turbinate reduction
Question:
Mark, You refer to eustation tubes. Do you get swelling under the jaw like me (very tiring) or are you refering to a blockage in your ears? Regards, Frank Tompson, Bath, England In article <4ljoj1$…@nnrp1.news.primenet.com>, Mark Binns <tse…@primenet.com> writes – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->jsjo…@ibm.net wrote: >>In <4kcian$…@newsbf02.news.aol.com>, mar…@aol.com (Marar2) writes: >>>Hi! This is my first reply to a newsgroup message so I hope I’m doing it >>>right. I also have chronic sinusitis and may have sinus surgery. How has >>>yours worked out? You said you were having horrible allergies and hoped >>>the drainage would be better. Is it? Anything you can tell me about the >>>surgery? >I’m now 3 1/2 years post-op. I had a septoplasty and ethmoidectomy, >and I’d do it again. Before surgery it was guaranteed I’d be going to >the doctor every three months, on average, trying to cure yet another >sinus infection. >It took me somewhat longer than my surgeon estimated to completely >recover from surgery (about 6-8 mos.). Though the recovery was >difficult, the benefits far outweighed any pain or inconvenience. As >the surgeon told me, "You’ll still get sinus infections. The new >configuration in your sinuses allows them to drain better, so the >infections are fewer, shorter-lived, and less severe." >He was right. I’ve been far healthier and more comfortable ever >since. Now, if I could just find someone who could help with these >damn’ eustachian tubes…….. >Mark Binns
– Frank Tompson
Response:
In article <447cc$1361f….@news.hampshire.edu>, kml…@hamp.hampshire.edu (kayt-run low-pez) wrote: >.. . .and bilateral something or other. . .I had this surgery done at the >beginning of March because I have chronic sinusitis and needed more >drains. This is the test: I am having horrible allergies right now. >If the congestion in my sinuses does not drain and turns green and >bacterial, I will be peeved. >Has anyone else had sinus surgery?
Yes, sure have! Brian
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In article <447cc$1361f….@news.hampshire.edu>, kml…@hamp.hampshire.edu – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -(kayt-run low-pez) wrote: > . . .and bilateral something or other. . .I had this surgery done at the > beginning of March because I have chronic sinusitis and needed more > drains. This is the test: I am having horrible allergies right now. > If the congestion in my sinuses does not drain and turns green and > bacterial, I will be peeved. > Has anyone else had sinus surgery? > — > *************************************************************************** *** > K a t e . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . sp…@hampshire.edu . > Don’t want to make nobody angry > Don’t want to wish nobody dead > Don’t want to be the girl on the tilt-a-whirl > hanging by a thread –Patty Larkin > . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . > ****Check out the Kate Page at http://hamp.hampshire.edu/~kmlF92*************
****************** Yup. About 6 years ago, turbinate reduction, superflush, extra drainage holes drilled, and a badly crooked septum straightened. It hurt worse than anything I ever felt, but I would do it again tomorrow. I could breathe for the first time in 26 years! Recommend making sure your doctor has done lots of these and had good results. julie — ****************************************************** julie and jay mccon…@owens.ridgecrest.ca.us Definition: Ethernet (n): something used to catch the etherbunny
Response:
Hi! This is my first reply to a newsgroup message so I hope I’m doing it right. I also have chronic sinusitis and may have sinus surgery. How has yours worked out? You said you were having horrible allergies and hoped the drainage would be better. Is it? Anything you can tell me about the surgery?
Response:
In <4kcian$…@newsbf02.news.aol.com>, mar…@aol.com (Marar2) writes: >Hi! This is my first reply to a newsgroup message so I hope I’m doing it >right. I also have chronic sinusitis and may have sinus surgery. How has >yours worked out? You said you were having horrible allergies and hoped >the drainage would be better. Is it? Anything you can tell me about the >surgery?
Don’t know who your message was in reply to, but my experience was as follows: Minimal improvement sinus problems. Almost total loss of sense of smell. The surgeon never even hinted that the latter was possible, but evidently, it’s not that uncommon. And, he insisted that my sense of smell would return. It’s now 3 1/2 years post-op and no improvement. About the only thing I can smell regularly is car exhaust, but that doesn’t extend to other smoke. I’ve nearly set the kitchen ablaze several times and I didn’t have a clue until the smoke alarm went off. (Thank god for good batteries.) The only time I get close to normal is the day before a cold or sinus infection starts… For a moment I think I’m "cured", only to realize in an hour or so I’m just getting sick. Bitter? Yes. Do consider the risks before making your decision. -jsj Seattle
Response:
The exact thing happened to my father when he had sinus surgery. Another thing to ask these guys before they start messing around there is for specific information about what the chances are that what they’re doing isn’t permanant. I’ve heard several stories, and went through this personally, where they convince you the operation is a good idea. You go through it, and though it hurts, you’re sure it’s for the best. Then, they let you know that it may seem great at first, but that there’s a tendancy for the turbinets to grow back, the scar tissue to recur, and for openings they may have made to close back up. Gee thanks for telling me NOW!! 
