I learned today I have deviated septum.

king_alvaro · Post by **king_alvaro** » Mon Jan 28, 2013 10:29 pm

I went to the ENT today, and the dr. checked me out and told me I have deviated septum on both nostrils. He said the only way to correct it is with surgery. I been on CPAP for almost 2 years. I went to see the ENT because I always had one or both nostril obstructed. I use nasal pillows. I am usually tired when I wake up, even if I sleep 8 hours. My AHI is usually below 1. The ENT said that having deviated septum has alot to do with sleep apnea. I could probably be cured if I get the surgery, that is what he said.

The ENT said, the sleep apnea clinic should of refer to him as soon as I was diagnose with sleep apnea. I was thinking probably they didn't want to refer me because they were going to lose a potential life long customer. Anyways I stop going to them because they were making me waste my time, they weren't doing anything to me.

I am 28 years old and I am thin. So, I think I probably have a good chance to kissing good bye to my machine if I get the surgery. I hope. What do you think?

kimbo · Post by **kimbo** » Mon Jan 28, 2013 10:47 pm

It's funny but i had the reverse experience with my ENT. I saw my ENT thinking i had sinus issues but really had a bad deviated septum. He sent me to do a sleep study immediately as he attributed the way I was feeling to OSA. Turns out he was right and I was off the charts.

He has advised me to avoid surgery until we've exhausted all treatment options with CPAP since its temporary. I'd seek out the best ENT you can find for another opinion and would probably be cautious over rushing to surgery. If you do end up doing the surgery, definitely research the top ENTs in your area as i've heard some horror stories with complications.

need2snooze · Post by **need2snooze** » Mon Jan 28, 2013 11:54 pm

Earlier tonight I posted asking for suggestions as to why I am still tired after 4+ years of CPAP, although I have AHI numbers under one. I, too, have a deviated septum, but never realized that this could be causing breathing issues even with CPAP (lack of sleep is causing brain fog!). Another thought to bring up at my dr.'s appt. Wednesday - thanks!

49er · Post by **49er** » Tue Jan 29, 2013 2:22 am

KA,

You might want to get a 2nd opinion.

I went to see an ENT a few weeks ago who also said surgery would help my deviated septum and greatly make my cpap exerience alot easier. However, she stressed to me that surgery wouldn't be a cure for sleep apnea based upon her examination of my throat area. Unfortunately, due to not having health insurance, that isn't an option for me.

Anyway, I was under the impression that while deviated septum surgery can be quite useful, it does not cure sleep apnea. But perhaps if you were to have it, even if it doesn't cure your apnea, you would feel better after using cpap.

Best of luck with your decision.

49er

king_alvaro wrote:I went to the ENT today, and the dr. checked me out and told me I have deviated septum on both nostrils. He said the only way to correct it is with surgery. I been on CPAP for almost 2 years. I went to see the ENT because I always had one or both nostril obstructed. I use nasal pillows. I am usually tired when I wake up, even if I sleep 8 hours. My AHI is usually below 1. The ENT said that having deviated septum has alot to do with sleep apnea. I could probably be cured if I get the surgery, that is what he said.

The ENT said, the sleep apnea clinic should of refer to him as soon as I was diagnose with sleep apnea. I was thinking probably they didn't want to refer me because they were going to lose a potential life long customer. Anyways I stop going to them because they were making me waste my time, they weren't doing anything to me.

I am 28 years old and I am thin. So, I think I probably have a good chance to kissing good bye to my machine if I get the surgery. I hope. What do you think?

Denial Dave · Post by **Denial Dave** » Tue Jan 29, 2013 5:11 am

I wish you success if you choose to have the surgery.

I've got a deviated septum too and one side is blocked... so I am using a full face mask for my CPAP therapy.

My understanding is that the surgery for a deviated septum will indeed clear your passageways in your nose. So you will indeed breathe better afterwards

but it does not effect the issue of your throat closing as part of OSA/ Sleep Apnea.

Sheriff Buford · Post by **Sheriff Buford** » Tue Jan 29, 2013 6:33 am

After reading your thread, I was surprised you are using a nasal mask with a deviated septum. I don't want to get into a mask war here, but if you are not feeling well, it could possibly be that you are using a nasal mask with a plugged nose? Early on, I tried a hybrid mask and the leak rates were off the chart because of the deviated septum. Have you tried a full face mask?

Sheriff

LSAT · Post by **LSAT** » Tue Jan 29, 2013 6:53 am

Get a second opinion.....I had the surgery and it made no difference in my OSA. (My ENT told me that it wouldn't). If you are thinking of getting the surgery to help you breathe better...OK, but if you are getting it to get off the CPAP you may be disappointed.

jencat824 · Post by **jencat824** » Tue Jan 29, 2013 1:11 pm

Please get a second opinion. I had a former sister-in-law who had the surgery & it was awful for her. She had to have 3 revisions, since she had, as you, a double septum, and after 3 surgeries, dr wanted to do a 4th. She then got a 2nd opinion from another ENT who said she didn't need more surgery, but perhaps a sleep study. She was an idiot & refused that, but didn't have any more surgery. Each surgery was worse than the last, so before you jump to surgery, I would get a second opinion from an ENT with NO connections to the other ENT, meaning they don't even do surgery at the same hospital.

