Surgery for deviated septum

Howdy,
What are your experiences with surgery? I do not have sinusitis.

I have a deviated septum and my E.N.T. told me that a successful surgery
could improve my ability to breathe through my right nostril. I don't
remember the name of the proposed surgery. I had an outpatient procedure
in 2003 to reduce the turbinates which are swollen. I was not put to sleep
during this surgery. My present E.N.T., who did not perform the 2003
surgery, said that it was a "coblation," The nostrils are almost always
plugged up and the saline solution that I irrigate with or the steam from a
shower are just about the only things that free them up. She has reviewed
CT scans that were taken in 2003 immediately before the coblation and in
2005 when I was considering having an additional turbinate reduction. I
also have a hideous case of complex central sleep apnea. I use a VPAP,
http://www.resmed.com/en-us/products/fl ... u=products
for the apnea.

She said that the surgery she is recommending would require a general
anesthetic. I would have splints in my nose for a little while afterwards.
I believe that she said that they would be there for about a week.

I use a homemade saline solution daily. The dry ingredient is equal parts
sea salt and baking soda. Every morning I add one half of a teaspoon of the
dry mixture to 8 ounces of warm water and shake vigorously. I then irrigate
each nostril with 4 ounces of the saline solution.

I use another tablespoon of a new batch of the solution, i.e., new batch
made with warm water, before my afternoon nap and again before I go to bed.
Right after the bedtime irrigation, I use two squirts of Flonase. I also
take an ant-histamine at night. I used an over-the-counter nasal spray,
Ocean, for a few days recently and it clogs my nose. I've been using a
machine, http://www.grossan.com/ to administer the solution because my hands
are too weak for me to use a bulb syringe. This is all per my E.N.T.'s
advice

Please let me have your comments, ideas, and whatever else.

Thanks

The problem is that if you have a deviated septum, all the meds and rinses in the world can't change it - it's anatomy, not a 'disease'. What I would do is ask for another opinion from another ENT.

Do it. I did a couple of years ago and it's one of the best things I've ever done for myself. Didn't change my need for cpap or my pressure, but it sure made it a smoother nightly experience.

JeffH

I had septum reconstruction with turbinate reduction in 1990. I had to go back the following morning to have the packing removed, which frankly was very unpleasant, but otherwise it was one of the best things I've ever done. It didn't do a thing for my sleeping or fatigue, but it totally eliminated the debilitating allergy symptoms I'd experienced my whole life.

I wish you well in your surgery, and hope you will keep us informed. I am wrestling
with a deviated septum, and my sleep doctor suggested several times that he would
refer me to an EENT (no, i do not think he gets kickbacks!). I do have constant
sinus infections and bruises under my nose... I would love it be able to
use the NasalAire II or a couple of other nasal masks, but my strangely configured
nostril is hostile.
Leonbergergirl

KSMike wrote:I had septum reconstruction with turbinate reduction in 1990. I had to go back the following morning to have the packing removed, which frankly was very unpleasant, but otherwise it was one of the best things I've ever done. It didn't do a thing for my sleeping or fatigue, but it totally eliminated the debilitating allergy symptoms I'd experienced my whole life.

Dr. Thompson by any chance?

Browser wrote:
Dr. Thompson by any chance?

No, Dr. Jerry Freeman. I'm pretty sure he's retired now but he was an outstanding doctor. He also put tubes in one of my kid's ears (which everyone frowns on now but it was a Godsend at the time). Why do you ask?

A lot of people complain about "sinus" problems when in fact the problem is with the nose, not the sinuses. The surgery referenced above is called septoplasty. It is nasal surgery, not sinus surgery. I had it recommended by 2 ENT's but did not have it done, because they each gave me a 50-50 chnace on improvement of my headaches, which is why I sought their counsel in the first place. They said I would breathe better but that was not my complaint. Now since beginning CPAP treatment I have had a dramatic reduction in my headaches (humidifier?), which was an unexpected surprise.

I haven't ruled out this surgery for the future - hoping technology can make it less invasive and reduce the negative effects of recovery.

Jason S. wrote: Now since beginning CPAP treatment I have had a dramatic reduction in my headaches (humidifier?), which was an unexpected surprise.

Oxygen.

i had my septum and turbines done in 1997, way before the OSA ever came up. in my opinion the inital after effect was almost as bad as child birth, but the long-term gain was profoundly good; stopped having sinus infections and ear problems, could breath easier as well. now with the OSA, i am glad i had the surgery when i did as would had to have happened regardless. all the best! the one big problem i had was the cold air, wow did the extreme cold hurt but that dissapated over time. i would still get pain in the very tip of my nose if touched a certain way and that lasted about a year, but again i reiterate it was well worth the discomfort.

gvd

I had this surgery this past August. I am very glad I did it, but not sure I would go through it again, Ha Ha It completely stopped all my head aches and I can breath much much better. They removed my splints the next day. Agree that was very unpleasant, but OK afterward. Anyway, it was worth it.