Turbinates

I recently had surgery on my nose for swallon turbinates. When I went back to work in a petrol station and started to get pains in my nose and headaches again, could this be caused by the fumes from the petrol and the diesel?

[Eric Genden, MD]

The tissues may be sensitive to the harsh reagents but I would recommend that you see your surgeon to double check.

[Rob2008]

What were your symptoms before surgery?

[pac531]

I had massive lumps up my nose, couldnt breathe properly and suffering constant headaches. Had consultation and they reccommended surgery, felt great after surgery and returned to work in a service station 2 weeks later and starting feeling the same as before the surgery headaches and sore nose.

[laaz]

Did you ever have symptoms of chronic post nasal drainage down the back of your throat? Would your nasal turbinates swell up on one side and then alternate to the other side swelling up? Does your under eyes and upper cheeks ever swell, or the side of your nose on the outside ever swell when your turbinates are swollen? Any bluish discoloration under your eyes from swelling? Have you ever tried saline nasal rinses? What type of nasal surgery did you have on your turbinates, as there are many different kinds of surgery?  Sorry for so many questions, I have had all the above that I asked you about for 6 yrs. now!  I have been to so many ENT doctors, CT scans, etc. One ENT said that I have Vasomotor Rhinitis - fumes, perfumes, cleaning products etc, change of wheather , so on and so on -- Nothing seems to help and I was wondering what type of surgery  and if you have post nasal drainage and all the outwardly swelling of upper face. Any medications ever help you at all?  I bet I have every single nasal steroid spray that was invented and none of them help - not even oral steroids.  Please answer my questions to you if you would please.  Thank you very much.  sorry to hear that the surgery helped and now your back to square one again.  Do you feel better when you are not at work and smelling all  those fumes???

[laaz]

By the way - what was those massive lumps inside your nose?? Where they polyps?

[pac531]

I was told that they were polyps, but after surgery i was told that i had a reduction of the turbinates. I felt great after the surgery until i went back to work. I tried loads of different sprays and antibiotics and stuff the best thing i found was the nasonex nasal spray. I never had any swelling around my face but it felt like i had a tennis ball behind my nose i had drainage down the back of my throat before and after the surgery. I could normally only breathe through one nostril at a time but didn't have much of an airway to breathe. I didnt have any ct scans or nothing like that just ent looking up my nose. my nose is still a bit sore but doc told me that would clear up after about 6 weeks.

[Susie76R]

Hi there

My turbinates swell and you'll both know it can make you miserable to wake up every day with that feeling of having flu and having been unable to breathe properly all night.

However I am a bit reluctant to try surgery having discovered something called Empty Nose Syndrome. I know it sounds a bit odd but if you look it up online (wikipedia has what appears to be thoroughly researched entry) you will see that it explains both the problem of turbinates swelling and the drawback of removing them. Essentially turbinates are pretty important which is why we feel miserable when they're over reacting but taking them away appears to have problems too.

I hope whatever you have gets better. Susan

I hope your

[laaz]

How is your nose - turbinates doing now???  I am going to my ENT doctor on Wednesday to talk about nasal radiofrequency on my turbinates.  One doctor said that maybe the radiofrequency might help also with the mucus secreting glands and maybe I won't have so much post nasal drainage.   Has your post nasal drainage down the throat improved at all???  The doctor said the radiofrequency won't help with the swelling of my eyes and cheek area though.  So I guess I am stuck with swollen bluish - black water bags under my eyes and swollen cheek area for life.  Exactly what type of surgery did they do on your turbinates??  I am really afraid to have this procedure done, i am afraid that something might go wrong and my nose will be worse - it is hard to believe after 6 yrs. that maybe there could be some improvement with this problem??  Do you know of anyone who ever had radiofrequency on their nasal turbinates??  Did your burning nose and headaches go away yet?  I bet is is from those fumes because my nose burns when I am in the store when candles or perfume, cologne is an isle or 2 away.   Hope things have improved for you.                  Laaz

[laaz]

HAS ANYONE EVER HAD RADIOFREQUENCY ON THEIR NASAL TURBINATES???  IF SO, DID OR DO YOU KNOW IF IT COULD HELP WITH THE MUCUS GLANDS AND HELP DECREASE THE CONSTANT POST NASAL DRAINAGE??  HAS ANYONE HEARD IF IT COULD EFFECT THE TEAR FILM OF YOUR EYE, CAUSING DRYNESS WITH THE EYES??  I would be so greatful if anyone would reply with any type of info about this or any feedback good or bad. Any complications that could come about from this procedure???   I am so very desperate to hear from someone about this.   Life is not good now but I sure wouldn't want it any worse because of this - I just don't know what to do??                       Laaz

[Vivek V Gurudutt, MD]

Radiofrequency ablation is a technique that creates an insult to the tissue underneath the covering of the turbinate.  The result is contraction of the tissue to decrease the size of the turbinate and a can also lead to decreased nasal drainage.  It is commonly done as an outpatient procedure and can be done in an office setting if appropriate.  Sometimes, repeat procedures are needed to get the desired result.  The various types of turbinate procedures are performed frequently by otolaryngologists.  

[laaz]

Thank you very much for posting an answer quickly. Couple of the questions I would appreciate if you would be able to answer  Would this radiofrequency ablation cause empty nose syndrome???? Any complications or comon complications with this procedure???  I get very swollen under eyes with dark discoloration (blue - purple) and fluid filled -  since this procedure decreases the size of the turbinates blood flow, would this procedure help decrease the swelling under my eyes and upper cheekbone area as well????  Can this procedure affect the eye tear film production????    Sorry for so many questions but I am afraid to have this done on august 18. and I was wondering about ENS or other complications or sucess stories from this procedure.    Thank you so very much    LAAZ

[laaz]

please respond to my post as i am to have this radiofrequency august 18.  I am very scared and worried about this procedure as I  have heard of empty nose syndrome nightmares.           Thank you in advance             Laaz

[Vivek V Gurudutt, MD]

Radiofrequency does not resect tissue, it shrinks the tissue that is already present.  Empty nose syndrome is not a common occurrence.  Tough to estimate if your other symptoms will be addressed with this procedure.  It is normal to feel nervous about having a procedure.  Have a discussion with your physician and go over all the aspects you have questions about until you feel comfortable.  Good luck!

[laaz]

Thank you so much taking your time to answer my questions.  I will make a call to my doctor so we can discuss all the issues.  Thanks again.     LAAZ

[Tjoyce]

A related discussion, Will turbinate coblation end my nasal symptoms? was started.