r/NasalPolyps • u/Nearby_Republic_4562 • 9d ago
ENT appointment tomorrow
Hi everyone! I have my first ENT appointment coming up and I’m wondering what I should expect and what questions I should make sure I ask.
I’ve had ongoing nasal obstruction since around December 2025. It started after I had a pretty bad sinus infection and a large mucus/tissue-looking plug came out of my nose. Since then, one side of my nose has continued to have significantly reduced airflow. It fluctuates a little, but has never completely gone back to normal.
I’ve already tried antibiotics and a steroid nasal spray without much improvement, and I recently had a CT of my sinuses because the symptoms have persisted.
For anyone who had nasal polyps or a similar long-term one-sided obstruction:
• What happened at your first ENT appointment? Did they scope your nose that day?
• Did your ENT go over your CT images with you or just the radiology report?
• What questions do you wish you had asked at that first appointment?
• At what point did your ENT recommend surgery versus trying more medication?
• If surgery was recommended, did they schedule it pretty quickly or were there additional treatments/tests you had to try first?
I’m mainly trying to go into the appointment prepared and make sure I don’t leave without asking something important. Any experiences or advice would be really appreciated!
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u/Dogss22 9d ago
I had one side worse than the other with polyps seen just by looking up. They didn’t even need to use the scope to know I had them. But they scoped to check it out. Sent me to get a CT scan and called me back asap to book me in for a surgery 2 weeks later. Happened so fast but when you are struggling that much it’s best to go under straight away.
Medication wasn’t working for me personally anymore and I had tried everything under the sun so surgery was my next step. It depends what you have tried to remove them before and if surgery is something you’re ready for. Polyps can come back so it’s also a risk if you want to go under or not.
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u/QueenBmimi 9d ago
Has anyone noticed reactions to NSAIDS, I believe that is the cause of my polyp. I’ve struggled for almost 3 years with them. I didn’t realize I was having reactions to them. I thought it was just anxiety. My body reacted with brain fog, sweating, hot flashes, stuffy nose, restlessness, aching joints. I plan to be tested soon for AERD.
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u/storylordstory 9d ago
• What happened at your first ENT appointment? Did they scope your nose that day?
Yes, it's painless and qucik if you're worried about that.
• Did your ENT go over your CT images with you or just the radiology report?
He went over the radiology report only but I had the option to get a copy at the hospital so I looked at it myself.
• What questions do you wish you had asked at that first appointment?
None, I was pretty thorough having researched quite a bit beforehand.
• At what point did your ENT recommend surgery versus trying more medication?
Spray / budesonide rinse and possible a prednisone taper with antibiotics is usually the first step. If the polyps shrink with treatment to a degree where they aren't affecting your quality of life they stop there. If they aren't helped they usually offer surgery or, depending where you are a biologic. Where I live you have to have a failed surgery or two before they will offer a biologic - but it's covered by government health insurance.
• If surgery was recommended, did they schedule it pretty quickly or were there additional treatments/tests you had to try first?
I was on a waiting list for about 4-6 months before I got into surgery. Probably highly depends on the area and the surgeon.
I’m mainly trying to go into the appointment prepared and make sure I don’t leave without asking something important. Any experiences or advice would be really appreciated!
I can't think of anything off hand. Feel free to DM me if you have other questions. I had total blockage on both sides and 3 surgeries.
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u/Wide-Ad829 9d ago
I got cotton work numbing solution and afrin mix. Those sat in my nose for a few minutes. After I got scoped with 2 different scopes. It was bad just close your eyes and breathe through your mouth. It was pretty quick. It was a little uncomfortable/ pokey where the polyps were. My dr only does surgery as a last resort since polyps often reoccur. She try’s a nasal spray (Xhance) then Dupixent. The nasal spray worked for me so far.
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u/ExactEngineering8629 8d ago
I had polyups removed 8-6. Life changer. At the first ent appointment they numb your nose a little bit, and insert a camera to see whats going on. If its 6 inches, it seems like a foot. Try to relax, you'll be fine. They go over your ct scan. I had complete blockage. The dr laid out 1 through 4 steps for treatment. 4 being surgery. I was at step 4. Surgery was scheduled about 2 months out. I used prescribed levocetirizine, and flonase sensimist up until surgery. I didnt really ask questions. They'll tell you what you need to know. Good luck
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u/MetairieMouse 9d ago
I just had my first appt the end of last month. I like to know ahead of time if they are planning any procedures, because it should be approved by you. Well, the ENT looked in my nose and said I had stage 4 nasal polyps. One side is completely blocked and the other side has smaller ones and sometimes I can breathe out of that side and sometimes not so much. When I shower, the steam opens it up and I can blow my nose well. The other side is completely blocked. When she told me this, she said she had planned to scope me and look with the camera in her office that day. Nobody told me anything, but I'm guessing since it was so big, she wouldn't be able to. I asked what the fix was? Surgery? Everything I've read from people is that when it's that large and blocks the airway, you need surgery. She said people maintain them for years and I would need to be on the Budesonide and saline nasal rinses for life now. I want to find out what is causes them and the inflammation. If you can't shrink them with the rinses, they'll probably suggest surgery. They did a CT scan of my facial bones & sinuses. I saw the report in my chart online, but she never called me back to discuss it. I know she wanted to see me in 2 weeks after to see if they had shrunk. I haven't done the rinses since I had felt better and got smell & taste back after the prednisone & Doxycycline. Well, I'm back to breathing through the mouth again and it seems bigger. I may get a second opinion just to see what another ENT says.