Nose damage from snorting pills...

[reallyregretful]

OK guys, I need a lil help here. I'm very concerned.. I just want to solve this crazy problem and continue on with doing good things in life.

I never got hooked on powder until I started snorting pills. I tried cocaine, MDMA, and ketamine and never got hooked. But the pills. I never knew how bad it was for me until now, and I can't really talk about this problem with anyone. I need help. First I was hooked on snorting adderol, stopped that, then became hooked on snorting hydrocodone. Stopped, then started again...then stopped. Life got tough (not an excuse I know) and I had a bit of a relapse last week . My nose has always been a tad crooked, but felt fine. I always snorted through my left nostril (which is still fine) but last week in my terrible mood I didn't care and I snorted half of one vicodin pill through my right nostril. I got high, stayed high, and woke up in pain. Ever since that day I have had terrible pain in my nose that lasts 24/7. It was about a week ago and I am totally done with drugs now. I felt inside my right nostril and there is a big chunk of cartlidge missing, there is not a hole leading to my other nostril, but it is a deep hole and it is very painful. I'm done, and I just want to know what happens to me next.

This sad background leads me to my main questions:
is the pain from me damaging my cartlidge or could it possibly be an infection?
will said cartlidge grow back if i go easy on my nose from now on? (I thought it took more use to damage one's septum...)
will my nose heal and correct itself in time, or is it destined to become more and more crooked?
are surgeries for fixing these problems sometimes covered by one's insurance, or are they generally very costly procedure?

Let's say I am full of regret, I want to fix the problem and leave this part of my life behind. I am of the lower middle class with not a lot of income right now... but I'm defintely done with the drugs. Is a possible surgery in the cards? Will I be OK after a while without it? Please help....... sorry guys, it's such a big concern I can't really talk about....

[overopiates]

Um I really think that the only way2know what's going on is to go c a Dr2find out the extent of what's going on.U said a big chunk of cartildge is gone.It could b an infection that can b easily cleared up w/antibiotics but the longer u wait the worse the situation will b.BTW snorting

[overopiates]

Hydrocodone or any pill w/that much buffer is crazy u can get abcesses from all the buffer that would require much more extensive help.Point is we can't diagnose u so get to the Dr ASAP b4whatever it is gets worse.

[Oxy480Jim]

You most likely have an infection caused by that pill power stuff you snorted getting stuck in that pre-existing 'hole' as you call it, and festering and becoming infected.  What this deformity could be is a deviated septum, which you could have been born with and just not  really noticed. You say you always favoured your right nostril, preferring using the left.

It could also have been caused by a previous palyp that got infected then healed on it's own, leaving a crator.   What ever it is, you still need to go see a doctor and have that infection looked at and treated. At the same time he can tell you what is going on with your septum.

There is also this thing called a Neti pot, which looks like a tiny blue plastic tea pot. It comes with about 50 little packets of a solution that you mix with warm distilled water to rinse your nose and sinus cavities out.  It works wonders for anyone with sinus and palyps annd stuffy nose problems.

Read the directions carefully if you decide to use it so that you use it properly.

See a doctor first however. Years of snorting  can cause some nasty problems, and if you have an infection there that goes untreated, it can easily spread across the membrane and into the brain.

This is why they (Docs) advise you not to pluck nose hairs. There is all kinds of bacteria in your nasel cavity, which is why there are hairs ansd mucous there in the first place- to filter them out. If you pluck hairs, you can very easily get an infection through the exposed hair follicle root that can then spread into the brain.  
Not only can you get very sick and spend months getting treatment to try stop the infection, you can also just as quickly die from a brain infection.

My brother had that happen. He was deathly ill for almost a year.  So see a doctor, don't fool around with problems in that area.

[reallyregretful]

Snorting all pills is terrible. I didn't know or care when I should have. It wasn't my initial idea, but it sure became my addiction.

Thanks everyone for the fast responses. It's a pretty new problem, and most people I've seen on here have done drugs for far longer before noticing a change. I was on and off for about 2 years, in total, probably about 10-12 months of abuse total. Again, on and off. My idiot friends introduced me to snorting, I never would have thought "hey I'll crush this up and put it in my nose". Just following the next high. And what a rush it was. I'm mostly paranoid because this problem is happening as I begin to put my drug use behind me. It would be great just to get..another nasal chance..ha. yea. I would do things right for good. Which is...not doing them. Hell I'm even putting the reefer down. It's all got to go ASAP. I just really hope I can get this sorted out real soon. I also hope it doesn't get worse within the next couple weeks. I can't actually have an appointment with an ENT doctor for about 2 weeks. I'm going real easy trying not to blow my nose or inhale too rough.

Also, I'll look into that Neti Pot. Thanks.

