Archive through November 29, 2001

The ClubHouse: Archive: Medical Questions: Archive through November 29, 2001

Tksoard

Saturday, November 24, 2001 - 02:19 pm Click here to edit this post
Has anyone here ever had a Deviated Septum? You know, plugged nose? I'm haveing surgery next Friday for it, and I was wondering if anyone here has ever gone through it. The Dr. said, "yes it is very painful, but you will be able to breath better." I'd like to know if it will be worth the pain. Any information will be welcome, good or bad. Thanks!!

Willsfan

Saturday, November 24, 2001 - 04:13 pm Click here to edit this post
I did last December. I can now breath through both nostrils, one of my turbines (sp?) had collapsed and my sinus problems have improved...but now I have more of a problem with an allergy to mold spores (native cedar in the fall) which had not really bothered me before. I am glad I did it, but I wouldn't do it again.

The doctor packed my nose and I had to breathe through my mouth, which was slightly uncomfortable. After 4 days the packing was removed and I was able to breathe through my nose. I used Q-tips soaked in saline solution to loosen what felt like scabs inside my nose. Some people are bothered by this more than others and it is not a good idea to blow your nose until you are completely healed.

I wasn't in any pain after the surgery. They gave me enough pain pills for a week but I only took them for 3 days and I was "out of it". haha I do recommend that you have someone stay with you the first 24 hours, just in case. Flexible drinking straws, easy to eat comfort foods and some movie rentals will help your recovery.

Most of all don't be frightened, it was much easier than I had expected. When I went in for surgery I was shaking like a leaf. Good Luck :-)

Tksoard

Saturday, November 24, 2001 - 04:42 pm Click here to edit this post
Thank you so much, Willsfan!! He did tell me I'd have splints up my nose until Mon. when I go back. I thought maybe that was to open up the nostrils for the blood to drain. I have so many questions for him. I go in Wed. for tests. I don't think I'll see the Dr. though. I've never had allergys before. When we moved from MI. to TN. 10 years ago, I noticed that I couldn't breath at night. I had to hold my thumb on my cheek to pull my nose open to breath. I thought it was just the change of living area. Then they came out with Breath Right Strips which are the best invention in the world!! They worked until about 6 months ago when the strangest noises started waking me up at night. It was my NOSE!! Whistles and grunts and just the strangest noises!! Then the strips stopped working. Time to do something about it if I want to sleep.

I've gone through alot of surgerys on my eyes and a very bad motorcycle accident, but I am so scared everytime!! I hate the word PAIN!! I really should be used to it by now, but this is a new one, and scheduled! Thanks for the information, now that you know my life, how are you doing?!

Tksoard

Saturday, November 24, 2001 - 04:52 pm Click here to edit this post
Oh yes!! I LOVE EMMA!! What a beautiful doggy!! How old is she? Is that a puppy picture, or is she still that tiny?

Willsfan

Saturday, November 24, 2001 - 08:19 pm Click here to edit this post
hahaha Emma was 3mos. in the photo. She's 10mos. now weighs 9lbs. and is spoiled rotten.

Hey, other people have mentioned that whistling sound too. Here's a URL for a site that discusses all kinds of facial surgery including Septoplasty. It's a message board, you don't have to register to post. If you scroll down you will find some people that have had this surgery recently and their comments. It was a lifesaver to me last year because everyone was giving me emotional support. (I'm a wuss)

http://www.faceforum.com/cgi-local/index.cgi

Tksoard

Sunday, November 25, 2001 - 07:48 am Click here to edit this post
Willsfan, thanks for the site. I checked it out briefly last night before bed, and it is scary!! I'm going over there now cause I've got the time to spend there. I'll be back!!

Tksoard

Sunday, November 25, 2001 - 09:39 am Click here to edit this post
Well, I'm back, and do I ever have a headache!! I'm really starting to have second thoughts on this deal. Who needs to breath anyway!! I read all the different areas of the site, and ended up at the procedure part. This is alot more than I really wanted to know. HAHAHA!! I know all Drs. are different, but mine didn't really fill me in on all of the details. I should have asked more questions face to face. Now I'll have to call his office and talk to a nurse who will no doubt sugar coat it. I really do appreciate the info from you!! Thanks!!

