I have had a sinus problem for about 25 years, and have been diagnosed as having oversized turbinets(sp?). When I first looked into the matter, the surgery required was , in my opinion, dangerous, and so I have been treating the condition with cortisone nasal sprays, and occasional use of decongestants, and saline sprays.  By these methods, I have kept the condition at bay, and reduced the occurance of infections form about 4 a year to about 1 every two years, not very severe.  Lately, a surgical cautery technique has been developed which is suitable to my case, and I am scheduled for the operation next may. I hope that his will cure the condition, or at least improve it substantially.  This condition has apnoeaic symptoms in that the nasal breathing passages are often partly obstructed even during the day, and I, for example, have to breathe through my mouth while climbing a hill, if not I am short of breath at the top.  I generally sleep 4 to 6 hours a night in bed, and then get up and sleep the rest in a chair.  I dislike breathing through my mouth at night as it causes dry mouth, and as soon as I am aware that my nose has totally plugged, I get up and sleep in the chair. I try to get at least 7 1/2 hours a night, and that seems satisfactory.  

Recently, I have had a few episodes of snoring, and my wife says that I have stopped breathing several times for about 10 seconds each time.  I had a diagnostic test of oxygen levels and they were a bit low and so my Dr referred me to a sleep specialist.  These sleep specialists are thin on the ground around here, and it took about 3 months to get an appointment, but in the meantime something has come up personally, and I will not be able to see him until next April.  

When my wife mentioned these episodes, I increased the frequency of the cortisone nasal spray,(which I had cut back), and began to use those adhesive nasal strips which hold the nostrils more open, and according to her the episodes have stopped except for a very occasional one.(perhaps once a week or less.)

My guess is that my sleep apnoea is almost entirely related to my long standing congestion problem, and that the operation will likely clear it up.  I shall try using decongestants to help the problem as well.

My score on the Epworth Scale is 6 or 7.

Comments or recommendations welcome.

Hi Guest,

I have severe allergies and had my sinuses completely roto-routed, including my turbinates.  Sorry to say that my apnea became more severe and was diagnosed about 4 years after my surgery.  Those nose strips may help snoring, but here is where the confusion comes in.  Most people with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) snore, however, not everyone who snores has OSA.  Stripping out your turbinates may let you breath easier and easy your congestion, but it will not cure OSA and neither will those nose strips because that is not where the obstruction occurs in OSA.  The obstruction in OSA occurs in the back of the throat, far away from your nostrils and sinuses.

I feel you still should be evaluated for OSA because it is a disorder with very severe consequences including increased risk of heart attack and stroke.  April is way too long to wait.  Try to find a certified sleep doc., even if you have to drive a bit (see my doc./sleep lab cert. post under "Interesting Links" and let us know what you end up doing!

BTW, look up my posts on "sinus irrigation"  read the whole post because it isn't as difficult as it sounds at first and it super duper great at clearing congestion and making you feel better.

Vicki


_________________
That which does not kill you makes you stronger-Friedrich Nietzsche
Friedrich must of had apnea.