i am so upset about my broken nose. not likely to be fixed

[PavlovtheCat]

I broke nose at the weekend. Not too badly, fortunately, and although a little out of shape, and once the bruising has gone, it probably won't really noticeable other than to me/dh. My breathing is a little blocked on one side, but i appear to now have a bunged up nose anyway (can you damage sinus' when you break your nose? ).

On sunday night I went to A&E amd due to a minor head injury which they panicked about (junior Dr obviously using me as a practice case) they, and I, forgot about the referral to ENT for my nose. I was so pleased to be given the all clear that I forgot, that, along with a fuzzy head.

So, A&E told me on monday that I had to go back for the referral to be done, could not be done by gp or minor injuries unit as they had seen me. So off i went and spent anther 3 hours there.

Was confirmed (again) yes it was broken, and that the referral process involved them passing my paperwork to ENT under a fast track route and someone would call me to make an appt, to expect a call in 3-5 days.

No call, i called on thursday, was an answer machine, and yesterday. left an urgent message each time. no call back, no appointment, no time to fix my nose now.

So it might not be badly broken, but i know it isn't right. I am really really upset. They just don't take my bloody health or injuries seriously, this is not the only thing.

Sorry to hear about this Pavlov. The service does not sound great.

Your nose can be straightened. It either has to be done straight away, before it swells up, or you have to wait a bit until the swelling goes down, so do not panic about the delay.

I doubt the bunged up feeling is due to a sinus problem. It is probably because one of the nasal canals is now narrower with the deviation.

If you are not happy about the treatment that you have received then make a complaint. That is the only way that hospitals no there is a problem and can improve.

My son broke his nose a couple of years ago, and had to wait a week or two for it to be straightened, but now you definitely would know it ever happened. I can be completely certain about this, because he has an identical twin (one I made earlier, for you to compare to )

really? the dr i saw said 7-10 days for fixing. Which will be tuesday at the latest, but will need an appt first, just cannot see how it will work time wise.

I broke my nose when i was younger, had it straightened on day 6 (twice!), but it was a while ago, and a different area. I was given the actual appt while in A&E so as not to miss the timing. But, things change i guess.

Ouch pavlov, sorry you are having a rough time. The only advice I can give is if you are feeling 'bunged up' try those breathe right strips at night if you are uncomfortable. They open up your airwaves. I've used them almost every night this pregnancy as being pg makes me really stuffy at night and I was fed up with waking up with a dry mouth every few hours.

Poor you Pav.

Get on the phone first thing Monday. Or go there?

Or can you look the hospital website up on computer and find the name of an ENT specialist/consultant and phone their secretary first thing on Monday and explain. They might be able to help.

buda yes, I will do that. Not open today as its the weekend. of course, no-one breaks noses at the weekend eh? So yes monday morning i will call. I can't go straight there as I have to work. And while my boss is aware I will be taking some time off for ENT appt and fine with that.

Hi don't fret too much, it is not a time limited procedure. What usually happens is following a nasal injury you are asked to attend an ENT appointment around 10 days after the injury when the swelling goes down. They cant really assess the deviation with all the swelling. If they feel it needs straightening they will book for an op. It wont get any worse for waiting, so ring when they are open next and sort your appointment.

really? oh good. I have been worrying because I had a septorhinoplasty op when I was 18, to fix the first two breaks properly (initial ops only fixed it superficially) and am worried that damage internally (and externally) may have undone it all. I guess i am worried that if they don't sort this quickly they will have a full on rhinoplasty op again in a year or two (depending on waiting list). That is if they will even do it a second time?

You poor thing! Perhaps speak to PALS? I hear they can work wonders in terms of getting things done.

