Hello Guest, Welcome to Apnea Board !
As a guest, you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use.
To post a message, you must create a free account using a valid email address.

or Create an Account


New Posts   Today's Posts

So Frustrated!
#1
Sad 
So Frustrated!
Last year I was diagnosed with sleep apnea. I tried every mask there was and could not use them due to sinus pain. I saw my ENT and was diagnosed with a deviated septum. In March of this year I had surgery to correct it.

I was told to wait a couple months for healing and to have another sleep study. I did so and I not only have apnea still but worse? They put me on the cpap and I woke up every 15-30 minutes throughout the night. We ended the night about 1 1/2 hours early because I had really had enough. I was so exhausted and irritated.

I've been using my cpap at home. The left side of my nose keeps draining. Once I finally seem to get that cleared up I put the CPAP on and I instantly feel like there is massive pressure in my nose and eyes. I turn the machine on and have an ocean sound in my left ear. KRKRKRKRRRRR. I tried extending the ramp time hoping maybe I could just get to sleep. My contact in respiratory at the home pharmacy place says that he has never heard of someone having that sound in their ear while on the CPAP. His tone indicates he is thinking I just don't want to use it which is not the case. Yeah, I'd love to not have sleep apnea but it is what it is and I just want it to work and move on with my life.

During the day my left side of my nose always feels like something is up in there, not totally blocking the breathing but it's not flowing properly. If by chance I do fall asleep with the cpap on, I am constantly waking just like during my sleep study. I go through about 3 hours of that then I take it off because quite frankly I feel like I sleep more with it off.

I just want some sleep! I would give almost anything to wake up feeling rested. Sad It makes me want to cry. I am seeing the ENT specialist next week. I need to tell him also that every time I swallow (even spit) I get a pressure and fluttering in both my ears. I've been on the nasal steroids prior to and after surgery which give me massive headaches so they had me discontinue them. I'm not sure what else to do at this point. I just hope that the ENT specialist takes me seriously and can understand what I am telling him. I really need this resolved.
Post Reply Post Reply
#2
RE: So Frustrated!
It sounds like you still have a problem with a deviated septum or possibly a nasal polyp or scar tissue, although it is bit early for that.
Allergic rhinitis wouldn't selectively cause a problem with just one nostril, although that is a possibilty. You will see the ENT and he should be able to tell what's the cause.

Now as far as your sleep apnea treatment, until you get your nasal obstruction resolved, the only interface that will work for you would be a full face mask. That would allow you to breath through your mouth if you needed to. Nasal pillows, while comfortable, just won't work for you until you can get the nasal blockage eliminated.


I believe your machine is capable of autopap. Talk to your doctor about setting it up for you in that mode. You will be more comfortable with a lower starting pressure and have your machine only step up to 10 when it needs to do so.
Post Reply Post Reply
#3
RE: So Frustrated!
See if you can get your appointment with the ENT moved up. Explain to the office that you aren't able to get any sleep and are at the end of your rope.

It could be that you are still healing from the surgery, and that is contributing to your problems.
Sleepster

INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA. INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEB SITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.
Post Reply Post Reply
#4
RE: So Frustrated!
Hi kbenning, welcome to our forum - I've had the surgery and the turbinate reduction at the same time in March. The first few weeks felt miserable but now 3 months after the ops things are better than before the surgery so yes for some the recovery can take a bit longer. I think the sleep study done too soon after surgery ought to give the nose a chance to heal.
The first thing could suggest try a full face mask and not use the nasal pillows for now.
Ask your GP for OTC for the runny nose but it should only be used for very short time and if you got any crusting there is some ointment you can use. Its important to keep up with the sinus rinses it does helps clearing the sinuses and any mucus in the nose so you can breathe better. In profile say unsure about the humidifier but if you got the humidifier it may helps breathing warm moist air than breathing irritating dry cold air.
It can be frustrating but don,t despair. Good luck with the ENT follow-up
Post Reply Post Reply
#5
RE: So Frustrated!
(06-29-2012, 03:16 PM)BabyDoc Wrote: I believe your machine is capable of autopap. Talk to your doctor about setting it up for you in that mode. You will be more comfortable with a lower starting pressure and have your machine only step up to 10 when it needs to do so.

Thank you for your feedback, I will definitely see about that as well as the full face mask.