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Don’t know who your message was in reply to, but my experience was as > follows: > Minimal improvement sinus problems. > Almost total loss of sense of smell.
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -jsjo…@ibm.net wrote: >In <4kcian$…@newsbf02.news.aol.com>, mar…@aol.com (Marar2) writes: >>Hi! This is my first reply to a newsgroup message so I hope I’m doing it >>right. I also have chronic sinusitis and may have sinus surgery. How has >>yours worked out? You said you were having horrible allergies and hoped >>the drainage would be better. Is it? Anything you can tell me about the >>surgery? >Don’t know who your message was in reply to, but my experience was as >follows: > Minimal improvement sinus problems. > Almost total loss of sense of smell. >The surgeon never even hinted that the latter was possible, but evidently, it’s >not that uncommon. And, he insisted that my sense of smell would return. >It’s now 3 1/2 years post-op and no improvement. About the only thing I can >smell regularly is car exhaust, but that doesn’t extend to other smoke. I’ve >nearly set the kitchen ablaze several times and I didn’t have a clue until the >smoke alarm went off. (Thank god for good batteries.) The only time I get >close to normal is the day before a cold or sinus infection starts… For a >moment I think I’m "cured", only to realize in an hour or so I’m just getting >sick.
Did you have endoscopic surgery? Irecently had it and did not have this problem at all. Although my tissues are still healing, I have noticed a fairly significant improvement in my ease of breathing through both nostrils and in how clear my sinuses feel. The real test will be during the hay fever season though… I will try to answer any other questions the original poster had (although you might want to email me the question and I will post an answer to the group as my newsfeed is not reliable for incoming articles)
Response:
In article <4m43m9$…@senator-bedfellow.MIT.EDU> etmch…@athena.mit.edu (Eileen T Mchugh) writes: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> My experience has also not been good. Two years ago I elected to have what they > call corrective sinus surgery or septoplasty. The correction, so to say, of the > septum which was to cure drainage problems and chronic sinitus. I experience alot > of pain in the first couple months and some freer breathing, but that was the > summer months. Now, I feel my condition is worse than when I began. I have seen > other doctor, some of which have been more honest than others. The truth is, they > really can’t fix it and any physical alterations seem to make the area weaker and > suseptible to more problems. One doctor suggested that much of my problems are > environmentally based, i.e. dry cold/hot extreme environment (Boston), polltion, > smoke mold etc. These are things very difficult to control. I may move to a > milder climate and I am considering alternative medicine, acupuncture, herbal > medicines….does anyone have any experience with these things? > The sugery…think about it seriously. It didn’t help me. Most doctors say all > that I can do is use nasal steriods, which cause alot of irritation and > nosebleeds.
Hi, glad to meet a fellow Bostonian! According to my allergist, my chronic rhinitis (which triggers my recurrent sinusitis) is due to the air pollution in the Boston area. He says there is "something in the environment" here which is causing a veritable epidemic of sinus disease in the Boston area, but he has no idea exactly what it is. From trial and error I have discovered that particulates, ozone and sulfur oxides in the air, all cause me problems. Have you noticed that after the bad winter we had, and all the salt and gravel they spread on the roads during the winter, whenever we get a windy day and the salt and gravel blows in your face that it triggers respiratory problems? I am so sensitive to this that if I drive outside the Route 128 beltway, to more rural parts of Massachusetts or New Hampshire or Vermont, I feel *much* better. It’s only when I get back inside the good old industrialized Route 128 beltway that I feel rotten (and especially so in Boston itself). I often travel on business and I have noticed how much better I feel in a less polluted environment. It’s got nothing to do with the climate, it’s the pollution level in my case. For example, I found the Tampa-St. Petersburg area of Florida much easier on my respiratory system. (But less than 20 minutes after I got off the plane at Logan Airport in Boston, my nose clogged right up again.) As I have posted in other messages, echinacea herb seems to work well on my colds and acute sinusitis problems. — Steven D. Litvintchouk "There seems to be no mainframe Email: s…@mitre.org explanation for the PC world Disclaimer: As far as I am aware, in which we’re living." the opinions expressed herein — President Bill Clinton are not those of my employer.
