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Gparr wrote:3 years ago I had 4 procedures done: turbinate resection, polyp removal, deviated septum and opening/cleaning out of frontal sinus.

First off let me tell you I am NOT a good candidate for anything that deals with pain. The day and after surgery was fine - minor discomfort but VERY manageable. The next 3 days were pretty bad with pain. Upon returning on day 7 for the checkup I was good to go and sleeping regularly. I am mot a back sleeper...but believe me...you will not want to sleep any other way!

Am VERY thankful I went through the process...everything is great and I can breath!!! This was not done to cure CPAP...I was not diagnosed with OSA unto 6 weeks ago.

Godd luck and do keep us informed of your procedures...

Hi... I too have a low tolerance to pain. Your testimony here does give me encouragement. I am having all of which you described done, except the cleaning of the sinus, as far as I know. As for sleeping on my back, I will have just have to deal with it somehow. I look forward to coming back and telling you my success story.

OP, maybe you don't need full-blown surgery; if you're afraid of major surgery (general anesthesia, potentially damaging modifications) maybe you could have the same benefits with a much simpler procedure like what I had: viewtopic/t90536/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=59128&.
McSleepy

roster wrote:There is a chance that you have both enlarged turbinates/deviated septum and sleep apnea (I did).

It will be interesting to see what your overnight pulse/ox study shows. The study will not be a conclusive positive or negative diagnosis of sleep apnea but it could lead your doctor to order a polysomnogram.

Yes, I do have enlarged turbinates, polyps, and deviated septum. I believe there is a good chance that I do have sleep apnea, as well. Back in 2004, I was visiting my mother. We slept in the same bed and I remember opening my eyes to see her staring over me. Then later calling my name really loud. I believe I had gone a long time between breaths and scared her. We never talked about it and I'm not sure if she knew what it was.

I have an appt. with my ENT @ 9:30 pst. to go over some questions I have, which I was hoping he could just do over the phone, but I think he wants to reassure me of what it is I NEED to have done. I will ask about the pulse ox then and get back to you later today.

You have been a great help to me, Rooster. I am so thankful I found this sight. I will keep you all posted of my recovery.

Have a great day,
-kristi

McSleepy wrote:OP, maybe you don't need full-blown surgery; if you're afraid of major surgery (general anesthesia, potentially damaging modifications) maybe you could have the same benefits with a much simpler procedure like what I had: viewtopic/t90536/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=59128&.
McSleepy

Hi, what a tough cookie you are. I have only had general anesthesia once before and I'm not too worried about that, more so is the recovery. From my understanding though and with my type of surgery I will need general anesthesia. Glad to hear it worked for you and you're breathing better today.

take care,
-kristi

roster wrote:

Metalsleep wrote:Hello,

I would strongly advise against it, I had this surgery in 05 and this has lead to what's known as the empty nose syndrome.

It has made life is very challenging to say the least.

Sincerely,
Adrien

I am so sorry for you. By 2005 the medical profession was well aware of Empty Nose Syndrome and knew how to easily avoid it. ENS is caused by removing all or too much of the turbinates.

There are some doctors who are using non-surgical and surgical treatments for ENS. If you have not already done so, I would urge you to seek one out.

Have you considered a consultation with a law firm specializing in medical malpractice? Your surgeon should have known how to easily avoid ENS.

Thanks for your input.

The medical profession is still in denial about the Empty Nose Syndrome, and there are no viable treatments available yet.

I live in France and we are less protected against medical malpractice here but I will try to do something about it ASAP.

Sincerely,
Adrien

Hi,
Like CPAP, surgery for nasal issues is not an end-all /be-all. Before CPAP I had deviated septum, and it came back! The ENT said I needed turbonates done, but I declined; too many people don't get lasting success.
AS for pain, I had my surgery done on a Thursday or Friday and the packing removed on Monday. By the third day-Sunday, I was doing well and had 'blown my nose' very carefully.
The last 23 months I've been practicing xPAP, and continue to have very challenging breathing due to congestion. My backup technique is using Vicks vaporub to help open up my sinuses at bedtime.
Whatever you choose, I hope it work for you.

