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Facial Pain - Empty Nose Syndrome

Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) | Last Active: Sep 4, 2023 | Replies (93)
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@rachaelmw72

Feeling like I'm not breathing, like my body isnt breathing as much as it should be... And noticing that feeling has thrown me into multiple panic attacks. It almost exclusively starts when I'm in my car, probably because cold dry winter air . And I have my AC on 100% of the time in the car. Before I connected it to ENS, I noticed that a hot shower helped for a bit.

I've had other symptoms too, but I think those were mostly from the panic attacks and anxiety (twitches, lightheadedness, tons of adrenaline, etc).

My turbinate reduction was about 3-4 months ago.

I just ordered a humidifier to hopefully start feeling better, but was hoping to find one of those special ENTs you mentioned so I can get an evaluation with someone who is very familiar with it.

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Replies to "Feeling like I'm not breathing, like my body isnt breathing as much as it should be......"
@seekinginfo | @nrd1 | Nov 28, 2022

@rachaelmw72-

Is your original surgeon being helpful? They are all familiar with it.

What were your original symptoms pre turbinate reduction? Do you know exactly why kind? There are many techniques. Was it just turbinate reduction or something else with it?

You are really early on the healing phase. I would try to not give this a name or syndrome. And try not to read negative things online.

What I will say is that your native airway and physiology has changed so things might not feel like they did before.

You are doing all of the right things. Use a humidifier regularly right now to see if that helps. Anything to combat a dry feeling. If you can try and work with someone who is experienced with somatic therapy. Essentially calming the body when an odd sensation arrives.

I feel saline rinse causes more dryness and irritation. But that’s just my own experience.

There are two doctors that will openly acknowledge “Empty Nose Syndrome” which is an outdated name witch is really just a catch all phrase for “we don’t know why you’re feeling this way”.
Dr. Das
Dr. Nayak

For the other symptoms, I would work on the anxiety around this as well. It obviously contributes.

I provide a lot of details in my replies in hopes it will help other people.

Altering nasal airflow is not something to be taken lightly. There needs to be more education/awareness about what nasal surgery really is.

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