A few months ago I went to an Ear Nose Throat doctor to have some ear pain checked out. On an apparent lark, the ENT checked my nostrils and asked me when the last time I breathed through my nose was. I had to admit it was pretty much never. I just don’t get enough air through my nose most of the time. Doc sent me down for a cat scan and it turns out I have a slightly deviated septum and swollen nasal tissue that’s blocking my left nostril.
Turns out my ear problem was caused by my TMJ (jaw problems), necessitating in my wearing a mouthguard at night. Side effect is that it blocks my mouth and makes it really tough to breathe. And so, after trying a few different medications and nasal sprays, I have been sentenced to have nostril surgery. My doctor is going to snip out some of the excess tissue.
He says it’s a common procedure and it’ll take 20 minutes. So I’m not too concerned. And hey! Being able to breathe might even be pretty cool.
Still, though. Nostril surgery. Nostril surgery. How funny is that? I’ve never had surgery before, except having my wisdom teeth extracted. Shoulda known that my first time under the knife would be something ridiculous.
Whoa. This sounds remarkably like me. TMJ, no air through nose. What’s your ear problem? Is it difficult adjusting to air pressure (airplanes, mountains, etc.?) This might just be my salvation! I’m gonna make a Dr’s appointment!
Kyla this must be some kinda July 29th birthday thing cause I have a deviated septum. Except I won’t let ‘em do surgery on it. I just a big ol’ wussy chicken. Good luck though!
My left ear hurts when I sleep on it. When I’m awake and upright, it’s fine, but I often wake up in the middle of the night in LOTS OF PAIN. I try to sleep on my right side, but it’s kind of hard to control when I’m, you know, unconscious. I went to the ENT cause I thought it was an ear infection, but it turns out it’s because I clench my teeth in my sleep and the joint just happens to be under my ear. So calling it an ear problem isn’t really accurate, I guess, but it sure as heck feels like it’s my ear that hurts.
My doc also has me on muscle relaxants, which have helped immensely.
Good luck with your surgery, and make sure the nurse counts all the sponges and tubes as they are removed. A friend of ours discovered that the reason for his years-long nasal trouble was that a rubber tube had been left up his sinus after a surgery.
Must be the season for it. I was recently diagnosed with sleep apnea, and it was recommended that I see an ENT for an evaluation in addition to using a CPAP (which I’m getting tomorrow). The ENT said I have a deviated septum and suggested surgery. He didn’t have to do a CAT scan to identify it, though. Just looked up each of my nostrils, asked if I ever had trouble breathing, and whether I ever hear a whistling noise when I breathe. This was last Friday, and I’m going in for the surgery next Wednesday.
And this is the first surgery I’ve had since I had my tonsils removed 46 years ago. I was told they might keep me overnight because of the sleep apnea, but the surgery will be done under a local anesthetic.