Considering turbinate reduction for better nasal breathing

[condition]

I had septoplasty and turbinate reduction surgery.  I also take Singulair (Montelukast) and Azelastine spray for allergic rhinitis.  This combination has helped me breath much better, decrease congestion significantly, and more easier tolerate my ventilator.  

May I ask if you were using these medications before starting CPAP therapy?

Because I was using Singulair and antihistamines very frequently before CPAP. I thought that I won't need these meds anymore, but falling to sleep with mild nasal congestion, creates pressure to my Eustachian tube, mainly on left ear that is flat on the pillow. I visited ENT doc, who prescribed more or less the same meds again. An allergist is also prescribing me relevant meds twice a year or so.

I believe that the air pressure as I am falling asleep pushes any mucus to my Eustachian tube. I wanted to discontinue Singulair as it was giving me strange dreams. It works well to dry the mucus though.

[sleepingbetterinFl]

Yes, I have found Flonase (steroid spray) to be very helpful.   I had the turbinate reduction but not septoplasty.  So I am awaiting better breathing-  For now, I have. a lot of congestion.  What part of Greece are you in?  Athens?

[condition]

I am from Athens and undergone septoplasty. Before CPAP therapy, only montelukast was effective all year round. Afterwards, last 6 months, I am using only antihistamines but not daily. I am reluctant to start montelukast again, and I will try fluticasone spray. One of the things that remain cheap here, although I am more familiar with the veramyst spray, again fluticasone spray but a different form. Now that I looked online it's called Flonase Sensimist in the US.

[sleepingbetterinFl]

beautiful country and city you live in.  May I ask what mask you are using?

[condition]

Thanks, F30 with Amara view headgear and F40 occasionally.

[AshSF]

If you have inflammation in your upper nasal tract, I would suggest saline rinse (twice a day) for 3 months. The inflammation will go away. The swelling will reduce and you will breathe more freely.

With surgery, it's a crapshoot. The surgeon will remove whatever it seems prudent. But your body may or may not respond with making a lot of scar tissue. If it happens, it will void the benefits in 3 years or less post surgery.

Also Afrin and other steroidal sprays have.a rebound effect. And it's hard to get off them. And they thin the skin and get less effective with time.

The turbinates increase the surface area of contact of inhaled air so that they get 100% humidified by the time they reach the lungs. It's how nature designed/evolved it :-) Do you want to wager against that.

[condition]

Thank you for your reply. I had an examination of turbinates a year ago and had not something alerting. I am rinsing nasal passages daily and I understand that steroid spray loses its effectiveness over time.

[Jay51]

I am very sorry I missed your question above.  No, I started using Singulair and Azelastine about a year or more into my pap/ventilator therapy.  I could tell the difference.  Basically less congestion.  The only side effect I had was a kind of "lead" "awful" taste after using the spray sometimes.  I don't have that anymore though.

[sleepingbetterinFl]

I agree and that afrin is not good and I try to avoid it when possible.  But I had the radio frequency ablation tirbinate reduction and it supposed to help at heat with breathing while wearing my mask

[sleepingbetterinFl]

Thank you again - I had the radio frequency procedure last Friday - I’m glad I did it and I still have runny nose and trouble with nose breathing - I go back on Friday for post op visit and they told me when they remove the scabs stuff in the nose I should breathe more easily .  Did you find that to be the case ?