Concerns Following Septoplasty: Challenges with Infection and Antibiotic Access
I am a 29-year-old male, standing 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighing 190 pounds. It has been three weeks since I underwent a septoplasty procedure along with a turbinate reduction. One week post-operation, during the removal of my nasal splints, I raised issues regarding potential signs of infection due to an unpleasant odor and significant discomfort. The pain intensified to such an extent that I began sweating heavily within a short 2 to 3-minute span, but my concerns were quickly brushed off as part of the healing process, with reassurance that these sensations were typical and would diminish soon. In an effort to manage my symptoms, I have been rinsing my nasal passages with saline six or more times daily. However, the foul odor has worsened, and as of tonight, I have started experiencing chills and a rise in my body temperature. As a result, I’m eagerly anticipating the opening of my doctor’s office in four hours to secure an urgent appointment. Immediately following the splint removal, I attempted to reach out to an urgent care facility, but was informed they would only provide a preliminary examination before referring me back to my surgeon. Given the dismissal I encountered regarding my worries the last time I presented them, I am uncertain where to turn next for help. My anxiety has escalated to the point where restful sleep is now elusive. **Edit:** I need to mention that turbinate reduction was part of my procedure, which I overlooked initially.
Answers (1)
3/31/2025, 8:50:41 AM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you're experiencing significant discomfort and concerning symptoms following your recent septoplasty and turbinate reduction. It's completely understandable to feel anxious given the unpleasant odor, pain, and now the added symptoms of chills and fever. Let's break this down.
Key Points:
- Symptoms: Persistent foul odor, discomfort, chills, and fever raise concerns for possible infection.
- Actionable Steps: Monitor your symptoms closely, stay hydrated, and prepare for your doctor's appointment with specific observations.
Explanation:
After surgery like septoplasty and turbinate reduction, some discomfort and changes in nasal secretions are expected as healing progresses. However, when symptoms like odor, increased pain, chills, and fever occur, they could indicate an infection or other complications.
The fact that you mentioned worsening symptoms, including a rising temperature and chills, is significant. A foul odor from the nose following surgery can sometimes indicate an infection or inadequate drainage, especially if you have also experienced discomfort.
Next Steps:
-
Monitor Symptoms: Keep a close eye on your temperature and any other symptoms (like increased pain or changes in nasal discharge). If your fever rises or if you feel significantly worse before your appointment, seek immediate medical attention.
-
Hydration: Continue to stay well-hydrated, as this can help with overall healing and potentially thin out nasal secretions.
-
Nasal Care: While rinsing with saline is generally helpful, be cautious if you feel it is causing more discomfort. If any further saline rinses worsen your symptoms, consider pausing until evaluated by your doctor.
-
Prepare for Your Appointment: Write down the following to share with your doctor:
- When the odor increased.
- Changes or increases in pain.
- Any other symptoms such as fever, chills, or changes in nasal discharge.
- Mention your anxiety about these symptoms and your past experience of feeling dismissed.
-
Reach Out for Immediate Help if Necessary: If you feel very unwell before your doctor's appointment—such as feeling faint, having difficulty breathing, or if chills worsen—consider visiting an urgent care facility or hospital for evaluation.
Reassurance:
Please remember, it’s important to voice your health concerns, and your symptoms are valid. Seeking timely help is crucial in ensuring a smoother recovery. Don’t hesitate to advocate for yourself in healthcare settings; your comfort and health are paramount. Let me know if you have further questions or need more assistance.
Related Questions
Assessing My Health Concerns: How Anxious Should I Be?
I’m a 32-year-old woman, weighing 124 pounds and standing at 5 feet 6 inches tall. For over a year, I have been experiencing bright red rectal bleeding. Initially, I attributed this issue to hemorrhoids that developed during my pregnancy two years ago. The bleeding occurs with most of my bowel movements, sometimes happens without one, and on a few occasions, has been enough to stain the toilet bowl significantly. The color of the blood is typically darker than what I observe during a hemorrhoid flare-up. There is a notable family history of bowel cancer on both sides; one family member was diagnosed at age 45, and another at 60. In the past six months, I have encountered several episodes of severe abdominal pain—3 to 4 instances—intense enough to consider a trip to the emergency room. However, the pain usually subsides within about an hour. It’s unusual for me to experience such acute pain, given my high tolerance for discomfort; for example, I once played rugby shortly after dislocating and fracturing my finger. Recently, I mustered the courage to consult with my doctor, who recommended a FIT test, which returned a positive result (30.1). Additionally, I underwent a complete blood test, and aside from having low ferritin levels (7 µg/L), all other results were normal. I have since been referred for a colonoscopy on a two-week waiting list to rule out any possible bowel cancer. Given these circumstances, how concerned should I be? Thank you for your input.