[Oxy480Jim]

If you can't get in to see your regular doc, go to the ER, or a free walk in clinic.  You shouldn't let this wait for two weeks.  But do use the neti-pot. You'll be amazed at how much crap you've been hiding in your sinuses.  You may even find some jewellery, LoL

[dominosarah]

If it continues to get worse make sure you get into the doctor.  He/she may be able to get you in to the ENT even sooner.  

[reallyregretful]

Hey another possibility: could it be a slightly deviated septum made worse by allergies? I mean, there's definitely cartlidge missing. That's honestly one of the biggest concerns, aside from all the damn pain. But taking a couple pseudoephadrin (spelling???) usually helps a great deal. I'll still feel pretty bad, but I will be able to breathe through my right (damaged) nostril for a good chunk of the day. I refuse to use Nasonex though. I don't want my messed up nose getting more messed up and dried out after too much Nasonex. It could also be deviated with an infection, as one or some of you suggested, however when I venture into my nose with a finger, and lightly touch my septum the pain doesn't really change... it's just the same level of ouch

[nursegirl6572]

Doctor visit is in order, 2 weeks is too long to wait.  Go to an urgent care or ER if you have to.  An infection in that area is nothing to mess with, and quite honestly, that is one of the most likely scenarios you're dealing with when snorting pills.  

A hole in the septum is more commonly seen in cocaine users, the cocaine literally just eats away at the tissue, and no, it doesn't grow back.

Either scenario requires medical attention...I wouldn't try to mess with any kind of home remedy until you are seen by a doctor, it just may worsen things for you.

Good luck!

[nursegirl6572]

Also, keep your finger out of your nose!  

I know that sounds almost humorous, but seriously...don't mess with it.  Get yourself to a doctor!

[dominosarah]

You need to call your primary doctor and be seen ASAP.  Tell him what you have been doing.  Dont mess around with this.

[vicki595]

Yes!  My two girlfriends above are on the money here!

Stop guessing,don't put anything up or in your nose,don't "rinse it", don't touch it. Seriously,get it looked at today. There is treatment,there is surgery...but it needs treatment now,okay?

Let us know...

[usedtobefunny]

Hi, I am glad you posted. I know it took a lot of guts to post something like this.

I know you came here hoping we could give you some encouragement and maybe even find that miracle solution, or even hear a story or two about how that happened to us or a friend and they turned out fine.  Unfortunately, every now and then someone posts something so serious that the only responsible, rational and truly appropriate response is for them to seek medical treatment. You have got to go to the doctor, sooner rather than later.

[gnarly_1]

HI......sounds to me like you developed a boil in your nose there painful usually have some sort of deep impression kinda like a hole but not quite one you can try triple antibiotic on it treating it several times a day and see if it dosent just go away....I use to get these from time to tim,e for the same reason they usually clear up on there own but if not it is is the critical triangle and needs to be addressed by a doctor these infections can spread to the brain and shouldent be taken lightly seek help if you need it dont let this get worst good luck and God bless.....Gnarly

[reallyregretful]

Today for the first time in a week I didnt have 24 hour pain. In fact it barely hurt at all. Maybe it was numb and I've jsust gotten used to it? Possibly. But it didn't feel too numb. Should I still go to urgent care before I see the ENT? I'll try.. If I can before tomorrow morning, I must leave to work out of town until Sunday. Not backbreaking work, but I won't be home.

So not sure if that changes anything yet. The right nostril still feels abnormal, but for some reason pain was not noticeable today.

[nursegirl6572]

I would still get it checked...always better to be safe than sorry!

[reallyregretful]

Thanks again so much. I didn't expect quick and concerned feedback. Here's my deal right now: All local ENTs are booked solid until early October. I can NOT wait that long. I'll brave it through the weekend out of town, the work won't be even as tiring as up on campus. The monday I return I will have an appointment with my GP and I should at LEAST know if it's something to reallllly worry about, I hope. If it isn't, but requires attention... I guess I'll try and make it to October. But I truly hope once he looks in there I'll have more answers. I hate having to wait so long as it worries me.. but I'll do what I can and get the surgery (is it septoplasty?) if I do indeed need to have it. Thanks.

Oh also, about the boil. I do suppose that's a possibility. I never thought of that. If they do form in the nose and inward like a crater. Just ***** having so many possibilities, but no answers! You've given me a lot of help so far, though. I'll keep you all updated, and let me know if that miracle cure ever comes , ha..

[reallyregretful]

Hey it's me,. I forgot my logon information for a while, silly me. I went to the ENT, and they said I had some sort of "Sinus Disease" as well as a slightly deviated septum. THey put me on meds ironically... which I'm now off of. My nose is feeling better...but it's still a bit of an issue. Just waiting for closure.. I'm hoping maybe something can be done about the deviation, I realize it may be costly but hopefully something can be done. I've decided to turn my life around even further. It's really hard right now and I'm still fighting through some withdrawal.

