Deviated septum enlarged turbinates and collapsed nostril?

ata

I just wonder if I am the only one with a breast cancer and the above problems.

I will undergo septoplasty, turbinates reduction and collapsed nostril correction shortly and I hope that after that surgery some of the side effects of my hormonal therapy , like an insomnia, will get better.

Moderators

Ata-

We aren't aware of any connections between nasal issues and breast cancer, but the problems you've mentioned can definitely be responsible for your insomnia. We hope you find relief after your surgery!

The Mods

bevin

HI, I also have a deviated septum and bone growth on my sinus cavity (turbinate) doctor recommended surgery. I haven't scheduled it yet. I'm a bit scared. I hate being under anesthesia

ata

Hello bevin,

I don't like to be under a general anesthesia too but if I can get rid of at least one side effect, I will do it. One step at a time.

I don't remember when the last time I slept all night long.

ata

I surely hope so too.

Thank you for your best wishes.

bevin

Ata- gosh do I get that lack of sleep is a major issue and leads to all sorts of things. let me know how you make out and how recovery is. maybe I'll get the strength to have the surgery done.

ata

I will let you know bevin.

My surgery will be on 26^th of November , so I have to wait only two more weeks.

For now I am using intra-nasal breathe aid and they are very uncomfortable because of my deviated septum but they work. If they stay put at night, it reduces my insomnia from five times wake up at night to only two times per night.

Maybe you can try them too. Maybe it will work better for you and it will stay put.

katcar0001

Ata - I had everything you have and more. I had the septoplasty and turbinate surgery done in 2003 along with a UUUP and tonsillectomy for sleep apnea. I need the turbinate surgery again :-(. The growths on them came back, and my left side clogs up every night. Once you are breathing better, you'll be glad you did the surgeries. Hang in there!

ata

Hello katcar001,

I am aware that our noses have the memory and it can regrow and make a trouble for us again.

How long it lasted before you noticed the regrow?

Does it fill the same way like before your surgery or this time is different?

Do you have a sleep apnea again?

Thanks.

katcar0001

Ata - Yes, I have sleep apnea again but due to a number of factors, not just my nose. I'd say the turbinate growths came back after about 6-7 years. I don't remember what they were like before the surgery, except that they were enlarged, and I guess they are as bad now as before. Even though I had the UUUP, my tongue was probably as big an issue, and I need to get that addressed when all my cancer stuff is behind me. Also, I had read that progesterone supplementation could help tighten up the tissues in my throat and improve sleep apnea. So I took it, and indeed it helped immensely esp. around my period. My sleep apnea would get much worse when I was pre-menstrual. I was so happy with the progesterone. And then I got breast cancer... doctors took me off all HRT. I also discovered via sleep tests that it is worse when I sleep on my back (tongue falls back into throat), so I had to train to myself to sleep on my side. I think with turbinate surgery and tongue ablation, I will be a new woman. I hope you can get some relief. I highly recommend that you read some of the articles and view some of the videos on Dr. Steven Park's website: www.doctorstevenpark.com Best of luck to you!

Note on the turbinate surgery--make sure you find a doctor who knows how to do this right. They should be reduced, not obliterated, or you will end up with empty nose syndrome and worse problems!

proudtospin

lhmmm, well I had my first sinus surgery in 2002, way before any of the BC stuff, surgery was to remove polyps

it lasted till 2013 when the polyps had grown back so bad that I could not breath through my nose, I started to clinch my jaw and force air out my nostrils to breath at night. DId my homework and found a great ENT who did surgery to remove the polyps and the world is a better place! I had been getting constant sinus infections but now have not had any issues since 2013. He was suggesting a second surgery to open turbinates but I did not do it and really have not had any breathing issues since

but no one ever suggested that my sinus, asthma and polyp issues had anything to do with my breast cancer in 2008

yeah, like all surgery you do need to find a good one

ata

I have been looking at some of the articles and the few of them caught my attention:

1-"One of the most important reasons to breathe through your nose is because of a gas called nitric oxide that's made by your nose and sinus mucous membranes. This gas is produced in small amounts, but when inhaled into the lungs, significantly enhances your lung's capacity to absorb oxygen."

2-" Biochemist Otto Heinrich Warburg, one of the twentieth century's leading cell biologists, discovered that All normal cells have an absolute requirement for oxygen, but cancer cells can live without oxygen - a rule without exception." In 1931 he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine.

I don't know if it has any connection with a breast cancer, one thing I know that without a good night sleep, my life is very miserable.

My surgeon is also a professor at university so I put my hope his hands.

Ata

ata

Hello sisters,

I promised that I will update you with the results. I am five months post op and there is so big improvement in my breathing, I don't have the sinusitis anymore, I don't get tired from doing my exercises as I did before.. When comes to sleep, well, my husband sleeps better now without my snoring. I still wake up two times at night but I go to sleep almost right away and for some reason, (I don't know good or not so good) my deep sleep cycle got 10% shorter than before . Before op I either had to wait at least one hour before I fell asleep again or I took the melatonin to help me out. The initial recovery wasn't too painful because there aren't too many nerves in the nose, it lasted a few days. The long time recovery however can take up to two years, my nose still is little swollen and I still have some stiches there. Overall it was so much worth it.