After Surgery Complication: Faitigue nose ear and throat problems

@nicoleen1973 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You recently had back surgery with complications. Since the surgery you have had numerous symptoms but all of your tests come back "normal."

You'll notice I added your discussion to the Depression & Anxiety and Spine Health groups . I did this so you connect with more members that may be able to help answer your question.

You will also notice I changed your title to better reflect your question. I did this so you could connect with members like @alaethia @nrd1@johnbishop @healthhopefreedom @gingerw @jenniferhunter @catcr505 @ess77 @merpreb @lyonsbrew that may be able to help answer your question or give you next step suggestions.

There are programs that handle anxiety and chronic fatigue syndrome, such as a pain clinic but it's important to rule out an organic issue first. I know your providers have done this already but I'm wondering if you have considered getting a second opinion at a more specialized medical facility?

I have a couple of thoughts:
Anemia: You might have the specific test to verify the level of your anemia, and if you would benefit from an iron infusion, and or a series of ARANESP shots.
Sinus: It seems that you need to solve this issue with advice from an ENT. Using a saline solution in some form to clear your sinuses on a regular basis would likely help; there are multiple delivery vehicles such as the netti-pot, or bottle; I prefer the aerosol spray, but it runs a bit high in cost.
Immunologist: You might want to be checked for allergies.
Sore throat: The ENT will check for GERD.

Good luck

If it is chronic fatigue I believe they can run some blood tests called a metabolic panel.

By chance have you been tested for COVID-19 just to rule that out?

Yes 8 times and once for antibodies

Hello, nicoleen1973. You've really been through a tough time. I wonder if you've considered visiting some medical center like Mayo Clinic or Cleveland or one of the large teaching hospital/clinics? I am blessed to live in Florida and get to Mayo Jacksonvillle easily. I go there now for all my medical needs. I've found it is a wonderful solution for me. I have a host of unusual and sometimes hard to diagnose illnesses that have driven me and the community doctors nuts for years. I finally, last year, had a serious conversation with myself and dedicated myself to finding solutions. I took control, sort of, at least in my head, of getting the best help and some true answers/treatment. So, Mayo doctors are now mine. And, they have undiagnosed wrong diseases & treatment, tested and found the legitimate answers and now we're on a path of solutions, logical treatment and much better quality of life and health. I highly recommend finding the right place for you to get this kind of care, from docs and staff who work TOGETHER with you and with each other....yes, they actually chat w/each other about your problems and work as your team to solve them. Do you live near anything that comes close to offering this? Blessings and look forward to chatting...Elizabeth

This may have already occurred for you, but have you had autonomic reflect testing for POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome). It sounds like you could be experiencing some similar symptoms.

Also, I know that when Doctors "don't know" the answer, or it's not generally something they have come across before, they tend to chalk it up to CFS or Anxiety and that makes me unnerved. I can't believe with all the resources, they can't come up with something different.

I really hope that you get down to the bottom of it and we're here for you through the process!

Have you seen a pulmonologist? Sure sounds like something is “off” respiratory wise.

@nicoleen1973 By your use of "theatre" I think you might be in the UK or a British colony? You're tired, and tired of not finding an answer to your continued problems.

In reading your post, it almost seems like there is an infection somewhere. Have any blood tests been run to check for that? A possibility, you were allergic or adversely reacted to something during surgery? If you have the fatigue and difficulty breathing, you are trying to get good oxygen flow in, and your heart is working harder to get nutrients to keep you going with oxygen circulating. It's difficult to even think of eating, let alone eating to get healthy, isn't it?

If you are near a large teaching hospital or a Mayo Clinic campus, that might be your best bet. Your post sounds like the doctors are not communicating with each other. If you are on any medications, that may need to addressed, also. If it was me, I would be looking for a good pulmonologist and internist. Hoping this has given you some ideas,
Ginger

@nicoleen1973- Hi. I am not familiar with back surgery. The location may or may not matter. What matters more is that surgery itself puts enormous stress and shock on the body. It is all connected. The back is not separate from the rest of the body. Only surgeons put body parts into separate categories.
When the body is stressed from a surgery , this can have a cascade on the physical/emotional. Immune system can lower, making more susceptible to all kinds of things. One thing with back surgery, if you are not moving around like normal. Laying down a lot. This can cause upper respiratory congestion/infection. Are you moving as much as possible. Drinking plenty of fluids? Hydrating?
Have you had the right support, healing afterwards? Such as proper restoration of vitamins/minerals and nutrients. Body movement and social interaction?
Healing in itself can be exhausting. It is very normal if you don’t feel you are healing properly or have a new issue, as a result of surgery to feel extremely fatigued and nervous. I recommend working with someone who can help calm your nervous system and make sure you are getting adequate sleep and healing nutrients. Once a surgeon is done with his surgery he/she is pretty much no help when it comes to complaints. And seeing more doctors for tests that come back normal can cause you to feel worse. Trust yourself first. Don’t allow doctors to let you think it’s all in head.