Response:
In <4kcian$…@newsbf02.news.aol.com>, mar…@aol.com (Marar2) writes: >Hi! This is my first reply to a newsgroup message so I hope I’m doing it >right. I also have chronic sinusitis and may have sinus surgery. How has >yours worked out? You said you were having horrible allergies and hoped >the drainage would be better. Is it? Anything you can tell me about the >surgery?
My experience has also not been good. Two years ago I elected to have what they call corrective sinus surgery or septoplasty. The correction, so to say, of the septum which was to cure drainage problems and chronic sinitus. I experience alot of pain in the first couple months and some freer breathing, but that was the summer months. Now, I feel my condition is worse than when I began. I have seen other doctor, some of which have been more honest than others. The truth is, they really can’t fix it and any physical alterations seem to make the area weaker and suseptible to more problems. One doctor suggested that much of my problems are environmentally based, i.e. dry cold/hot extreme environment (Boston), polltion, smoke mold etc. These are things very difficult to control. I may move to a milder climate and I am considering alternative medicine, acupuncture, herbal medicines….does anyone have any experience with these things? The sugery…think about it seriously. It didn’t help me. Most doctors say all that I can do is use nasal steriods, which cause alot of irritation and nosebleeds. Eileen McHugh Boston, MA
Response:
jsjo…@ibm.net wrote: >In <4kcian$…@newsbf02.news.aol.com>, mar…@aol.com (Marar2) writes: >>Hi! This is my first reply to a newsgroup message so I hope I’m doing it >>right. I also have chronic sinusitis and may have sinus surgery. How has >>yours worked out? You said you were having horrible allergies and hoped >>the drainage would be better. Is it? Anything you can tell me about the >>surgery?
I’m now 3 1/2 years post-op. I had a septoplasty and ethmoidectomy, and I’d do it again. Before surgery it was guaranteed I’d be going to the doctor every three months, on average, trying to cure yet another sinus infection. It took me somewhat longer than my surgeon estimated to completely recover from surgery (about 6-8 mos.). Though the recovery was difficult, the benefits far outweighed any pain or inconvenience. As the surgeon told me, "You’ll still get sinus infections. The new configuration in your sinuses allows them to drain better, so the infections are fewer, shorter-lived, and less severe." He was right. I’ve been far healthier and more comfortable ever since. Now, if I could just find someone who could help with these damn’ eustachian tubes…….. Mark Binns
Response:
With respect to magic cures… I’m thinking that a power drill might be the trick for me… but in the mean time I have found three things that do keep my sinus problems from becoming a full scale infection: saline rinses Sudafed (pseudophedrine hydrochloride) Advil (ibuprofen) or Aspirin (A.S.A.) The first two are essential, the last one just seems to help the Sudafed shrink things, but I can live without it. Actifed also has the pseudo.. hydro.. but it also has an antihistamine (sp?) and if your problems are not caused by allergies you should probably just take Sudafed. I asked a pharmacist about Sudafed and was told that it was not a problem to take it long term but I have heard otherwise. Anyone know for sure? By the way, both Sudafed and Actifed are available in bottles of 100 which is is a *much* cheaper way to get them. You can pick up a bottle of 100 (60mg pseudo-hydro) tablets for $19 (Canadian), same for Sudafed. A lot of drug stores don’t stock it this way ’cause they can sell packages of 12 for $6. I have tried all sorts of other things like antihistamines (Claritin et al), vitamins, garlic, and every cold medicine known to man, but the three things above are the only things that make a difference for me. -Tom
Response:
Bruce Braithwaite (bbrai…@ix.netcom.com) wrote:
: If : anyone has a "magic cure" out there – - help! And, yes, Calvin, my : sinus and ears have so much pressure built up when the barometric : pressure rises. I hate those cloudy days. Isn’t there anyone out : there who can tell me what to use and what not to use on a regular No magic cure, sorry; but you may want to try simple Actifed (tablets or syrop). Actifed has a slight drying effect, and also seems to open passages, and shrink swollen mucosa, somewhat. It should do the trick on cloudy rainy days, although you ought not use it continuously. Its effects are rather mild, but if you consider the fact that topical drugs, such as sprays e.g. Atrovent etc. do not reach the deep recesses of the sinus cavities where mucosa is also swollen and oversecreting, a systemic drug such as Actifed, however mild acting might actually do the job. Try it. Zwolan,
Response:
I had turbinate reduction done with no problems. No loss of sense of smell and the turbinates didn’t grow back. The loss of sense of smell results from damage to the olfactory bulb. This occurs much more often if the surgeon is inexperienced in sinus procedures. For this and other reasons, I STRONGLY recommend using a sinus surgeon who has done several hundred sinus surgeries before and who has a good reputation for doing above-average work. The likelihood of problems with sinus surgery ranges from about 0.1% to 10% or more depending on who your surgeon is!! Ask, for example, an allergist in your area who the best sinus surgeons are. Rick Donnelly r…@netcom.com
Response:
jsjo…@ibm.net writes: >In <4kcian$…@newsbf02.news.aol.com>, mar…@aol.com (Marar2) writes: >>Hi! This is my first reply to a newsgroup message so I hope I’m doing it >>right. I also have chronic sinusitis and may have sinus surgery. How has >>yours worked out? You said you were having horrible allergies and hoped >>the drainage would be better. Is it? Anything you can tell me about the >>surgery? >Don’t know who your message was in reply to, but my experience was as >follows: > Minimal improvement sinus problems. > Almost total loss of sense of smell.
