English
September is the world month of health awareness for the sinuses
In connection with Erica Rimlinger
My nose overload began twelve years ago. There were several possible causes: I was able to have seasonal colds or allergies. The flood of the city in which I lived due to the hurricane that took place this year could have triggered my asthma and the overload of my paranasal sinuses. Although the experts for Fema damage said that flood damage was not serious, I assumed that my symptoms were due to mold. I cleaned my home with chlorine and when my symptoms did not relieve, destroy and replace my walls.
The symptoms of my sinusitis worsened. One day I looked at the mirror and saw a bump in my nose. I sounded my nose many times and waited that the bump had expired and that made my blood nose so much. But the bump didn’t come loose. I had advice with my doctor, who had prescribed corticosteroid medicine, without a diagnosis or an explanation for how the medication would be useful or whether it would work. I took it even though I wasn’t convinced.
Fatigue, headache and a new habit of snoring in addition to my overload became my new standard. I lost my sense of smell. Nothing had taste. I just ate when I was hungry and that rarely happened. My daughter had to let me know if I was to change the baby’s diaper: I couldn’t smell it.
The lymph nodes of my neck swell and my doctor was amazed again. He referred to a “specialist” who turned out to be a heart surgeon. The surgeon said nothing useful to solve the secret. I understood that it was time to carry out my own research on my medical disorder.
I discovered that there were specialists for the topics related to the sinuses: Otolaryngologists, also known as specialists in otolaryngology (ORL). My insurance did not have to need a reference for this specialist, so I found a medical provider.
The otolaryngologist examined my nostrils and after the diagnosis of very serious sinusitis he said I have nasal polyps. “What is that?” I asked. He showed me a photo of a man with a bump on his forehead. “If you don’t undergo surgery,” he said, “polyps will continue to grow.”
The operation he suggested was not a minor operation. It would take three hours or more and recovery would take more than a month. I couldn’t load my baby for at least six weeks. I left the office with antibiotics because of my sinusitis, a date for operation and many persistent questions without answers. I wanted to find out other therapeutic options, but the only option that made me available was an operation. He didn’t want to tell me whether an operation would be a permanent or temporary solution.
I didn’t go to the operation.
The doctor called me to ask why. I told him I was afraid. I didn’t want an operation and I had the feeling that they urged me to have it. He said he wouldn’t visit me anymore.
But I had researched more. I found another otolaryngologist who told me that corticosteroids and other drugs that were generally used to treat asthma can also shrink polyps. Corticosteroids were a wonderful medication for me. I was finally able to breathe again and smell again and that was a great relief. The doctor warned me that they could lose their effectiveness over time. These drugs were treatments, do not heal.
As he told me, my symptoms reappeared after four or five months. This time I was more ready to consider an operation. This new doctor explained the procedure, instructed its advantages and restrictions, and the decision was mine. I said yes and program it to take it near the Christmas season.
After an overwhelmed operation, I returned home, with my nose bleeding. It seemed to bleed for weeks. I properly rinsed my paranasal breasts with a sinus solution with medication for a month. The recovery of the operation was intense, but could smell. I could taste the food. I could breathe.
But that didn’t take. Nine months later I had further advice with the Otolaryngologist because all of my symptoms reappeared. What happened is that an operation like medicines was a treatment and no healing for some people. I started taking corticosteroids again.
Now I had polyps in all my paranasal breasts. He had no other consultations with the Otolaryngologist, who carried out an operation due to the restrictions of Covid-19. A new otolaryngologist, which I found in my district, suggested that he would take corticosteroids again and then teach another operation. I told him that I would not submit to another operation because the recovery was too long and intense. The doctor said he would cut the cartilage of the caves of the sinuses for more space. That didn’t seem logical. More space implied that polyps could develop more.
While I was considering another round of corticosteroids, I had further advice with the Otolaryngologist who carried out my operation. He gave me good news: there was a new treatment for people who, like me, had several therapeutic rounds for recurring polyps. “You are the perfect candidate,” he said. He managed that my insurance company approved the medication due to my history of recurring polyps after the operation.
The new medication required an injection, in my house or in the office of my ceremony. After I started taking the medication, I repeated the meaning of the smell, I could sleep and regain my life.
When I examined in recognized websites, I learned that recurring polyps can occur through a chronic immune reaction, which is referred to as inflammation of type 2. This inflammatory reaction has no healing and affects several body systems. My polyps, asthma, allergies and even my eczema are symptoms of this disorder.
Through this experience, I learned how important it is to proactively research and to maintain your health. My doctors and even my family do not understand how much I suffered. It was never just a cold, allergies or a covered nose. It was my immune system that has steel my body for more than a decade on several fronts and even one of my five senses.
I still use the medication through injections to control my polyps and another medication for the treatment of my other symptoms and they work well. I can smell and breathe normally. I feel healthy and now hope that scientific research not only identifies treatment, but also a healing for nasal polyps and for inflammation types 2 that you can cause.
But until this day I know that the examination and identification of what my body tries to tell me is the key to my treatment and recovery. Even medical supply suppliers (HCP), whom I trust most in short consultations that last between 15 and 30 minutes. I remained informed about my disorder and write my questions before my consultations with my providers of medical care are consulted to ensure that they receive satisfactory answers.
Nobody takes care of my health more than me and nobody will live with the consequences of my medical care. My experience with the polyps did not give me a cure, but I found successful treatment and capacity, strength and independence, to take care of me in relation to all medical matters.
Medium
Asthma and allergy foundation: Pólipos Nasales
This educational resource was created with the support of Glaxosmithkline, Sanofi and Regeneron.
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