First "ENT" appointment tomorrow & what to EXP

SleepyNoMore · Post by **SleepyNoMore** » Thu Sep 06, 2007 12:47 pm

I have already had my sleep study done & am on the Remstar Auto cpap machine but I haven't seen an "ENT" doctor yet... I decided to make an appt. and it's tomorrow morning. What is he going to do to me on the first visit? Is it going to hurt or be painful? Will he stick all kinds of tools down my throat & nose??? I hope not. Please post your 1st. experience with your "ENT""... Also, I have my humidifier set on "2" and lastnight, I used 3/4's of the tank of water and as soon as I got up, I started sneezing uncontrollably and still am 3-1/2 hours later in the house and outside to. My nose is running like a water faucet (my nose NEVER-EVER runs) does anyone know what is happening to this NEW hosehead???

Bamalady · Post by **Bamalady** » Thu Sep 06, 2007 2:24 pm

Hi.....I can't answer concerning the ENT, but I had the sneezing/runny nose thing as well. The cure for me was to turn the humidifier all the way up. There is more chance of rainout when you do this, but I couldn't take the other! YMMV

good Luck.

lilsheba · Post by **lilsheba** » Thu Sep 06, 2007 3:42 pm

When I first saw an ENT he just probed gently in my nose, didn't hurt at all. Asked a bunch of questions. Nothing major! Oh and sent me for a CAT scan which of course doesn't hurt either.

Now if you end up with sinus surgery that could be a whole 'nother story

Mile High Sleeper · Post by **Mile High Sleeper** » Thu Sep 06, 2007 3:54 pm

My primary doc suggested that the ENT look at my nose, which he did, very gently, no pain or invasion. But I didn't think to ask him to look at my throat! Duh! He might have been able to tell me how my anatomy contributes to sleep apnea. Would be interesting, even if there's not much to do about it except use APAP.

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Thu Sep 06, 2007 4:18 pm

first question would be why you were going to see an ENT?

Ears:
Since you are going to a ENT might as well check out your ears.

Nose:
if it were me and I was experiencing chronic nasal congestion I would want the ENT to examine the innerds of my nose for some kind of physical obstruction like a deviated septum, collapsed nasal valve etc.. A good ENT should be able to tell you that with a simple probe and flash light.

& Throat:
Next they should look at your throat anatomy for any obvious obstructive problems. If you lose your voice a lot maybe look for signs of post nasal drip and possible sinus problems causing that.

But a runny nose is probably from allergies, use of a saline rhino rinse can help control that.

lilsheba · Post by **lilsheba** » Thu Sep 06, 2007 4:31 pm

Mile High Sleeper wrote:My primary doc suggested that the ENT look at my nose, which he did, very gently, no pain or invasion. But I didn't think to ask him to look at my throat! Duh! He might have been able to tell me how my anatomy contributes to sleep apnea. Would be interesting, even if there's not much to do about it except use APAP.

My original neurologist looked at my throat and said the way it's designed so to speak would make it likely for me to snore and have sleep apnea, that in other words I was born with the tendency to have this condition. Lucky me.

socknitster · Post by **socknitster** » Thu Sep 06, 2007 4:48 pm

As others have said, you have nothing to worry about. A flashlight to look up your nose and a tongue depresser to look at your throat is all. He or she will then probably give you recommendations.

Be sure to be very up front with every little symptom you may have regarding nose and throat. That is how I found out I have silent GERD, which was recently confirmed w/ and esophagoscopy done during my tonsilectomy in July. My only symptom was a constant feeling of a glob of mucous at the base of my throat that won't go away no matter how much I clear or swallow. This is gone now thanks to prilosec otc. He said this is almost always silent gerd.

He or she is probably not going to have much to say regarding the specifics of your sleep study. That is not what they are experts at. They are experts at detecting abnormalities that can be fixed in your ears, nose or throat via surgery. They are surgeons.

I have had a septoplasty/turbinate reduction and adenoidectomy in one surgery. And recently the throat scope I mentioned and tonsils out.

Of the two the tonsils were worse. I'm glad I did both. Breathing is kind of important.

Jen

roster · Post by **roster** » Thu Oct 11, 2007 5:08 pm

[quote="SleepyNoMore"]I have already had my sleep study done & am on the Remstar Auto cpap machine but I haven't seen an "ENT" doctor yet... I decided to make an appt. and it's tomorrow morning. What is he going to do to me on the first visit? Is it going to hurt or be painful? Will he stick all kinds of tools down my throat & nose??? I hope not. Please post your 1st. experience with your "ENT""... Also, I have my humidifier set on "2" and lastnight, I used 3/4's of the tank of water and as soon as I got up, I started sneezing uncontrollably and still am 3-1/2 hours later in the house and outside to. My nose is running like a water faucet (my nose NEVER-EVER runs) does anyone know what is happening to this NEW hosehead???

