Deviated Septum from occasional Coke use?

[drloomis82]

Hi,

During the past year, I’ve used cocaine occasionally approximately 6-9 times.  Each time I used it, I’d do like 4-5 lines in my right nostril.  I don’t think that I did a “lot” in one sitting, but who knows.  There were always at least two weeks between use and, many times, months.

Anyway, last time I did a really small amount and seemed to get a “sinus infection.”  I went to the doctor and then to an ENT specialist and they said that I have a deviated septum.  I was up-front with the doctor about the occasional use of cocaine, but he didn’t seem to think that was the cause of the deviated septum.  (I’ve never been hit in the face or had any facial trauma.)  But, I’m still convinced that I’ve somehow done some serious damage.

What does everyone think?  Can someone who’s used cocaine less than 10 times deviate or perforate their septum?  Or does it take a LOT of money and cocaine to actually do that type of damage?

Needless to say, I will never touch it again, as this has scared me completely straight!

Any thoughts would be much appreciated.

BTW, I’ve never had access to a “lot” of the stuff, so it wasn’t like I was blowing massive rails.  At most it may have been like ~1 gram per 3 people – and I always did less than everyone else.

Drloomis82

[mayappa]

If you feel that strongly about people using drugs and being fiends then why the hell on are you on this sight?get a life and find a holy sight prophet.

[westwoods87]

I have the exact same problem as you, it has scared the s**t right outta me.  Im also dreading to go to my doctor.  I have gne cold turkey now for near a month because of this, however it is prity hard as the group of friends i have do it occasionally every wkend, I am also doing the seaon in ibiza this summer but I know I will never touch any drugs again which go up the nose.  I used to do mket, ket, mdma and coke so that is alot of damage to my nasal cavities.  But what you have described is exactly how my nose is, we need help or even advice i am so happy i came onto this site as i know other ppl has the same problem as me.  Can someone pls help us or give us advice on wot to do. pls pls pls.  I also looked at nose cancer as i thought that may be the case, I just dont want my nose caving in as i have a child and family where i doubt they would be supportive and it would be hard to give an explanation.

[TwistedMatter]

As a former long time user my first thought is you are sharing straws, rolled bills, etc... if so, stop! Never share a snorting device. An infection is bad enough but you risk hep C. Besides, there's nothing appealing about someone else's snot getting snorted up your nose. You may also have reactions to certain cutting agents. "Coke" is mixed with all kinds of garbage and you just never know. It affects everybody differently. Better yet, stop using "coke" or anything else for that matter.

[andrewrobert418]

the fact that you made the comment that you made while Not-under the influence of drugs proves that you are a douche.  Yes: a dirty, stinky, post-vaginally dipped douche.  If you did drugs, at least you would have an excuse for your comment; but it seem you are just a sober,genetically-programmed ****. Ive dealt with and nearly conquered alcoholism.  Addiction is NOT something you can just brush off your shoulders and stop. So, Even though you cant relate to being "Under" the influence....one needs friends to be negativelly influenced in the first place...please be compassionate and shut the f*ck up.

Love,
Andrew, Recovering Collegian alcoholic.

[ultrasound86]

are you ******* kidding me!!!! having a deviated septum is what scares you!!! WTF is that? Get a ******* brain for one, but oh wait you have holes in your brain now due to the cocain snorting, does that scare you??!!! Seriously stop being a piece of **** and doing drugs and try being useful to society!!!!

[Understander]

This person is asking for help. If you have nothing constructive to say then don't. The amount that person did is minuscule than most. Drugs aren't good; physically and mentally, however, this person experimented and was courageous enough to ask a question that was concerning them. Good for you for never doing drugs, but the reality is people do. And they need help wherever they can get it. Don't be a sled righteous pighead.

[Understander]

This person is asking for help. If you have nothing constructive to say then dont. The amount that person did is minuscule than most. Drugs arent good; physically and mentally, however, this person experimented and was courageous enough to ask a question that was concerning them. Good for you for never doing drugs, but the reality is people do. And they need help wherever they can get it. Dont be a self righteous pighead.