Good luck,
Jen

jnk · Post by **jnk** » Tue Jan 29, 2013 1:54 pm

Re: I learned today I have deviated septum.

In a sense, we all do, since no one has the perfect, undeviated septum. The question is how deviated and whether it is directly causing troubles for you. That can be a matter of opinion more than a matter of science, even among good, experienced docs.

Here is one online "second opinion" in video form, from a respected ENT (who dabbles in helping people sleep better, too ) here in NYC:

http://www.youtube.com/embed/rVOpgjH7pkQ?html5

A bit extreme? I don't know. But he sure makes the point.

blueh2o · Post by **blueh2o** » Tue Jan 29, 2013 2:18 pm

I had the surgery in November and I would do it tens times again if I had to. My nasal breathing is greatly improved. On the surgery spectrum, this is a relatively minor one. You should expect to not sleep well for about a week while the blood/boogers clear up. This won't cure your apnea. As far as I know, there is no cure (maybe the hole in your neck thing, whatever that's called, I'm brain fogging now). However, you may be able to reduce your pressure on your CPAP after the surgery. Good luck...

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Tue Jan 29, 2013 3:52 pm

king_alvaro wrote:I went to the ENT today, and the dr. checked me out and told me I have deviated septum on both nostrils. He said the only way to correct it is with surgery. I been on CPAP for almost 2 years. I went to see the ENT because I always had one or both nostril obstructed. I use nasal pillows. I am usually tired when I wake up, even if I sleep 8 hours. My AHI is usually below 1. The ENT said that having deviated septum has alot to do with sleep apnea. I could probably be cured if I get the surgery, that is what he said.

The ENT said, the sleep apnea clinic should of refer to him as soon as I was diagnose with sleep apnea. I was thinking probably they didn't want to refer me because they were going to lose a potential life long customer. Anyways I stop going to them because they were making me waste my time, they weren't doing anything to me.

I am 28 years old and I am thin. So, I think I probably have a good chance to kissing good bye to my machine if I get the surgery. I hope. What do you think?

Ask him if he will give you a 100% refund if it does not cure your sleep apnea ... I bet he has a nice house and car with huge payments he has to make in order to keep them too.

I know of three people who have had the surgery and all said it was no fun. At first they love the results but unfortunately, over time, the healing process puts you back at square one ... except the doctor was able to pay his bills at your expense.

chunkyfrog · Post by **chunkyfrog** » Tue Jan 29, 2013 3:58 pm

Not everyone has the courage to have the surgery (nods sympathetically to ____)
Good luck with the surgery, should you progress to the next level.
I hope the results are of great benefit to you, even though a "cure" is unlikely.

Bobby269 · Post by **Bobby269** » Tue Jan 29, 2013 4:14 pm

I had that surgery and it made it easier to breath and I have less colds. The surgery was performed in my nose. It didn't affect the size of my throat. Now 30 years later I have sleep apnea.

Posey · Post by **Posey** » Tue Jan 29, 2013 4:55 pm

king_alvaro wrote:I went to the ENT today, and the dr. checked me out and told me I have deviated septum on both nostrils. He said the only way to correct it is with surgery. I been on CPAP for almost 2 years. I went to see the ENT because I always had one or both nostril obstructed. I use nasal pillows. I am usually tired when I wake up, even if I sleep 8 hours. My AHI is usually below 1. The ENT said that having deviated septum has alot to do with sleep apnea. I could probably be cured if I get the surgery, that is what he said.

Well, maybe you do. I would be happier with the diagnosis if they had a CT or such to back up the claim. I had a CT based on probable polyps or MASS in my nose. The CT showed enlarged turbinates and mild deviation - not worthy of note by the radiologist. I have a radiology background and wasn't impressed either- just glad I didn't have a tumor. When I followed with the ENT she said I needed both the turbinates reduced and the septum straightened. I told her I didn't want my nose broken & she said "ok". I still have my enlarged turbinates since the ENT quit my insurance.
BTW the septum is the cartilage that runs between the nostrils. Usually one side is compromised while the other is open.
It is a painful surgery to undergo unless you really feel that this is what is going on. Have you had a broken nose or accident to the face that might be the cause?
Good luck in whatever you decide.

mattd65636 · Post by **mattd65636** » Tue Jan 29, 2013 5:56 pm

blueh2o wrote:I had the surgery in November and I would do it tens times again if I had to. My nasal breathing is greatly improved. On the surgery spectrum, this is a relatively minor one. You should expect to not sleep well for about a week while the blood/boogers clear up. This won't cure your apnea. As far as I know, there is no cure (maybe the hole in your neck thing, whatever that's called, I'm brain fogging now). However, you may be able to reduce your pressure on your CPAP after the surgery. Good luck...

I had surgery in September with the same outcome. The ent told me it would only improve my cpap use. It was the best thing I ever did. I would do it again tomorrow. My sister is a surgical nurse at a same day surgery center in Florida, they do at least one a week. She told me their is a high risk in all surgeries but the benefits could out way the risk. For me it was a quality of life issue. I was on the fifth sinus infection of the year. It took a lot of doctor visits and research to find an ent I trusted. I hope this helps.