Planning to buy a CPAP but need some help

[Dog Slobber]

my right nostril is nearly 100% covered

I would make getting that fixed a high priority. It will make it easier to adapt to and use CPAP.

Couldn't agree more.

I had a pretty nasty deviated septum when I started CPAP and could not tolerate it. After I had my Septoplasty and T. reduction 100% compliance.

[JonathanK]

my right nostril is nearly 100% covered

I would make getting that fixed a high priority. It will make it easier to adapt to and use CPAP.

Couldn't agree more.

I had a pretty nasty deviated septum when I started CPAP and could not tolerate it. After I had my Septoplasty and T. reduction 100% compliance.

I will get it done, just without health insurance, it's a costly procedure for me. May I ask the both of you, based on your knowledge and history, will the CPAP at least help me knowing I have the deviated septum? I'm hoping I can get some relief with the CPAP machine, then when I can get the surgery to fix the septum, I will. But in the meanwhile, I am really hoping the CPAP machine will help me at least some. I'm not expecting any magical wonders, but just some better night's sleep than what I have had for the last few years.

[Jas_williams]

Your deviated septum should not have any effect if you use a full face mask

[Pugsy]

will the CPAP at least help me knowing I have the deviated septum?

Yes...cpap can still help.

Perrybucsdad also had a significantly deviated septum....so bad that he thought he just HAD to use a full face mask but here's his story about switching to nasal mask.
viewtopic/p663440/Mouth-Breathers.html#p663440
He had significant improvement in his OSA issues from the beginning even using a full face mask.

[teleute]

Also, I hate to be a downer, but... I've had two septoplasties and a turbinate reduction, and my breathing is maybe 10-15% better? The first one had no effect at all - it just collapsed back in. I know for many people it's life changing, but if you have to take relatively drastic measures financially to get it done, I'd be wary of thinking it's a guaranteed fix for the septum issues. The CPAP (can be, the way you're looking at it) much cheaper and more under your control, so I personally think you're absolutely starting the right way. Caveat, I am not a doctor, etc etc...just speaking from personal experience.

[ChicagoGranny]

Caveat, I am not a doctor, etc etc...just speaking from personal experience.

ONE personal bad experience may mean a lot to you, but it means little to the OP.

Plenty of people have septum correction surgery, and the good results are lifelong.

[ChicagoGranny]

will the CPAP at least help me knowing I have the deviated septum?

Yes, but you have to use it.

[teleute]

Sure - I'm not saying it's not likely to be worthwhile, by any means. They should totally attempt to get it taken care if when possible. I just wanted to point out that it isn't a guaranteed life-changing fix - especially if there's a financial decision or priorization necessary in the short term between doing it and other potential medical interventions like CPAP.

[ChicagoGranny]

Your deviated septum should not have any effect if you use a full face mask

It sounds like he may do an undesirable amount of mouthbreathing due to the deviated septum. But, if you mean he might be able to achieve a low AHI before having the surgery, you are correct.

[JonathanK]

I'm not sure if anyone has any knowledge, but as an aside, I know I snore terribly loud. Will the CPAP machine help with that at all? Or is it really all about getting the deviated septum fixed? Thank you!

[Pugsy]

Snoring that is caused by floppy vibrating airway tissues down below the nasal cavity can be reduce/eliminated with effective cpap pressures. I snore horribly without cpap...no snoring at all with cpap. Hubby is a very happy camper not having my snoring to rattle the windows. Pressures have to be optimized though.

Now snoring originating in the nasal cavity...don't know about that but most OSA related snoring comes from floppy tissues down below the nasal cavity (behind the mouth and below kind of thing).

[Dog Slobber]

I snore horribly without cpap...no snoring at all with cpap.

I can say with 100% honesty, I have never heard Pugsy snore while she has been wearing her mask.

[zonker]

I snore horribly without cpap...no snoring at all with cpap.

I can say with 100% honesty, I have never heard Pugsy snore while she has been wearing her mask.

or even when she hasn't.

[JonathanK]

Snoring that is caused by floppy vibrating airway tissues down below the nasal cavity can be reduce/eliminated with effective cpap pressures. I snore horribly without cpap...no snoring at all with cpap. Hubby is a very happy camper not having my snoring to rattle the windows. Pressures have to be optimized though.

Now snoring originating in the nasal cavity...don't know about that but most OSA related snoring comes from floppy tissues down below the nasal cavity (behind the mouth and below kind of thing).

I don’t know the origins of my snoring but I do hope this also helps with that. My lady friend and I have issues because of my snoring. We always sleep in our own separate beds, but sometimes even in different rooms, she’ll be kept awake by my snoring. So I’m really hoping this is sort of fixed as a byproduct of using the cpap

[palerider]

I'm not sure if anyone has any knowledge, but as an aside, I know I snore terribly loud. Will the CPAP machine help with that at all? Or is it really all about getting the deviated septum fixed? Thank you!

If you snore with cpap, your pressure is too low. (All auto machines raise pressure when they detect snoring, which can be seen in the airflow waveform)