[ConernedWife3473]

My husband is addicted to cocaine very severely. I found out about it in 2004 and he claims to have quit but ALL the signs are still there. We separated over a year ago. He has lost an insane amount of weight! Towards the end of us living together he would experience extreme amounts of pain in his back and feet. So bad that he could not walk for days ad when he did finally walk it was like he was 90 years old. We still talk today and he has continued back problems. He has bone loss and claims to have a piece of bone broken off near his spine. Could these problems be related to the cocaine use?

[lena10]

I was a cocaine user for about 4 years on and off. In the summer time i would snort cocaine almost every night, during winter once or twice a month. I have stopped using  cocaine , i have been clean for about 3 months. I stopped using cocaine because i felt my nose was transforming and i had  a consantly  sore throat and sore ears. 3 months have past and i still have a constant sore throat especially when i wake up in the morning my nose is dry my throat is sore and because i put pressure on my teeth in my sleep my jaw hurts when i wake up. will this ever go away?? is there something i can do stop this??? please answere....

[Ryan734]

Hello, I used cocaine in high school for about a year straight, heavy use.  One night I used so much, and was snorting really really hard to get it up in my sinus cavity, that the septum in my nose deviated to the left.  I was scared to death and it caused me to quit using cocaine altogether.  I was not born with any deformity of my nose or nasal cavities, but now I have a permanent deviation of the septum.  I know that the cocaine and my aggressive inhalation caused it.  I have no hole in the septum, its just pushed all the way over to the left now.  I can even breathe through it when i pull my cheek a little to the left and work air into the nose.  I can tell that the skin inside of my left nostril is now very sensitive and I can mainly only breathe through my mouth or left nasal passage.  Think that this can be fixed with a routine surgery?   Thanks in advance,  Ryan

[nomore4me2]

I just ran accross this forum and thought I'd add. I too have a hole in my septum from snorting cocaine. I snorted a lot between 1980 and 1985. Even though 15 years have passed since I've used any cocaine at all I still have trouble clearing my sinuses properly and I occasionally blow out scabs about the size of a dime.
To top it off, I have severe obstructive sleep apnea and must sleep with a CPAP machine all the time.
I once looked at some cocaine powder under a microscope and it actually looks like a pile of little white razor blades! So it's no wonder we carve away at our noses when we're snorting.

[Tee1984]

I have used cocaine in the past for 4-5 years. i notice i no longer have much facial fat as i used to and my cheeks have thinned out.. I now have a chronic sinus infection...

Could the sinus infection be continuing to thin out my cheeks??

I have not had any success with ridding the infection. I have been on one dose of penicilin for sinus infection which did not help.. Ive had this infection as long as i can remember....

I am really worried about the thinning of my facial fat getting any worse as it is already bad..

Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks..

[abcd921]

ive never done coke and i have a hole in my nose i cant breath and when i smoke weed i cant smell anythin and i start to smell bad smells from my nose and my mouth gets dry basically i cant breath fresh air i started noticing this problem after i got my surgery i popped an E pill so i think that ****** me up

[laaz]

Please read my post from september 6, 2008.  Very desperate for any type of relief.  Thank you             Laaz

[laaz]

I know that most of the posts were about "Coke" but one thing that you mentioned was nasal topical estrogen that can help reduce build up of the nasal mucosa and can strengthen arterial walls of vessels in the nose."  My question is would topical estrogen be helpful in Vasomotor /Chronic Rhinitis??  I have never done drugs in my 51 yrs. and  I ended up with this disorder.  My post nasal drainage NEVER STOPS and I am not joking.  I have done nasal rinses for 6 yrs. now twice a day - don't work, had every steroid spray ever invented - don't work - oral steroids don't help.  NOTHING HELPS!!!  I had radiofrequency coblation done on August 18, I can breath better but still constant post nasal drainage.  - Could this topical estrogen help with my problem???   Please reply as I am so miserable of having this -  My undereyes and cheeks, cheekbone and outside sides of nose are swollen also.  NO sinus infection just swollen and fluid filled. There has to be something some doctor can do .      Thank you in advance.       Laaz

