I would like some input on sinus surgery/ repair of deviated septum. I have a chronic cough that has been narrowed down to a deviated septum and thickened sinus membranes. Doctors are recommending sugery to repair both. Have heard pros and cons on this. Anybody had this done? Does it work? What are the chances of improving conditions?

-- Ruth Comer (drcomer@rr1.net), January 09, 2001

Answers

A man I know went into great detail once about surgery to repair his deviated septum. One of the things that stood out was the fact that after the surgery his nose and part of his sinus cavities were stuffed with an absolutely enormous quantity of some sort of material to the point where his nostrils were the size of quarters. He said that although he has a very high threshhold of pain, having this material removed caused his eyes to water profusely, and that it was the most painful event of his entire life.

On the other hand, another thing that stood out in his story was the fact that his sense of smell became extremely acute for several months, I think he said. That he could tell by scent who had walked into the house when he was several rooms away. It's not so acute now, but he says his sense of smell is still much greater than before the surgery.

My whole feeling after hearing his story was that you couldn't pay me to have that surgery, but then I don't live with a deviated septum. And remember, what I'm telling you is not firsthand, so be sure to take it with a grain of salt, so to speak.

-- Leslie A. (lesliea@home.com), January 09, 2001.

Ruth, I have had my deviated septum worked on 4 yrs ago and for the first few months I could breathe in more oxygen then I had in my entire life time in fact I was like on a high because of it then things settle down and now 4 yrs later I have very few headaches compare to back then because of having more drainage and less stuffiness but ever now and then if a dry low front comes sweeping through from the NW I get a headache and neck pain as too post operative recovery my was not bad at all but you might have some trouble since you are having both done and they do like to pack you good. But I don't understand what your coughing has to do with sinus congestion and with a DS. normally you would get coughing and throat scratchiness because of constant dripping not stuffiness

Tom

-- Tom From Mich. (tjk@cac.net), January 09, 2001.

Hi Ruth,

I am the rhinoplasty queen here. I was born with a severely deviated septum and then to add to the mess i was palying baseball with my cousins when I was younger and was the catcher. i wasn't wearing a helmut so when he swung it hit my nose. I sufferred for yrs emotionally from the mess and begged my parents to fix it. i was too dumb to understand I could not have the surgery until i was older, after my nose quit growing. Yes.... it grows until you are 20.

What led to me having surgery was chronic sinus issues and a sligt hearing loss in my right ear. I also always noticed the ear cannal to my ear in the right was bigger than the left. I went to a specialist because i was tired of not being able to breather and he suggested surgery. I was so scared and excited at the same time. Finally.... after all those years i would get a normal nose. so I had the surgery. I was really really drugged as the dr said i needed to be awake to move. so i recall having the surgery in the operating room ina sitting position. He also mentioned that he needed to give me cocaine (the medical variety) to help with pain. Now I shall spare you the exact details of how he did the surgery, but canm tell you it was 3 hrs long, the first one. I had a sort of cast on my nose and then splints inside. I had those for 2 weeks. After all wasremoved i was in awe of the nose. And.... I actually could breathe better. The sinus problems went away. However, my nose was so bad I had to have yet another surgery to correct the wall. I had that surgery 8 yrs after the first, nothing like procrastination i think. The second one was a different dr and it was outpatient. I didn;'t suffer as much either after surgey. My nose was totally repaired. i was just impressed with my new loo and the fact i could now breathe even better! I have had no regrets and to tell the truth I have not experienced any problems. i do have a keener sense of smell as was mentioned in the earlier post. But thats it. Hope this has helped and if you'd like more surgery details please feel free to e-mail me. Good Luck!!!

-- Bernice (geminigoats@yahoo.com), January 10, 2001.

Ruth, You may have looked into this already but did you ever try to give up dairy products? People who are allergic to milk usually have a thicker mucus, thus the cough. You could try not eating anything dairy for a week while you decide if you want surgery. (No cheating) Any questions about this, you could e-mail me direct.

-- Dee (gdgtur@goes.com), January 10, 2001.

Have you tried any forms of bodywork? Cranial osteopathy (or craniosacral therapy--an offshoot of cranial osteopathy) is a gentle form of bodywork that aligns the cranium and sacrum. It is thought that misalignments (due to trauma or orthopedic abnormalities) can cause headache, throat, ear, and sinus infections, and digestive problems (the vagus nerve originates in the cranium and pressure on that can affect digestion). I lived in England and discovered cranial osteopathy which is very mainstream and popular over there. I tried it out for treatment of my chronic sinus infections, and it worked. I haven't had a sinus problem since 1997, and I used to suffer from terrible sinus problems which sometimes lead to treatments with steroids and powerful antibiotics. The osteopath explained that I had an unusually high upper palate, as well as misalignments that stemmed from birth trauma (forceps) and an old head injury. In the States you can find a massage therapist, physical therapist, chiropractor, or occupational therapist that is certified in Upledger Craniosacral therapy. It may be worth a try before opting for surgery.

-- Amy (Acook@in4web.com), January 10, 2001.

I second Dee's idea, after I gave up dairy products, the sinus/allergy problems improved 100%, as well as a lot of my joint pain. Try it, it's worth a week's trial, might make a difference for you too!

-- Annie Miller in SE OH (annie@1st.net), January 14, 2001.

I don't have an answer, I am also looking for answers. I have been told I have a deviated septum and that my sinus openings are much too small for all of the junk! I am also nervous and worried. I mean, what if all the pain and suffering doesn't even solve my chronic sinus infection problem? I hope we both find the answers we are looking for! Good luck to you!

-- somer miller (somerleo@bellsouth.net), April 17, 2001.