Willsfan

Sunday, November 25, 2001 - 04:04 pm Click here to edit this post
Tksoard!! I didn't post that link to scare you. Wow, I'm sorry if it did. But you are correct- that site can tell you more than you wanted to know. haha

I was knocked completely out for the surgery (thank goodness) and didn't feel any pain till late that night and that was because I had not taken a pain pill. The surgery was done at 7am. and took about 2 hours-total. At the end of 2 hours I was in recovery and within a few minutes dressed and ready to go home. I slept all the way home which is about an hour's drive.

Don't change your mind about the surgery. It WILL be worth it to be able to breathe better!!

Tksoard

Sunday, November 25, 2001 - 04:10 pm Click here to edit this post
Willsfan, after I posted that, I was afraid you'd say that. I'm really glad you are taking the time to help me!! That is why I posted here, for better or worse! HAHAHA!! I probably will go through with it, but I do have some ?'s for the Dr. before hand. Thanks again!!

Lancecrossfire

Wednesday, November 28, 2001 - 05:53 pm Click here to edit this post
Tk, what kind of information were you able to find out at your Dr. appointment?? Do you feel any better about going through with the surgery?

Tksoard

Wednesday, November 28, 2001 - 07:18 pm Click here to edit this post
Thanks for asking Lance!! I was starting to feel a little better today. I went for the test. I hate having blood drawn and needles, but she did a pretty good job at it. I had to do the EKG twice, cause the nurse and I were talking and laughing too much. She was in an accident in 1994 and I thought she said she looked like she got hit by a dump truck. I laughed at her and she said "No, I GOT hit by a dump truck!!" She was really fun!! Then cam the chest x-ray. I have a whole bunch of fluid in my right lung. He did more x-rays and then had to get a past chest x-ray from my regular Dr. They don't know yet what is going to happen, so I have to wait till tomorrow to find out. I guess it could cause problems with the anesthesic(sp). I was starting to feel like, I know it is going to hurt bad, but it is only for a few days, then I will be able to breath better and continue on with my life. Now, if I go through with it, I wonder if I will wake up. I'm back to really being nervous. I guess I'll wait for the Dr. to call tomorrow, that's all i know.

Wargod

Wednesday, November 28, 2001 - 07:52 pm Click here to edit this post
TK, when I had a minor surgical procedure last year, my biggest fear was the anastheia, and if I would wake up from it. I know how frightening and nerve racking that can be. Please let us know what happens? My thoughts are with you.

Tksoard

Wednesday, November 28, 2001 - 08:08 pm Click here to edit this post
Thanks Wargod!! I'll let you know if I wake up. If I don't, well, it's been sweet!! I've had many surgerys before, but never when I had a problem with my lungs. That is what is scaring me. Maybe the Dr. will just do it anyway, and he shouldn't. I will just have to put my faith in him, and HIM!!

Willsfan

Wednesday, November 28, 2001 - 09:18 pm Click here to edit this post
Hi again Tksoard, you need to stop thinking about pain. haha Bless your heart. I had more pain after getting a wisdom tooth cut out. I understand, though, because I was very, very nervous the night before the prodecure and didn't sleep at all.

If they ask you if you want pain pills say, "Yes!". My prescription was filled before the surgery and I had to wear this little patch on my neck that they said would keep me from feeling sick at my stomach or throwing up from the anastheia. I put it on the day before surgery I think.

If they think the fluid in your lung is a problem then they may decide to postphone your surgery. If
not, they are aware of the fluid and will be watching you carefully for any signs of a problem.

One important thing is to try NOT bend over for about two weeks and you may have to sleep in a
recliner because until the splints/packing is removed you will have to breath through your mouth.
I also had two black eyes and some swelling but I used little bags of frozen peas on my eyes and the nurses couldn't believe how little I bruised. On the way home after surgery I slept with those frozen bags on my eyes and it was in Dec. and I barely felt it. Everyone had told me peas were better than ice packs and they certainly worked for me. What an experience, I look back on it now and laugh. I must have looked a sight. Well, I have blabbed enough.

Wargod

Wednesday, November 28, 2001 - 09:25 pm Click here to edit this post
Willsfan, I can imagine the peas. My husband had a minor procedure done last year, and he was told to use the frozen peas. They worked great, because they actually mold to the area you need them.

TK, you will wake up and when you are feeling better, we will see you back here better than before. You have put your trust in the right place!

Lancecrossfire

Wednesday, November 28, 2001 - 10:25 pm Click here to edit this post
Tk, hang in there please. Risk is one thing I bet your doctor will work to manage. Keep us informed of what you find out--we are pulling for you to have the best of luck with all of this.

