Vivaer nasal valve remodeling and Empty Nose Syndrome?

Doesn't the Vivaer procedure shrink the turbinate? I don't see how your doctor would say it does not shrink the turbinate. That seems to be exactly what the procedure does. It is an ablative surgery, it destroys tissue and shrinks it. The degree of shrinkage may be much less than other surgeries and that may be what the doctor was trying to say, so that the risk of ENS is greatly reduced compared to other more destructive procedures.

The only thing I know is the literature that my ENT doctor gave me. He said it is a non-invasive procedure that reshapes the nasal valve area, widening the area to possibly help with airflow. I've been to three different ENT's, and two of them wanted to go in invasively and fix my deviated septum, and reduce turbinates, either with coblation or other means. After hearing about ENS, I am not sure I want to take that chance. The Vivaer procedure apparently uses radio waves to shrink and reshape the nasal valve area. But then I saw a an article from an ENT doctor stating, that even messing around with the nasal valve area could cause issues like ENS. Because the nasal valve area is supposed to have some resistance of air.

I have "mild" sleep apnea(use BIPAP machine), had a DISE procedure which showed my tongue base collapsing blocking airway. I use BIPAP with dental appliance and still breathe through mouth sometimes and get obstructions. My ENT says he needs to start by opening nasal airway and then from there, consider other options for my tongue collapse and recessed jaw, like jaw surgery.

Hey all. Been a rough couple of years. Had deviated septum/septioplasty back in 2020. Dr cut my turbinides pretty much off. after the surgery needed to go back to the office frequently due to being congested all the time, thick milky mucus. Kept blaming it on allergies. Allergy tested and got shots out of 5 my allergy rating is a 2. Fast forward a bit gave up on the first doc.
Went to see another one, tried treating it medically with antibiotics steroids, etc. sinus rinses daily with budesonide. 1 year later no improvement. Caught a cold in winter, stayed congested. Ct scan showed my Scilla no longer functioning. Went in for another procedure they drilled a hole from my nose to my maxillary sinus to promote drainage. Fast forward 2 months still congested. Comes and goes every two weeks. Latest they started me on dupixent shots every two weeks. Quality of life has diminished, becoming desperate to find a possible solution. Literally going through a box of Kleenexes daily of thick milky mucus

Hello group!

I have been expiriencing some very odd symptoms and will try to keep it condensed. In 2014 I had a turbinate reduction(no turbinates were completely removed thankfully) and a septoplasty due to my constant stuffyness and smothered feeling upon waking up. About two years go by and my stuffiness apears the same and also noticing that I feel much more winded when doing activities. Fast forward to july 2018 and I had my first ever anxiety/panic attack. When this occured I felt numbness in certain parts of my body which most of these symptoms are gone. The most notable symptoms that still carry on are these episodes of breathlessness upon simple exertion such as walking/moving fast paced, moving objects over 10 lbs, or pushing my laundry basket, going from low to high altitudes. Also speaking more then a minute causes a pressure breathlessness sensation near my pharynx.It is to the point where I had to leave my job due to the distressing feeling of passing out or running out of breath. I was cleared of any lung or asthma problems and heart apeared healthy from the tests and ct scans done.I am also relatively healthy and try to eat as clean as possible, bit have left out cardio due to my concerns. Ive seen 3 ent specialists and have cleared me of anything out of the ordinary.

What I am wondering is if by any chance a side effect from the turbinate surgery 4 years back could have altered any inhale signaling to the brain or nervous system. I know this could be over thinking but I have been expiriencing several symptoms related to ENS syndrome or empty nose syndrome which correlates to sensations of breathlessness, dry nose(as I have most of the time) and intermittent loss of sensation of air when inhaling through nose(usually when its too hot/humid or too cold). Again these symptoms all seemed to have come after my apparent anxiety attack and Still scratching my head in the sense if these symptoms are anxiety induced or complications of the surgery which I did not feel anything unsual until recent other than dryness and post nasal drip feeling since then.

Any suggestions or input would be
Greatly appreciated!

I live in Austin Texas area. So any Mayo Clinic will be very far to go to. But I was planning to go to one of the Mayo locations due to other health issues that my current doctors can't figure out. The issue is no doctors in the Austin area work under one roof and talk to each other to figure out solutions for patients. There is no place except for mayo that does that.

I live in this area too, it sucks for quality of care. I have been to Houston and John Hopkins and considered going to Ohio University as they will put that team together.
I have empty nose syndrome and it has affected my entire life like a domino effect. I may be able to offer support solutions and or more information that can lead you to more help, just be careful of ENT in our area.

@emptynose
Would you mind sharing your
experience of your initial procedure?

95% of anything altered structurally to nasal/sinuses are not safe or effective. I’m curious as to what your procedure was?