Damage to nose after cocaine use

[anonfletch]

I have been casually using cocaine on and off for approx 15 years. Recently used more regulally 1-2 grams per week for last 3 years. I have now decided enough is enough and decided to never do again. Stopped last week. I am now worried about the damage i may have done to my nose. I cannot see any hole in my septum. I did have a few nosebleeds when using cocaine a few years ago and stopped for a while maybe a month to recover. I have had the odd spek of blood in tissues after blowing nose but no nosebleeds recently. I still have a bit of a blocked/runny nose but when i have had breaks before this has taken 2-3 weeks to clear. Is there any way i can check for damage without seeing my doctor as i don’t want this on my records. Could a hole/problems develop weeks/months/years after stopping or worse could my nose collapse even if i never touch the stuff again?

Could it be possible i havent done that much damage?
Could there be a hole further up that i cant see?

I am now 37 years old

[anonfletch]

And many thanks for previous replies

[anonfletch]

I have no intention of ever buying the stuff again.
My main problem now is anxiety over damage that has already occured and if this is going to get worse in the future even though i am never touching the stuff again.
I do not want to see a DR as i do not want this on my medical records. I managed to hide the extent of my problem from my wife and all my friends. Coming clean on a drugs helpline really helped me and i know i will never touch the stuff again.
Does anyone have a link to a thread showing what healthy nostrils look like?
I have looked in my nose and i dont think i have exposed cartliage but im not sure what i'm looking for.
My nose is quite clear now and i don't feel any pain, anxiety about damage done and money wasted apart i'm feeling better than ever.

[IBKleen]

As it was said, you will need to see a doctor to know for sure. A ENT is the best way to go doctor wise. I used cocaine for many years and created a pretty big hole in my nose. I now only have one nostril if you understand that. I have bad allergies and sometimes I just stick a tissue in my nose to stop it from running. When I do I can pull the tissue straight through to the other side. Yes, this can and probably will happen to you if you continue. You don't know what the stuff is cut with these days so that only complicates the issue. Glad to see you have stopped now before it gets any worse. If you had a hole in your nose you would definitely know about it. Give it some times to heal. You used for a long time and it will not heal overnight. Just stay away from the stuff and it will heal itself. Good luck.

[dominosarah]

The only way to know for sure is to see a doctor.  Coke is so dangerous as it puts such a strain on your heart.

Congrats on making the choice to stop!!  

[VICourageous]

Hi & Welcome
The only way to find out is to go and have this checked out. If you really want to come clean from any Addiction, then it is good to be honest with a DR. They see this alot and should not judge.

Maybe this will ease you up a bit, but this is only from my experience.

I have been clean from all drugs going on 3yrs this Sept. I got clean from a 40plus drug and booze use, off & on for yrs. Most of the drugs I liked I had to snort. Even at the end here when I got my Methadone, and they started to cut me back, I added Adderral to it for the big crank/coke like buzz. I do not have Adhd so it does the opposite. I also snorted those together. NOW do not get me wrong, I look back and see how DUMB that was, but I am a Addict
What happens is that your nose hairs go away from the toxins. I did not get a hole as far as I know to this day..
I used to put some vaseline or sometimes vicks up in my nose. NOW this is just me..I would for sure go to a ear, nose & throat DR.

15 years is a long time to whack out some of those Brain Chems. Your physical detox should be over soon, but you might have awhile for all the wiring (receptors, hormones, chems, transmitters and so on) to balance back up-stairs in the Brain. This is what I believe they call Post Withdraws, however it is painless, just very emotional and a bit frustrating.

The detox is the easy part...WORKING on staying clean is what takes it ALL. You have used this for so long that it will take some working on to stay clean. Maybe hit AA/NA, therapist, church, any SUPPORT will help.
Also we have to learn to live in our own skin and stay away from others who use. It takes some work but it can be done.
I sure hope you do stop now before the Damage gets really bad and there is no fix. I mean beside the brain that can bounce back, we have tons of other organs that can be damaged as well. This drug use is no JOKE. I just wish I would of not wasted over 40yrs and came clean at 56. I am OK but did have to have 2 Heart Procedures.
I wish you the Best and get in and see the Dr. Then hit some meetings. I see tons of people who came off of coke/crank/heroin and so on. YOU will not be alone. Peace to You!!
Bless