Enlarged Nasal Turbinates and Nasal Masks

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
jsawyer

Enlarged Nasal Turbinates and Nasal Masks

Post by jsawyer » Thu Jun 15, 2017 3:03 pm

Hello everyone. I'm new to this group. I have severely enlarged nasal turbinates (that as usual tend to get worse when I lay down at night). The respiratory therapist insisted that I try and use a nasal mask on my CPAP machine, because it would force the air through and I'd be able to breathe fine . . . yet . . . it feels like i'm breathing through a straw, and I cannot tolerate it. Unfortunately, I had the turbinate surgically reduced, but it grew back. I cannot seem to get my sleep therapist to recognize how hard it is for me to try breathing with my mouth closed . . . has anyone else had this problem? With continued use of the nasal mask, do the turbinates become less of an issue? And how long does this take?

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Re: Enlarged Nasal Turbinates and Nasal Masks

Post by Pugsy » Thu Jun 15, 2017 3:07 pm

What pressure are you using?
Exactly which nasal mask are you using?
Can you normally breathe through your nose just fine?

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Re: Enlarged Nasal Turbinates and Nasal Masks

Post by Cokomo » Thu Jun 15, 2017 3:30 pm

Had turbinate reduction surgery about 5 years ago . Before surgery ahi was over 12 using a ffm . Two weeks after surgery it was under 1. Turbinates are acting up again and ENT said I should have surgery again. Snores have returned and ahi is over 1. Looking forward to the procedure.

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Re: Enlarged Nasal Turbinates and Nasal Masks

Post by MrKDilkington » Fri Jun 16, 2017 10:44 am

jsawyer wrote:Hello everyone. I'm new to this group. I have severely enlarged nasal turbinates (that as usual tend to get worse when I lay down at night). The respiratory therapist insisted that I try and use a nasal mask on my CPAP machine, because it would force the air through and I'd be able to breathe fine . . . yet . . . it feels like i'm breathing through a straw, and I cannot tolerate it. Unfortunately, I had the turbinate surgically reduced, but it grew back. I cannot seem to get my sleep therapist to recognize how hard it is for me to try breathing with my mouth closed . . . has anyone else had this problem? With continued use of the nasal mask, do the turbinates become less of an issue? And how long does this take?
If you haven't done so already, I'd recommend seeing a couple ENT's and asking for their opinions on why you're still having nasal congestion after a turbinate reduction. Something weird may be going on like chronic sinus inflammation. It's harder to breathe with unhealthy mucosa. You may have allergies and a corticosteroid or antihistamine spray could help. They'll also tell you to do daily nasal irrigation if you don't do that already. Also, random tidbit but I had a tongue-tie fixed recently and that has helped with my nasal breathing. When the tongue is unrestricted and allowed to naturally rest against the maxilla/roof of the mouth, it warms the nasal floor and keeps the nose humidified thus reducing dryness and congestion.

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Re: Enlarged Nasal Turbinates and Nasal Masks

Post by RandomGuest » Sat Jun 17, 2017 12:23 am

I had (and still to a small extent still do have) turbinates that get worse at night.

So I had surgery for a deviated septum and also to reduce my turbinates. Since then I've had good results with a nasal mask. But I can't deal with a starting pressure of 4. Maybe you need to start at 7 or higher?

Here are some other things to consider:

1) most important, the ENT stressed this: keep using saline spray during the day. Something like Ocean saline nasal spray, nothing with chemicals. You really can't overdo this, there's no harm.

2) OTC sprays with chemicals (as directed by ENT) may help, stuff like Flonase or Nasacort. I try to use those very sparingly, not even once a week, because I don't think anyone really knows the long term effects of corticosteroids. I think they're most helpful when there's pollen in the air.

3) Whatever you do, don't do too much turbinate reduction. You may then wind up with Empty Nose Syndrome. Some people who get that consider their life to be a living hell. You can google around for horror stories. Here's some basic info from wikipedia (I can't post a link): "en dot wikipedia dot org/wiki/Empty_nose_syndrome"

4) You have the opposite problem, but I thought I'd mention that for people who've had too much turbinate reduction, my ENT said that dairy products like milk or ice cream before bed tend to produce mucus which helps relieve their symptoms. So maybe you're eating or drinking dairy before bed and that's causing you problems? What you eat is important. There may be other foods that are causing you problems. Perhaps a dietician can help?

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Re: Enlarged Nasal Turbinates and Nasal Masks

Post by RandomGuest » Sat Jun 17, 2017 12:33 am

Oops, forgot to add,

5) I've had good results with NeilMed Sinus Rinse. I only do it once a week or when I've been working in a dusty environment. But it makes a big difference. It seems that a lot of "snot" (I don't know the technical term, I don't think it's actually "mucus") accumulates in my sinuses. This makes a big difference in breathing thru my nose. The sinus rinse cleans out a lot of the snot and I can breathe much easier after doing that.

