get my tooth pulled that could remove infection that will help my body. Anyone else having or had resorption? Or, perhaps something else is going on that is causing all of this to happen? Really trying, as we all are on Mayo Connect, to figure out solutions but I am starting to falter many days.

Been curious to ask those that responded to my original question about nasal blockage, additional question about their other issues they may be experiencing. Seems like everything is happening to me lately in my face/neck region and want to compare with you.

Severe loss of hearing and tinnitus about 6 years ago along with start of TMJ. Then this year, sinus/nasal blockage; areas on face, head and neck that were tender to the touch with bumps under skin; CT scan showed arthritis in jaw, and the latest is a rare internal resorption of a front incisor which will be removed this week. Normally a very active person but suffering fatigue and depression. I’ve had depression for many years but the fatigue and pain in muscles have been so severe the last 7 months, making me less interested in getting out and having any fun with friends. I have read that having sinus issues can cause and make depression worse.

Been bad year with all of these complications but thinking that somehow they may be connected. Hoping that once I get my tooth pulled that could remove infection that will help my body. Anyone else having or had resorption? Or, perhaps something else is going on that is causing all of this to happen? Really trying, as we all are on Mayo Connect, to figure out solutions but I am starting to falter many days.

@zaa-this is why I tend to ask a few questions with my replies.
Everything is connected. Mind and Body.

TMJ-disorder. I would be curious to know if the ENT you saw, knew you had a long standing history of clenching? TMJ tightness/stress refers pain away from the actual site of the jaw joint. Over time this would cause
referred pain to the face, head, jaw into shoulders. Often times presenting as sinus/nasal pain and or congestion. If this is where you hold your stress, then in stressful times it would show up here. A Neurologist knows and understands pain referrals and headaches, before an ENT.

Many things contribute to inflammation/stress/congestion in the body;

Sleep, Nutrition (Vitamins/Minerals) Digestion, Physical Activity Level, Social Outlets/Community.
All 5 of these play a role in keeping the body feeling optimal.

Positives from your post is that you say you are normally an active person and you do have friends to get out with. I know this might seem hard with fatigue and depression, but even if you could schedule small outings and keep movement going it will help overall. Just small things to do for yourself.

Hope this was helpful.

@zaa I think the one thing that ties a lot of the effects of nasal passage blocked for me is poor quality of sleep which the body needs to stay healthy. I also have obstructive sleep apnea which was diagnosed a few years ago and I now use a CPAP which helps. I'm hoping my latest ENT appointment and treatment plan of the twice a day nasal rinse and the Mayo Clinic nasal spray will improve my sleep and over all quality of life with better breathing. Sleep is a key for many different conditions.

Sleep Deprivation and Deficiency: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/sleep-deprivation-and-deficiency

Seems like nasal rinses have been good for me but are you finding your nose to be very dry afterwards? Is there any issues with rinsing twice a day forever? I use a saline spray which helps moisturize afterwards but I’m going to try and get the Mayo spray you mention if I can get my ent to help out.

Been curious to ask those that responded to my original question about nasal blockage, additional question about their other issues they may be experiencing. Seems like everything is happening to me lately in my face/neck region and want to compare with you.

Severe loss of hearing and tinnitus about 6 years ago along with start of TMJ. Then this year, sinus/nasal blockage; areas on face, head and neck that were tender to the touch with bumps under skin; CT scan showed arthritis in jaw, and the latest is a rare internal resorption of a front incisor which will be removed this week. Normally a very active person but suffering fatigue and depression. I’ve had depression for many years but the fatigue and pain in muscles have been so severe the last 7 months, making me less interested in getting out and having any fun with friends. I have read that having sinus issues can cause and make depression worse.

Been bad year with all of these complications but thinking that somehow they may be connected. Hoping that once I get my tooth pulled that could remove infection that will help my body. Anyone else having or had resorption? Or, perhaps something else is going on that is causing all of this to happen? Really trying, as we all are on Mayo Connect, to figure out solutions but I am starting to falter many days.