Deviated septum, anyone?

[citymama]

I haven't posted here about it, but after two years of DD1's nose being constantly gunked up and not draining (sorry it that's TMI!), and her disturbed sleep due to the congestion and mouth-breathing, we finally took her to an ENT. He said she has a significantly deviated septum. He said we might want to have surgery when she is a young adult. For now, we should continue with the neti pot (which helps her a LOT when we do it regularly). He also said we might want to consider surgery to remove the adenoids and shrink the turbinates - this would help her breathing and reduce discomfort, even though it doesn't fix the deviated septum. DH and I would rather avoid having her undergo a surgery under general anesthesia that she doesn't really need.

Anyone BTDT with a deviated septum in their kid or themselves, and how did you resolve it? Anyone's kid gone through the adenoids or turbinates surgery? I know that's pretty common.

I didn't talk to the specialist re things like decongestants and nasal sprays, but I guess we will talk to the pediatrician about whether those options will help. DD's congestion is usually worst during Dec-March - cold season -- and she doesn't typically have these issues during the rest of the year.

Thanks for any advice on this.

[mom2one]

Hi! I had the deviated septum, reduced turbinates, and blocked sinus surgery at at the same time in Feb 2009. Worse part was getting the packing removed and it took about a month to feel likes good old self again.

[lfp2n]

I've always had a deviated septum and always been a terrible sleeper. I often feel I have a blocked nose and sinus headache from it. I've been taking Flonase for an unrelated tmj/ ear pain lately though and it has also helped my breathing. I'm too chicken to have elective surgery now, my sister did in her 20s, like pp she had an awful first month, but now is really happy she did it.

[cvanbrunt]

I had the septum surgery my senior year of high school. It made huge difference and stopped the mouth breathing at night. It wasn't fun but I'd do it again in a second and allow my girls to have it if necessary.

[MSWR0319]

I had serious sinus infections for years. I finally went to an ENT and he told me I had a deviated septum and needed surgery. I was just not comfortable getting the surgery yet. So I waited and we ended up moving. I went to a new allergist who got my allergies under control and between that and using the neti pot daily, I haven't had a sinus infection in a couple of years. So I never went and got the surgery. Has she been tested for allergies?? She could have chronic sinusitis and the underlying cause isn't being treated?? Just throwing something else out there in case it hasn't been explored if you want to avoid surgery.

[Cam&Clay]

I had deviated septum surgery in my late teens. It was no picnic. The removal of the packing was the worst part and my nose was sore for a long time, but I went from daily sinus headaches and an almost constant sinus infection to a few a year. It was life changing and I would do it again in a minute.

[Momit]

I've had a deviated septum since I was a kid. When I started getting chronic sinus infections in high school, I had my tonsils and adenoids removed and haven't had a sinus infection since. The plan was to see how much better I got from that and fix the septum only if necessary since the surgery is so much more involved. I still have my deviated septum but it doesn't bother me much - just occasional mouth breathing and trouble draining when I have a cold.

[TxCat]

I had a septoplasty and rhinoplasty in my early 20s to fix a severely deviated septum (the rhinoplasty wasn't really necessary for deviated septum, purely a cosmetic choice for me, but I figured since they were working there anyways, might as well fix the crooked bump on the bridge of my nose!). Best. Decision. Ever. I breathe so much better now. However, since I was an obligate mouth breather for my entire youth, I actually haven't been able to stop mouth breathing since the surgery, at least not while sleeping - it's such an ingrained habit. If anything, I wish I had gotten the surgery earlier. The recovery was not bad at all. Uncomfortable to take the packing out, but I was back to my old self after a week or so.

Adenoid surgery is very common. If there are any concerns about obstructed breathing or sleep apnea later with your DC, definitely consider the adenoid surgery. The benefits would far outweigh the risks for me in that scenario.

[KpbS]

My DS1 and DS2 both had huge tonsils and adnoids and had both removed during routine surgery. The surgery is super easy--very short and very straightforward. I would definitely do it again.

[tmphilo]

DH had a deviated septum for years. He finally had surgery last year after he got hit in the nose with a softball and broke 8 bones in his nose/face. They fixed his deviated septum (which was made worse) when they were in there to fix everything else. He says it's like night and day now. He can actually breathe out of his nose. Surgery wasn't too bad. He was oozy for a few days and didn't have too much packing to take out (they used mostly nose splints instead).

[wifecat]

I had a severely deviated septum and chronic sinus infections from the age of 5 through 25. I had surgery to correct it then (and they also removed some turbinites, if I remember correctly). It helped a ton and I began having far fewer sinus infections (1-2/yr vs 6-7).

I eventually got allergy shots to combat my asthma and after years of those, I was done with sinus infections. I haven't had one in three years, and I no longer have asthma issues. Whoot!

[boolady]

I wish that DH's parents had had his deviated septum corrected at some point, but they didn't. He had adenoids and tonsils out as a kid. He's a terrible mouth breather, has sleep apnea, constantly congested nasal/sinus passages, gets frequent sinus headaches, uses Flonase with little relief, and clearly needs to get it done. He doesn't want to, but I have never met an adult that breathes the way he does-- he doesn't understand what I'm talking about, but it's like he's constantly shallow breathing, loudly, without really using his nose. Probably makes no sense, but I think his quality of life would be greatly improved.

[mackmama]

I've had a deviated septum since my teens when our family dog rammed his big lovable head into my nose by accident. I've had a lot of sinus infections but have not had the surgery because I just don't think the risks of surgery (in general) are worth it. I now use a saline spray daily which really helps.