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Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Sinusitis / October 2005FESS and alternate blocking of nostrils
5 weeks after FESS, turbinates still swell alternatingly like they used to, so essentially at any point I can only breathe through one side. there is improvement in that I can feel increased air flow from the side thats open. Is this normal ? Will I ever be able to breathe through both sides ? Is there scope for further improvement from the FESS as time passes or is this it ? also plan to continue allergy shots. If I use grossnan irrigator it completely blocks my nostrils/head area and feel worse. so gave up on that idea. head always feels tight like in a vise (it used to before the surgery as well)...which increases if I eat something sour or with alcohol...spoke to the surgeon. He said this is unrealted to sinus/surgery.. and could be migraine or something else. suggestions for easing head tightness /alternating congestion or swelling of turbinates? Alcohol has been attributed to sinus membrane swelling by many, including myself. I have the alternating swelling of turbinates. Although the turbinate that is swelled never seems to totally close up breathing thru it's side. It's weird though, because in the period of 5-10 seconds the swelling switches completely to the other side. I've read that this is a natural occurance and helps the body to keep turning during sleep. Have you tried a pseudoephedrine based decongestant or a steroid nasal spray to reduce swelling? That may offer some relief. Good Luck! I can't understand how using the Grossan irrigator made it swell worse. Did you make sure that you kept your head directly over and parallel to the drain and not tipped to one side so your ears flooded inadvertently making your head feel worse? Also you must use the correct water/salt solution when you irrigate - too little salt and this will cause pain and pressure. Also you could try using water that is neither warm nor cold (neutral temperature). If the water is too hot then it will cause swelling as warmth will cause increased blood flow. Give the Grossan irrigator another chance it took me a few times to get used to it. Now I love it and it has helped keep me infection free for a while now. 5 weeks is still early after surgery as it can take 2-3 months to feel better and a full year to fully recover. In the meantime make sure you follow your doctor's instructions exactly. Steroid sprays usually can't be used right away after surgery while your body heals. Read the Sinus FAQ a lot of good info in there. Drink lots of fluids, hot teas, avoid cold drinks. Eat a healthy diet, take vitamins and get good sleep all needed to recover from surgery. There are also natural decongestants you can try. One thing to avoid is the liquid nasal drops - a lot of people get terrible rebound congestion and addiction to the drops. Just to clarify by nose drops I meant the decongestant nose drops. Also if you are taking an antihistmine for allergies it can cause the mucous to thicken and be harder to drain from the sinuses. You might try not taking it for a day or two and see if it makes a difference. > I can't understand how using the Grossan irrigator made it swell worse. Did > you make sure that you kept your head directly over and parallel to the [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > thing to avoid is the liquid nasal drops - a lot of people get terrible > rebound congestion and addiction to the drops. This is all real good advice. Ask your Dr when you can begin trying some type steroid nasal spray. Try using your Grossan irrigator with less water until you get used to the effects and the swelling goes down some more. The alternating turbinate swelling is normal for me. AW Funny - i have a cold going for the last few days and that has opened up my sinuses a bit and feel less congested with a little runny nose ! this cold is a welcome change.. havent had one for years now... whats going on ? head is still tight like in a vice. doc says thats unrelated to sinus.. is that true ? btw, anybody tried therapeutic vomitting (or in my case, accidental discovery :)) ? that totally opens up sinuses and drives congestion for like half hour or so >Funny - i have a cold going for the last few days and that has opened >up my sinuses a bit and feel less congested Actually it may have closed off your sinuses so that you get no more rotten drainage temporarily. The absense of the drainage means the turbinates are less irritated by drainage over them so they come down and youc an breathe better. Later the draiange will resume once the cold clears up. Eventually whene all of the sinuses are drained and healed then they will not drain over the turbinates any more, irritating them. But that will be monthsy down the road..... That's one possible scenario. ANother is that your immune system is now devoting all of its attention to figting the cold virus, so it has momentarily stopped worrying about (over)reacting to allergens, so alletgic inflammation goes down. I have seen both of the above on myself at different times..... > with a little runny nose ! >this cold is a welcome change.. havent had one for years now... [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] >discovery :)) ? that totally opens up sinuses and drives congestion for >like half hour or so >5 weeks after FESS, turbinates still swell alternatingly like they used >to, so essentially at any point I can only breathe through one side. >there is improvement in that I can feel increased air flow from the >side thats open. >Is this normal ? Everyone's turbinates well alternately to a degree. What you are really saying is that they are still swollen, so that one side blocks completely. Did you have turbinate reduction? I'm not saying it is necesary, just asking. You should proabbly be taking steroidal spray (Flonase or Nasonex or..) after surgery. Maybe even a short course of oral steroids to keep swelling down until healing completes. > Will I ever be able to breathe through both sides ? Is >there scope for further improvement from the FESS as time passes or is [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] >suggestions for easing head tightness /alternating congestion or >swelling of turbinates? |
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