My experience has been the polar opposite. Enormous improvement in sinus problems Able to smell for the first time in a decade. There are risks to all surgery and the surgeon should fully discuss them with you. Only you can weigh the risks against the benefits. [But remember, a full disclosure from a physician is somewhat like the full disclosure prospectus the Securities and Exchange Commission requires of stock offerings. It’s likely to carry warnings that are highly unlikely but which have non-zero probabilities. E.g., perhaps every surgery, no matter how minor, should include a warning that death is a possible outcome – but in most cases that shouldn’t deter you from having the procedure performed. Good Luck. Randy — — ra…@halcyon.com ra…@dbug.org bgres…@cclink.fhcrc.org
Response:
Yes, I’ve had sinus surgery – 7 years ago. I have a boney growth right frontal sinus. I was and continue to be very dry – congested - headaches that make me nauseated and shaky – - I had a hole drilled through frontal sinus to drain into left cavity. It helped for a couple of years, but I’m back to trying wet heat, cold packs, Entex, Humibid, Seldane, Antrovent, Nasal Crom, Nose drops, Claritin – - If anyone has a "magic cure" out there – - help! And, yes, Calvin, my sinus and ears have so much pressure built up when the barometric pressure rises. I hate those cloudy days. Isn’t there anyone out there who can tell me what to use and what not to use on a regular basis. I can’t seem to get a straight answer from my ENT. Perfumes, paint and various other fumes trigger the headaches and stuffiness as well. My sympathy to all who share this pain. Linda In <4k4i1s$…@zoom2.telepath.com> bdwil…@telepath.com (Brian Wilson) writes: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->In article <447cc$1361f….@news.hampshire.edu>, > kml…@hamp.hampshire.edu (kayt-run low-pez) wrote: >>.. . .and bilateral something or other. . .I had this surgery done at the >>beginning of March because I have chronic sinusitis and needed more >>drains. This is the test: I am having horrible allergies right now. >>If the congestion in my sinuses does not drain and turns green and >>bacterial, I will be peeved. >>Has anyone else had sinus surgery? >Yes, sure have! >Brian
Response:
Bruce Braithwaite (bbrai…@ix.netcom.com) wrote:
: Yes, I’ve had sinus surgery – 7 years ago. I have a boney growth right : frontal sinus. I was and continue to be very dry – congested - : headaches that make me nauseated and shaky – - I had a hole drilled : through frontal sinus to drain into left cavity. It helped for a : couple of years, but I’m back to trying wet heat, cold packs, Entex, : Humibid, Seldane, Antrovent, Nasal Crom, Nose drops, Claritin – - If : anyone has a "magic cure" out there – - help! And, yes, Calvin, my : sinus and ears have so much pressure built up when the barometric : pressure rises. I hate those cloudy days. Isn’t there anyone out : there who can tell me what to use and what not to use on a regular : basis. I can’t seem to get a straight answer from my ENT. Perfumes, : paint and various other fumes trigger the headaches and stuffiness as : well. My sympathy to all who share this pain. : Linda You may need another surgery to open things back up again. I don’t know exactly what your first surgery was, but it sounds like you had one sinus made to drain into another’s drainage channel. Was this what you had done? If so, you may have clogged that passageway with the extra drainage. If the pressure build-up is in the maxillary sinuses rather than the frontal sinuses that you had worked on before, you may just need the maxillaries opened up. If you aren’t getting straight answers from your ENT, look around for another one. At any rate, it can’t hurt for you to talk to another ENT. Even if your first one is good, he/she can’t possibly know everything, and you may find out something new from a second ENT. Wet heat, Entex, and Humibid all moisten things and increase drainage. Atrovent dries things out. Why would you combine these? This seems strange to me. For several months after my last surgery, I had multiple doctors all tell me I had been opened up too much by the surgery and that I needed to moisten things up. It didn’t help. I went to the southern California desert for a few days on vacation and found I felt essentially pain-free even without using any medication. Turns out my sinuses and nasal passages were too wet, not too dry. Atrovent seems to help with both pain and fume sensitivity (others have reported this as