Injured septum

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JolsonB
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Injured septum

Post by JolsonB » Mon Apr 02, 2018 5:37 pm

I’ve been on CPAP now a little over a year, not having any trouble adjusting to the mask having worn an oxygen mask for years as a crew member on military aircraft.
My problem is that my sinus just shuts up, and makes breathing through my nose almost imposable. After suffering with this breathing issue, used sinus irrigation and other doctor approved nose sprays, I again visited an NTE doctor.
He did some test, and a CT and when all test complete, he asks me,” how many times have you broken your nose?” I’ve had a real active military career.
My question is, has anyone else had to have their septum corrected and if so did it help with the use of your CPAP? And how bad was it?

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Mikebear
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Re: Injured septum

Post by Mikebear » Mon Apr 02, 2018 6:26 pm

JolsonB wrote:
Mon Apr 02, 2018 5:37 pm
I’ve been on CPAP now a little over a year, not having any trouble adjusting to the mask having worn an oxygen mask for years as a crew member on military aircraft.
My problem is that my sinus just shuts up, and makes breathing through my nose almost imposable. After suffering with this breathing issue, used sinus irrigation and other doctor approved nose sprays, I again visited an NTE doctor.
He did some test, and a CT and when all test complete, he asks me,” how many times have you broken your nose?” I’ve had a real active military career.
My question is, has anyone else had to have their septum corrected and if so did it help with the use of your CPAP? And how bad was it?
I had turbinate reduction, septoplasty, AND a UPPP surgery 20 years ago to just tolerate cpap therapy. They are the best things I did, and without them I likely would be dead now as my BP was 180/130 and led to the diagnosis of SA. All surgeries as out-patient. I've used a cpap machine with a nasal mask exclusively since that date, with 100% compliance.

I'm sure a septoplasty surgery today is probably leaps ahead of when I had it, so should work well for you recovery-wise.

I can highly recommend it, and I wouldn't hesitate to have it done again if I needed it.

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msla
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Re: Injured septum

Post by msla » Mon Apr 02, 2018 7:54 pm

I am approaching 20 years since my surgery for a profoundly deviated septum. I noticed a great improvement right after the dressings were removed. I would do it again. Several years later I began the CPAP, so I have no idea about helping in your case. I'm comfortable saying that it hasn't adversely affected my CPAP use but rather made it easier.

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cpap626
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Re: Injured septum

Post by cpap626 » Mon Apr 02, 2018 8:25 pm

i got two nose surgeries 16 years ago and my septom is still messed up, i can only get some air through both nostrils. With the cpap on, I feel great, i can finally breath like I did before the car accident. They dont want to do another one as i may get a hole in the center of my septom.

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Okie bipap
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Re: Injured septum

Post by Okie bipap » Mon Apr 02, 2018 8:55 pm

I had UPPP surgery, turbinate reduction and septoplasty done twenty years ago. I would not recommend the UPP surgery. The septoplasty is not very bad at all. They put splints in your nose after the surgery, then remove them a week later. I was breathing better with the splints in my nose than I did before surgery. After the splints were removed, I almost hyperventilated. I had never moved that much air through my nose in my entire life.

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booksfan
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Re: Injured septum

Post by booksfan » Tue Apr 03, 2018 8:23 am

I had a turbinate reduction and septoplasty in August. Like Okie bipap, I too was breathing better even with the splints. Once they were removed, I was amazed! I couldn't remember EVER moving that much air through my nose! I kept taking deep breaths and telling my husband, this is amazing--I can breathe now! :lol:

It truly was life-changing. And I do think it has made it much easier to breathe on the xPAP (since mid-Jan), but bear in mind, I have nothing to compare to.

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Wreckmster
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Re: Injured septum

Post by Wreckmster » Mon Apr 09, 2018 7:50 pm

for those who had the septoplasty while using cpap, were you able to use your machine after the surgery? I'm having the procedure done on Monday and I am wondering if I'll need my machine, or need to upgrade to a FF mask until I heal. currently using Dreamwear gel pillows

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Mikebear
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Re: Injured septum

Post by Mikebear » Mon Apr 09, 2018 8:01 pm

Wreckmster wrote:
Mon Apr 09, 2018 7:50 pm
for those who had the septoplasty while using cpap, were you able to use your machine after the surgery? I'm having the procedure done on Monday and I am wondering if I'll need my machine, or need to upgrade to a FF mask until I heal. currently using Dreamwear gel pillows
I didn't use it until after I healed, but I had packing and stitches so couldn't use it.

You need to ask your surgeon if you should use your machine or not while healing. Personally, since I had all 3 surgeries fairly close together, I couldn't have used my cpap machine if I had wanted. My nose and throat were so raw, I was using Vicodin syrup just to calm my throat. Drying it all out and/or inflating/stretching stitches with a cpap machine blowing in there would have been excruciatingly painful.

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LSAT
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Re: Injured septum

Post by LSAT » Mon Apr 09, 2018 8:21 pm

When I had the surgery I was told not to use the CPAP for 5-7 days. The pressure will prevent the blood from clotting. Mask won't matter.

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Wreckmster
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Re: Injured septum

Post by Wreckmster » Tue Apr 10, 2018 11:50 am

thanks for your responses. It makes sense to not use it. I am required to use it for my CDL license. I guess I'll call my provider and let them know I wont be using it.

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chunkyfrog
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Re: Injured septum

Post by chunkyfrog » Tue Apr 10, 2018 12:12 pm

Surgery prohibiting cpap use for a short time "should" be adequate
reason for using sick leave--if that is available.

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Pugsy
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Re: Injured septum

Post by Pugsy » Tue Apr 10, 2018 12:34 pm

Wreckmster wrote:
Tue Apr 10, 2018 11:50 am
I am required to use it for my CDL license. I guess I'll call my provider and let them know I wont be using it.
You will most likely have some leeway on the non use thing for CDL.
First you will most likely be off work (not driving the truck) for a few days and it doesn't matter that much the non use when not driving the truck.
The usage requirements (per CDL rules) really only apply once you are back to driving and even then with a note from the doctor you will probably be okay if it's a little less than perfect.

Most likely no one will ever know unless you get stopped for a random inspection right after you go back on the road and they pull the machine logged hours of use as part of the inspection. Hence the note from the doctor just in case...you know Murphy's Law.

I forget exactly the requirements but it's something like so many hours minimum usage for 2 days/nights prior to going on the road or back to work.

So a lot is going to depend on just how long you might be off work and when you go back to work in relation to being back on the machine.

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Goofproof
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Re: Injured septum

Post by Goofproof » Tue Apr 10, 2018 12:43 pm

You are lucky, nature provided one more hole to breath thru, all you need is a good fitting Full Face mask and you are good to go, no need to go out and pay someone to butcher your face. Jim

That's the simple solution, unless you like pain.
Use data to optimize your xPAP treatment!

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Wreckmster
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Re: Injured septum

Post by Wreckmster » Tue Apr 10, 2018 5:36 pm

I will not be working while I heal. I do alot of heavy lifting and crawling under trucks to work on them. I'm taking a week off at minimum. Doctor told me 3 weeks to prevent nose bleeds, but we'll see how it goes. Thanks for all your advice/info

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