Being referred to a ENT after doctor follow-up

[fsmitty]

Due to nasal congestion, my sleep doctor is referring me to a ENT. This is the first time that I have ever been to an ENT. He did say that there might be some surgical options to nasal congestion etc. What will the ENT do to me and is it worth going?

[cinco777]

It is worth going to find out "what" he recommends to do to you. Once you find out the "What", you will want to do your research and decide whether you want the "What" done to you. There are many postings on this forum that relate the member's experience(s) with Sleep Apnea related surgery. Some surgeries made a positive difference, some didn't, and there are enough "horror" experiences to make you cringe.

I had nose/sinus surgery over 40 years ago when it was more art than science. After an hour in recovery, I was rushed back into the operating room due to blood loss. Afterwards, I realized that I could have died from what had been explained to me as a simple operation. The nose/sinus surgery did fix my problem of reoccurring sinus infections and for that I am grateful. It did, however, come with some side-effects. I understand that the surgery that I had is much safer today but, from reading this forum, is still no "cake walk".

Do your own research and decide for yourself "what" you will sign up for. If you do sign up, make sure that your surgeon does that surgery often so that you are not one of her/his firsts. BTW, there are a few surgeries, experienced by some forum members, that I wouldn't sign up for if I was one week from the grave.

[potholerepairman]

What will the ENT do to me and is it worth going?

He/she will charge you and it will most likely be worth it.Seriously ent's have helped me a lot from diagNosing sleep apnea , finding hiatal hernias, fixing sinus problems ( I now breath out of mine) finding barretts and fixing it (ablations),and gerds.I would go early like it was easter morning, looking for a basket of joy. Of course research the doc and anything they want to do to you.

[fsmitty]

Thanks for all your updates and encouragement. Going to an ENT is something that I should had done years ago. My AHI is only 5.85 and is classified as mild. You never know but it might be caused by something that can be easily corrected by surgery. Keep my fingers crossed. It has already been a tough 6 months as I have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, had hernia surgery and been diagnosed with sleep apnea.

[Julie]

Hi, I haven't followed your previous stuff, so let me know if this has come up, but I wonder if you've simply tried lowering the humidifier setting, because they're known to cause congestion and lowering them (or turning them off altogether) often helps a lot. I'd want more than one opinion if someone decides off the bat that I needed surgery.

[fsmitty]

Hi, I haven't followed your previous stuff, so let me know if this has come up, but I wonder if you've simply tried lowering the humidifier setting, because they're known to cause congestion and lowering them (or turning them off altogether) often helps a lot. I'd want more than one opinion if someone decides off the bat that I needed surgery.

When it comes to the CPAP, I do turn the humidifier down to zero which means it is acting as a passthru. I told the doctor that the humidifier was causing more congestion and said that one most people it will actually help. I guess I must the in the odd bunch who find it makes it worst. The neti pot is the only way that I get my sinuses cleared ready for the CPAP. The doctor did give me Veramyst, which I had to stop taking as it ws making me buzzed out. also have tried the OTC nasal sprays but they affect sleep. The allergy pill that I am taking is Claritin but not too sure if it has lost its effect. It would be good for the ENT to check to make sure that nothing physical is causing my nasal congestion. This doctor is highly respected in town as an ENT.

[GaryG]

The allergy pill that I am taking is Claritin but not too sure if it has lost its effect.

As far as claritin goes, I have no medical proof, but I am of the opinion that over time, the effect can wear off, so I change from Claritin to Zyrtec every few months and then back.

As far as seeing the ENT, it'll be another resource for you. He will examine you to look at tonsils, see if you have a deviated septum, check for reflux, etc. You'll get more information. If he's a good ENT, and unless he sees something unusual, he'll probably recommend you stick with CPAP as long as you're getting benefit from it. But yes, there are surgical options, which have mixed success.

[fsmitty]

The allergy pill that I am taking is Claritin but not too sure if it has lost its effect.

As far as claritin goes, I have no medical proof, but I am of the opinion that over time, the effect can wear off, so I change from Claritin to Zyrtec every few months and then back.