Post Reply Post Reply
#6
RE: So Frustrated!
(06-29-2012, 04:20 PM)zonk Wrote: Hi kbenning, welcome to our forum - I've had the surgery and the turbinate reduction at the same time in March. The first few weeks felt miserable but now 3 months after the ops things are better than before the surgery so yes for some the recovery can take a bit longer. I think the sleep study done too soon after surgery ought to give the nose a chance to heal.
The first thing could suggest try a full face mask and not use the nasal pillows for now.
Ask your GP for OTC for the runny nose but it should only be used for very short time and if you got any crusting there is some ointment you can use. Its important to keep up with the sinus rinses it does helps clearing the sinuses and any mucus in the nose so you can breathe better. In profile say unsure about the humidifier but if you got the humidifier it may helps breathing warm moist air than breathing irritating dry cold air.
It can be frustrating but don,t despair. Good luck with the ENT follow-up

Thank you, going to make some calls on Monday. I was able to get my ENT appointment for Tuesday morning which is a bit sooner. I do have a humidifier and I find that the heat bothers me. I also have head to toe arthritis and fibromyalgia...not sure how much that plays into it. I think the ENT will shed some light. I do remember him saying something about something else in my nose being pretty trashed, he asked me if I snorted cocaine and I was appalled. I've never done that so I don't know what is causing the issue. Maybe whatever he was referring to is also part of the problem. I will probably see if the turbinate reduction is something that should be considered.

Post Reply Post Reply
#7
Sad 
RE: So Frustrated!
I must say Thanks for the warm welcome and fast feedback to my post. It's nice to be able to communicate with others that understand what I am going through. I don't think one can truly relate unless they have went through it.

I am grateful for this opportunity to connect with you all. Smile
Post Reply Post Reply
#8
RE: So Frustrated!
(06-29-2012, 05:03 PM)kbenning Wrote: I do have a humidifier and I find that the heat bothers me.
You can try at a lower setting or in passover mode (no heat but water in the tank) so you get some moisture

Post Reply Post Reply
#9
RE: So Frustrated!
Hi kbenning, First of all, Welcome! to the forum. I'm sorry you are having such difficulty with your CPAP therapy but hopefully, after possibly changing masks and to, whenyou see your ENT, you can get this resolved. Best of luck to you.
trish6hundred
Post Reply Post Reply
#10
RE: So Frustrated!
One possibility is an oral mask. It blows air into your mouth, skipping your nose. Once you get used to it, your airway will seal at the back of your throat, letting air go in and out of your mouth without pressure going into your nose. To get an idea of what I'm talking about, hold your mouth close and blow air into your mouth like you're blowing up a balloon. Notice that air doesn't come out your nose, and you don't pop your ears like you do if you pinch your nose shut and blow.

Unfortunately, I and many others find it rather difficult to put up with an oral mask. I find it dries my throat up too much. You DO need a humidifier with it.

It may be the solution to some people with nose or ear trouble.
Get the free OSCAR CPAP software here.
Useful links.
Click here for information on the main alternative to CPAP.
If it's midnight and a DME tells you it's dark outside, go and check it yourself.
Post Reply Post Reply


Possibly Related Threads...
Thread Author Replies Views Last Post
  Frustrated as unable to get AHI's less than 5 and have difficulty sleeping. . rltarbu 21 813 03-19-2024, 10:25 AM
Last Post: rltarbu
Sad [Pressure] Still feeling frustrated/confused after years... Mossify 12 1,085 01-22-2024, 02:43 AM
Last Post: Mossify
  [Treatment] Very frustrated after radiofrequency tongue base reduction surgery phitom816 4 1,362 12-03-2023, 02:51 PM
Last Post: Too Sleepy
  [CPAP] Lots of issues, getting very frustrated. Help? fuccrat 0 392 05-05-2023, 12:17 AM
Last Post: fuccrat
  UPPP Surgery worsening daytime breathing, very frustrated yanix 0 964 08-30-2022, 02:50 AM
Last Post: yanix
  Really Frustrated, Confused & Tired Cammy 1 646 10-01-2021, 12:07 PM
Last Post: SleepyCPAP
  Frustrated, Cannot get AHI Down After 2 Weeks asuter060514 29 2,488 06-22-2021, 05:17 PM
Last Post: asuter060514


New Posts   Today's Posts


About Apnea Board

Apnea Board is an educational web site designed to empower Sleep Apnea patients.