Dr. Bhadragiri Vageesh Padiyar
Otolaryngology (E.N.T)
The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.
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Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Over a year ago I had operation to correct a deviated septum. Things started to get much better after healing. Now I am starting breathing issues when I lay down. Depending on which side my head is turned when I lay down that side of my nose that would be touching my pillow slowly starts to close while the other nostril remains open. This happens on either side depending on which side I am laying on. I was taking AMOX- CLAV 875 and Fluticasone, but neither of those helped. During the day while I am up I have no issues, it is just at night when I lay down. I do not think it is allergies at all.
Hi,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
Well to begin with, why was septoplasty performed in the first place? Did the similar symptoms exist before you underwent the surgery? If you did, then there is only one possibility left for the problems that you r having right now, that is undercorrection or incomplete surgery. Considering that there is absolutely no allergic issues whatsoever and there are no other associated nasal issues that we could be seeing here. Antibiotics and nasal steroid sprays are not going to bring much benefit either and should be taken for a long term. On the other hand, what you could possibly do is to lay down with your head upwards facing the ceiling rather than taking a posture which can aggravate the obstruction. You should be meeting the operating surgeon to see what could be the reason for the current problem, because he/she is the best person to answer that question.
Patient's Query
Thank you doctor,
The septoplasty was performed because I had major trouble breathing freely "all the time", not just at night, and the scan relieved my septum was deviated. It was 10x worse before the surgery, so the surgery did provide improvement to where my nose is fine during the day, it is just at night when I lay down, either side closes up but once I stand up out of the bed the nostril opens up and I am fine. It is my "guess" that I have no allergies. I am just going off the assumption that I have never seen an allergy flare up only when I lay down. I feel like there is some type of drainage issue. Outside of meeting the surgeon are there any over-the-counter options that I could use to keep the nose open when I lay down. Laying on my back does not help as much as when I stand up.
Hi,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
We will then need to exactly find out what could be the reason for the problem that is there rather than treating this superficially with medications which ofcourse is going to be very ineffective and superficial. However, for the time being, you can consider using a nasal decongestant nasal drop and take some steam inhalation only at night before you go to bed for next 10 days and see if that gives you any relief.
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Otolaryngology (E.N.T)
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