As a result of having an antibiotic-resistant case of chronic sinusitis, I’m having to get an endoscopic sinus surgery along with septoplasty, turbinate reduction, and a few other related procedures on the 15th….

and my anxiety is going nuts!

As of now, I’ve got severe pressure in my ears causing tinnitus, pressure behind my eyes, headaches, and all-over body aches. All of my sinus cavities are infected or so the CT scan shows- so I know I absolutely need to have this procedure, but I’m so worried!

At 51 years old, I’ve never had surgery before in my life.Never been touched by a scalpel. Essentially… I’ve lived in my safe little bubble all this time without having ever had to deal with anything even remotely close to this- and it’s driving me batty!

I’ve tried going over this with my ENT and even explaining to him that I’m on the spectrum, and but he’s incredibly dismissive.

Is there anyone here that’s got some positive energy they can send my way? Maybe some stories of similar procedures? Some advice? Or at least some reasons why I shouldn’t be so worried? I really could use some reassurance here.

  • Jo Miran@lemmy.ml
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    6 months ago

    Fifty year old here (51 in a couple of months). I had thyroid and lymph node cancer surgery last year. Afterwards, I had to sleep sitting up for two weeks since I had two drainage bags. A few years before that I had two heart surgeries two weeks apart. Neither was really a big deal to me. I just went to sleep and woke up high as a kite. Then for two days after each surgery I slept the best sleep of my life thanks to the after effects of the anesthesia. I know it is fucked up to say given the stress my wife had to endure, but overall it was a kind of nice experience in a weird way. I got to really, truly rest and relax. The worst was over and it was not bad at all. Now my only job was to recuperate.

    A Note On Pain: As a Gen-X guy who has surfed, skated, BMX’d and now snowboard for over forty years, the after surgery pain was basically nothing compared to some of the spills we’ve had over the years. If it get too uncomfortable, take two Aleve.

    Seriously, it’s not a big deal. Good luck, and enjoy your chill time!