this post was submitted on 19 Sep 2025
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So for the last three years, I’ve had horrible postnasal drip. It started when I was 16 years old in October 2022. I had a sinus infection and it made me not feel so great. I was more tired than usual, and overall, just not myself.

Since that time, I’ve been getting a lot of sore throats that usually end up turning into a cold. From the colds, I’ve had a lot of thick, yellow green mucus, and lots of nausea. I’m assuming the nausea from the remaining mucus that’s dripped down the back of my throat that I couldn’t get out. I’ve had a poor immune system since I was a kid. I don’t know if it’s because I was born premature, but I’ve always got really sick when I’ve had a cold. As a kid, I would always throw up and as a result, lose weight. I developed emetophobia when I was about eight years old, and as a result, haven’t thrown up in about 10 years. I still get pretty nauseous and lose my appetite whenever I have a cold. Since the whole postnasal drip thing started, I’ve had several colds, I don’t remember how many but if I had to take a guess I’d say between two and three per year. Yesterday, I came down with my first cold in about six months, But the mucus is stuck and won’t come out of my throat, so I’ve had to swallow it. Normally, I just take the DayQuil and NyQuil and it comes right out, but this time it’s being stubborn. I don’t know if it’s related to my deviated septum or not.

I’ve taken every allergy medication over-the-counter and tried every at home remedy I could think of. I’ve seen multiple doctors and taken several antihistamines to try and stop it. Nothing has worked. In May of this year, I decided to see a different ENT now that I am an adult. She noticed I had a deviated septum, but she also noticed that my esophagus was looking pretty rough. She referred me to a G.I. doctor, Since I have been having stomach and esophagus issues prior to this. He did an endoscopy, but said that everything looked good. I went back to the ENT, and she suggested I do a CT scan before I make the decision to consider surgery. She kept trying to talk me out of it, Saying to really think about it because it’s a life changing surgery. I asked for her opinion, but she said it’s up to me. All my other doctors noticed the deviation and said that I might benefit from the surgery. I agree agree with them, however, they aren’t the ENT so I don’t know for sure. I’m scheduled for surgery later this year and I’m super nervous and the pain and anesthesia.

Does anybody have experience with post nasal drip or getting a septoplasty, and what did you do about it?

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[–] sigmaklimgrindset@sopuli.xyz 4 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Have you tried prescription steroid nasal sprays? I also have awful post-nasal drip and that has helped me immensely in controlling it and improving quality of life. Though if your septum deviation is extreme enough, spray might not even reach the nasal cavity to help.

As for the surgery, your surgeon is right to warn you, as any surgery has the potential to be life changing, positive or negative. We're literally cutting up our body parts. Nasal surgeries also can be slightly more difficult for predicting outcomes compared to other surgeries, and there can be regression. My father had regression and had to get a second septoplasty 12 years after his first one, and that's why I haven't gone through with correcting mine. Mine is mild compared to his, and my post-nasal drip is easily treated with steroid sprays and hot showers.

BUT all that being said, if your quality of life is suffering this much, I would at least go through with the CT scan and see where you stand. When I was researching (years ago, mind you) for my own potential surgery, I remember seeing that satisfaction rates were still high for people who got the surgery done (70+% if I remember correctly), and regression rates were in the single digit percentages. Arm yourself with all the information you can, and then make your decision based on your needs.

Good luck!

[–] Marycat1@lemmy.zip 4 points 1 week ago (1 children)

I’ve tried Flonase, Afrin, and Ipratropium. They work temporarily, but don’t clear up the issue. The picture I attached to my post are the results of my CT. Thanks for your advice!

[–] sigmaklimgrindset@sopuli.xyz 4 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Oh weird, the Voyager app isn't showing me any attachments, just the text post. Sorry! Good luck with the surgery, I really hope it works out!

[–] Marycat1@lemmy.zip 3 points 1 week ago