Nasal Anatomy Questions
I’d like to start this post with my surgical timeline
July 30th, 2025: Bilateral Inferior SMR/out fracture and septoplasty.
November 6, 2025: Bilateral CELON radio frequency turbinate reduction and bilateral CELON radio frequency internal nasal valve repair
December 13th, 2025: Bilteral Markey Stitching Suture internal nasal valve repair and septoplasty revision
February 26, 2026: Bilateral extended spreader grafts, lateral crural strut grafts, alar rim grafts, unilateral (r-sided) SMR, unilateral (r-sided) scar adhesion removal, and tertiary Septoplasty.
I have been against turbinate reductions from the start, every doctor insured me it would be fine and that they were still very obstructive to my airflow. Each one I believe were very conservative in reductions. I had nasal vestibular stenosis from the non-fda approved valve repairs. I started experiencing paradoxical sensations before surgery even began, nasal cycle, one side open and switches. So, the most important timeline has been this last one. I could not feel air all too well with stents in, there was a point where I would literally feel nothing. Stents came out on day 7, what I immediately noticed was that my left valve was “touching” and that constant sensation didn’t go away. I let it heal and wore silcone nasal dilators for 6 weeks to prevent cartilage memory takeover. Day 19 I contracted COVID, and didn’t start blowing my nose until day 22. Honestly, the only difference is that my nose would constantly run. Recovered fairly quickly. From when I got my stents out, mucus/crusting would stick to the roof area near where my internal nasal valve would begin. Entrance to nose is very dry and I had to reach my pinky up there to feel the slightest bit of moisture. Still felt air and the nasal cycle. One random night during week 7, I stopped feeling air and the nasal cycle. Cottle maneuver moves my still collapsed valves to the side, but doesn’t provide any better airflow like it would previously. Neither dilators or external strips. Minor scabbing on roof and little bit of blood. Rinses, gel, and humidifier make it very slightly better, if any at all. I have had panic attacks, during the day and at night. It doesn’t feel like there is any resistance. Even when I sharply inhale and my valves collapse, the sensation of air doesn’t change. My throat lodges up too and is dry. Occasionally a sore throat too. Even though I’m not sick. I have to manually breathe, I did before but not with every breath. I would say nasal dryness is a 1-2, crusting 1, suffocation 4, diminished airflow 4, too open 1, and nasal burning 0-1. I just started having a tad bit of burning. It was gradually getting better and suddenly it got flipped. Lastly, I would sleep in a freezing cold room before all this started. It felt great, it felt like the cold was hitting everywhere it needed to. Especially with the dilators in to prop up my internal valves. I am scheduled to see my surgeon, Dr. Bahman Guyuron and Dr. Steven Houser here soon. This seems to get a lot worse when my anxiety peaks, and I can’t calm myself by breathing. Especially my for my throat. I think the nasal cycle still switches, but it is not noticeable. Does this sound like anyone else’s timeline? Does it sound like Empty Nose Syndrome? Nothing helps my valves/sensation anymore, despite dilators and extremely cold air about maybe 1-2 weeks ago. I don’t think the valve stenosis is getting worse anymore either. What has happened? Anyone have any knowledgeable insight to share that I am unaware about?
Edit: Forgot to include hyperventilation too. And when I stop manually breathing, it feels like I need air instantly again.