Foul Smell 2 months after FESS surgery

[julie87]

I had FEss surgery Jan. 10 and the doctor has more work to do inside than he had planned.  But after the surgery, the doctor felt it was a success.  However, I had complication after complication.  This included bleeding, clot in the nose that had to be suctioned out and not to mention my continued ongoing sinus infections.  The problem I have is that 2 months after the surgery, I have a foul smell that is coming from the nose.  I just can't get rid of it even after all of the anitbiotics, sprays, oils I am on.  Right now, I have been on my 5th antibiotic and it has been a week.  I would think that if the smell is a cause from an infection, it would have gone away.  Now, I did have a CT scan 2 weeks agao and there was a suspisious area.  It looked as though there was "an air pocket" or the nasal cavitity was clogged.  But after having the scope 3 days ago, the nasal passages are open.  So now what could this smell be a cause of and why won't it go away.  Could there be something stuck in my nose from surgery???  What do I do and are there any other tests that can be done to find out the problem??  

[julie87]

Hi Ludith,

Thank goodness I am not the only one experiencing this issue.  I have often thought that maybe all the problems after this surgery, aren't as bad as they seem.  WOW!  A 4th surgery....One surgery was bad enough.  

It's just a crazy situation but I know that I have been sick way too often after this surgery.  Something is not right.  I often have a fear that there may be something left inside my nose that is decaying.  Honestly, this is the smell!  I no sooner get done with the antibiotic for a sinus infection and I immediately start with another infection.  I am exhausted!!  

My doctor is thinking that my next step is to be treated for seasonal allergies.  I am already on drops for 'winter things' and have to change over.  Could this be the cause?  I don't know....Do you have allergies??

I guess my next step is to finish my two weeks of antibiotics and see if the smell lasts.  If it is still in my nose, then I will have to call again.  SOmething has to be done!  


Thank you for replying....Keep me posted!  Julie87

[iudith]

Hello Julie,

I just post a short comment, because we seem to have the same problem.

I had FESS surgery in June 2007 (the 3-rd one !) and also everything looked perfect,
just like in your case, but 2 months after my surgery I started to feel a foul smell
that I cannot get rid of, in spite of all the antibiotics, steroid sprays, a.s.o.
On the CT another doctor found that one of my sphenoid sinuses is blocked,
so I went for a 4-th surgery in March 2008, during which a heavy infection was also found and treated strongly until it went away, now everything is pefectly clear, all the sinuses are totally open, but the foul smell remains and simply drives me crazy.

A brain CT scan didn't show anything out of order, now I will go for an MRI scan ...
but the truth is that I have no real hope at this moment ...

I'd be very grateful if you could keep this thread updated, maybe we could help each other with some information.

Thanks a lot anticipately,
Iudith