Well, that explains it!!

[Starrbelie]

I have been having lots of problems with sinus stuffiness and mask anxiety. Nasal pillows didn't help. Things were actually worse with the pillows because I didn't feel like I could exhale. The nasal mask is better but I'm still stuffy. I wake up in the middle of the night almost in a panic because I feel like I can't breathe. My sleep specialist and I decided I needed to see an ENT. Well, that appointment was yesterday. The verdict is...my septum is mild to moderately deviated to the right and my turbinates are significantly inflamed. So, there ya go, there is a reason I feel like I can't breathe and it's not that I'm crazy. Well, I am crazy but it's not causing my breathing issues! Since I already use a nasal steroid and get some improvement, there is no reason to try a different steroid. That leaves a septoplasty and turbinate reduction as my only option. I guess when I broke my nose diving in my parents pool several years ago it did more internal damage than I thought. Oh well, won't be fun but hopefully it will be worth it! Waiting on the ENT office to call me back to schedule the surgery.

[trish6hundred]

Hi Starrbelie,
Good luck with your surgery, I hope it goes well for you.

[PaulaO2]

In the meantime, try out a full face mask. You can breathe with your mouth open. Discuss with your ENT and your sleep doc how you can use your CPAP after surgery. Sometimes you cannot. Plan for that. You need your sleep in order to heal. You can use pillows to prop yourself on your side which can cut down on obstructive events. You can also sleep in a recliner or prop yourself on your back in bed in an inclined position. Put something under your knees to keep from sliding down in the night and to help your back.

[zonk]

I guess when I broke my nose diving in my parents pool several years ago it did more internal damage than I thought. Oh well, won't be fun but hopefully it will be worth it! Waiting on the ENT office to call me back to schedule the surgery.

I was going to say .. if not broken, don't fix it, but your nose was broken
Good luck with the surgery, make a habit to tell everyone looking after you about sleep apnea, most importantly, the anaesthetic
Keep us updated, how the surgery goes

I had the surgery done 3 years ago, did not resolve nasal congestion but breathing and AHI numbers improved slightly
It took a week before can use CPAP, few visits to ENT to remove stitches and cleaning the nose. Plenty sinus rinses during the day helps
Full face mask is good to use initially but I always struggle with it, had to put the machine at lower pressure to get some sleep

Most people walk around with crooked noses to some degree, they don't all have problems or use CPAP
Most CPAPers suffer from congestion, congestion is one of CPAP side effects and most talked about topic
I'm not using any steroid or OTC sprays, just saline sinus sinus before bedtime and the heated hose helps

[Starrbelie]

My ENT said it was very important that I use my CPAP immediately post-op. He was adamant that I sleep with my CPAP the night after surgery. So, that's good. He also said I wouldn't have any packing. I'll be stuffy for a few days afterwards but will be able to breathe through my nose. He thought my biggest annoyance would be that my nose will be tender and my mask might aggravate that. Hopefully, I will hear back from the scheduler tomorrow and can get this show on the road! I'm tired of fighting with the damned thing every night!!

[Starrbelie]

As my ENT put it when I asked about helping with congestion not just with CPAP. A person without a deviated septum and inflamed turbinates get some congestion from allergies or a cold and they notice it but are still able to move some air and they deal with. When I get the same amount of congestion I can't move any air because it completely stops my nose up due to the inflammation that's already there.

[PaulaO2]

Yeah, if you can, look into a full face mask. It may help you. They're not as claustrophobic as they look.

[parkerdt]

Best of luck!

[49er]

I had the surgery in March and pretty much had the same results as Zonk. However, this surgery is usually very successful so your chances of improvement are good.

Also, as one who was quite worried about anesthesia, I did very well and recovered rapidly. I asked that all medications be minimized due to my extreme sensitivity to meds and my surgeon and anesthesiologist took my concerns very seriously.

I also used a FitLife Full face mask after surgery which my surgeon allowed. Unfortunately, I struggled greatly but that is another issue.

Best of luck to you.

49er

[Starrbelie]

Well, the scheduler finally called me back this morning. I'm set for this Wednesday! YAY!!