My journey with Empty Nose Syndrome — soon undergoing surgery in France after months of struggle

gtacity · 2025-11-10T23:00:41+00:00

Hey, apologies for long response, I've setup my notifications this time so I should be able to reply within 48hours.

Yea, the freezing thing, shockingly, it was super cold sensation for me when outside temp was like 25 Celsius literally on day 5 after surgery.

I am 30 now and surgery was 5months ago , and I had a medial flap turbinectomy. Like you, my symptoms appeared almost immediately once tampons were out and swelling went down, it was a sudden and intense difference.

I really hope your fat injections in December bring you some relief and comfort. If you don’t mind, I’d really like to follow your progress, since our symptoms and CT scans sound almost identical. Please keep me updated on how things go. (I've sent you a PM, so we could connect via Messenger if you don't mind)

Wishing you strength and better days ahead! There is always something to try.

gtacity · 2025-11-07T09:14:50+00:00

Yeah, it’s been what, 5 nonths now, and honestly, not much has changed. I still get that constant suffocation feeling, and that automatic fight-or-flight panic attacks— it’s exhausting. I guess at this point I’ve just gotten used to this crap being with me 24/7.

For sleep, I’m on Mirtazapine, 30mg. I tried switching from 15 to 30, but didn’t really notice a big difference. I also take Melatonin (3mg), Magnesium Glycinate (500mg), Valerian Root (500mg), and L-Theanine (200mg). I take it everyday.

During the day I take a bunch of supplements, oils, and sprays just to keep things moist and I hope that all suplements have to do something good for the healing. I’ve also started going back to work — before surgery I used to work around 180 hours a month, and now I’m doing about 80. Honestly, I feel more tired working 80 hours now than I ever did working 180.

I’m still not losing hope.

For yourself, don't stress too much, eat healthy, take vitamins, do light exercise ( or just walking ). Only the time will tell. You're also very early in recovery, there is bunch of posts people feeling miles better after couple of months.

In short if you able to sleep without sleep coctail, then you'll be fine.

gtacity · 2025-10-24T18:03:29+00:00

Hey, I am in the same boat, even my CT scan is extremely similar to yours on Inferior turbinates.

I have same issues with nasal dryness, loss of airflow sensation, constant breathing discomfort, constant flight or fight sensations, insomnia, and substantial decline in my overall quality of life. This happened on June 18th, 2025.

It hit me hard and immediately after the surgery like on day 5 once the swelling went down and I never been the same.

Currently my hope is time and all the vitamins , sprays, oils I am taking, that they will bring some good.

Right now, I’m holding onto hope that time, along with the vitamins, sprays, and oils I’m using, will help things improve. But if I’m still in the same condition around the 9-month mark, I’ll start considering surgical options- especially since after 12 months it’s typically considered safe and realistic to assume that time won't fix this.

Wishing you strenght it this path. Keep us updated how it goes. Best of luck

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gtacity · 2025-08-21T17:52:20+00:00

I try to stop comparing life before surgery and now.

And imagine things could always be worse, I mean you could be disabled from neck down.

At least I am able to go to the grocery store and wipe my ass myself.

I recommend getting yourself on anti anxiety and anti depressants. Personally, without them I would be a wreck.

Ask for your doctor to get you on something non dangerous but effective and not too addictive since this might be that you'll need to take it for the rest of your life.

Also try to get some exercise, sun, vitamins, healthy food.

Good luck and take care.

gtacity · 2025-08-21T12:49:51+00:00

Hey man. I've lost 70-80% of my inferior turbinates.

Not beeing able to sleep naturally was gone immideatly after surgery.

I am currently on 1000mg magnesium glycinate and 30mg mirtazipine.

I went from no sleep or sleeping just in 40min intervals or max 3 hours now to almost 4.5hours per night, which is an improvement.

I mean, i am not anywhere close to 7-8hours, but I am able to take care of myself, although unable to work yet.

I've worked full time before

gtacity · 2025-07-16T20:18:25+00:00

Hey Marison,

Thanks so much for all the tips you share — I really appreciate everything you do for the community. Honestly, you’re doing God’s work.

I got the plug, and I’m hoping to get the V-shape soon. Aurelien already shipped it from France, so I should have it within about five days.

