Year 2007. I left home and lived with my Nanay/Lola/Grandma. I had my own little space and since I’m a certified “burara”, I never clean my room – not unless our yaya will do it. And I kinda’ like my room a little messy.

A few months later, I started sneezing every morning. 5 to 10 consecutive sneezes to be exact. And whenever I open my closet or pull out my magazines, I sneeze horribly. My Dad and my brother used to be allergic to house dust and smoke, so I thought it’s normal for me to have those allergies too.

After 2 or 3 years of frequent sneezing, I’ve observed that I catch colds more often and that they last longer. When I was pregnant with my son last year I keep having colds. I visited my OB and she told me that I should get my nose checked by an E.E.N.T (Eyes, Ears, Nose, Throat) specialist right away. The nearest hospital to Philippine Heart Center (where my OB’s clinic is at) is East Avenue Hospital. A certain Dr. Santos gave me relief by inserting a thin object inside my nostrils so I can breathe well. It’s the only procedure done and since I was pregnant I couldn’t take any meds. He also advised me to always bring a wet hankerchief to cover my nose in public areas. I also asked if using a Vicks inhaler is safe, and he said yes.

The other day, I went to Capitol Medical Center to have me checked by an EENT (or ENT – Ears, Nose, Throat). I can barely stand my clogged and/or dripping nose for long. I’ve also been experiencing headaches and my forehead seems to feel a little heavy. It took me 5 hours in the hospital for the check up and for the confirmation of my Cocolife card. Dra. Bautista’s diagnosis was Chronic Allergic Rhinitis and Sinusitis with a chance of Nasal Polyps. She required me to come back the next day for me to undergo a Rhinopharyngoscopy procedure.

Allergic Rhinitis – An allergic reaction that mainly involves swelling and inflammation of nasal passages and sinuses, including the symptoms of congestion, sneezing, and itchy, watery eyes caused by allergens such as as pollen, dust mites, animals, or molds.

Sinusitis – is a condition consisting of inflammation of the paranasal sinuses, which may or may not be as a result of infection, from bacterial, fungal, viral, allergic or autoimmune issues.

Nasal Polyps – are polypoidal masses arising mainly from the mucous membranes of the nose and paranasal sinuses. They are overgrowths of the mucosa that frequently accompany allergic rhinitis. They are freely moveable and non-tender.

Rhinopharyngoscopy – is a procedure which helps doctors distinguish allergic and immunologic (relating to the immune system) symptoms.

Hubby and I came back yesterday for the procedure. We waited inside the CMC-ENT Center. I was given a decongestant directly inside my nostrils through a spray tool and I was told to inhale it all, I even tasted it at the back of my throat. Then when my turn came, they took a picture of me and prepared a device that resembles an ice pick. The doctor put some sort of a gel on it and I asked what is that gel for. She told me it was JUST anesthesia. Holy crap.

So, just imagine an ice pick [only larger] being inserted into your nostrils all the way up, straight, or down – I don’t really know. I felt pain on my left nostril when the tool was I think halfway through my nasal passage. I almost cursed but I didn’t, and there were visible tears around my eyes. My right nostril didn’t hurt at all.

Diagnosis: Septal Deviation Left

My left nostril is more clogged than the right. As you can see in the photo below, there is a very narrow space between my nasal walls. Air and mucus discharge can hardly pass through due to inflammation. Thank goodness there are no polyps.

However, my right nostril is looking normal.

My medicines: Clarithromycin (yellow tabs, antibiotic/antibacterial, 1x a day for 7 days), Claricort (white tabs, for allergy relief, 2x a day for 5 days), and Sinupret dragees (green tabs, for acute & chronic inflammations of the sinuses, 3x a day for 5 days). Almost Php 1,500 wasted.

If you have symptoms like mine, schedule an appointment with an EENT/ENT specialist NOW.

Published: 2010-07-03 02:27:46