Medically Necessary Nose Job

[Jmiller623]

Lupus to the face strikes again. For some background, I have dysphagia with esophageal dysmotility. I also have chronic cough from who knows what but all my docs chalk it up to aspiration and reactive airway disease. Since pulmonary is stumped, he sent me to a laryngologist for vocal chord studies to make sure I’m not spasming. PFTs and low res CT of chest were normal.

Vocal chords looked stellar. Call me the next female Pavarotti. I was referred to a voice specialist to help with my breathing. Apparently I breath hold which can cause air trapping and breathlessness just like in asthmatics. I doubt this will really help but I’ll try anything to improve my quality of life at this point. Anyone else tried this?

Here’s the BIG kicker. I told them I haven’t been able to breath through my nose for years now. I feel obstructed. Well.... on examination, my nares collapse on inspiration, left worse than right. So I’m basically breathing in through the smallest slit. It’s called nasal valve collapse. Seems the cartilage on the left side of my face is thinning compared to the right. Only way to fix a collapsed valve is surgery..... like a legit nose job where they’d restructure my tip so my nasal passages are open. It’s going to take some serious convincing to let anyone near my face with a scalpel. I’m also scared that if I had it done, I won’t heal very well. Most women dream of a nose job covered by insurance. 😂 At least my sister does.

Anyone have any advice? Anyone had plastic surgery done to their face successfully, even with lupus? Or does anyone else even have this problem?

Thanks for any advice in advance.

[Spanielmadlady]

Hi J.i ve had breathing problems for the last few years diagnosed with bronchiectasis..thickening at both bases after repeated bouts of pneumonia. to cut a long story short I have one consultant says I'm asthmatic another who says no ...I've questioned pulmonary lupus.oddly enough I've had no flares in my lungs since being on lupus meds 🤔 Anyway had a larnyxoscopy in jan to look at vocal cords to see if they were affecting my breathing and they are perfect but hypersensitive.ive been given breathing excerises by speach and language therapy (SALT in uk ) which appear to of helped..it certainly helps control a cough and breathlessness out when walking.its also got rid of the lump in throat feeling.ive done pulmonary rehab so know several breathing techniques all of which are helpful.Sorry I cant help with anything else. Big hugs on their way across the pond to you xxxx 🤗

[Jmiller623 in reply to Spanielmadlady]

Thanks Spaniel! Actually, this info is really helpful. I was told I had asthma as well and then pulmonary said no. But I do use an inhaler and it does help. 🤷‍♀️ I am really happy to hear that SALT worked for you. This makes me hopeful that it might help me some.

I can’t wait to see Physical and Medicine Rehab in June for my back. I am in need of serious PT on that front. Feeling like I got hit by a lupus MAC truck over the past 2 months. But at least getting somewhere with answers and solutions to my problems.

Thanks for the advice and sharing. ❤️xx

[Spanielmadlady in reply to Jmiller623]

My rheumatologist says asthma my chest specialist says no 🤷‍♀️. I take carbosystiene and 3 inhalers with access to nebs which I save for when I'm climbing the walls.if I drop my prednisolone below 7.5 mgs my lungs flare.The technique they taught me was a quick sniff then 2 quick blows out through persed lips like blowing a dandelion clock repeat 5 times every 30 mins ( yeah right !) I dont always manage that bit lol.they also want to fo a mannitol test but cant because of covid .

Im sorry to hear you are struggling at the moment I've lost track of people after been locked out of the forum and the issues with my eyes .🤞 for some relief for your back soon xxx