Turbinate reduction alone?

[davep700]

I've been annoyed by a generally stuffy nose with alternating stuffy nostrils for several years now, and I live with it, but the addition of CPAP makes treatment too difficult to tolerate.

I was offered a septoplasty w/ turbinate reduction, and I'm thinking about it , but I don't know if I'm actually going to go through with it. I asked my ENT about a coblation turbinate reduction alone, and he can do it in the office under local anesthesia, but says it's not as effective long term.

Can I have some your own experiences if you've had turbinate reduction procedure by itself? Did you end up needing a repeat procedure or a septoplasty later on?

[ChicagoGranny]

Gramps had surgical reduction of the turbinates and correction of a deviated septum. They took him in on a Monday morning, he went home Monday afternoon, had the splints out on Thursday and was back to work on Friday.

He would tell you it is one the best things he ever did for himself.

[Uncle_Bob]

Do you have any particular reason to want to go half ass?

I have both done and I'm glad I did.

[Julie]

What are the chances you're using the humidifier, even at a low setting, when your local climate does not call for it and you're congesting yourself with unnecessary humidity?

[lanco]

I recently saw an ENT because of problems I was having. He said the reason I had issues (I believe he called it chronic rhinitis) was because when my deviated nasal septum was fixed in about 1970 they also reduced the turbinates. He said it is normal to have one nostril open and the other closed and that that is how the body allows one side to "rest" get humidified and then they switch back and forth like that all day.

He said some doctors are aggressive with this procedure and this is why he does not believe in it. He says both nostrils can be wide open and you still can't breathe.

So, who's right? A doctor who wants to change nature that allows for one side to always be more open and then switches to the other while the other rests and heals before it switches back or to have them both open unnaturally all the time. I would certainly get more than one opinion about this before anyone jumps into this because once it's done if you have problems you're out of luck.

[Okie bipap]

I had both done around 1996 or 1997. I also had uppp surgery done at the same time. I would definitely recommend the septoplasty and turbinate reduction. It makes breathing easier period. I could breath out of only one side of my nose at a time before the surgery, and had frequent sinus infections. I've had very few sinus infections since then. I would NOT recommend the uppp surgery unless you find you absolutely cannot tolerate the xpap therapy. Even if you have the uppp surgery, you may still need to use the xpap machine. in my case, it delayed my using a machine for almost 20 years. My nephew had the surgery done, and he still had to use the machine as soon as he healed enough to have another sleep study done.

[Uncle_Bob]

I would certainly get more than one opinion about this before anyone jumps into this because once it's done if you have problems you're out of luck.

Given that you have had both done before I think getting another opinion would be wise. I had mine done a few years ago and still find on the rare occasion I get one side blocked up, I tend to use flonase and find that helps. But its always a good idea to get a second opinion and/or seek out a highly reputable surgeon.

When I get congested through allergies or a cold I use this product to help keep me clear.

http://www.pur-sleep.com/shop/vaporclea ... aster.html

[Chevie]

I recently saw an ENT because of problems I was having. He said the reason I had issues (I believe he called it chronic rhinitis) was because when my deviated nasal septum was fixed in about 1970 they also reduced the turbinates. He said it is normal to have one nostril open and the other closed and that that is how the body allows one side to "rest" get humidified and then they switch back and forth like that all day.

He said some doctors are aggressive with this procedure and this is why he does not believe in it. He says both nostrils can be wide open and you still can't breathe.

So, who's right? A doctor who wants to change nature that allows for one side to always be more open and then switches to the other while the other rests and heals before it switches back or to have them both open unnaturally all the time. I would certainly get more than one opinion about this before anyone jumps into this because once it's done if you have problems you're out of luck.

You had the surgery 46 years ago. Do you not think surgical procedures have changed in the last 45 years?

You may have had the surgery, but you don't have a clue what you are talking about.

[davep700]

I did it once in my life, but I don't think i have the guts this time to get knocked out under general anesthesia, even though its considered very safe. I know you will all mock me for saying that. However by comparison, I saw a video of the turbinate reduction and it doesn't look much more involved than a dentist appointment.

[davep700]

What are the chances you're using the humidifier, even at a low setting, when your local climate does not call for it and you're congesting yourself with unnecessary humidity?

I don't use humidity; I freeze the water tank during the day so I have ice water at night. This way the air feels fresh rather than stuffy. Maybe my stuffy nostrils are over-humidifying the air.

[davep700]

Very informative first hand experience http://www.irateliberal.com/2012/04/how ... inate.html

[Sheffey]

Very informative first hand experience http://www.irateliberal.com/2012/04/how ... inate.html

The only thing I would take out of that blog is:

But now that it's done, I am thrilled! I only wish I had been able to do this years before.

My outcome is the same.

The only thing I would add is the surgery and recovery was not at all a big deal. I went back to work after two days. YMMV.

[Hang Fire]

Very informative first hand experience http://www.irateliberal.com/2012/04/how ... inate.html

The gauze on my face was uncomfortable, but I had to wear it.

This is silly. It's called a mustache bandage. It's just some gauze you lightly tape under your nose to catch any blood drip. I don't know how that could be uncomfortable.