Connection between other ENT issues and Sleep Apnea treatment?
I have a deviated setpum with 85% blockage in one nostril, which I've known for a long time. I've struggled with sinus conjestion and bad post-nasal drip all my life, which lead recurrent throat infections (3 to 4 per year). I wondered one day whether my deviated septum is causing (or exacerbating) my post-nasal drip. I never realized before that not everybody has chronic post-nasal drip; after all, isn't the design for our sinuses to drain primarily through our noses and not down our throats? This questioning is what led me to visit the ENT doc in the first place.
This ENT is the one who suggested I had OSA and prescribed the sleep study.
The ENT also noted "very large" tonsils.
This Thursday, I'm going back to the ENT for a handful of purposes (in no particular order):
1) To discuss how CPAP treatment is going so far
2) Have a CT scan to determine options regarding my deviated septum and enlarged tonsils
3) Allergy testing
I'm not naive; I know that doctors (even well-meaning ones) often prescribe treatments to make money and not necessarily because they'll improve the patient medically. Having said that, I'm assuming my ENT is going to recommend treatment for my deviated septum and probably to remove my tonsils, and I'll need to decide for myself whether to move forward with those.
My question to the forum is this: have any of you had either of these done? If so, what impact (if any) did it have on your CPAP treatment? Positive, negative, or neutral?
RE: Connection between other ENT issues and Sleep Apnea treatment?
(05-02-2017, 09:14 AM)Nicholas Wrote: I have a deviated setpum with 85% blockage in one nostril, which I've known for a long time. I've struggled with sinus conjestion and bad post-nasal drip all my life, which lead recurrent throat infections (3 to 4 per year). I wondered one day whether my deviated septum is causing (or exacerbating) my post-nasal drip. I never realized before that not everybody has chronic post-nasal drip; after all, isn't the design for our sinuses to drain primarily through our noses and not down our throats? This questioning is what led me to visit the ENT doc in the first place.
This ENT is the one who suggested I had OSA and prescribed the sleep study.
The ENT also noted "very large" tonsils.
This Thursday, I'm going back to the ENT for a handful of purposes (in no particular order):
1) To discuss how CPAP treatment is going so far
2) Have a CT scan to determine options regarding my deviated septum and enlarged tonsils
3) Allergy testing
I'm not naive; I know that doctors (even well-meaning ones) often prescribe treatments to make money and not necessarily because they'll improve the patient medically. Having said that, I'm assuming my ENT is going to recommend treatment for my deviated septum and probably to remove my tonsils, and I'll need to decide for myself whether to move forward with those.
My question to the forum is this: have any of you had either of these done? If so, what impact (if any) did it have on your CPAP treatment? Positive, negative, or neutral?
deviated septum is common
surgery is mostly for cosmetic reasons rarely medical
i am skeptical about tonsils being problem
i would get second and third opinions before surgery or spending a lot of money on CPAPs
what did the sleep study say
how do you actually feel
my septum is fine
and i have the same blockage and drip issues which
are not caused by any deviation
RE: Connection between other ENT issues and Sleep Apnea treatment?
Had a deviated septum operated on about 10 years ago and it made all the difference in the world. Was experiencing all the symptoms you describe but since the operation have not had any major sinus issues and at most one minor cold per year. My nose was crooked before and after surgery so it definitely wasn't done for cosmetic reasons but strictly to open up sinuses. Knowing what I know now I would have had the surgery much sooner.
RE: Connection between other ENT issues and Sleep Apnea treatment?
(05-02-2017, 09:14 AM)Nicholas Wrote: I have a deviated setpum with 85% blockage in one nostril, which I've known for a long time. I've struggled with sinus conjestion and bad post-nasal drip all my life, which lead recurrent throat infections (3 to 4 per year). I wondered one day whether my deviated septum is causing (or exacerbating) my post-nasal drip. I never realized before that not everybody has chronic post-nasal drip; after all, isn't the design for our sinuses to drain primarily through our noses and not down our throats? This questioning is what led me to visit the ENT doc in the first place.
This ENT is the one who suggested I had OSA and prescribed the sleep study.
The ENT also noted "very large" tonsils.
This Thursday, I'm going back to the ENT for a handful of purposes (in no particular order):
1) To discuss how CPAP treatment is going so far
2) Have a CT scan to determine options regarding my deviated septum and enlarged tonsils
3) Allergy testing
I'm not naive; I know that doctors (even well-meaning ones) often prescribe treatments to make money and not necessarily because they'll improve the patient medically. Having said that, I'm assuming my ENT is going to recommend treatment for my deviated septum and probably to remove my tonsils, and I'll need to decide for myself whether to move forward with those.
My question to the forum is this: have any of you had either of these done? If so, what impact (if any) did it have on your CPAP treatment? Positive, negative, or neutral?
I would like to see some data before making recommendations.
As a rule of thumb I personally like to avoid surgery, thus see the impact CPAP is having on you.
RE: Connection between other ENT issues and Sleep Apnea treatment?
I have had my deviated septum repaired. It absolutely does not affect the outward appearance of your nose. I am very happy that I had it done. The pain and recovery was minimal and I can breathe so much better now. I can now use a nasal mask with out Breathe Right strips! Your blockage at 85% is much worse than mine at 50%. I'd give this surgery serious consideration. I had my tonsils out as a child so I can't advise you there, but I can imagine how they might impact OSA.
RE: Connection between other ENT issues and Sleep Apnea treatment?
I'm seeing a ENT specialist two days from now for chronic tonsillitis with very large tonsils and almost constant sinus infections. My doctor who referred me thinks that removal of the tonsils might "fix" my sleep apnea, which is mostly OA. I'll see what the specialist says and pretty sure the tonsils are coming out, but for work reasons I'll have to push the surgery date into July at the earliest. So I can't tell you yet, but if you go ahead with it, I'd love to hear the results regarding your sleep apnea.