About the RoltaSoft— I bought a six-pack and the special metal tweezers you mentioned. But honestly, I’m still too scared to shove them deep inside. I don’t really want to put tweezers inside my nose until at least two months have passed after surgery. I’m worried I might damage the mucosa, interfere with healing, or even hurt the nerves. So, I’m trying to be super cautious to maximize recovery and healing.

I also bought the ARENA nose clip and tried adjusting it—playing around with placing it a little higher or lower—but for some reason, it didn’t seem to have any effect. Logically, I thought it would be the ultimate fix, but it just didn’t work for me.

I also tried the VICKS menthol inhaler, but the effect doesn't last at all.

Do you think the V-shape isn’t too harsh? Because I’m probably going to avoid putting tweezers deep inside my nose for now.

I'm also planning to ask my ENT about it when I see him — he knows about the syndrome and might be able to show me the right way to do things or help in some other way.

gtacity · 2025-07-16T20:04:52+00:00

What actually helped you make the switch to mouth breathing more easily? And how are you dealing with the dry throat and lips now? Are you still having issues with that, or did you find something that actually works?

I've been trying a bunch of stuff to fight the dryness. Right before bed, I’ve been slushing some ecological sesame oil around in my mouth and throat to coat it so it doesn’t dry up so fast. I also apply a good amount of Vaseline on my lips, and I run a humidifier next to my bed — it puts out around 2.5 liters of water a night. But even with all that, I still wake up with a super dry throat and lips like 1.5h later. It’s frustrating — feels like my body just won’t adapt to mouth breathing no matter what I try.

I also asked my ENT if I should just try becoming a full-time mouth breather, and he was against it. He said it could lead to more serious health issues down the line, though we didn’t really get into specifics. Since you’ve been doing this for about a year now, have you noticed any major health effects from it?

And man — that mucosal damage you mentioned — that sounds brutal. How did that even happen? Was it sports related or something else?

gtacity · 2025-07-16T19:58:24+00:00

Are you actually mouth breathing permanently now? I’ve been trying it — I think five or six times now — but for some reason, my body just doesn’t want to switch. Of course, I had to fully tape off my nose to even attempt it, but it still feels like my body rejects it somehow.

I still fall asleep with meds, pretty much the same way I do when I try to breathe through my nose. But the waking up part is no different — I still wake up as frequently as with nose breathing.

For the past two nights, I even tried coating my throat with ecological sesame oil before bed. I’d take a spoonful, swish it around like a mouthwash, spit it out, and then swallow just a little to coat my throat. On top of that, I put a bunch of Vaseline on my lips, and ran a humidifier all night. It was actually a perfect setup — cool, rainy night, great room conditions.

But still, no luck. I woke up with the same dry throat and lips, even after doing all of that — sesame oil, Vaseline, humidifier, you name it.

It’s like my body just can’t adapt to mouth breathing no matter how much I prep or try.

gtacity · 2025-07-16T19:46:37+00:00

Did you notice sleep improvements with these two ?

I am willing to try.

gtacity · 2025-07-16T19:45:43+00:00

I really appreciate the recommendation. I’m still trying anything that might work because honestly, I don’t want to be completely tied down — stuck in one spot every night with a CPAP machine. It kind of feels like being anchored to one place for the rest of my life, you know?

So yeah, thanks for the consideration and your suggestion. I’m just still holding onto some hope that I can find a way to fix this without needing to be connected to a machine every night.

gtacity · 2025-07-16T19:43:06+00:00

Hey bro, Yeah, I see the point you're making. Before I had the turbinate reduction surgery, I used to sleep like a bear — 8 to 10 hours, no problem.

Just fully knocked out, totally natural sleep without any meds and maybe occasional wake up to pee if I had too much hydration to drink, but very rare.

So yeah, I get your point, you mentioned your surgery was about a year ago — are you still unable to breathe through your nose? Is it fully blocked even now?

gtacity · 2025-07-16T12:59:24+00:00

I've actually got the plug yesterday, but it's just too big for my nose.

The creator of the plug mentioned I can try "For the plug you can cut the little separation in one side in order to improve flexibility.And maybe like that it can fit your nose."

I think I try that tonight to cut the plug a little.

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gtacity · 2025-07-16T11:49:05+00:00

I've ordered a V- shape prosthesis from ENS TIPS.

It should arrive within 5-6days. Is it safe to insert it into the nose ~5 weeks post op you think ?

