New Beginning

I had another procedure even amongst all the anxiety, unknown, and the terror of what could happen.

I had grown accustomed to my new baseline, my low level of anxiety at all times. I adjusted to having to lay in a specific position to sleep, had to sit in a specific way to feel comfortable and able to function. Sleeping a maximum of 4 to 5 hours at a time at getting up at least once a night. Having a glass of water next to my bed because I was always so thirsty at night. Having to take my Sertraline every day. Waking up severely tired. I even used Afrin in my nose to get a "good night" sleep, which consisted of about 8 hours of sleep, however I knew this would only be temporary and worse the next night due to the rebound congestion.

I was finally awarded 6 month, all expenses payed, to Dr. Nayak at Stanford University from Kaiser Permanente Nor Cal. I had been fighting with them for just about 1 year to be seen by Dr. Nayak, the ENS specialist working with Stanford University! Good thing I was awarded that referral because my life has definitely changed for the better! Everything is more enjoyable, more relaxed, and I am more aware of everything. For better or worse, I have to keep telling myself that this is my new life; I'm fixed. It brings me tremendous joy, however with it brings severe sadness as I have been suffering with ENS for more than 5 years of my life... essentially my whole undergraduate degree. I struggled so much in my life, potentially missed out on so many opportunities because of ENS. It is a terrible thing to happen.

One week after my RFA on my right turbinate and injection (temporary to see if the position and fit will be favorable) to the left turbinate - I felt different. Scared, of course, that I could develop ENS on my right turbinate of course. It doesn't seem I have any severe negative side-effects. I had the procedure on 08 Dec. 2017, almost 4.5 weeks ago. Some of the changes I have noticed:

Number one must be mental clarity. It is amazing how much this changed from my baseline with ENS. I did not really fully grasp the severity of how much anxiety and ENS destroys one's mental acuity, thought process, and memory. I really didn't think I had ENS badly, and I really didn't have it nearly as severely as others. And I am so grateful. For example, I am able to clearly think about my day's agenda, what I will do several steps in advance. Like what I was capable of doing prior to my initial surgery in 2012. I can sit and actually think about something, like enjoy thinking about an object, an idea, a theoretical thought that I otherwise would never be able to contemplate. Making decisions clearly, having a conversation with someone, or interacting like a human... something I had to literally retrain myself to do with ENS. All different now. But I was so used to it, used to my old ways, how I coped with every day life. I lived moment by moment, not really able to concentrate on my future or anything really. But I can now.



I feel like I have another chance in life.

Subsequent Surgery

I decided to have surgery on my nose... again. This time with another doctor who is seems much more competent and sensible than my first surgeon - his name is Dr. Lupa. I was writing to him via email, finally to my breaking point, explaining that I cannot believe he doesn't see that I have Empty Nose Syndrome, or at lease showing symptoms of such. I had sent him about 25 emails up to this point ranging from general questions to desperate sleep deprived rants. I was fed up, I cannot live my life with this syndrome and I needed him to help me fix this; it's the worst feeling when people don't believe you or belittle your problems.

Up to this point, I had submitted 5 pages and x-rays to Kaiser to request them to fix this, outside the knowledge of my current doctor. To be either shipped to Ohio to see Dr. Steven Houser or send me to someone who understands ENS more immediately than some of the less specialized doctors at Kaiser. 

Rant Time - I was referred to a doctor, at first because I was not satisfied with my current doctor, who was a complete idiot. His name was Doctor, Dr. Doctor. Honestly, he said that he had never heard to nasal implants. He is an Ear. Nose. and. Throat. Doctor... That's his specialty. Being a doctor is a lifetime dedication, well at least it should be. 

This request was obviously denied, was not surprising. So I started email my current doctor more and more, because I needed relief. After the emailed him, saying I cannot take these symptoms any longer, he suggested that I have a septoplasty to try to reduce the amount of air flow on the left side. I had this surgery on December 23 2014 with Dr. Lupa. The plan was to move my septum over and to raise up my turbinate flap at my left IT. I did not have any reduction at this time as I really wanted to take small steps.

It did work.

I had mild improvement in my symptoms and I did not need to continue to place cotton in my nose every day! Recovery was not as difficult as my first surgery. But I did develop a small nose divot on my left distal, close to midline, nose. Small price to pay.