But (like with the corticosteroids) I only do it maybe once a week, because I don't know if it upsets any natural balance in my nose. Of course I only use distilled water. There's plenty of nasty stuff like cryptosporidia in tap water. I've watched enough episodes of House that I'm pretty hypochondriac about stuff like parasites.

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Re: Enlarged Nasal Turbinates and Nasal Masks

Post by kteague » Sat Jun 17, 2017 2:11 am

Curious if your airways are clear during the day. You say you are using a nasal mask, so I'm wondering if it could be sitting on the sides of your nose in a way as to block the sinuses. I had this with 2 different nasal masks and the discomfort was intolerable, so I use only the nasal pillows. Have you tried a nasal pillows mask just to be sure the external pressure isn't contributing to an already crowded airway? You said your AHI is "over 1" - that's not a typo? A bit surprised that an AHI that low can be problematic enough to make one consider surgery. If you were able to use Sleepyhead software to check your data, there could be some clues to guide you with knowledge rather than maybes. Maybe a pressure tweak in conjunction with some of the ideas above would be enough to give you some relief. Also, a full face mask could accomodate your nasal congestion and allow you to mouth breathe and still get treatment.

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Re: Enlarged Nasal Turbinates and Nasal Masks

Post by Snoozeless » Tue Jul 11, 2017 9:10 am

I just had my turbinates reduced and my adenoids removed on 6/27/2017. I am wondering if you experienced nausea? I am no longer on any meds but have been super nauseated off and on. I can have a day where I feel normal, and then bam! It's back. I am thinking it is drainage.

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Re: Enlarged Nasal Turbinates and Nasal Masks

Post by gosman » Tue Jul 11, 2017 11:29 am

My turbinate's are back too! I had nice breathing at night while sleeping for about 5 years. I hated the surgery. Will do anything to not go back to surgery!

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Re: Enlarged Nasal Turbinates and Nasal Masks

Post by Snoozeless » Tue Jul 11, 2017 12:14 pm

I had no idea the flippin' things would grow back.

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Re: Enlarged Nasal Turbinates and Nasal Masks

Post by gosman » Tue Jul 11, 2017 2:24 pm

Maybe some doctors are better than others?

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Re: Enlarged Nasal Turbinates and Nasal Masks

Post by Charlotte2 » Mon Jun 18, 2018 9:37 am

MrKDilkington wrote:
Fri Jun 16, 2017 10:44 am
Also, random tidbit but I had a tongue-tie fixed recently and that has helped with my nasal breathing. When the tongue is unrestricted and allowed to naturally rest against the maxilla/roof of the mouth, it warms the nasal floor and keeps the nose humidified thus reducing dryness and congestion.
I just now joined this group after reading the above while surfing the net trying to find out why the CPAP masks are hurting my nostrils with low pressures.(newly diagnosed with OSA). For many years I have had issues with day and night dry nose but ever since trialing the CPAP masks, the dryness issues have increased, especially with the cpap mask on. It's causing sore nose and severe headaches regardless of trying 5 masks now within 1 month. I can't seem to get enough air wearing any masks. The people where I got the CPAP made sure to put the humidifer on my ResMed CPAP at an appropriate setting.

Interesting that I saw the above statement after recently deciding after 60 yrs to get a tongue tie release later this month. My hope is it might help my mild apnea and change my Mallampatie score of 4. Did the tongue tie release help with neck pain and headaches for you too?? May I private message you?

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Re: Enlarged Nasal Turbinates and Nasal Masks

Post by DrDeke » Thu Jul 26, 2018 5:15 pm

I had a turbinate reduction something like 22 years ago and mine have also grown back. I have sidestepped the entire issue (as well as the issue of "how do you use your CPAP when you have a cold") by switching to a full face mask. The FFM works great for me; I would never go back to the nasal pillows.

I would recommend that you keep working on your respiratory therapist. Tell them (again) that you are having trouble breathing through your nose even with the machine running. Also, if you have a regular "family doctor" / primary care physician who will listen to you, they can write prescriptions for CPAP equipment, including masks.

Alternately, you could just buy a full face mask from eBay or the like.

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Re: Enlarged Nasal Turbinates and Nasal Masks

Post by ChicagoGranny » Thu Jul 26, 2018 5:46 pm

Charlotte2 wrote:
Mon Jun 18, 2018 9:37 am
Did the tongue tie release help with neck pain and headaches for you too?? May I private message you?
He hasn't posted since June of last year, and his profile is set so it does not allow PMs. He did log in this year in June, so maybe he sees your post.

Why don't you start a new post, "Tongue Tie Release Surgery"? You may find others who underwent the procedure.