r/sinus

An ENT recently recommended turbinate reduction surgery for my nasal congestion, but my blockage is mostly intermittent. It spikes with poor sleep or cat allergies, but my breathing is usually pretty decent when I'm well-rested. Before committing to surgery, I’m planning to do a 4-week trial with a daily steroid spray (like fluticasone) to see if controlling the underlying inflammation opens things up enough.

Has anyone here had success avoiding surgery by doing a consistent spray trial first? Did sprays manage your variable swelling well, or did you ultimately end up needing the procedure anyway? I’d love to hear your experiences! And if you have recommendations for over the counter nasal sprays that would be great. Thanks!

My left nostril is super dry and smells like skunk .I can't come close to anybody ,smell is beyond awful. No doctor or specialist can help me ,(I don't have any sinus pressure or pain.) Nobody heard about the case like mine .I really want to die ,

Hi everyone,

​I’ve been suffering from severe nasal issues for over 20 years, and it has become completely unbearable. I live in a warm, sub-tropical climate, yet my symptoms are constant and peak heavily from April through November (Autumn to Spring).

​In previous years, I had days where at least one nostril was partially functioning. Now, both nostrils are completely, 100% blocked and extremely dry.

​My Diagnosed Conditions & Allergies:

​Sinusitis & Structural Issues: CT scan shows mucosal thickening in the sinuses (chronic rhinosinusitis), a right-deviated nasal septum, concha bullosa on the left, and hypertrophied turbinates. (2 years old)

​Severe Skin Prick Test Results: Positive for Dust Mites (D. pteronyssinus 12mm, D. farinae 11mm, Blomia tropicalis 9mm), Cockroach (15mm), Dog (7mm), and Weeds (Pellitory 5mm, Plantain 5mm, Ragweed 5mm).

​Comorbidities: Co-existing Asthma and diagnosed Sleep Apnea.

​Non-Allergic Triggers (Vasomotor/Cold-Air Rhinitis): Extreme sensitivity to climate shifts, cloudy weather, wind, cold air, and air conditioning.

​My Symptoms:

​Extreme Temperature & Climate Sensitivity: The moment it gets even slightly cooler inside the house, my nose immediately becomes completely blocked or starts running. Any slight outdoor change—cloudy, windy, or cold weather—triggers fits of 50+ sneezes, followed by total nasal blockage. I can sense wind shifts without even stepping outside.

​Complete Blockage & Dryness: Both nasal passages are completely shut off and feel bone-dry.

​Eardrum Pressure & Sinus Pain: Intense pressure building up in my eardrums due to total blockage, alongside constant facial pressure.

​Severe Sleep Disruption: I only get 2 to 3 hours of continuous sleep before waking up unable to breathe, followed by a 3-hour wakeful break, then another 3 hours. Always feeling tired.

​What I Have Tried (With No Relief):

​Years of Immunotherapy: Subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) for years; doctors eventually told me this condition cannot be treated further through immunotherapy.

​Medications: Steroid and antihistamine nasal sprays (Dymista/Ryaltris), asthma preventers, and daily saline rinses.

​Home Remedies: Humidifiers and strict environmental controls.

​Recommended Surgeries:

Over the years two ​ENT have ecommended below surgery but i am scared if it would worsen my symptoms.

​Septoplasty

​Inferior Turbinate Reduction

​Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS)

​My Questions for the Community:

​For those with similar issues Deviated Septum/Concha Bullosa/Sinusitis) + Vasomotor Rhinitis: Did surgery actually help, or tone down the hyper-reactivity to cold air/wind?

​Did nasal/sinus surgery help improve your asthma control or sleep apnea?

​I just want to breathe from my nostrils without any obstruction.

​Please sharebyour experience as i am again plaiining to go to ENT and do a fresh diagnosis and scans.

EDIT - Thank you for all the response and guidance. Based on the responseI think surgery is something i have to consider even though i am very anxious. I also wanted to share my CT scan findings

Scans: Deviated nasal septum with a bony spur, left concha bullosa (air-filled turbinate), and moderate-to-severe turbinate hypertrophy, severely narrowing your nasal airway.

​Sinusitis: Chronic bilateral maxillary and ethmoid mucosal thickening.

I had a septal repair with turbinate reduction done 2 years s ago, have been doing allergy injections with 2 Zyrtecs and an Allegra daily ( to put my autoimmune urticaria in remission). My breathing has been good all summer until 5 days ago- I see both the dust and mold levels are high. I cannot breath through my nose. It drives me NUTS. I feel like doing a nasal rinse makes it worse. There is no mucus just inflammation. I moth breath all night and wake up so parched and hoarse. Am I open to any and all advice to help this pleeease thank you