Anyone Have a 2nd Turbinate Reduction?

[miltown]

I'm leaning towards a second turbinate reduction. Curious if others have had this and if this had helped at all. Yes, i have read the horror stories of ENT.

I had turbinoplasty/septoplasty 3 years ago with the awesome Dr. Park, which went great. However,my turbinates still swell up to the point where air can hardly get through my nose. Obviously this is not optimal for my cpap (I use nasal pillows but should obviously try the full mask). I've been to allergists and have tried different combinations of nasal sprays, antihistamines and decongestants with no improvement so i feel like i have no other option left.

[Julie]

Basic Q - how high are you setting the humidifier in relation to ambient conditions, i.e. the local environment/humidity, your room, etc? Too much causes congestion but people think the humidifier is part of therapy and it doesn't occur to them to turn it down, or even off. You've probably played with it all things considered, but I had to ask.

[englandsf]

Have you tried inhaled cortico steroids like Flonase or Veramyst? They might help

And try less humidity as suggested above. I sue passover only in the summer and low settings in the winter.

Good luck

[miltown]

Yes, tried all of that! humidity settings low, high and off, and as well as most of the nasal sprays - veramyst, flonase, etc, etc. Nothing can ever get my turbinates to consistently shrink enough where i can breathe freely. Thank you both for your replies.

[tan]

Yes, tried all of that! humidity settings low, high and off, and as well as most of the nasal sprays - veramyst, flonase, etc, etc. Nothing can ever get my turbinates to consistently shrink enough where i can breathe freely. Thank you both for your replies.

What about the temp setting? High setting makes my nose congested. Other people I know of need high humidity/high temp

[miltown]

I don't believe i have a temp setting. I have a Rem Star Pro Cflex+ 460. The turbinates can swell up at all times of the day. Like, right before bed, i could have the left or right turbinate swell completely shut (well almost completely shut). So i don't think the machine could ever reach it's full potential if the passageway is blocked even before the mask goes on.

[ChicagoGranny]

turbinoplasty

Are you sure about which procedure you had? Here is a short article describing the four most common types - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency ... 007563.htm

[Redonthehead]

I have had a 2nd turbinate reduction ( along with a second septoplasty) The first operation was done ~ 5 years ago and was unsatisfactory. When I gave up and went on CPAP a year ago, I really struggled with a FFM. Found a ENT/Plastic Surgeon who did a great job on me last summer. I struggled with the concern of Empty Nose Syndrome but the surgeon convinced me that problem is rare in this day and age, and he would be conservative.

The P10 nasal pillow mask is a dream come true compared to a FFM, at least for me.

[codinqueen]

Yes, I have had several turbinate reductions over the last several decades. They just re-hypertrophy over the years from constant allergies. I had rhino-septoplasty and sinusectomies with turbinate reductions in 1978, 1985, 1993, 2003. These procedures help with the turbinate swelling for awhile (a few months to a few years) but the turbinates always re-hypertrophy. For a few years I can breathe pretty well through my nose but for me is too much post-op pain to have ENT surgery as often as it needs done, at least for me. Now I use Benzedrex or VICKS Inhaler (OTC) before bed every night so I can breathe, at least until I fall asleep. The CPAP helps to keep the nasal passages clear for most of the night. On occasion I have to use Afrin but try to avoid it, because I tend to get addicted to it too easily due to rebound congestion. Nasal saline rinses with a Neti pot also helps some, esp when I get a cold or sinus infection.

[Sclark08]

I had one and I was good for about 6 months . Now right back where I was. No #2 for me!

[49er]

I had one and I was good for about 6 months . Now right back where I was. No #2 for me!

Sclark08, I forgot your history. Was the procedure you had 6 months ago under anesthesia or locally? If it was under anesthesia, that would really stink to high heaven.

49er

[McSleepy]

I've had turbinate reduction three times in the last 10 years. In and out of the office in minutes and forget I had it in a few hours; used the machine as usual the same night (viewtopic/t103077/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=59128&p=555876). When done right, it has few downsides but it can make a big difference. I also keep the humidity at an optimum level (too much or too little of it could cause congestion for me) and I use nasal rinse twice a day. No drugs, whatsoever (tried them all). I haven't had true congestion (or sore throat) since I started the rinses a dozen years ago.

McSleepy

[Sclark08]

49er my procedure was under propofal usually given during things like colonoscopies etc. No bad side effects from that but the 74 miles of packing in my nose was very uncomfortable

[49er]

49er my procedure was under propofal usually given during things like colonoscopies etc. No bad side effects from that but the 74 miles of packing in my nose was very uncomfortable

Thanks for letting me know. That stinks that it only lasted 6 months. But glad you didn't have any side effects.

I see ENT tomorrow and will ask him about how long his turbinate reductions last if he recommends that I have this procedure.

[Hang Fire]

49er my procedure was under propofal usually given during things like colonoscopies etc. No bad side effects from that but the 74 miles of packing in my nose was very uncomfortable

What procedure did you have and how long ago was it?

My brother had turbinoplasty one morning and went to work the same day. They used no packing.

I had turbinectomy and they used splints. No doctors use packing anymore. I went to work the next day but I did drip a little blood occasionally for about two days and I was careful about lifting and bending over for a few days. The whole thing was easy and left a nice "freeway" in my nostrils.

Granny listed a link that explains the different procedures.