SleepyNoMore · Post by **SleepyNoMore** » Thu Oct 11, 2007 11:03 pm

Hello Rooster, I had read your post earlier on everything you need done, wow! I went to my ENT doctor for my 1st. visit and they we're supposed to get an authorazation from my Insurance Company to have a CT Scan and they have not as of yet... I finally called my Ins. last week and they said my Dr's office hasn't submitted anything to them as of yet... 2 weeks ago, I called and left a message on their machine and still no call back either Another WOW! On my first and more than likely last visit to him, I thought he was just going to look in my throat with a stick, lol But OH NO, he did a " DIAGNOSTIC LARYNGOSCOPY " ( a minor surgery ) , didn't even tell me until he had my throat all numbed up, just snuck it in on me, it wasn't bad though, the only thing that got me was the numbing stuff, I felt so dizzy & lightheaded for a while and he thought that was strange.. I need an UPPP and I also have a Deviated Septum...OH, and the Doctor wanted to do all of this SURGERY at the same time, Now, I will refuse the UPPP, and tonsils removed , I will not have my tonsils removed, or my Uvula shortened but I really want the Septum repaired and most Insurance Companies consider that "COSMETIC", unbelievable huh??? I had read so many horror stories on the UPPP so I definately will not even consider that. The visit is really NO BIG DEAL, I just felt some slight (sliding pressure) and that was about it. Rooster, I really wish you the best luck through all of this and what ever choice you make "IS THE RIGHT CHOICE" for you, please keep us posted. Take Care [/b]

stevoreno · Post by **stevoreno** » Thu Oct 11, 2007 11:55 pm

[quote="SleepyNoMore"]I have already had my sleep study done & am on the Remstar Auto cpap machine but I haven't seen an "ENT" doctor yet... I decided to make an appt. and it's tomorrow morning. What is he going to do to me on the first visit? Is it going to hurt or be painful? Will he stick all kinds of tools down my throat & nose??? I hope not. Please post your 1st. experience with your "ENT""... Also, I have my humidifier set on "2" and lastnight, I used 3/4's of the tank of water and as soon as I got up, I started sneezing uncontrollably and still am 3-1/2 hours later in the house and outside to. My nose is running like a water faucet (my nose NEVER-EVER runs) does anyone know what is happening to this NEW hosehead???

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Oct 12, 2007 12:57 pm

My primary doctor's PA- Physician's Assistant, is the one that referred me to the Sleep Study Clinic and I had a "HOME STUDY" done rather than the "OVERNIGHT ONE AT THE SLEEP LAB"! That was only 5 wires they hooked me up to verses 22 at the Lab. I really enjoyed that, sleeping at home in my own bed, and no one invading my privacy and watching me sleep, And my (PA) also referred me to my ENT!

stevoreno · Post by **stevoreno** » Fri Oct 12, 2007 2:19 pm

Did your E.N.T. do the Q-Tip test? LOL.

Stevoreno
Biloxi, Mississippi
10/12/07

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Oct 12, 2007 11:10 pm

NO, he did not use a foot long Q-Tip.... I would of got up out that chair and "RAN OUT his OFFICE" I am basically a " BIG CHICKEN " He used this "HUGE" , what seemed to be about a foot long " SCOPE " type " Insturment , just snuck-it-in on me, didn't tell me until he was coming toward me with it... I almost fainted from "FRIGHT" ... Funny thing is, I didn't really feel any pain at all, just the pressure of it all. I was very numb. I was in total over that, I just didn't expect anything like that, boy he got me but good . Are you going for another appointment with a new "ENT" ?? If so, don't worry, you won't feel any pain at all. SleepyNoMore/YEA,I WISH!

stevoreno · Post by **stevoreno** » Sat Oct 13, 2007 12:42 am

SleepyNoMore:

That E.N.T. who I saw back in the 60's is long since dead but I'm still seeing my current E.N.T. who I've seen for about 20 years who has recommended that I undergo a new 2 night study to update the data from my 1999 study. My test is scheduled in 2 weeks. My E.N.T. also does facial reconstructive surgery; nasal surgery; etc.

He hasn't hurt me yet but he did remove a piece of wax from my left ear about 2 weeks ago which did hurt a little bit but he has never done the Q-tip in the nostril test on me in the 20 years I have been seeing him although I do have a deviated septum on my left side which he is trying to get me to let him correct although he has already told me if I went through with that procedure it wouldn't cure my CPAP; I would just breathe a little easier.

Stevoreno
Biloxi, Mississippi
10/13/07

socknitster · Post by **socknitster** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 9:29 am

I would just breathe a little easier.

Having had that surgery myself, I think you will be ASTOUNDED by how much better you will feel. It won't be "a little" unless your septum isn't that bad. Get a second opinion, maybe?

Jen

First "ENT" appointment tomorrow & what to EXP

First "ENT" appointment tomorrow & what to EXP

look at nose and throat

Re: look at nose and throat

Re: First "ENT" appointment tomorrow & what to

First ENT Visit

Re: First "ENT" appointment tomorrow & what to

Physcian's Assistant REFERRED me for My SLEEP STUDY!