Tksoard

Thursday, November 29, 2001 - 08:08 am Click here to edit this post
Hi gang!! Waiting to hear back from the Dr. I'll get back to you soon!!

Tksoard

Thursday, November 29, 2001 - 10:20 am Click here to edit this post
Lance, Willsfan and Wargod, thanks for the encourgement!! The Drs. nurse called back and she said she couldn't find out anything of significance. She is still trying to contact my reg. Dr. but they don't see much of a problem. They think it is just scar tissue from my previous injury. If I don't hear from her by 4:30, I should call her.

Willsfan, I read about the pea thing in the web site your sent me to. That is really a great idea!! There isn't anything in the instructions about ice or bruising or swelling.Did you have more that just the deviated septum surgery? I will get some peas just in case, it might bring more comfort. Oh, and blab on!! I'm really interested!!
I'll get back here later if anything else happens. Thanks gang, you are the best and just what I need right now!!

Willsfan

Thursday, November 29, 2001 - 02:10 pm Click here to edit this post
My nose was broken in an accident which caused the turbinate collaspe on one side of my nose plus other inner problems - scar tissue that had to be removed. The dr. removed some bone, cartilage and tissue in order to repair the problem. So there was probably more work done than an average septoplasty. Or maybe not. I don't know a single person that has had this done except the people I've met online.

Tksoard

Thursday, November 29, 2001 - 02:20 pm Click here to edit this post
Wifllsfan, my uncle had a septoplasty done 30 years ago, and my other uncle took a picture of him after the surgery. I have never seen a funnier picture!!! It was inpatient back then, and he had black eyes, nose packed and bandaged, and his glasses on, and a flower next to his head. He is a very funny looking polish man with a large nose anyway, and the picture was made to make him look funnier. My Dr. assured me it wouldn't be like that, and I believe him!!

Willsfan

Thursday, November 29, 2001 - 02:33 pm Click here to edit this post
You should expect to have some bleeding, minor swelling, bruising, or discoloration. But not enough that you can't go out of the house. Some people bruise so badly that when they walk in a store they scare small children. Those are the ones that have a rhino/septo. hahaha

Everything will work out fine, just make sure that you have enough groceries and all your laundry and chores done so after your surgery you can just rest and heal.

You may have time before your surgery to ask the nurses any questions about bruising so - if you remember ask them anything you are curious about that the doctor hasn't mentioned.

Tksoard

Thursday, November 29, 2001 - 03:06 pm Click here to edit this post
Well, the nurse just called me and my reg. Dr. said that everything is a go!! I guess what they thought was fluid on my right lung was shadows or something like that. It was also on my last x-ray a few years ago. The nurse wanted to know about the x-ray tech that got me so upset to start with. He had no right to say anything!! Actually, I knew a reg. tech couldn't do that, but the fact that he did, I thought he was a higher level radiology person. He should have known better!! So, I guess it's a go for tomorrow!! I'll let you know how I am as soon as I'm able. Probably as soon as I get home, before I crash. Thanks for your support and HOOOO HOOOOOO !!!!

Tksoard

Thursday, November 29, 2001 - 03:08 pm Click here to edit this post
Oh, also, I've been doing laundry and cleaning all day. My hubby will take care of food stuff for a couple of days (take out). I hope my kids (dogs) will survive and I don't scare them too bad!!

Kep421

Thursday, November 29, 2001 - 03:19 pm Click here to edit this post
Tksoard, try to relax and make the most of your down time. Now is the time to get all the pampering and TLC you can.

When I had my gall bladder surgery (as an outpatient no less) I milked it for all it was worth. My family fluttered over me, waiting on me hand and foot, doing special things to make me feel better. They rented all my favorite movies, helped me to take walks (so important that first week) and generally fussed and fretted over me. It was great!!!

I'm glad to be healthy now, but it sure was sweet having everyone show how much they cared about me.

I'll be thinking about you, be well and try to enjoy if possible!!!

Tksoard

Thursday, November 29, 2001 - 04:08 pm Click here to edit this post
Thanks Kep!! All I have is my hubby, and he told me yesterday how scared he is. I thought, oh how sweet he is to worry!! BUT NO!! He was afraid of having to not only fend for himself for a few days, but for me, also!! And feed the kids (dogs)!! OH NO!! I better plan on getting up and attum real quick!!