Has anyone else had their sinuses sucked out?

[Jean DeVries]

Hey all,

While this sounds like the newest Christmas carol, a la that stupid 'Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer' ditty that can die any day, it's actually my agenda for next Tuesday.

I'm having a deviated septum fixed (I feel so Ashley Tisdale), and having my sinuses sucked out. Well, at least the gunk in them. I assume he's going to leave the actual sinus cavities there.

My ENT said I had the worst sinuses he's seen in several months. Of course, I reminded him that I also had the worst sleep study he had ever seen.

He accused me of being an overachiever. Hey, go big or go home.

So, anywhoo, has anyone else had this done? He said I would hate him for about a week, then I would love him forever. Is it uber painful? I'll be off work at least through Christmas, staying home doing nothing, (HA! He obviously doesn't know me.....) with splints and things that are probably really just tampons but they have some fancy name so people don't get grossed out by having tampons shoved up their nose shoved up my nose.

I still have 8 dozen things to do before then, and not a lot of time in which to do them before next Tuesday, so I'm wiggin' out about that.

And, for the last two days, I've had wicked heart palpitations. I'm hoping it's from the steroids he's making me take before the survery and not something more serious. I don't want to get it checked out because I don't want them to cancel my surgery because I have to have it done by the end of the year for insurance and time off work purposes.

Thanks to my uterus, I have a pretty high pain tolerance, so I'm not worried about that so much as being way out of commission...I have craft projects to finish.

Anyone? Anyone?

 

[janetupnorth]

Haven't had it, could have used it last week! I've heard good things about the surgery from those with tons of issues...

 

[crystalscookingnow]

Jean - Tuesday must be the day for nasal surgery. I'm having a similar thing done, though I'm having a turbinectomy instead. Mine will be where they break off & remove bones & tissue in the nose to allow my sinuses to drain properly. Best of luck to you. Maybe we can commiserate together.

I had the choice of the 16th or Christmas Eve or New Year's Eve. Yuck. Went with the 16th even though it's DH's bday.

My ENT said the same thing. I'm going to want to kill him after it's done for about a week. Then I'll kiss him when I see him next. Hmmm, I doubt that, but maybe a hug? I'm not looking forward to the water pik use afterwards either. My goal has always been to get the fluid out of my head, not put more there!

Hugs - I'll be thinking of you!!

 

[Trish in Texas]

I have had a deviated fixed and the gunk sucked out. Worst part: all the stupid packing they had to put in and, once my nose got fixed, my migraines got worse because I could smell everything! Oh, and I had to sleep sitting up for what seemed forever! The best part: not feeling so ill due to chronic sinus infections! I will pray for a quick recovery for you. BTW, if you are allergic to any pain killers, let your doctor know. They gave me Vicodin and I couldn't stop throwing up.

Trish in Texas
Independent Consultant

 

[crissy11]

Ask your dr. what kind of packing he is going to do. Mine does not use cotton as it pulls whatever has scabbed when they take it out causing scar tissue. Mine uses a gel. The stints are actually huge pieces of plastic that are sutured in. They are soo far in there that you can't see them. But when he takes them out they are huge. Never felt them in recovery.
I woke up in the recovery room breathing thru my nose and they would have to tell me to breathe thru my mouth. Another reason why the gel is wonderful instead of cotton.
I was on painpills for two full days without missing a dose and then was fine. No black eyes or swollen nose. People who brought meals were amazed I had anything done.
Now after three years I have found out that I have severe food allergies that causes sinus problems. Wonderful!!!!

 

[StacieB]

I have had Sinus Surgery as well as I worked for a Simus Specialist prior to having my twins. It is worth having if it is done right. Good luck!

 

[Jean DeVries]

though I'm having a turbinectomy instead. Mine will be where they break off & remove bones & tissue in the nose to allow my sinuses to drain properly.

Thanks! I may have this also, actually. He originally was talking about doing that, but when he started explaining stuff it sounded more like sucking out the sinuses. Who knows....I'm trusting him to make me better.

 

[Jean DeVries]

I They gave me Vicodin and I couldn't stop throwing up.

This is what concerns me the most. Vicodin doesn't work for me, and I don't know if I can convince him of that....

 

[PamperChefCarol]

I have had 3 (yes 3!!) surgeries on my nose. One would think it would be perfect by now, but far from it.