I quit everything, man. I needed to take control of my life again. It's already working, but it's hard. I still smoke pot every once in a while, which I don't see as a problem. Only the tar gotten from smoking it. But even that, once I'm comfortable with the current change, I will stop. It's crazy first I quit cigs. 10 months ago and it's still a battle. Now I'm off pills, my head seems to be clearing up. I had a beer with my girlfriend last night, but I barely even drink. Geez, I even quit coffee. It's been a couple weeks off of most of these things and hopefully I'll get into the swing of sobriety. Thought I'd give you guys an update, especially considering I have just about zero support from my friends, who are digging themselves such a deep, deep whole.

Thank you all for your help, in 4 days I have a follow-up appointment with my ENT. I'll tell them I feel better but It's still a concern, and hopefully I can put this whole chapter of my life effin' behind me. The drugs, they call my name. But i'd rather suffer through these current hardships than be ultimately controlled by something I spend money on, and kills me.

[carolyn795]

I have snorted hydrocodone for about 6 years and am having problems now I have stoped now but I think a little to late..I have had the worst head ache for 4 days that I have ever had in my life it is a little better now but at the time it felt like my head was split right down the middle!my nose is swollen on both sides which is blocking my breathing,I can see looks like a bubble on both sides i probley have infection for one thing I am taking amoxicillen it might be helping a little because my head ache is better bit the swelling is still there.I didnt want to go to the dr because I dont want to tell them I snorted pills so I am trying to fix it at home I was wondering what kind of antibotics do I need??I myself to am done with pills..any advice would be greatly aprechated...Carolyn

[ImDONENoMore]

You need to see a Dr.  This kind of thing shouldn't be treated at home.  If there's an infection and/or real damage that needs to be treated.  Don't let shame keeping you from getting the medical attention you need.  Believe me, Dr.'s have seen everything and they aren't going to judge you - just treat you.

Good luck to you.  :)

[MediHead]

dude drugs is not the problem u have an infections because u put something in ur nose that wasent supposed to be there and im not talking about the pill u must have mixed something  in it without knowing

[Fefe4617]

I am not you, I cant feel what you feel but I am going through the  exact same situation. I went to ER, had a CT scan, blood work, spinal tap whole nine yards. Dr. tells me I have acute cronic sinusitus, gave me migraine pain meds, and told me good luck. Not much advise at all so I have done some research and have learned that so many people are in this place and can find no help. Even meds given by ENT docs are not helping people. We got our selves here have a good time now its time to pay the price. A couple of things have actually help and I found them by trial and error. First, the scabs that develop where your septum use to be leave them there dont remove them. Boil 8 ounces of water and add 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Irrigate your nose with it 2-3 times a day and rinse with clean pure boiled water. Very important to boil the water cause even tap water comtains bacteriia that can cause infection.Keep your fingers out of your nose they are one of the dirtiest things on our body especiallly under your finger nails. Dont put any thing up your nose except the salt water and fresh water. This made today tolerable for me and I hope each day will get better.Do not use decongestants they are known to make this problem worse. A warm wash cloth held on your nose and breathed through also seems to be comforting to me. .
Good luck, best wishes and merry christmas.

[carlos212]

i snorted a ADHD pill twice did it make a hole in my nose and did it get stuck?

[ktreznor]

I just typed in a search and this is what came up. To find others struggling with this issue has helped me. I am going to get that tea stuff or whatever it's called. Will write it down. My problem started about a year ago when I had back surgery. A friend told to me watch breaking bad while I was laid up watching movies. That ended up not being so good for me. I'm an addict and the thought of snorting became something I thought I could do. Now I'm really fighting every day to overcome this. I have lost my sense of smell. Is that a serious sign? I wake up in the morning and am so plugged up. A friend is worried about my "allergies" and has told me to boil a pot of water and put a towel over your head and breath in the steam. It has really worked but it also has opened up my lungs and i'm coughing a lot. I think that's part of the flu but in my addiction. It clears me up so I can get the 1st pill down. It's really helped me to not be alone in this. Thank you all. I hope to continue in your support here.

[ktreznor]

I just typed in a search and this is what came up. To find others struggling with this issue has helped me. I am going to get that tea stuff or whatever it's called. Will write it down. My problem started about a year ago when I had back surgery. A friend told to me watch breaking bad while I was laid up watching movies. That ended up not being so good for me. I'm an addict and the thought of snorting became something I thought I could do. Now I'm really fighting every day to overcome this. I have lost my sense of smell. Is that a serious sign? I wake up in the morning and am so plugged up. A friend is worried about my "allergies" and has told me to boil a pot of water and put a towel over your head and breath in the steam. It has really worked but it also has opened up my lungs and i'm coughing a lot. I think that's part of the flu but in my addiction. It clears me up so I can get the 1st pill down. It's really helped me to not be alone in this. Thank you all. I hope to continue in your support here.