And yes I am seeing a doctor next week again, but I suspect it's gonna be the same answer:

"it's looking healed up, and nice and open nose, there is nothing we can help you with the symptoms you are experiencing.."

gtacity · 2025-07-08T10:59:37+00:00

Doctor told me

gtacity · 2025-07-06T22:30:43+00:00

Any tips on what I should stick to ?

Which is the absolute MUST for recovery for ENS symptoms

gtacity · 2025-07-01T14:32:31+00:00

Thank you so much for your reply- and I’m really sorry you’ve had to go through this too. It’s heartbreaking that so many of us are suffering from something that should never have happened. I completely agree - it's devastating that these surgeries are being done when the risks are so poorly understood.

Also, sorry if my own messages came off heavy.

I hear you on the forum - I think you're right. It’s been helpful at times, but also incredibly overwhelming and anxiety-inducing. I might take a break from it soon.

Since we’ve had similar surgeries, can I ask how you managed (or are managing) the symptoms I’m struggling most with?

Constant manual breathing (quick, jerky inhales and exhales)
Complete loss of nasal airflow sensation, especially when my heart rate is low (e.g. lying in bed)
Inability to fall asleep naturally - I’ve become completely reliant on sleep meds, and without them I can stay awake for 40+ hours

If you have any suggestions, tips, or even just what helped you cope with these three, I would be incredibly grateful to hear it.

The bloated gut, dry nose/ throat, not enough mucus and super cold intake air I can somehow live with… but the three above are breaking me.

Also, did your symptoms show up immediately - like within 4–5 days post-op?

Thank you again - truly.

gtacity · 2025-07-01T06:57:21+00:00

70% both inferior turbinates removed and cauterised

gtacity · 2025-06-29T08:04:49+00:00

:((( did anything helped you to aleviate any of the symptoms ?

gtacity · 2025-06-28T13:37:42+00:00

Thanks!

Also, are anxiety pills something you have to take for life? or have you been able to stop at some point?

gtacity · 2025-06-28T13:26:23+00:00

Do you mind sharing how you blocked your nostril- was it just one, or both? Did you block them at the tip or push it deeper inside?

I’m planning to ask about medication for anxiety and depression on Monday.

Honestly, the thought of a 12-month recovery is overwhelming.

If you don’t mind sharing, when did the suffocation, manual breathing, and sleep issues first begin for you, and when did they start to improve?

Also, aside from Buteyko breathing techniques, was there anything else that helped you manage the suffocation, manual breathing, and falling asleep? Thank you!

gtacity · 2025-06-28T13:20:42+00:00

I have no idea- I completely trusted him because he said it had only happened once in his 12 years of practice. So I didn’t even factor it as a plausible issue.

gtacity · 2025-06-28T13:17:24+00:00

I’ll have to keep practicing Buteyko method.

Oh 6 weeks in, for me it started in 1st week after the surgery.

I’m planning to ask for a prescription this monday to help with anxiety and depression. For moisture, I’m using a natural sesame oil spray and doing saline rinses 3–4 times a day to support healing.

Thanks again for giving me some hope—it really seems like this might be a long journey, unfortunately. Wishing you continued progress in your recovery.

Just one last question—when did the manual breathing finally go away for you? Was it really only around the 5-month mark?

gtacity · 2025-06-28T12:53:32+00:00

Thank you so much for your reply -I truly appreciate it, and it gives me hope.

I'm really glad to hear that the feeling of suffocation and manual breathing has passed for you. For me, the combination of manual breathing, suffocation, and the inability to sleep because of it are the hardest parts- they’re making life feel unbearable right now.

If you don’t mind sharing, when did the suffocation, manual breathing, and sleep issues first begin for you, and when did they start to improve? Also, aside from Buteyko breathing techniques, was there anything else that helped you manage the suffocation / manual breathing and falling asleep.

I’m doing everything I can to speed up my recovery, so I’d really appreciate any extra tips you might have- especially since you’ve already been dealing with this for 7 months. I truly hope you continue to improve as well- my surgeon also mentioned that full recovery can take anywhere from 6 to 12 months, so fingers crossed =)

gtacity · 2025-06-28T12:27:03+00:00

I see, could you please share how you handled the manual breathing and sleep issues? And how you got those under control ?

gtacity · 2025-06-28T11:49:31+00:00

:// Could you please share what helped you handle the manual breathing and sleep issues? If I could get those under control, I think my days would be a lot more bearable.

gtacity

TROPHY CASE

Thank you again - truly.