Sneezing & PND After Surgery

On the 24th I had a PM implanted. So far no issues with the implant and the discomfort is what I expected. The worst part is that upon waking up in my room I began uncontrolled sneezing and massive amounts of mucus in my nose that came out the front as well as the back. I swallowed a large amount of the stuff and I think some went into my lungs. I asked to see a doctor but none ever came. I was told, "they're all busy saving lives." I was discharged the following day and thought I could take care of it myself. Wrong! I could not sleep because of the constant mucus, sneezing, and coughing. Monday My ENT worked me in. He prescribed Atrovent Nasal spray and that stopped the mucus flow but the side effect on my arthritic joints was overwhelming. I got a little sleep last night. This morning I called my insurance company's nurse and she recommended Mucinex. I just now took it and I hope it helps.. The Atrovent slowed down the mucus in my nose but I am coughing up half dollar sized mucus balls. My whole body is sore from all the coughing and sneezing.
I am using my Neti Rinse, Ayr Nasal Gel, methol cough drops, the Atrovent spray, and now a Mucinex. Anyone have any other thoughts on how to treat this.
BTW, the nurse said mine is a typical reaction to surgery.

3 Comments

sneezing

by knb123 - 2015-07-29 01:07:53

I have heard of excessive mucus production as a post-surgery reaction but didn't experience it myself. Given that you already see an ENT (which most people generally do not), I am speculating that you already experience ENT issues.

That you're able to get rid of the mucus is the main thing. I would say continue your current plan (treating it symptomatically) and gradually your body will work out the kinks. Minimizing your use of the Atrovent (if you can) may alleviate the effect on your arthritis.

Our bodies are built generally the same but each one is unique. There's the rub.

Let us know how you do.

Excessive Mucus

by donsabi - 2015-07-29 04:07:49

The Atrovent Nasal spray is brutal on my joints and I had to stop taking it. Nasal mucus production has be reduced. Now I am trying to expel it. I made an appointment with my GP this afternoon and hope she can help.
From what I have been reading my reaction is frequent with the use of oxygen and many list the reasons as being too high a flow rate, cannula placed to deep in the nostril, or reaction to the material of the cannula. I have had oxygen before and it did tend to dry my nose but never anything like this. There was one recommendation to cut the length of the nasal outlets to 2mm. One poster wrote it took him six days to get over symptoms.

GP's Dx

by donsabi - 2015-07-29 09:07:12

Met with my GP today. She said she thinks my reaction is from the anesthesia. She prescribed ProAir to try to open my lungs. Once open if the mucus doesn't expel I can try Mucinex.
There are a lot of posts on the web with the same symptoms most attribute it to the oxygen, flow rate, or cannula. If my GP is correct it could also be from the sedation.

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