well), though it feels a bit harsh in my nasal passages and throat. So I discontinued it, went to Sears, and bought a dehumidifier for about $250. It definitely helps (and also helps cut down on mildew growth), though the jury is still out on whether it will help a lot on cloudy days. Try Atrovent by itself, and if it seems to help you, get a dehumidifier. That’s what I would do if I were you. Give it a few days to work. If the dehumidifier doesn’t help you, just put it back in the box and take it back for a refund. (Of course, you should check with your doctor before discontinuing any medications. Some things, like steroids, can cause problems if suddenly discontinued.) Rick Donnelly r…@netcom.com (note – a dehumidifier is NOT a humidifier, it’s the opposite! A dehumidifier is a big box with a compressor, evaporator and condenser coils, a fan, and a drain pan that you empty every day. Chews up lots of electricity, too. :-( )
Response:
. . .and bilateral something or other. . .I had this surgery done at the beginning of March because I have chronic sinusitis and needed more drains. This is the test: I am having horrible allergies right now. If the congestion in my sinuses does not drain and turns green and bacterial, I will be peeved. Has anyone else had sinus surgery? — *************************************************************************** *** K a t e . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . sp…@hampshire.edu . Don’t want to make nobody angry Don’t want to wish nobody dead Don’t want to be the girl on the tilt-a-whirl hanging by a thread –Patty Larkin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ****Check out the Kate Page at http://hamp.hampshire.edu/~kmlF92*************
Response:
All – I went to see an ENT who had me do a CAT scan and told me that my turbinates were swollen (hence why my left nostril is blocked 80% – 90% of the time). He also mentioned that I had a little swelling in my sinuses but nothing serious. He hence recommended turbinate reduction. Note that I have tried prescribed nose sprays for years with not much improvement. I am going to get a second opinion but I just wanted to confirm that this sounds like "normal" diagnosis. I always also wondering if there are folks out here who have had the surgery done in the past and what their results were. From what he told me, it didn’t seem like a big deal. Thanks in advance for your responses. ice
Response:
On 18 Aug 2005 08:11:35 -0700, "ice" <ama…@hotmail.com> wrote: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->All – >I went to see an ENT who had me do a CAT scan and told me that my >turbinates >were swollen (hence why my left nostril is blocked 80% – 90% of the >time). >He also mentioned that I had a little swelling in my sinuses but >nothing >serious. He hence recommended turbinate reduction. Note that I have >tried >prescribed nose sprays for years with not much improvement. >I am going to get a second opinion but I just wanted to confirm that >this >sounds like "normal" diagnosis. I always also wondering if there are >folks >out here who have had the surgery done in the past and what their >results >were. From what he told me, it didn’t seem like a big deal.
It sounds reasonable. The main issue is that a few less-skilled doctors do excessive or careless turbinate reductions which fail to spare the mucosa, leading to problems later on…..
Response:
Don – Thanks much for your reply. Did you ever have this procedure done? If so, what were the results in your case? Thanks. Ice
Response:
On 19 Aug 2005 04:38:46 -0700, "ice" <ama…@hotmail.com> wrote: >Thanks much for your reply. Did you ever have this procedure done? If >so, what were the results in your case?
Yes I had it and other procedures done. It certainly allows me to breathe much better through my nose and there has been no downside. My sinusitis is improving gradually too. OI had one of the top sinus surgeons do it. As I mentioned, the issue is not does the procedure help – it certainly can. The main issue is possible adverse results when it is done incorrectly occasionally. Every single ENT is allowed to practise sinus surgery and skills and experience do vary and can make a difference.
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Allergy shots worked for me, but they take a while. You may want to consider allergy shots, if you have not already tried them, before surgery.
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Filed under: Acute sinusitis
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