Foul Smell in Nose AFTER Sinus Surgery

[ricocsk]

I've been reading a lot of posts about "smells" in the nose, but I haven't seen anything with my particular circumstance.
Three weeks ago, I had sinus surgery. I had thickening in the frontal and maxillary sinuses, and a couple of polyps removed. Recovery was going fine until yesterday when I began to have this smell in my nose. I have a relative who has chronic bad breath. The only way I know to describe the smell is to say that it smells like my aunt's bad breath. It can be very faint, but at times will come on very strong like opening a garbage can and getting an intense wave of bad smelling stuff. I'm also getting a lot more drainage down my throat and have actually had to blow my nose more these last two days than I did the first three weeks after surgery.

I have been using saline spray numerous times a day since my surgery, so I can't figure out why I would start having these problems now.

[alexpinca]

Just had my appt. today....ENT's are inclinded to brush it off as it in your head....and they are right but not they way they mean.  The fact that the odor is generally not detected by me but rather people around me, leaves only one issue that I've been able to find:  Atrophic Rhinitis, but i don't have the crusting around the nostrils...so the ENT's are quck to dismiss that possibility.  This problem started about the time I had surgery for a deviated septum in 1997, in 30 minutes, today's ENT flatly stated that it wasn't due to surgery.  I am losing confidence in ENT's, there is a serious knowledge gap here.  

[rustyjarz]

There maybe some light at the end of the tunnel. At Monash University here in Melbourne, Australia there is a trial using Botox in the sinus to reduce the inflammation which in turn helps to reduce sinusitis. Here are a couple of links on it...http://www.medicalobserver.com.au/news/botox-trial-for-treatment-of-allergic-rhinitis-and-asthma and http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/1699807/Botox-could-help-fight-hay-fever-study. Fingers crossed everyone!!!

[Robinrock]

I had my 3rd sinus surgery 2 weeks ago.  He removed large polyps and trimmed down the lining of my sinuses.  I just developed the foul smell.  I am having a lot more discomfort from this surgery.  I'm still having a lot of sinus pressure and pain.  I have had one follow-up visit and he cleaned all the cavities.  I go again in 6 days and can't wait to have them cleaned out again.  Does it just take longer to heal each time you have the surgery done.

[DeAnna2112]

Sounds like they need to be going back in and correcting or improving on  something that did not get done the first time that needed to be done possibly. Good luck with your Dr's appt and hope you find some answers.

[alexpinca]

I read the posts carefully because I've been dealing with this problem for some time.  I hate to discourage anyone but I had surgery in 1997 and the smell issue has not gone away.  My smell issue is a little different what I've read on this forum...I generally can not smell the odor myself...it is others that detect a strong odor.  I have had some short term successes like the nebulizer, clytomycin, amoxicillan and murpocin ointment but there has alway been a return of the problem.  Gently swabbing the nasal passages with a Q-tip and mupiocin ointment has helped me.  I'm going in to see the ENT soon....I think it is time to throw the kitchen sink at this problem all at one time.  

[CarrieDJ]

I had turbinate reduction and deviated septum corrected on Wed,12-26-12. I really didn't know what to expect. Surgery went well, had zero nausea or vomitting (which has been typical after anasthetic).  The first day was a breeze. I noticed something foreign in my nose, found out from a friend that it was a stent. Followed the Dr's instruction by cleansing each nostril with the NeilMed nasal rinse, 4 to 5's a day. That first friday night was HORRID! I couldn't breathe through my nose, I can't stand to breathe through my mouth, so NO sleep for me. The weekend before my surgery I came down with a sinus infection, took 2 days worth of zpack antibiotics. That friday night / saturday morning I felt as though I must still have the infection. I called my ENT Dr, he assured me everything was fine.  Went the following Monday for 1st follow up.... He removed the stents... THANK THE LORD!!! I felt 100% better after they were removed. About 9 days following the surgery I noticed a mildewish smell in my left nostril... about 3 days ago I noticed the smell in my right nostril too. :/   Totally disgusting!!!!     I went for my 2nd follow up today. The nasty mass of gunk that he pulled out of my left nostril was unreal! I couldn't believe the size & smell... I almost vomitted...  The right side wasn't as bad but just as smelly.   I go back in 10 days for another cleaning. I assume with hope that as I heal the smell will disappear.   It is comforting to find this group and to know that I am not imagining the smell, that it is obviously part of it. :)