[jessy_wessy]

ive been doing coke for about a year now but only on and off(mainly weekends) and recently every time i do a line it wont drop down my throat then i notice it all stuck and wet at the back of my nostril and then kater on my nostril would turn into a weird tiny slit and swell up at the sides so that i couldnt breath out of it..and then by the next day it would be back to normal!! does this mean my nose might cave in?IM QUITTING 2MORO FOR GOOD! after last nite NEVER AGAIN! my nose is stinging and my teeth hurt : (

[Racheybaby]

i'm very pleased to see that i'm not the only one in the world that if i do one lil line of coke the next day my nose is plugged.. i hate it its a non stop drip for 4-7 days...but it has to be only the coke..because i've snorted percs to vicodins and no outcome. only coke!! s0 coke burns away at your nose and kills tissue that you need but it will go away give it about a week your nose will heal on its own . some ppl never get this effect after coke for the ppl who do let it be  a hint that are nose cannot handle it.. just think about what were damaging. i was never bad off on coke s0 it doesnt effect me much i'd rather get a bottle anyways... :)

[Vikki829]

If I had caused any damage to my nose through very occasional cocaine use (I haven't any symptoms - I'm probably worrying about nothing) would an ENT doctor be able to see it when checking my nose? I went to see him because I've broken my nose but didn't mention any drug use...

Thanks very much

[elltkeen]

I had appointment with the Doctor again today.  I haven't had any major swelling in my nose when all of this started.  The Doc says it's probably the Flonase that is helping with that.  He also said that if I wasn't using it I'd probably swell up again.

He said to continue using the flonase.  I finished my antibiotic and he said there doesn't appear to be an infection anymore.

I also told him that my ears are still experiencing pressure off and on and I still have a high pitched whislte noise that is annoying and won't go away.  Nothing else was prescribed.

Will I have to be on flonase for good to keep my nose from swelling?  Is there anything eles that the doctor should be doing about my ears?  Again, this is from a one time use of cocaine two months ago.

[scaredstraight550]

So let me get this straight.
I undersand that what i have lost will not grow back...But are you telling me, even though i have stopped, i will continue to lose more and more skin and cartilage?

[Enoch Choi, MD]

such regular prolonged use of cocaine is liklely to cause ongoing issues including erosions of cartilage & skin, such as you're experiencing.  See a doctor.  It won't grow back.

[elltkeen]

You are lucky in a sense that nothing worse has happened in the 10 years of use.  I used just once in November of 2007 and I'm still not right sinus wise.  I'm not sure if I'm overly sesitive or if it was cut with a particular substance.  I know nothing about this stuff and I haven't been able to relate my symptoms with anyone else.  I go back to the Doctor Friday to determine the next step.

Although I'm curious what one of the specialists will tell you, most likely you should seen an E.N.T.  It may not be as bad as you think.  There's only one way to find out.

[scaredstraight550]

Yea keep smiling morgansklee....what was the purpose of adding your two cents?  

INTERNET PUNK.
:)
:)

[morgansklee]

I'm so glad I never did coke  :D

[scaredstraight550]

I have used Cocaine for about 10 years, off and on..and im sure it was seriously cut most of the time.  I never really got bloody noses, on occasion id have a little blood, but this was unusual and never flowed like a bloody nose.  Recently ive noticed a kind of slit inside my right nostril on the bottom of the cavity, sort of where the base of the septum(i think thats the divider of the cavities) meets the bottom of the nostril...it looks like a little chip in my nostril, like a tiny valley between two hills, rather than smooth across.  It's terrified me and is probably the only reason ive been able to stop using it.  I got addicted to using it when i drink, which was every weekend for YEARS. Im not even sure the coke did this sense i never bled but due to the prolonged use, i believe it must be the coke.

My question is, is this slit(or half hole)going to grow back, or fill up sense i have gone cold turkey? Or is this slit going to keep getting larger and eventually be a hole that im hearing about, even though i have quit?  What can i do to fix the damage if anything?

[Enoch Choi, MD]

not just loads, any use at all.  even a little, over time, can thin the septum to the point there's a hole