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Re: Somno, no septo, better way to go?

Posted by Sleepy Time Time on October 12, 2004 at 13:54:01:

In Reply to: Re: Somno, no septo, better way to go? posted by mikeinboston on October 11, 2004 at 15:21:20:

Mike Wrote:

"Septopasty and somnoplasty are usually considered part of the same global operation, so I would not be too concerned about the ENT wanting more money from you. As for doing it, why not? You'll be recovering from the somnoplasty, your under anyway, and the risks of the surgery are minimal."


Actually, that is not true, as I understand it. Please note that I said I was interested in somnoplasty of the turbinates -- as opposed turbinate re-section, which is a scalpel surgery where they cut the turbinates.

Somnoplasty, I believe, is an in-office outpatient procedure that does not use a scalpel. I believe it uses radio-frequency waves or some other less invasive process. So I would not "already be recovering from the somnoplasty."

After my allergist looked in my nose and said my "deivation" is minor, and after talking to others, I have decided I dont want to be cut, because I think these guys are cut-happy. A doctor acquaintence of mine cautioned, "If you go to a cutter, he's going to want to cut you. That's what they do."

As I understand it, somnoplasty requires repeat visits and is preferable in many cases to the scalpel surgery, which frequently results in long-term nasal dryness issues. Plus I understand that, when they do a turbinate re-section with a scalpel, they use some substance to stanch bleeding that can compromise your immune system.

However, I understand the above-named issues/concerns are not written in stone and that different people have had different experiences. That's why I inquired about the experiences of persons here on this forum.

As for my reasons for wanting it done, I am congested all the time. I realize that this procedure does nto directly address apnea, but I have to believe that not being able to breathe through your nose must have a detrimental effect on your quality of sleep, whether you are on Cpap or not.

I have been on Cpap for five months with no improvement (I'm on my third machine and third pressure level in four years). So I am also considering the somno and nasal polyup removal in the hopes that removing those obstructions might increase Cpap effectiveness.

(Then again, my titration study results indicated that, even with my nasal blockage, "Cpap at 10 cem corrects the apnea." So who knows?)

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