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Facial Pain - Empty Nose Syndrome
Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) | Last Active: Sep 4, 2023 | Replies (93)Comment receiving replies
Hi,
I hope I am not too wordy…
I had turbinate reduction done a year ago. I have congestion on right side, dryness, repeated sinus infections, and pain. The “congestion” causes a snoring sound when exhaling lying down to sleep. The noise/vibration and disrupted airflow has led to extreme sleep deprivation. It also impairs my ability to inhale the Nebulizer mist on that side. The airflow is just too messed up. After consults with two different ENTs, they explained that way too much turbinate had been removed. They explained the irony of how wide open that right side is! But it is very congested.
I am so angry with myself. Usually I research things so much. I went to the first (surgical) ENT to get treatment for collapsing nostrils when I inhaled. He told me turbinate reduction would help to improve breathing too…so I said, “OK,” not knowing how critical the turbinates’ function is. After having these “noninvasive” outpatient procedures done in about 60 minutes, my life has been shockingly disrupted. I am very run down and desperate to get help.
Replies to "Hi, I hope I am not too wordy… I had turbinate reduction done a year ago...."
Sorry to hear this. Don’t be angry with yourself.
It’s hard to believe there are surgeons out there who really don’t know what they are doing. Unfortunately this is common in the ENT specialty.
This is actually way more common than they like to admit. But no one’s cases are documented. Your case is not documented anywhere so imagine all of the others. You are not alone.
The positive for you is that you’ve had 2 ENTs confirm your condition. Instead of being told otherwise.
You can see Dr. Nayak at Stanford who tries to help patients with this issue.
What are all of your current symptoms?
Are your sinus infections from the dryness?
may i ask if you found relief to your congestion issue ? I have similar problem everytime i lay down the same nosril side blocks , its very annoying and i am desperate to find somekind of solution. Ive done 2 conservative turbinate reductions in the past 2 years but always the same , all the sprays dont work no more... everytime during the night i wake up and one side nostril is comoletely blocked , only way to unblock is to stand back up for a few minutes... thank you
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Let me clarify that the symptoms described in my first paragraph have begun since the surgery.