Up The Farway Tree

Sinuses....and cars!

Apologies for delay in updating but I've had a really busy week! I had the ENT on Wednesday and it was quite an interesting appointment. After some discussion and looking into my sinuses with an endoscope his verdict was "you have a very sick nose". I had gathered that much. He thinks I have something called "Empty nose syndrome" which has only been recognised fairly recently in the literature. It is effectively the result of far too much surgery on the sinuses (I have had around 10 operations over the years, the first being when I was only 7). Basically in an effort to improve drainage from the sinuses they have removed so much of the mucosa (lining of sinuses) that there is now not enough to keep my sinuses and nose healthy. The lining normally produce mucus to keep sinuses moist and lubricated, but instead mines is very dry and they cannot drain effectively. There is no treatment for this, other than sinus washouts to keep things moist, which I do daily anyway. He did suggest another device for doing the sinus wash outs, which is basically a squeezy plastic bottle so I have ordered one of these to try. He also suggested putting vaseline inside my nose, which should evaporate and help moisten the nose. However, he did also feel that although this syndrome can cause some pain, it is not usually the main feature - and pain is most definately my main symptom. He instead suspects that I have stenosis (narrowing) of the drainage pathway from frontal sinus, due to scarring. He is arranging an MRI scan to investigate this further and then I will go back and we can discuss the options. I think if there is narrowing then further surgery may help, but they would have to be very careful not to make matters worse. I'm not quite sure what to make of the consultation - I was glad to get some answers and felt he really knew what he was talking about, but at the same time I am terrified that there will be nothing else they can do! I cannot tolerate this pain for much longer - I am taking high doses of tramadol and codeine and still cannot get much relief. It's actually really dragging me down and it didn't surprise me to read that over 50% of people with empty nose syndrome also develop depression. Chronic pain is so frustrating, especially when I otherwise feel so well. My current plan is to pop down and see the GP while I am waiting on the MRI and see if they have any other suggestions for better pain control. There are other drugs that can be used and I think it might be worth investigating this. Hopefully following the MRI however, there will be something the ENT can offer. Fingers crossed!

The rest of my week was very busy because I was looking at cars ....so I am now the proud owner of a wee fiat grande punto in psychedelic azure :-) I didn't really want a new car but my old car was leased through the motability scheme and the lease ended this month. The normal procedure would be to order a new car, however because of the transplant all my benefits are under review so I wasn't able to do this. It was pretty bad timing really but these things happen and I had to say goodbye to my beautiful black megane coupe :-( I do really like the punto but the power difference is very noticable - its a 1.2 and the megane was a 1.6. Driving it home from the garage I kept thinking I had left the handbrake on haha! It's in great condition though (2 years old) and its 5 door which makes it easier for me to get Seb in and out. I think it will be ideal for tootling back and forth to work and I got a good deal.....I went to the garage without Andrew so I don't think the salesman was expecting me to haggle so much. He said he was very impressed with my persistance and boldness....and he really didn't see it coming ;-)

I also had fracture clinic yesterday morning, which went well. On xray the fracture is healing well and they are happy not to see me again unless I continue to have problems. I would say its more or less back to normal now - just occasional aching but nothing too bad. He did say I am at high risk of further fractures of a similar type but just to go back through A+E if I suspect its happened again. There is nothing really to be done prevention wise other than be careful when walking. Let's just hope it doesn't happen again!

So, it's been a busy few days and I am feeling quite tired. I am off to see Andrews mum, dad and gran tonight for some supper, and then tomorrow we are going through to my uncle's garden fete, which he holds in his parish every year. I will no doubt purchase lots of things I don't need, which I will then donate back to the fete next year...