For the first one, since my nose was such a mess (broken multiple times, I think the term he used was "maimed and mutilated." Nice, eh?) he kept me overnight. Good thing, as I ended up getting sick (which is totally unheard of for me so I didn't see that coming) and throwing up, which blew the packing ,etc out of me. Make sure they give you the stuff that helps you not get sick. Next day, left and went home with a baby cast on my nose. I had taken the week off, but by mid week, I was out and about.

I think it depends alot on your pain tolerance. I am great with pain, and didn't really need much in the way of pills by day 2. Some bruising, but then again, pretty good healer, so by the end of the week, I looked pretty much me.

If you have any other questions, feel free to pm me. Good luck.

 

[gingertannery]

Wow.. Been there done that twice. Once to get rhinoplasty.. second time to remove a large polyp. (I had just had melanoma and they feared the worst.. but good) I hope you have a recliner to sleep in. BUT, once you get over it all.... my nose is wonderful. I use saline regularly.. and I am good. Good luck.

 

[crystalscookingnow]

My nurse told me to take pepcid the night before the surgery & then again before I leave home that day. Oh, and get this... We are supposed to get an ice storm the night before my surgery and it's an hour drive. Please pray that we can get there & not have to worry about the ice. I don't want to have to do this surgery next year b/c then I'll have to miss show dates & I want Disney!!

 

[pampchefsarah]

Jean, I'm just wondering . . . are you upside down in your avatar to help your sinuses drain before the surgery?

 

[stacywhitlow]

Quick question for you all...I was told 7 years ago that the only thing that would fix my sinus problems was to have surgery. However, they only guaranteed success @ 50/50 rate. I opted not to have it. It sounds like things may have improved as far as surgery procedures. So, my question, should I go get another opinion now?

 

[ragschef]

Jean, weren't you the one that was adicted to nasal spray? Are the troubles that you're having rooting from that? My DH is highly addicted to spray and uses it 5-6 a day and still doesn't breathe well. I can't get him to go to the doc though.

Please let me know if I'm wrong in asuming you're the one that had the addiction and went cold turkey.

Thanks.

 

[crissy11]

Need to tell your husband that the nose spray can start eating its way to his brain. Seriously, it can infect and kill membranes. I was addicted also and my ENT had to put me on steriods to get the swelling down so I didn't have to depend on the spray to breathe. I now put some drops of Melueca tea tree oil on my hands and sleep with my hands close to my nose and it helps me to breathe. It stinks but helps.

 

[PamperedDor]

This is what concerns me the most. Vicodin doesn't work for me, and I don't know if I can convince him of that....

Convincing him should never be a problem! Simply tell your DR that vicodin doesn't work for you -

I am allergic to codeine - so nothing with codeine can I take! (ya, find that out after #2 and have #4 be a c - section!! ) Your doctor should be able to prescribe something that will accomodate you.

My sister has had this surgery and mind you it was 17 years ago, her recovery was about 10 days - she did say the worst part was the packing.

Good luck to you and here is hoping for a quick recovery!

 

[Jean DeVries]

My nurse told me to take pepcid the night before the surgery & then again before I leave home that day. Oh, and get this... We are supposed to get an ice storm the night before my surgery and it's an hour drive. Please pray that we can get there & not have to worry about the ice. I don't want to have to do this surgery next year b/c then I'll have to miss show dates & I want Disney!!

Good luck with that!

I live right across the street from the hospital, so no weather worries for me

 

[Jean DeVries]

Jean, I'm just wondering . . . are you upside down in your avatar to help your sinuses drain before the surgery?

No, but that's a good idea.

It's upside down because I only have one chin that way.

 

[Jean DeVries]

Jean, weren't you the one that was adicted to nasal spray? Are the troubles that you're having rooting from that? My DH is highly addicted to spray and uses it 5-6 a day and still doesn't breathe well. I can't get him to go to the doc though.

Please let me know if I'm wrong in asuming you're the one that had the addiction and went cold turkey.

Thanks.

I was the one with the nasal spray addiction. My nose got stuffed up again about a month ago, and rather than get myself hooked again, I just sprayed at night and went to the ENT right away. He CT scan'ed my head and recommended the surgery since no "black space" showed up where it should have in the CT scan for my sinuses.

Tell your husband that he can buy something manly with the money he'll save on nasal spray....

(And it's not every spray that's addictive...just the ones that say to not use for more than 3 days.)

Good luck!