Recovery from Septoplasty

[Reddwarf]

I'm beginning to think the cure is worse than the problem! Went in for surgery 12/24. Was told all went well. In the 4th day of recovery and I'm not enjoying this one bit! Simply can't breathe via my nose. I'm all stopped up and I'm not supposed to blow my nose. Oh how I want to blow, blow, blow! I've been using the NeilMed as directed and saline spray. The bloody mess seems to have washed away but I'm still stopped up. I don't know if it is the splints or just mucous but I can't get it clear enough to breathe. I assume all is rather swollen too.

I plan to call the ENT Monday (tomorrow) to check in. I'm had so very little sleep since the surgery. Any recommendations/ advice would be appreciated!

[hrc54]

It will get better. You'll notice a big improvement in the next 2 weeks. You'll be swollen for the next 30 days=but in the next 2 weeks about 70% of it will go down. I was in worse shape than you. Hang in there because you have no choice but, in 2 months you'll be glad you did.


Bob

[roster]

Did the surgeon give you expectations that you would be healed with swelling gone on the fourth day?

[Reddwarf]

Thanks. The ENTW (Ear Nose throat and WALLET! ha ha, old joke) did not lead me to believe all would be fine after 4 days. I'm just feeling frustrated that I can't breathe better right now. It's like having a really bad cold but you can't blow your nose. It has me a bit on edge, that coupled with lack of sleep.

[secret agent girl]

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[cflame1]

When did the ENT say that your splints were coming out? And when can you go back on your machine?

[roster]

It's like having a really bad cold but you can't blow your nose. It has me a bit on edge, that coupled with lack of sleep.

If you are not using your CPAP, the "bit on edge" part may be caused by the apneas you are having. When this surgery is performed, the patient will do better if he uses a full face mask, breathes through his mouth, and continues his CPAP therapy while healing.

[Reddwarf]

I have a post op appointment on Thursday and I'm hoping the splints will come out then. I found a couple of videos on YouTube of the split removal. Gross! Hard to believe they are so big! I can see the edge of one of the splints and stitches; or I think I can. I am able to breathe a bit better tonight, but still not great. I know it is part of the healing process and I need to buck up. But it is still frustrating. Thanks for all the encouragement!

[Reddwarf]

Update:

I called and spoke with the PA yesterday. She recommended I take a decongestant (Musinex). It helped some yesterday afternoon but this morning I'm stuffed up again. Two does of decongestant today so far. Counting down the time to the splint removal! Counting down with some trepidation as I'm thinking it may hurt a bit when remove. But that should be fleeting.

[roster]

Update:

Counting down the time to the splint removal! Counting down with some trepidation as I'm thinking it may hurt a bit when remove. But that should be fleeting.

Just a big tickle when mine was removed. I hope it goes so easy for you.

[DBoone]

I had mine done years before I went on xPAP. But you're right. I was absolutely positively miserable until they pulled the splints out. Not much you can do except hang in there. The good news is that breathing will be much, much better after you've healed.

I hardly felt the splint removal. No pain at all and then I could breathe!!

[Gerryk]

Red, you sound a little frustrated, but it does sound like everything is going well so far. I hope you come back on here right after getting those splints out and tell us how much better you are.

I am supposed to have this done this coming spring, so I am watching what you and others say closely.

Gerry

[giantred]

Don't worry it will get better. At one point I couldn't use the machine at all because I couldn't get any air through my nose from the machine. I woke up every hour and couldn't breath, you know the rest. Now, I can breath through my nose with the machine and without it, but I still have severe apnea. It's actually coming from my throat. Anyway, you will get better give it a few weeks. Trust me, it will get better.

[Reddwarf]

Another Update

Thanks again for all encouragement and advice. This morning I had the splints removed. Oh what a difference! I was a little nervous before the procedure but the PA was kind and gentle. No wonder I had trouble breathing, the splints were huge! She said I had a lot of mucous, which I knew. A lot came out with the splints. Nasty! I went home and used the Neil Med to rinse my nose. The rinse was mush easier with the splints gone. I can breathe again! I am still stopped up a tad with mucous but the difference with the splits gone is huge. I hope to use my CPAP tonight. Sleeping without it for a week has been hell.

In two weeks I return for a checkup. I hope to remember to ask about my CPAP machine. I wonder if it will need to be re-calibrated now that the nasal passages are bigger. How would that be done, do I have to do another sleep study?

[roster]

......I hope to remember to ask about my CPAP machine. I wonder if it will need to be re-calibrated now that the nasal passages are bigger. How would that be done, do I have to do another sleep study?

What is your current CPAP pressure setting?