As far as seeing the ENT, it'll be another resource for you. He will examine you to look at tonsils, see if you have a deviated septum, check for reflux, etc. You'll get more information. If he's a good ENT, and unless he sees something unusual, he'll probably recommend you stick with CPAP as long as you're getting benefit from it. But yes, there are surgical options, which have mixed success.

GaryG,

I have been thinking about switching to Zyrtec. The only problem is waiting for the Costco size bottle (300 tablets) to run out first. This weekend, i might go to Costco and get the Kirkland sized bottle of Zyrtec. Have tried coming off Claritin and usually start sneezing a lot.

Yes, the ENT appears to be good and has a high reputation if town. She used to be the Chief of Otolaryngology at one of the major hospitals in town before switching to the other hospital. Hopefully they won't find out anything too serious up my big honker.

Thanks

[fsmitty]

just had my appt with the ENT. She said that the cause of my nasal congestion are large turbinates and slight deviated septum. She gave me the choice of surgery or just living with it. Well, I have decided to get the surgery done on Dec 3rd. It has been long enough dealing with nasal congestion. She is going to contact my sleep doctor who also wants to know what she finds.

I would get the surgery done earlier except for an upcoming cruise in 2 1/2 weeks. Really need the rest, maybe the sea air will help my breathing.

Also, I am suffering from a chest infection that keeps giving me a cough. She has put me on a Z-Pack (antiobiotics). Keep my fingers crossed that this surgery will help my breathing and assist me with CPAP.

[cflame1]

Yeah I went with the surgery option as well... mine's scheduled Dec 17.

[fsmitty]

Yeah I went with the surgery option as well... mine's scheduled Dec 17.

This evening, I did some research and heard some positive results from this surgery. It appears to help people like us with OSA. We will have to put up with some inital discomfort after the surgery but the long term results should be beneficial.

Is your surgery being done as an outpatient? Mine is being done that way with no hospital stay.

[tossandturn]

Wow! Me too, my surgery is scheduled outpatient, on Dec 1st. We should form a club, LOL!! BTW, how long do you expect to be off for your recovery??

[cflame1]

Outpatient, but I'll be in the hospital for 23 hours. The hospital stay is due to the fact that there's nobody at home to look after me but me.

The doc told me 3 days off my machine. That I can go back to work on Monday. Though I cleared it with my boss to take more time if I need it. That's what I get for picking to have this right before Christmas. Work will be slow. I have permission to work from home if I need to.

[fsmitty]

Wow! Me too, my surgery is scheduled outpatient, on Dec 1st. We should form a club, LOL!! BTW, how long do you expect to be off for your recovery??

I have mine scheduled on a Thursday, they want me there by 6am for prep. Having it on Thursday, will allow me to recover on Friday,Saturday and Sunday with the possibility of going back to work the following Monday. I am also by myself but would rather be at home than in a hospital bed. In fact they never asked me if I live by myself. Need to try to arrange a friend to take me and pick me up after the surgery. Also my co-pay for outpatient is only $150 whereas a hospital stay would cost $300. This will be my 2nd surgery in two months as I has a hernia op last month.

Yes, we do need to form a club, what name should we call it?

[roster]

.....
I would get the surgery done earlier except for an upcoming cruise in 2 1/2 weeks. ........

Also, I am suffering from a chest infection that keeps giving me a cough. She has put me on a Z-Pack (antiobiotics). .....

I hope you finish the antibiotics at least one week before the cruise. The most horrific case of sunburn I have ever seen was on a friend whose doctor gave him an antibiotic prescription to take on a cruise. The friend was once a member of Hitler's Youth and the doctor was Jewish. Of course I told the friend the doctor knew exactly what he was doing and got a little revenge.

The product information on Z-Pack includes the following warning:

Avoid exposure to sunlight or artificial UV rays (sunlamps or tanning beds). Azithromycin can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight and sunburn may result. Use a sunscreen (minimum SPF 15) and wear protective clothing if you must be out in the sun.