Hi everyone,

I went to my ENT this morning to ask about my in home pulse/ox results, my sleeping on my back after surgery and if some sleep on my side would be ok.. Well, I never got to that question because when he came in the room, he immediately said we should try oxygen at night because according to Medicare guidelines, (whatever that means) I am a candidate for 02. I will also need to use a decongestant spray. I was prepared to have this surgery. I was! It surprised me that he wanted to try this first, because on my first visit with him, he said my nose was pretty jacked up and required surgery. He asked me if I snored and when I said yes, a sleep study was ordered. After not getting the results of that study for over 2 months, I decided to call and find out and that is when an in home pulse ox was ordered. So in order to get the results of that study I called and that is when the nurse made an appointment for me to see doc. Otherwise, I'm not sure I would have got a call back. She said, because it seems like you have more questions, (hmmm, yes, I have more questions because after they give you the pre-op paperwork it gives you all the worse case scenario's and said no side sleeping) the dr. wants you to come in. Which I believe, because he was just then seeing my pulse ox results, he may have thought the 02 could help me. I don't know, it just seemed weird to me that because I had only 2 questions prior to surgery the dr. wanted me to come in.

I know it will most likely be the best solution to my problem's but I am willing to try anything before having surgery, even though I am sure this will help me tremendously. Recovery is the part I worry most about.

I will write soon and let you wonderful people know if this helps my breathing at night and if I am able to get a good nights sleep. Boy, am I anxious to find out Thanks again for all your help. Truly thankful for this site.

KristiSkis: Some of those old horror stories you were reading on this forum about turbinate reduction surgery were probably mine. My surgery was over two decades ago, all in the bad old days. It was a pretty awful experience, however I won't bore everybody with the details once again. On the other hand, I'm now happy to report that my research and reading bring me to the current conclusion that things are a lot better these days regarding procedures, doctor education and follow up treatment. Sorry if I scared anybody off with last year's posts.

n0hardmask wrote:The last 23 months I've been practicing xPAP, and continue to have very challenging breathing due to congestion. My backup technique is using Vicks vaporub to help open up my sinuses at bedtime.

Have you tried daily nasal washes to alleviate the congestion? It has done wonders for me (NeilMed, twice a day).
McSleepy

Sir NoddinOff wrote:KristiSkis: Some of those old horror stories you were reading on this forum about turbinate reduction surgery were probably mine. My surgery was over two decades ago, all in the bad old days. It was a pretty awful experience, however I won't bore everybody with the details once again. On the other hand, I'm now happy to report that my research and reading bring me to the current conclusion that things are a lot better these days regarding procedures, doctor education and follow up treatment. Sorry if I scared anybody off with last year's posts.

Oh, I may have read one or two horror stories, I have also read some positives ones as well. I am sure technology has improved greatly in this field and I am confident in my surgeon. I'm just a big baby when it comes to the thought of pain. I already live with it daily with a bad back. Not sure I like the idea of having more added to it.

Thanks for your input and I hope things have improved for you over the years..

I think the biggest issue with recovery and pain revolves around whether the doctor splints your nose after the surgery. If he/she doesn't use a splint or packing, the discomfort will be considerably less, as will the recovery. I had septoplasty and turbinate reduction at the same time I had a tonsillectomy in 2010. I don't even remember my nose hurting!

SleepingUgly wrote: If he/she doesn't use a splint or packing, the discomfort will be considerably less, as will the recovery.

Unless you have had the surgery done all three ways, how do you know this? My doctor used splints and after the pain medicine from the surgery wore off I had no pain and was back at work quickly.

KristiSkis

Don't let them scare you. It sounds like you could get great relief from this surgery and you have a doctor who has heavy experience.

I had the surgery about ten years ago and it was a wonderful thing for my overall health. There were no expectations that it would cure sleep apnea and I still use CPAP every night.

They are talking about packing the nose. Ask your surgeon about this. He will probably laugh and tell you on one has used packing in over twenty years.

Best wishes for you and the surgeon,

Judge Nap wrote:


Don't let them scare you. It sounds like you could get great relief from this surgery and you have a doctor who has heavy experience.

I had the surgery about ten years ago and it was a wonderful thing for my overall health. There were no expectations that it would cure sleep apnea and I still use CPAP every night.

They are talking about packing the nose. Ask your surgeon about this. He will probably laugh and tell you on one has used packing in over twenty years.

Best wishes for you and the surgeon,

Thank you Judge Nap. I am very confident in my surgeon. He had me watch a video in which it did show some kind of packing and to me doesn't seem like it would be a problem. Quick and over with. I guess my main questions and concerns were the sleeping on my back, and if side sleeping was possible for some, the duration of everyone's recovery and their experiences.

To date, my surgery has been postponed. Doctor wants to try 02 first to see if REM sleep is achieved, which I used for the first time last night. It seemed to help, I woke up feeling rested and wasn't tired immediately upon waking up. I do believe surgery will have the best outcome for me, though.

Thanks again,
-kristi

roster wrote: It will be interesting to see what your overnight pulse/ox study shows.

Doctor ordered 1 liter of 02 at night along with a decongestant spray and return in a few months. I am ok with this but I believe surgery will be required for optimum sleep.