Fortunately operations on noses are pretty straightforward things. They should do a rhinoplasy if your septum is deviated to the left of the right and is not dead central as this affects your breathing and quality of life. As you say may take a while, but not a lot of complicated structures up the nose thank heavens to cause problems at operation!

oh i hope so. Now the swelling has gone almost completely today, and there is a 'bit' of bone sticking out. Rather than the whole nose bone moved across. If I put my hand across my nose, one side looks straight and not very bruised, and the other has the bump sticking out, and just below there is another little swelling, i have a horrid feeling thats the cartilage damaged there . I already have a split in the cartilage where they could not/ would not repair it due to my age at the time (fear it would stop growing? something like that).

i really hope this is going to be simple to sort out and I get an appt soon. I feel really quite upset about it, the face is such a defining feature. I worry they will tell me it is not that bad and to just leave it.

I really feel for you, the dentist split my lip 7 yrs ago (extracting a wisdom tooth), it wound up healing very well (because I looked after it, not much medical help other then antibiotics)but it was a nightmarish 8 or so months waiting to see how it would heal. It isn't noticable but at the time it was awful and the dentist and my doctor was so indifferent about it.

It just makes the whole experience worse when you fell you aren't or might not be heard. Good luck I really hope it works out for you, there is just too much pressure on us all to be perfect these days, things come along and happen in life, just be careful you don't head off into the cosmetic surgery end of things. The one great person I saw during my nightmare was a plastic surgeon who said the dentist should be sued (didn't manage that! they're untouchable) and she made me promise not to let anyone do anything to it, that there were lots of people who would do so and make things worse just for money. She was right, it's almost invisible now.

Best of luck, I know what you're going through X

ouch how horrible!

I would not go down the route of cosmetic surgery! It will cost a few grand which I don't have to start with! And agree, i would much rather not have anything done to my nose, or any other part of my body that is not medically required, really dont see the point in taking risks can lead to unnecessary complications especially with my face.

It's a horrible shock anything to do with the face is, but give it time hopefully it will heal up better than expected

thanks.

Although the swelling has gone down, its hurting a bit. not to touch funnily, but within the bone if that makes sense. It aches. It feels pressured behind it, and it throbs. breathing feels a bit better but the sides of my nose pulls in when i breathe. Not sure how to describe it. Just feels really uncomfortable, moreso than at the beginning of the week. I guess then it was all put down to bruising only.

i just looked some stuff up re my nose. Should i be avoiding wearing my glasses? i just read several articles saying i should avoid them .

That sounds so tough, it must be hard to sleep with too, you'd be best to try to rest and on your back. I hope you get some good medical care this week, it's hard when something like this happens, I remember all I could think about for months (including a major house move) was my split lip. Hang in there, things will get better.

thank you again. I will be better in the morning, once i have shaken the stinking headache. Have had a migraine for last 3 days, in the last stages i hope of it.

woohoo! i got an appt tomorrow. But, not with ENT but with the facial-maxial dept, whatever that is. I queried this and yes it is right. Not sure when they were planning on telling me about this here appt as i only found out by telephone ENT who said nothing had been received by A&E and me getting frustrated and them looking into it and finding out it was another clinic! I wonder why a broken nose is no longer deemed to be appropriate to the 'ear, nose and throat clinic' ?!

So, it is late afternoon slap bang in the middle of a planned day out to celebrate my wedding anniversary, i suggested to hospital phobic DH that we share our love over some hospital coffee and he could present me with a bunch of lovely flowers from the hospital shop and he declined. God knows why!

Am looking forward to it tbh as I have had a stinking headache for days.

That's really good, it must be a relief, that headache sounds hard to put up with, Happy Anniversary!!

FFS Pav, what have you been up to?

i think you'll find that the max-facial dept is next door to the ENT in your particular hospital. probably the same docs too.

nevergoogle oh is it? ! I did get a bit worried! I have just been reading up and it does seen normal for maxillo-facial (i got it wrong earlier!) to deal with nasal fractures.

oh and go read the thread if you want a laugh or a !

link please.

you need to look after yourself woman.

here

She was attacked by bathroom fittings. Savagely