SU, first of all, I don't expect to find a "cure" for my sleep disorder. The objective is to make it easier to breathe, which would increase the efficiency of my CPAP treatment. As to what to do, he directed me to try Afrin for 3 nights, nasal strips 3 nights, and possibly both for 3 nights for a 9 night trial. Now I wasn't as inqusitive as you are, so I didn't ask ahead of time what the results would tell him. I can report back here after I discuss my results with Dr. Park, and share his insight. I plan on calling his office early this week. But he wasn't specific with me as to # of sprays or exactly how close to bedtime. It is for use with CPAP. He did mention I should stick with the mask that works best for me. (I usually am in the habit of switching masks every few days.). And I should limit snacks before bedtime. But he didn't give me very specific instructions on the Afrin or nasal strips. Outcome was which gave me better relief - He is interested in more in how I feel than my numbers. Interestingly, my numbers shot up a bit with the Afrin for 2 nights, so I stopped after 2 - gives me a dried out feeling - so I even upped the humidity from 1.5 to 2 on my 2nd night of Afrin, but I still got an uncomfortable dryness with it. I've gotten immediate relief with the nasal strips - Numbers were good as usual, but leakage was down -- think I might be less restless with the strips and so maybe moving around less in sleep and thus my leakage is lower. With the strips I did feel better somewhat.SleepingUgly wrote:Gary,
I have a deviated septum and would like to try the "experiment". What is the experiment supposed to determine? (e.g., whether septoplasty would "cure" your sleep disordered breathing?). Can you please give me very specific details on how to do it? (e.g., # of sprays per nostril, how close to bedtime, use with CPAP or without, etc.) What outcome are you looking at (e.g., how tired you feel the next day, what your AHI is on the machine for that night, or what)?
Thanks!
Before suggesting a course of action for my septum and turbinates, he came up with a small experiment for me to try. He told me to try Afrin for 3 nights, try the breath rite nasal strips for 3 nights, and possibly try both for 3 nights. He also told me to google "nozovent" and look into trying that as well. And he told me to take notes, to see what works the best. Based on my results, he would recommend the type of treatment to pursue.
He also told me to google "Nozovent" and look into that. This is something that fits into the nose, and I guess is an alternative to nasal strips.
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