cpap after nasal surgery

[septum]

I'm having a Septoplasty, turbinate reduction, and sinoscopy. The doctor will be doing nasal packing that will remain in for a week following the surgery. Will I be able to use the CPAP? I only have a nasal mask.

[Goofproof]

I'm having a Septoplasty, turbinate reduction, and sinoscopy. The doctor will be doing nasal packing that will remain in for a week following the surgery. Will I be able to use the CPAP? I only have a nasal mask.

Your dr is who you should ask, but I imagine the packing will act as a restriction. The doctor would know better, he made the money. I'd want a FF mask.

[HerbM]

I am a newbie -- I probably know nothing so take that into consideration.

Due to being a mouth breather with chronic nasal blockage I had chosen as my first mask (I haven't even seen it or tried CPAP yet) an Oral Mask which is basically somewhat similar to a scuba mouthpiece.

It fits mostly between you teeth and gums with a small flattened tube between your teeth (and a cheek 'cover' on the outside.)

This might be totally worthless to you, but I wanted to make sure you at least knew about the choice.

Fisher & Paykel Oracle HC-452 Oral Mask with a video review by CPAPHelpDesk guy at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQmARrw-OXM

More (instructions laboriously step by step): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5C-c_BJh20

This reviewer has a really good attitude towards the Oral Mask but he keeps pointing out disadvantages so you should likely watch this if the mask interests you http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_uWKiywRTM

Had I seen the last video first, maybe it would have scared me away, but having been a commercial diver in my twenties*, I am pretty sure the trade-offs are better FOR ME with this mask. (And remember, I don't know what I don't know.)

You can likely find more if this is of any interest or use to you.

---------------

* FYI: Professional divers spend a lot of time breathing through oral-nasal masks and a lot of money trying to find and fit the perfect mask and headgear FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL.

A commercial dive mask/helmet (usually called a 'hat') cost $2000-$10000 even in 1975, so this was no trivial decision, especially for new divers who were usually quite poor to start. We also spent a lot of effort rebuilding the regulators, masks seals, as the mask communications gear so it is an intimate piece of equipment.

[Ashtonashlee0]

I've developed this flaky skin rash under the area's of my head gear / nasal mask from the front side of my ears to the back of my head following my strap exactly.

Anyone know what to do about this? I have tried Scalpacin with very little luck. OTC dandruff shampoo's haven't done anything special. I've never had dandruff or any similar problems before this and I am starting to feel like I have something wrong with me. It itches all the time.

[49er]

I've developed this flaky skin rash under the area's of my head gear / nasal mask from the front side of my ears to the back of my head following my strap exactly.

Anyone know what to do about this? I have tried Scalpacin with very little luck. OTC dandruff shampoo's haven't done anything special. I've never had dandruff or any similar problems before this and I am starting to feel like I have something wrong with me. It itches all the time.

Hi,

Welcome to the forum.

Please start a new thread with the same post as unfortunately, by posting in someone's else's thread, your post will get lost in the shuffle. And if you could fill in your equipment profile, that would also be helpful.

Thanks!

49er

[kaiasgram]

49er, that post was spam or some similar nonsense -- it's an exact duplicate of a post by a legitimate member on Friday night (see here: viewtopic/t95340/scalp-problems.html). I deleted the one you responded to.

[49er]

49er, that post was spam or some similar nonsense -- it's an exact duplicate of a post by a legitimate member on Friday night (see here: viewtopic/t95340/scalp-problems.html). I deleted the one you responded to.

Ah, thanks.

Anyway, back on track as I am following this thread with interest since I will also be having nasal surgery. It reminded me I need to ask about cpap use after surgery when I see the ENT on Tuesday.

Herb M, even though you are a newbie, you gave some excellent advice.

Septum, I wish you a speedy recovery. Ugh, packing for a week? I am not looking forward to having splints in that long. But you gotta do what you gotta do, right?

49er

[Rustsmith]

Septum, after I had septoplasty, when I returned for my first post-operative visit the nurse asked how I was doing. I told her that I could already tell the difference (I didn't know about the packing at that point). Her response was "Wow, you really were bad". I now know that my blockage was so bad that I could not take a complete breath through my nose prior to the surgery. I had no idea that you are supposed to be able to do that since I had always been that way.

I agree with the others that you should ask your doctor about CPAP, but I suspect that if you only have a nasal mask that the blockage will be sufficient to prevent you from breathing through your nose until the packing is removed. You might want to consider a FF mask not only for the time with the packing, but also for a little while afterwards while the structure of your nose heals.

49er, I also had splints. When the ENT removed the splints he said that this isn't going to hurt, you will barely feel it. In my case he lied. Removal of the stitch that held the splints in place was the most painful part of the entire surgical process. It made my eyes tear up so much that he immediately realized that it had not been as painless as he thought. I hope yours goes as he thought mine should have.

[49er]

49er, I also had splints. When the ENT removed the splints he said that this isn't going to hurt, you will barely feel it. In my case he lied. Removal of the stitch that held the splints in place was the most painful part of the entire surgical process. It made my eyes tear up so much that he immediately realized that it had not been as painless as he thought. I hope yours goes as he thought mine should have.

Aargh, I wish doctors wouldn't make promises about something not hurting since everyone's experience is so variable. I am so sorry the splint removal was painful for you.

In the past, I have had an extremely high pain tolerance. But of course, that is no guarantee regarding the present. So I will definitely be prepared.

49er