Turbinate reduction

[cat737]

I have been to numerous Drs & have several diagonsis from ea one.  I have stuffy/fullness in my ears - normally on my left side, with horrible pain under the ear.  I was diagnosed with ENT (eaustion (sp) tube dysfunction) & was put on a regiment of medication (steriods/nasal sprays & oral decongestants) After months without relief I saw a new ENT that wanted to put in tubes - after reading posts in this forum I decided against the surgery & visited another ENT who now wants to do a turbinate reduction.  What is odd is that until recently, my breathing was not an issue - but now it is & between my ears & now the nose I am not sleeping & haven't slept in my bed for months - I sleep propt up on my sectional.  I am nervous about the turbinate reduction (having my nose stuffed with gause & straws for breathing has me more than a little freaked out.  To make matters worse the ear symptoms are coming back & the breathing has gotten better.  I do not have allergies & my CT scan was fine.  They are saying that the pain under my ear is caused by yet another problem Occipital neuralgia?? BUT I only have the pain when my ears are out of whack.  Does anyone have any advise??? or have like symptons with a diagnosis that was helpful

[cat737]

Sorry, I am female &  as of yet, I am not taking any hormones, nor am I diabetic or hypertensive.  Prior to the last diagnosis (enlarged tubinates late Dec)  I was taking ZYXAL, Astelein in the AM & Verimist in the evening (with two seperate treatments of steriods since early Oct) Since I have no Alergies, the last ENT has taken me off all Meds & ironically some of my symptons have subsided (my nose does not seem as stuffy) I still have the periodic crackling in my ears along with the fullness, but I have become a pro at yawning & holding my nose to pop my ears for a little relief.  I am going to see one last ENT to see if he will concur with any of the previous diagnosis before I commit to any surgery.  The tubes were not a concern, but I did not like the ENT's bedside manner & if I had to choose a DR that I was going to have long term, he was not the one.  I really do like the DR who wants to do the Turbinate reduction, but since (until very recently) have not had problems with the stuffy nose & only my ears I do not feel comfortable  rushing into a surgery that has the empty nose syndrom potential - at least until I have exhausted all other medical alternatives. I have been reading about the radio frequency surgery, that sounds less evasive & does not have as many post surgical problems.  Have you heard of anyone that has gone the route of that surgery procedure?  I believe it is a fairly new procedure. I am just wondering, if my turbinates just happened to be enlarged when I had my Dr appt from a mild head cold & it is not a permanent problem.  I do live on the East Coast & even though I tested negative to any alergies, it could be a little enviromental swelling?? due to the timing of my visit.  I am now grasping at staws - bottom line is I have reservations about the surgery.  Until I read some of the horror stoies in this forum, the only thing that I was worried about was the packing & straws in my nose.  I guess that is why Dr's advise you about TMI on the internet.  Thank you for taking the time to address my concerns & help me make sence of all the differing diagnosis.. when reading some of the postings, I should feel lucky that I have periodic relief.

[tomsant]

With the details you have given I will try to speculate.

I think you have been having ETD (Eustachian Tube Dysfunction) right from the start. One would consider the same only when you have recurring middle ear infections. With this background, putting in tubes for middle ear ventilation should take away the problem of recurring infection (Sadly there is nothing 100% in human health or medical treatment). And the tubes may require replacement once they are extruded.

Now, what would have caused the ETD? Is it an allergic 'swelling' of the mucosal lining of the eustachian tube? In that event the turbinates also would have been 'swollen'. Since you were put on nasal sprays, I  am inclined to think you may have chronic or allergic inflammation of the nasal mucosa. If it is allergy, turbinate reduction will ''modify' some mucosa and thus relieve the allergic symptoms to a great extent. (Do you have running nose, nasal obstruction, sneezing or itching ears?) And your nose-throat complex will be in a better position to deal with the ETD.

If you happen to be a female the role of hormones is important in the mucosal carpet of nose and sinuses.(You haven't said if you are a male or female, if you have had any surgical treatment outside ENT area, if you are diabetic or hypertensive, and what all medications you are on.)

Regarding differing opinions, doctors are like that. You meet three people and get four opinions. And if I happen to see you, who knows, I may give yet another treatment schedule.  It is because we don't have a consensus, so to say, about any illness as yet.

We all came into this world without a product leaflet from the manufacturer :-)

I wonder if I have covered all your doubts. But, hope this helps. Feel free to write.

Best,

TA

[cat737]

I am over 40 & have not had any surgeries in the sinus / area.  About 7 yrs ago I had an ear infection (1st one ever) I went to see an ENT who said I had a run of the mill ear infection.  I was put on antibiotics & sent home. Well, my ear kept getting worse...I went back to the ENT, I went to the Emergency room (the pain & pressure was unbearable) I finally told the Dr that if he did not do something I was going to jump off the roof - he sent me to y=the hospital for a cat scan & it seems the infection was in my mastoid?  I was in the Hospital for a week on IV antibiotics & sent home on IV antibiotics for 6 wks more.  Needless to say, I get a little freaked out everytime I have any issues with my ear.  But luckily I did not have any problems until LY (3 months to clear up-but not as bad)  Then I started again in October TY - they told me it was ETD & in the interim I devoloped 2 ear infections & the headaches behind my ears came back.  Again I was treated with antibiotics, nasal sprays & antihistimines.  I went to another ENT & he wants to put in tubes - The 1st DR does not - I went to a 3rd DR to break the tie & he wants to do a tirbinate reduction - now NONE of the other DRs ever mentioned anything about my tirbinates being enlarged?? I am exhausted & just want the proper diagonsis.  Ears - Nose, whatever, as long as I have relief.  Thanks for your posting & sorry that the response is so winded (the spelling is probably horrible - I am used to sp ck)

[tomsant]

You haven't given enough details; age, sex, what all treatments (surgery or medical) you have undergone (for ENT or out of ENT)

But all the ENTs you have visited may be right. It is because Ears, nose and throat forms a single unit (that too, with connection to the lungs and food tube!)

Post more details if you have and let us see.

But turbinate reduction will be taken up by any ENT with some caution, as in some can result in an 'empty nose - feeling'.  Any procedure has its merits and demerits. The packing of nose is not a big deal :-)

Best rgds,

Thomas Antony