Trouble breathing

[Rhcdad]

I have facial weakness from surgery, doing PT, botox and all that. One large issue is that in my weakness side my nasual passage is somewhat collasped I believe so I can't get air, have to breath through mouth and that is constantly drying out my mouth. I sometimes use nose strips and of course cough drops but has anyone else dealt with this and if so what is anything did you do?

[JLR]

Yes but not totally closed. had AN Retrosig Nov. 1, 2016 although have right sided paralysis it has improved. I can now easily close eye etc. a couple of months ago got a chin dent and about a month ago got what I thought was a dent on right side nostril. Only its not a dent its kinda collapsed. I can breath from side but not totally. Dr said it will improve. It's the nerves. But it hasn't. I started acupuncture and hoping that will help. I did have terrible tightening around my eye and my face but since starting the acupuncture (had 4 sessions so far) it has improved. Hoping nose straightens out too.  Regards, Joan

[alabamajane]

I have some collapse of the nostril on the affected side which hinders breathing at times.  Facial muscle tone has improved over time and so it isn't as bothersome. I hope yours will improve also,,

I notice it  mostly when lying down in bed. I have noticed that if I sleep on my " good" side, my nostril closes more. Over time I have adapted by sleeping with my hand on my cheek gently holding it open,, kinda hard to explain,,, but it works,, I have used the nose strips too and that helps although I don't really need them as much now. Also if I sleep on the AN side,, the nostril closes more.

It does make me breath through my mouth at times. I keep a bottle of Biotene by my bed to squirt at night. This helps more than a glass of water. Again, dry mouth is not a big problem for me though. I try to drink a lot of water during the day to keep hydrated.

I get Botox a couple times a year only in the eye area to help with unwanted closing of the eye during eating. This has helped. Is this the area you use it in??

One of the most aggravating issues I have related to this is a runny nose!! If I get hot, or I'm in a retail store especially with clothing area,,, my nose will start dripping and I am not able to "sniff" and control or stop it,,, if that makes sense. I HAVE to have a tissue at all times with me. This really bothers me the most I think. I look like a " snotty nose" kid all too often!!! Not very sexy either 
I don't have any suggestions to help it either!! Don't think there is much that can be done short of a muscle graft in the cheek area.

Hope any of this helps or gives you some comfort that you are not alone!! Some of it will get better as weakness improves or you learn tricks to adapt,,,,

Good luck
Jane

[Rhcdad]

I did not know they made biotene spray, I will have to get some. I have had Botox in my forehead, neck, behind my ear, all around my mouth. I appreciate your learned behaviors to get thru this post surgery life of ours. After this one I will try to avoid any other surgery's as long as possible, maybe just have to learn to live with less sleep...thanks for advice, it is appreciated..

[Rhcdad]

Update, got some Biotene spray and works way better than a sip of water during the night. Thanks for the information, much appreciated! So nice of you to take the time to help others..

[alabamajane]

So glad the spray helped,,,, that should give you some comfort during the night. Plus you don't have to get out of bed to fill the glass of water  ,, I hate getting up at night,,,,,,,

I have noticed that when I position myself in bed with my cheek pulled back some, either with my hand or with my pillow,, I don't have to open my mouth to breathe. Maybe if you can try that , it will help you sleep better.

Good luck,, most of us are on here to provide feedback from our personal experience,,, I'm glad to help any way I can,,,, 

Jane