Once the computers had decided my insurance card was okay -- don't ask me, it was perfectly good for my previous visit to the same doctor -- the Ear, Nose and Throat specialist was brisk: "I can't tell how you're pulling air through your nose at all, Ms. X."
Some of my sinuses aren't there (the frontal sinus, roughly behind your eyebrows, develops as you grow, except sometimes it doesn't. This is not uncommon). The rest of them are either full or blocked. The lovely labyrinth of passages you never notice unless you're outside on an extremely cold day and feel parts of it freeze together and unstick on every inhalation and exhalation? Mine has a lot of dead ends. My septum is curved to one side.
This does explain why I occasionally wake myself by snoring, not to mention the recurring sinus infections. It may even help with my headaches and dizziness.
Some of it -- most of it, I hope! -- can be ballooned clear, literally sneaking in with some kind of inflatable widget and opening things up. Some of it may need whittled on. Insurance permitting, I am scheduled for surgery on the 20th of December and should pretty good by the 25th. The days in between don't sound like fun.
Other than one ENT correcting an irritated nerve left by a previous surgery, this is the first time in my long history of sinus woes that a doctor has come in with definite problems and a plan to address them. So I'm feeling hopeful.
Update
4 days ago
9 comments:
Best of luck with your surgery and recovery, I'm sure we're all pulling for you.
It will be worth the trip. A few bad days, lots and lots of good days to follow.
Best wishes, smoke and vibes headed your way...
Raz
yeah, the time between surgery & complete recovery can seem like eternity......
Merle
best of luck on your impending modification. Hope it goes well for you.
Good Luck!
Wishing you the best!
Just remember, spit the blood out, don't swallow it. I made this mistake after my sinus surgery. It was very poltergeist-esque to see that much blood being expelled while being medicated enough not to care.
That sounds very promising! Good luck
From your description of it, I had roughly the same surgery about 15 or so years ago. First day or two after is miserable, after that it's merely gross for the rest of the week. On doctor visits you'll see things that will amaze you. Once the swelling goes down, you'll be able to breathe like you haven't for a long while. Your energy level should go up; your need for sleep go down (maybe). I put my ENT off for years, after that I was his go-to for persuading those on the fence to get it done. Good luck with it.
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