Understanding Possible Seizure Triggers and Recurrence Risks
Health Background: I am a 21-year-old female, standing at 169 cm and weighing 65 kg. Over the past three years, I have been using oral contraceptives. As of this morning, I started taking 25 mcg of levothyroxine along with a weekly vitamin D supplement of 0.266 mg. Recently, I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism and found to have a vitamin D deficiency that I suspect has existed for the last three years. I do not consume alcohol or smoke, and I can confirm I am not pregnant. Two years ago, I experienced a mild concussion. I currently reside in Spain. A couple of months back, in mid-December, I blacked out twice. The second occurrence took place while I was at the doctor’s office after seeking urgent medical care for the initial incident. Following the second episode, I underwent a CT scan and an EKG, both of which returned normal results. Further tests, as directed by my physician, revealed a critical vitamin D deficiency and hypothyroidism; however, he expressed doubt that either of these conditions led to my loss of consciousness. I was then referred to a neurologist, and I am presently awaiting an appointment. Although the waiting period is lengthy, my doctor indicated that I should receive priority for scheduling, although the exact timeframe remains uncertain. The referral document summarized my events, labeling the second episode (which the physician witnessed) as a potential seizure devoid of tonic-clonic movements—a revelation that took me by surprise. After regaining consciousness, I felt extremely disoriented and terrified, struggling to process what was happening. I have no prior history of seizures, epilepsy, or any related conditions, and there is no known family history of these issues. If this indeed was a seizure, what might have triggered it? Additionally, what is the likelihood of experiencing another one? Since that time, I have not had any further incidents, but I have experienced moments where I felt a sense of impending doom, which I managed to overcome. I intend to wait for the neurologist's evaluation, but the uncertainty surrounding a possible neurological condition is quite distressing. Thank you for any insight you can provide!
Persistent Pain in Right Shoulder and Arm After Lifting
Hello, everyone! I’m a 23-year-old male and have been engaged in weightlifting for several years now. Recently, I’ve been struggling with ongoing discomfort in my right shoulder and arm, which I haven’t been able to accurately identify. The pain manifests during particular movements, especially with lateral raises or when my arm is raised to shoulder level while rotating my wrist. Certain pressing and pulling activities can also provoke this discomfort. Rather than feeling sharp, it’s a deep, nagging sensation that sometimes seems localized in the front area of the shoulder or at the biceps tendon, and at other times it feels more like it’s situated between the shoulder and upper arm. Fortunately, there’s no numbness or tingling involved. This issue began while I was working out. I decided to take a break for around two months, but when I returned, the pain persisted. After consulting a physician, I was diagnosed with bicipital tendinitis. Since then, I’ve reduced my upper-body workouts, completely steering clear of shoulder exercises and heavy lifting, and have begun a gentle rehabilitation regimen focusing on external rotations, pendulum movements, and scapular exercises. Despite adhering to this routine for about a week, I haven’t experienced any noticeable improvement. Is it typical for this type of tendon injury to require an extended period for recovery? At what point should I consider diagnostic imaging, such as an ultrasound or MRI? Additionally, are there frequent rehabilitation errors that might impede the healing process? I appreciate your insights in advance!
Understanding EEG Results for My 22-Month-Old Son: Insights Needed
Could someone help clarify this for me? My son, who is just 22 months old, hasn’t started walking yet, becomes tired easily, and has been experiencing behavioral outbursts. He had a febrile seizure in February 2025, followed by another unexplained seizure in April 2025, which led us to consult a neurologist. Since he was 3 months old, he has been receiving therapy from a physical therapist for torticollis. At birth, he spent five days in the NICU due to issues with meconium aspiration. A recent MRI showed normal results, and he also had a follow-up EEG after one conducted in July 2025. The results from this recent EEG were abnormal for a pediatric patient in awake, drowsy, and sleeping states. Notably, there were brief episodes of left frontotemporal delta slowing, which occurred mainly when he was awake and drowsy. There were no signs of epileptiform activity detected. In contrast, the EEG performed back on July 3, 2025, was deemed normal for both awake and drowsy states, again with no evidence of epileptiform irregularities, although it did not capture any sleep data. This examination was prompted by the child's existing history of febrile seizures. Importantly, he is not currently on any anti-seizure medications. The EEG procedure used standard electrode placements per the 10-20 system, conducted a single-lead EKG, and included continuous video monitoring. During the analysis, the background activity was symmetric, indicating some anterior-posterior (AP) organization, with a dominant rhythm of 50-80 microvolts at 7 Hz. His drowsy state was marked by a reduced amount of eye blink activity, less breathing motion interference, and a generalized slowing in theta/delta frequencies. Stage II sleep exhibited spindles and vertex waves patterns. Additionally, there were intermittent bursts of 250-300 microvolts in the left frontotemporal region with semi-rhythmic activity of 2-4 Hz, mostly observed during wakefulness and drowsiness. No definitive epileptiform discharge was noted. Photic stimulation during the test did not elicit a strong response, and hyperventilation was not conducted during this session.
INTENSE Spine Discomfort, Breathing Difficulties, Muscle Twitches, and Sweating
To elaborate on the situation mentioned in the title, I’ve been experiencing unusual muscle twitches and spasms for the past few days, along with some discomfort in my back. However, today, I felt an unexpected sharp pain shoot through my spine, which has left my legs feeling numb and made it impossible for me to sit up straight. Additionally, I’ve been dealing with cold sweats for the last hour and struggling to breathe properly. Perhaps I’m just overanalyzing things and it’s a common occurrence, but the intensity of the pain is overwhelming—it's truly unbearable. I’m shaking quite a bit, and unfortunately, my parents aren’t responding to my attempts to reach them for help. I have a history of a chronic heart condition and arthritis, yet I’ve never experienced pain this severe, especially in my spine. For context, I am nearly 15 years old and female. My current medications include pain relievers, anxiety medication, beta blockers, and some vitamins, though those specifics may not be particularly relevant. I don’t smoke; however, I have tried vaping a few times, which might not matter much, but I thought it was worth mentioning as it was requested.